Re-Test

[Virginia]

I have brought this topic up before but given this time of year and we are out shopping and we do have some new members who may have a different perspective on the subject.

Take this test. You're out at a mall or supermarket and "in the distance," distance being the operative word and it can vary greatly, you see a person, coat, perhaps, hat and/or gloves, staying warm.

How long and at what distance (mentally) does it take you to determine "is that a male or a female?"

From previous responses, it seems that males have some built-in detector that sees right thought the outer coverings, coat, hat, gloves, boots/shoes and can almost instantly discern male from female.

My additional question is what helps us in determining that? Those are the things that will also help those who do dress and go out amongst the "great unwashed" and attempt to blend-in and pass.

Assuming the figure is somewhat hidden, is it the cut, style, color of the clothes, the way they perhaps walk or stand, the way that they "shield" themselves against the cold. Of course there are dead give aways like the boots, or hat style perhaps, but thus the distance factor comes into the equation. How far away before we can not really tell if it is male or female or is that even a factor?

Just curious about your thoughts on this and that it would appear easier to "pass" dressed in the winter than the summer.

Love,

Virginia

[Carolynn]

Hi Virginia. I must admit that I do not spend my time trying to gender someone from a distance while they are clothed in heavy coats. I am too busy trying to get from car to store and back again in the strong Oklahoma winds. 50 mph yesterday over most of the state with higher gusts, swirling dust and paper, and smoke from grass fires. Switching to the north today as a Canadian Front is moving in as I write, with winds in excess of 30 mph. I mean, really, what difference does it make? It's just people trying to stay warm. What coats they wear, or headgear, may be situational.

Oh, keep your eyes open in Roanoke for a slender guy, about 5'10", graying hair (and last time he was here, graying beard--black with lots of gray) and dark eyes. He is a forensics scientist and Cherokee indian that works for the state police. So if you see him bobbing up and down walking to or from a store today, wish Mike "Happy Birthday"!!

[Merinda]

Hi Virginia ,

I have good long distance sight and can generally tell the differance 500-600 metres away (1/2 mile) , if the person was dressed in the clothing of your example then probably 100 metres (apprx 60 yards) and I would judge my guess on their walk. There have been times when I've been totally wrong though.

I had an interesting multi-misjudgement just over a week ago whilst walking in my local neighbourhood -

From less than 100 Mtrs I sighted a group of teenagers standing around talking on the opposite side of the road , I normally cross to that side but I didn't feel safe walking though them , I then thought that I'm being silly and cowardly so I crossed onto their side anyway. As I got closer I saw that 2 of the group were girls , as I got closer again I realized that they were not teenagers but in fact around their late 20's or early 30's.
One of the girls went back to her car leaving 1 pretty girl and 2 males , at around 6 mtrs (20ft) I made a startling discovery about the pretty young ladies ( yes! , you guessed it ) and the deep voice was confirmation.
I got a closer view of the lady in the car and yes "T" as well , I have a trained eye for this but they certainly passed at a small distance .

I'll tell you a secret , I could have turned Gay on the spot , the girl that was standing was "HOT AS"

[DonnaT]

I don't usually try to judge someone that far away. But as I think on it, I'd say the way the coat fits over the hips would be the first indication.

So, if one had good hip/butt pads, then I reckon it would be easier to pass in the winter. Plus the coat sleeves hide the large arms some of us have.

[JoAnnDallas]

Virginia.......Each time I go out dressed, I am amazed that no one seems to notice that I'm not female. Even when I did that return at Walmart, it took the lady a good 30-60 sec to realize that I was male and not a female.
I think what helps in my case, is at my Tri-Ess chapter every third meeting we have a makeup/deportium meeting, where the wifes help us in our makeup Technique, walk, sit, stand, voice, and etc. My wife does help me in this too. She has said that I am a lot better now at my presentation than I was when she first accepted me. I am sure it has reduce her fears too.

[SilverLady(SO)]

Take this test. You're out at a mall or supermarket and "in the distance," distance being the operative word and it can vary greatly, you see a person, coat, perhaps, hat and/or gloves, staying warm.

How long and at what distance (mentally) does it take you to determine "is that a male or a female?"

^ JoAnn, you never answered the question! It's not a matter of whether you, as a person, are passing while out in public or if anyone notices you.

While you are out in public, in any mode, how long does it take you to determine that the person you are looking at is male or female?

What made you think the person was male or female . . . the clothes, the way he/she walked, hand movements, etc.?

How far away from that person are you when you have made that determination?

When you got closer to that person, how accurate was your determination?


- SL

[Janet Bern]

Since I have been out dressed enfemme and have been looking in malls trying to notice who is m or f , I have no clue. I am tall and look for CDs whether in drab or enfemme still I have not seen one. When I am enfemme noone looks at me at all so I assume that I am blending in pretty nicely. How do you notice a CD? I know about the walk. adams apple, big hand etc.. I probably have seen many CDs but never recognized ONE...Janet

[DeeDee]

Gee....easy answer. If they're dressed really nice then probably a CD
hugs
DeeDee

[Rikki]

Dee's got it right, for sure!!

I have only "spotted" one person who I thiink might have been a CD'er. And it was for that reason, she was only person in a mall of thousands who was wearing a nice skirt/suit and didn't look like she was bailing hay. She did have larger hands, feet, and facial features, so I was pretty sure.

Now I'm looking for Osama...... need the reward money with biz falling off!
rr

[CherryLynn]

It's hard for me to tell, but I am very nearsighted . GG's tell the difference right a way. Once was in greenwich village with some friends and the girls in our group were able to pick out the Cds, TV's .

[Janet Bern]

I could see where you would be looking for CD s in Greenwich Village but in a Mall the average person is too busy or preoccupied to be looking for a CD and if they saw one they probably wouldnt know it. I also agree that the well dressed ones are probably CD's LOL
Janet

[Stephanie H]

How do I tell, usually the manner in which the person walks from a distance and than up close by the positioning of the eyes. Are they looking and seeing nothing.

[JoAnnDallas]

Stephanie said

I tend to agree with DeeDee we are usually the people that are dressed neatly and well manicured.

You just discribed just about every female where I work. LOL I love watching the girls up front since they all have very good fashion tastes. One is even a Mary Kay rep, so her makeup is always perfect.

[JoAnnDallas]

SilverLady....What I was applying is I have now found that 99% of the people out there will not spot a CD if the CD is blending in. Even up close most people will not spot one. Even the lady the did the return at Walmart, if I had not had to show DL she would not have notice.
It was one of my biggest fears when I first started going out in public, that people would quickly notice I was a CD. Not anymore.
With the help of my Tri-Ess Deportium classes and my wifes help, I can blend in even better now and that reduces the chance that someone else will spot me as a CD.
As for anyone else, I have had seen some that I supect were a CD or TS but I just smile and go on my way.
I read where this GG was accused of being a CD. A huge ugly scene was the result. She ended up sueing the person for slander.
The way people are parinod about being sued nowadays, I for one would not say anything even if the CD had a full beard, hairy arms and legs, because it just might be a real GG.

[SilverLady(SO)]

Hello, everyone -

The topic is meant to talk about how a person determines, from a distance, if the other person they are seeing is either a male or a female. Period.

The question asked by Virginia has absolutely nothing to do with spotting a CD, TG, etc. and that was never an implied intent, as most here were wont to do (based upon their replies).

The scenario and question are very basic, so we ask again:

Take this test. You're out at a mall or supermarket and "in the distance," distance being the operative word and it can vary greatly, you see a person, coat, perhaps, hat and/or gloves, staying warm.

How long and at what distance (mentally) does it take you to determine "is that a male or a female?"

What factors, features, or characteristics, made you determine that the person was male or female? Was it the way they were dressed, the way they walked, hand movements, etc.? When that person got closer to you, were you still correct in your determination that it was a male or a female? If not, why not?

Again, folks, this has absolutely nothing to do with spotting a CD or TG.

It is all about general observation skills and techniques.