Passing/Self-Awareness when interacting with women

[vandalrivera]

As I begin to pass more and more, I've become much more aware of my role when interacting with women that I don't know.
For example, I was walking my dog around the block and started up a conversation with this really femme-y girl (with a cute puppy) who I'd never seen before. I don't know if she thought I was a creep or trying to hit on her or something, but she just seemed really uncomfortable with the whole thing and was looking down and laughing nervously every now and then. This only lasted like 3 minutes until I realized that she was feeling creeped out (or whatever) and I went on my way.

Women on the street also seem scared and wary when I am walking behind them, minding my own business.
I remember that feeling of being a woman and feeling vulnerable walking in front of a strange man, so it's understandable, just weird for me to maneuver, because it rarely happened to me when I was presenting as female.

Have you guys experienced this? if so, how do you deal with it?

[Squirrel698]

Yes I do experience this unfortunately.  I consider it one of the worst situations that have come with being seen as a man.  For it seems that to many being seen as a man is also the same as being seen as a potential rapist. 

There are girls I've known for 6 months that are only now starting to relax around me.  I really don't like it but I'm not sure what I can do about it.  After all I can't control the rest of those that make up my gender. 

It's just a sad fact of the world we live in unfortunately.  The only thing you can do is be friendly and helpful and be available when they do learn to trust you.  You need to go on an individual basis.  In my experience it works out better if you wait until she approaches you. 

[wendy]

I do walk a big Irish Setter for a crippled old couple.  Irish Setter wants to say hello to every dog.

Who am I to deny this dog a little happiness?  Seems like owners are always pretty ladies.  I am very different and ladies are always nice.  I do not pass as a woman but then again I do not really pass as a man either.

[N.Chaos]

I can't really relate on this one at all, it happens to my boyfriend a lot though. Everyone acts like he's super-creepy, which I can't comprehend.
With me, people are either intimidated by me, insulting me, or attracted to me (for some reason). I've never really gotten the "Haha, yeah, you're freaking me out" before...which is surprising.

[RyGuy]

actually, since i began presenting as male, i've had women be a lot more friendly and accepting towards me. i guess before my mannerisms were so male even though i was presenting as a female, so they didn't really know what to do with me and avoided me. since my personality and mannerisms and body now basically all match up i guess i make a lot more sense to people. that, and it's easier to be friendly to someone who is happy and confident, which i totally am now.

[Nero]

actually, since i began presenting as male, i've had women be a lot more friendly and accepting towards me. i guess before my mannerisms were so male even though i was presenting as a female, so they didn't really know what to do with me and avoided me. since my personality and mannerisms and body now basically all match up i guess i make a lot more sense to people. that, and it's easier to be friendly to someone who is happy and confident, which i totally am now.

That's my experience as well. Though I am more wary about certain things than before - like a while back I helped a little girl find an item in a grocery store and then wondered how that looked - my wandering around the store with her.

[RyGuy]

That's my experience as well. Though I am more wary about certain things than before - like a while back I helped a little girl find an item in a grocery store and then wondered how that looked - my wandering around the store with her.

agreed with this. i am more aware of what i do. but because not only am i pretty young in the scheme of things, but i look young too, people probably view it as a lot more innocent than they would if i looked 5 or 10 years older.

[Darrin Scott]

I've noticed this too. I can't say these women read me as female or not, but they are skittish around me.