It's official my neighbors are treating me like a girl now

[immortal gypsy]

I past one of the people who lives in the building in front of mine halfway down the street tonight.  After a brief conversation (to me it felt like an interrogation) just finish work, where I work again, who do I live with and how safe do I feel here. (For the record I have seen him with a wife? and his daughter). Me lying about my living situation, (my next door neighbors know I'm by myself that's it). I was asked if I needed to be walked back to our place.

I know we have had some serious incidents in our general local area. But it's a straight walk, daylight still, on a major road and I was only going 400 more meters STRAIGHT ALONG THE ROAD. If the traffic lights where on I would sort of understand, but I'm a big girl I shouldn't need an escort every time I leave my house.

[Ms Grace]

Good to hear they are being nice to you. 

I know that we should be able to go where we want by ourselves when we want to, but I'm now of a mind to never refuse an offer to have someone walk with me once it gets dark (especially since that local incident). Sadly there are unhinged people out there who only need to see a woman by herself to think they've got a chance at a dirty deed.

[Sabrina]

It's good to hear that they are looking out for you. It's handy to have friends who can offer protection if need be.

[LizMarie]

Welcome to womanhood. This is going to happen when people see you as a woman. Women are at risk in situations where men might not be. That's unfortunate, we wish it were not true, but it is reality. Consequently, someone making that offer is being nice and a gentleman in certain respects.

Last year about this time exactly, before I'd legally changed my name but had been living nearly full time for several months, I visited friends in Memphis, Tennessee. I was stunned to learn that multiple men had asked a common friend  (who they also knew) if I needed to be escorted back to my hotel, for my own safety's sake. At first it was surprise, then it was a welcome acknowledgement that people see me as the woman that I am, and that they were concerned for my safety as a woman.

Take it with a smile.

[immortal gypsy]

Good to hear they are being nice to you. 

......... (especially since that local incident). Sadly there are unhinged people out there who only need to see a woman by herself to think they've got a chance at a dirty deed.

Thanks, my neighbors that I have interacted with seem to either have forgotten about old me. Or just completely accepting of me now.

Yeah that incident has been playing on my mind a little bit lately, and with some interesting work encounters I've been a bit more paranoid then normal. I only really know one couple in that building and it's not him, if it was just to the driveway yeah ok but I'm in the building behind him. I really don't want it known I live by myself (hence the dodging earlier). How do you say ok I'll take an escort, then "Thanks I'm fine now" when we live in the same unit blocks.

Yeah as annoying and frustrating as it can be at times. It is nice to be treated and respected like a girl (I still reserve my right to complain whenever I choose to thou)

Interestingly my neighbor who I would see once every few days, offers to walk me home. While I had to drag a friend to walk me to the bus stop awhile back from his place (still andro but more femme at the time), because he directions where vague and I wasn't confident on my way round the area

[immortal gypsy]

I told my coworker when I came into work this afternoon. She looks at me, makes a face, looks at me again. Then (keep in mind she is a mother of two girls) I then precede to recieve "The Being Safe Outside Late Lecture" from her.

[rosinstraya]

"Better safe than sorry!" (With much accompanying finger-wagging)

It's good that people are looking out for you. And, not least, recognising you for who you are.