How do you figure out someone clocked you by their body language

[ssneha23]

Hello Ladies,

A quick question. How do you really know someone has clocked you just by their body language. I know some of the obvious tangible clues like somebody would verbally misgender you. I am really curious to understand how would you know that you are being clocked when no one really approaches you or talk to you.

I am just curious to know because whenever I am out in public - I really havent cared if someone clocked me or not - I just went about confident and in my own world, I never really paid attention to the public around me.

[suzifrommd]

Well you can't know for sure. Here are some possible signs:
* If they say "dude" or "man" or "bro" when referring to you, or use a generally collegial tone.
* Some people stare intently, because something is triggered but they're not sure which.
* I get judgmental scowls or self-satisfied smirks (because they figured it out).
* When you smile at women and they don't smile back. Might just be because they're grumpy, of course.
* When you flirt with men and they don't flirt back. Might just be because they're not interested, or gay.

But in the 21st century, when we routinely meet people who are out of the ordinary, different cultures, disabilities, physical charateristics, etc., nearly everyone at this point has cultivated enough of a studied indifference that you're not likely to know.

[Zoetrope]

When their eyes start wobbling a millimetre left and right.

Our eyes are such give-away, involuntary communicators.

<.<   >.>   <.<   >.>

Attitude is everything though. If I am comfortable, others will be comfortable with me.

I get clocked all the time, because I have one or two giveaway features (nice apple, hun!) ... but even then, most people have no issue addressing me as a girl. I think it's because my personality is unmistakably female.

Only a ''true unbeliever'' will call me ''mate''. No big deal. I'm not here to convert anyone :~D

[ImagineKate]

The people who clock me without telling me, that's a hard one.

I honestly can't tell first of all if anyone is clocking me (I'm sure at least some people do), because usually when presenting female I am addressed as ma'am or miss unless the voice gives me away. I had one woman mutter "sir" under her breath after addressing me as ma'am and I replied in my male voice. I said, "no it's ma'am and yes I am trans." She shut up after that.

Generally though I have found that:

People (men) don't open doors etc for you
I tend to get bumped/nudged more

When I'm passing I notice that:
Women are much more likely to interact with me in a friendly manner
I don't get a second look at all
On public transportation especially people will willingly sit next to me even though there are empty seats further back of the bus/train.

The thing is for me that clocking isn't like what I hear most people experience, or what I'd like to refer to as "soft" clocking. I usually get it hard, verbal misgendering or outright treating me like a dude. Thankfully it happens less and less now and almost never when I'm presenting female and almost always because of my voice.

[Lady Smith]

Not that it happens much these days now I'm older, but the first clue was usually an intense stare followed by a twisted lip sneer.

Funny thing though when I was first starting out I got doors held open for me all the time.  I did used to wonder if it was because I was on 5mg of Premarin daily back then and femininity was just pouring out of my pores.

These days I still get doors held open for me, but that's only because I'm a kind faced looking 'elderly' Religious Sister who walks with a stick.

[cindianna_jones]

I get clocked all the time, because I have one or two giveaway features (nice apple, hun!) ... but even then, most people have no issue addressing me as a girl. I think it's because my personality is unmistakably female.

Hey, look at my apple. I don't think it has EVER been a problem for me. I don't know why. But I've never noticed anyone staring at it. I don't think that many people stare at necks that much. And I'm really sure that many if not most don't know about the apple thing, surprisingly enough.

Cindi

[Zoetrope]

Cindi Jones, it's not just the apple in my case.

I also have to contend with spectacular makeup fails, because I always get hot and sweaty in this ghastly Australian climate.

O the joys, the joys :~D

[femmebutt]

I sympathize with your climate woes sarah, humid Florida balmy nastiness here. And maybe there's also something about my particular locale that makes me feel like I'm being clocked when people ARE nice to me! Southern hospitality to someone having grown up in LA is downright suspicious anyway. People are always really nice to me, complimenting, calling me sweetheart, going out of their way. I think I'm a little cute and don't dress very conservatively out. But my self conscious little brain can't help wonder...

[Sammy]

For me it's when passers-by turn around and try to get another glance at me (yay, for peripherial vision!). The most rude clue was quite prolonged and intense stare at me, which clearly broke all the rules of politeness (I mostly get these when I dress in boy-mode or male-leaning andro).
Oh, and then there is that confused yet intense looking at my facial features, when people try to figure out who the heck am I (usually with unfamiliar medical staff, when I have made appointment without giving my name and their initial impression does not match with what I am wanting from them).

[Ms Grace]

Well, I have to admit that I always expected I would get this kind of reaction...



Fortunately it hasn't happened... yet...

[pollypagan]

Well, I have to admit that I always expected I would get this kind of reaction...

Brilliant. I think the give away is when they point and laugh; then throw rocks.

[Zoetrope]

Well, I have to admit that I always expected I would get this kind of reaction...

I know that face.

That happens when i tell my old friends from all-boys' school about my new and improved sex life.

I really need to stop doing that.