Reintroducing Yourself to Acquaintances?

[AndrewB]

So, for background, today at work I ran into a guy that I knew a little bit pre-transition, because he worked here once before but left for a while. I walked past him today as I was walking with my boss before a corporate lunch thing and he just goes "Hey I don't think we've met" so, as I usually do, I took the easy route and just went along with the notion that we've never met before; I mean, technically he's never met Andrew, right? 

I guess I'm just curious if anyone else does this, and if not, how you go about explaining quickly that you actually have and why your face is 100% unfamiliar.

On the bright side, I guess that means I'm pretty darn transitioned and passing? He would have definitely remembered pre-transition me, I think, since everyone at the company knows my mom and usually remembers me because of that. He and my mom are pretty friendly, too, so I guess I've changed a lot since he left!

[Cindy]

Hi Andrew,

I've had this a lot as I have worked in the same places for many years. OK when I went FT it went viral but I meet people who haven't seen me since I 'changed'. I was a grey haired, skinny 'guy' and now I'm a good looking woman (even if I have to say so myself ). People see some facial resemblance and of course my surname is familiar to them, if they ask 'aren't you peter m?' I just so 'no he has gone, I'm Cindy M and took his place'. I usually leave it there any they can work it out themselves!

And although I don't know what you looked like pre-T, I would say you are now a good looking guy and no one would ever know that you were AFAB.

Congratulations!!

[DanielleA]

I had to join this conversation. Most of my school friends don't recognise me either. I was that tall, super thin, quiet "boy" that they knew and since starting hormones have gained 35kg, self confidence & alot of womens clothes. I had to reintroduce myself quite a few times and got a kick out of talking to them about their school days while they struggle to think about who they are talking to. And I agree with Cindy. You look great

[suzifrommd]

I have a couple ways of doing that.

If I need to cover a lot of ground quickly, it's "Hi, I'm Suzi. You used to know me as <old full name>."

If I'm in a LGBT space talking to someone who knows I'm trans but doesn't know they used to know me (this has actually happened three times): "Remember <old full name>. Well, you won't see him around anymore..."

[Kaydee]

In the case where they appear to recognize me, but don't know for sure, I like to introduce myself by saying that I have changed my name to Aimee, and leave them to put the pieces together.

[Sammy]

I have run into former coursemates and acquaintances in public places and in most cases when our eyes meet, there is blank expression in their eyes as they dont recognise me. so I prefer things to stay this way.

[Cindy]

As an addendum. I totally adore the shock when people realise!

I think I have a streak of evil in me!

[Dena]

So far meeting people from my past hasn't been a problem BUT I am thinking about attending for the first time my 45th high school reunion in October. I wonder what the topic of discussion might be. As I was one of the most unpopular kids there, I suspect few will recall me. Now if I can just get them to issue me the correct name tag.

[Cindy]

So far meeting people from my past hasn't been a problem BUT I am thinking about attending for the first time my 45th high school reunion in October. I wonder what the topic of discussion might be. As I was one of the most unpopular kids there, I suspect few will recall me. Now if I can just get them to issue me the correct name tag.

I went to a reunion last Saturday. It was great! Rocked it. I was me not him. Dena you are you not the past, go and enjoy as the lovely woman you are.

[AndrewB]

Awesome, glad I'm not alone in this! I've actually only had one person not recognise me and then later have it click, but it was over the phone that he didn't catch it, saying he had met me yet. About an hour later it clicked (he's in management, and was somewhat in the loop when I am out) and he called my mom going "Oh! I figured it out now!" all excited, like he'd just solved the case of the new accountant.  Also, great solutions, guys! I'll definitely keep those in mind in the future.

Luckily I won't have the reunion problem, as I came out during my last school year pretty loud n' proud, but I could definitely see that being a small issue when trying to reconnect with old classmates. Good luck, to those of you in that situation!