would you introduce yourself to someone from your past

[stephaniec]

Lets say your in the produce aisle checking out the rutabagas . Now, you've been transitioning for quite awhile and your full time. Your pretty much unrecognizable as the person this person would know except maybe to be taken for your sister or vise versa . You  knew this person in college or grade school or whatever. So your standing there next to this person and looking  at them knowing they have no possible clue. Would you introduce yourself.

[Laura_Squirrel]

No. Absolutely not. I have run across a couple of people and they would say: "Hey, (Birth name)!" I replied: "You have me confused with someone else. My name is Laura (surname)".

The way I see it: It's none of their business. Once one of them found out (through a former friend), he referred to me as a "sick freak". So, I don't care about them or that whole thing.

[Beth Andrea]

"You know...rutabagas can be....very sensual."



Depends on who it is, and my preconceived notion of how they'd react. My own past friends...no, not a chance.

[Devlyn]

"You know...rutabagas can be....very sensual."



Depends on who it is, and my preconceived notion of how they'd react. My own past friends...no, not a chance.

Rutabagas are sensuous, people are sensual.

[kittenpower]

I've already told everyone that matters to me, so the answer is no, I would put my rutabaga in my cart and be on my way...

[suzifrommd]

I've been to social gatherings where there have been people I've met from my pre-transition life. I always proudly introduce myself. The response has always been positive and amazement at how little is left from the male me. I know I shouldn't revel in all that - it's just appearances - but it gives me a definite thrill.

[.Christy]

Depends if i was close to them. If not, i will be on my merry way because i have no special connection to them, they were just classmates of mines. It would also be awkward and uneccesary to go and out myself. Im not up for "hey! remember me! We used to go to school together! i was [insert male name]." Yeah, no.

[Cheska]

I can't imagine that by that point, there will be anybody even somewhat important to me that I haven't told, so no.

[Mariah]

Anyone who matters already knows and I'm content at leaving it that way. Hugs
Mariah

[Jessica Merriman]

WHY NOT? I am not ashamed of who I am. I am me and if they rebuke me fine, See ya!!

[Zoetrope]

Sure - I would probably get some kind of twisted thrill out of it :~]

[Valwen]

Not likely, mostly because it would be highly unlikely I could even remember than name. I work in a supermarket so sometimes I see someone and think, hey I know that person, but I have no clue how or why.

that said I would not deny it but I won't bring it up either.

Serena

[Skeptoid]

I'm a troll (harmless sort of troll thought) at heart and I also like the validation of having come a long way (assuming I actually have) that comes from someone not recognizing me. Heh, though that has not actually happened yet. The closest I can get is that yesterday my friend's mom called my cell, thinking he was at my house, and my friend told me later in the day that I really confused the heck out of her. She didn't recognize my voice and was actually worried the "medicine was doing something to me" beyond what is normal.

[Zoetrope]

Well, I did it just now.

A nurse who I worked with years ago visited my office for something finance-related.

I said to her, 'Oh hi person x, long time no see. Do you recognize me?'

She flat out did not recognize me. I couldn't really believe it.

I reminded her of where we worked, and a couple of the situations we were in ... she said 'Wait, I know your eyes ... yes I do remember!'

She was full of compliments and praise. It was lovely :~)

[Serenation]

If it put anyone in danger or embarrassment I wouldn't but.. this girl had a crush on me when she was in primary school, she recognised my mother in the supermarket and said Hi to me and said say hi to your brother (and referenced my old name) I knew she was a lesbian and had had a rough life so I was pretty sure she'd be understanding. So I pulled her to the side and said you can say hi yourself and explained things. Was nice being able to talk someone about our childhood.

[Cindy]

I do so regularly.

I have nothing to fear from it and if I can promote acceptance of trans*people I will do so every second of the day.

I've had amazed looks, double takes, but never a negative response.

[Lady Smith]

Sometimes I would meet people in the motor trade I knew before transition back when I was working as a disability employment adviser.  Sometimes they guessed, sometimes they didn't, but I would always introduce myself and explain what I was doing for a living now.  The main reason I got that job was because I had motor trades and metal trades experience and they didn't have anybody who knew about those industries at a practical level.  I was a darn good automotive engineer back then so I never felt embarrassed about saying, 'Hi, remember me...'

Most of the time I was accepted just fine once everybody got over their surprise.  A small handful of guys would do the scowl and sneer thing, but usually I knew full well they were @$$holes anyway from when I was working with them back in the day.

[allisonsteph]

I don't know what a rutabaga even looks like...

I suppose it would depend upon the person, how close I was to them at one time, or how open minded I thought they would be.

I did run across an old friend on Facebook whom I hadn't seen in 5 or 6 years and sent him a friend request which he rejected, so I sent a second one which he also rejected. I sent a third request with a note explaining who I was, which he accepted an replied he had no idea that it was me.

[Sammy]

I have run into former coursemates - as close as an eye to eye - and from their blank expressions I understood that they did not recognise me. Now, we have not met for years anyways and thus there was hardly a necessity to "update" them. Well, things might be different for another uni - if we had a reunion I might be tempted to go actually, but most probably such event wont take place.
I also run into former friend/acquaintance with whom I had lost contact and was very much interested to restore the connection. I actually enjoyed that minute when he was looking at me trying to figure out who am I, but then things clicked (another friend of mine turned to have waaay much longer tongue than I expected) - we have had three social meetings so far and it is always nice to have another male friend, who is also making an effort to gender me correctly.

[Rejennyrated]

Always - but then as I grew up mostly as I am now it wouldnt really have the same element of shock in my case. Only people who met me in my brief "de-transition and flirtation period with being male" while at uni would be surprised. In some ways I guess I'm a lot more like a failed FtM in that respect! Actually now I think about it, that notion does amuse me 

More interestingly I have kind of had the reverse experience on a couple of occasions - finding out that someone else I had lost touch with has transitioned and that was quite a thought provoking moment because you'd think we would just "get it" but to be honest it took a moment to sink in even for me...