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Yes, I definitely experienced profound social and cultural differences going from male to female. I was active in various feminist causes and issues during the 1970s and 1980s - as a male - so I saw them and knew what was coming upon my change.
I wrote about workplace differences at my web-site. When I was a male, I took note how higher-grade female co-workers deferred to me. I, on the other hand, aware of the mal-treatment by co-worker males, was attuned to the women and acknowledged their contribution - the only male in the office to do so. My lower-grade female co-worker in my unit was so surprised how I treated her respectfully, how I honestly sought her contributions, and how I devoted time to be a good teacher for her.
Conversely, employed as female in my last job with greater education and work experiences than as male, I was on that receiving end of disrespect by male co-workers. Not one lower-grade male co-worker accepted any effort of my higher-grade teaching or training. To them, they reduced 100 points off my IQ scale because I am female. Only other females accepted my expertise - whether higher- or lower-grade. At meetings, the males controlled the discussion; they rarely allowed we women to speak. My male supervisor and male manager would steal my work and present it as their own. At meetings, male co-workers expected we women (including those of higher grade or authority) to bring snacks at our personal expence, serve them, and clean up after them. I have no recollection of any male bringing any snack or contributing to the clean-up (the men were usually the first ones gone).
I have mostly female friends and a few male friends; I am not explicitly 'out', none know of my medical past from me though they can freely browse my web-site and ask all the questions they want to ask. One male is on the verge of 'boyfriend' status; we've known each other more than 20 years yet he does not 'know' me. He demonstrates his perspective of me as female by talking male code with other males if I am present. In some ways it is annoying, yet it helps prove to me that he perceives me as female and treats me as female rather than 'one of the guys'.
How you 'present' as female is your decision as how you are comfortable - be it tomboy or femme or any other manner. Be yourself. Befriend those who want to be your friends. Use the Internet to locate a transsexual group in your area; contact them and and meet with them. They can help you at your immediate location.
Make-up is your decision. I originally wore face make-up to cover my facial 'shadow'; as my electrolysis progressed, I diminished wearing face make-up. Make-up was my security blanket - once I no longer needed it to cover my facial shadow, I felt free of it to wear or not wear as I chose. I occasionally use eyeliner, otherwise I usually go without make-up.
How is love different? I'll leave the exactness to the M-F; I can't answer that one completely because I am female inter-sex - erroneously assigned male at birth due to mal-formed female external genitalia. I read and hear from other M-F that their libido is fine. Know that responce is different from male to female; you will now be female and experience as female with GCS / SRS. I can say that, in my version of post-op experience, I am just fine anatomically; I can do well down below and up top (trying to keep my words within bounds here). Actually, I can do well by caressing and cuddling as much as otherwise, ahem. My 'o' is mental as well as physical and I satisfy either way and / or both ways.
Exogenous estrogen will change you from male to female. That means it will change your libido and perspective to female. It seems according to what you wrote that this change makes you reluctant to proceed. This will be a topic you must discuss with your counsellor and endocrinologist. A M-F true transsexual will have no difficulty accepting all these changes.
Some M-F document they have a complication finding a partner; many males refuse to date M-F transsexuals. That is the attitude here in the USA - but different parts of this country vary from others; it is probably easier at some regions and impossible at others.
Another issue nowadays is whether to tell a partner and when; I have no definitive answer for today other than go with how you feel your relationship is progressing.
My gender identity has always been female since the earliest memories - age three. I grew up with what was termed 'feminine protesting'. Doctors discovered my female inter-sex state through the course of my transition and my life changed with a new retrospective understanding of my growing up.
What I wore never had anything to do with my female identity for me. If women wore three-piece suits, that would be what I'd be wearing today rather than skirts and dresses. Generally, one's focus on attire is more aligned with transvestism than transsexualism. This is where you must discuss your issues with your gender counsellor.
Your questions, Goat, are quite well. You must ask all the questions you have in you to be certain that you will make the decision that is best for you. You must get answers. Here where we can share personal experiences. Your counsellors will help you make your best decisions for your future.
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