I give up; there are only two possibilities

[JLT1]

I think the kids in the movie were also telepathic.  That's easy to test....  Just smile and think "That is the ugliest kid I've ever seen."  If they jump back, worry.  If no reaction, their OK. 

Hugs,

Jen

[2cherry]

Most, if not all, children stare at people older than themselves. They learn by looking and copying. If children are exposed to similarities -rather than differences- then they will stare as adults because they haven't had the exposure of differences as children. You'll notice this difference in people who've grownup in cities or in rural areas. The level of exposure in cities is higher than in rural areas, and so city people don't stare as much as others because they've been exposed by many differences.

So if children stare, encourage them  it mean that they're learning to classify you as female, and remember that later in life.

[stephaniec]

sounds good

[stephaniec]

things were a lot better today. Was standing in line at the food stamp office and bsides being properly gendered a little girl around 5 kept looking at me and smiling then brushed up against me.

[alex82]

I don't think anyone (other children aside) should really 'engage' with other peoples children, 'encourage' them, or brush up against them/let them do it to you.

Nothing to do with trans btw. Just generally. I can't see that ending well. It certainly wouldn't if I was out with my nephew. Maybe we are all a little too suspicious of people now, but best err on the side of caution.

Children do stare at people - the best thing is generally a genuine smile at the child, and a more nuanced 'sort your kid out' smile to the adult it's with.

[stephaniec]

sorry I think your jumping to conclusions , the mother was standing next to me in line. The child was treating me as she would any other woman standing on the side of her mother.

[alex82]

sorry I think your jumping to conclusions , the mother was standing next to me in line. The child was treating me as she would any other woman standing on the side of her mother.

I'm really not jumping anywhere.

It's nothing to do with being a woman, children just sometimes attach themselves to people. You're the adult and the stranger - unattach them, for your own sake.

Doubly so if you're half dressed and pulling bits of clothing out of your jeans.

I was in a cafe the other day waiting to be served, and in front of me was the loveliest, gentlest dad with the cutest baby I've seen in years. I said to him 'I'm so sorry to bother you, but your son is too perfect and I had to tell you' - so I had a little hold, and an old couple behind me joined in too. I meant no harm (and was fully prepared to be treated as the local nutter, but it really was an adorable baby) as I'm sure you didn't, but you have to be careful.

The sort of thing that could really get someone a bad name - particularly if they're quite literally undressing and redressing on the spot before swinging by the nearest building site for a thrill.

It's heartwarming that you respond so well to young children, but it's not 1956, and I think you live in the middle of a large city. Just be careful.

[stephaniec]

I'm sorry, Your coming from a perspective that doesn't apply in this case and I'm sorry that you see this particular instance as provocative. All I will say is I won't comment further on this particular event.

[alex82]

I just think you need to take care of yourself, including not sauntering past groups of random men, clearly without underwear, who could do anything to you, follow you, hurt you, mock you. That's not a catwalk, that's a gauntlet.