Interpretation of conversation yesterday

[Elis]

This conversation doesn't bother me just wondered what everyone else's thoughts are about it  . So I had this group interview yesterday  (which surprisingly was a lot more enjoyable than it sounds ). We had to go into groups and introduce ourselves; so I was in a group of 2 other people beside myself; both women. They were really nice people; the conversation flowed well and they both mentioned they had children. So I said jokingly that I don't have any children and am all alone (yay to me  ). And one of the woman asked did I have a partner to which I said no. And then conversation just moved on. Seems strange to say partner instead of girlfriend and you usually use that word instead of bf for a guy. So yeah just wondered if she guessed I was gay as I'm quite fem  .

[RobynD]

I wouldn't read too much into it. I'm seeing the gender neutral terms partner, spouse and SO used more and more in the business world.

[FTMax]

My experience has been that it is either as you said - they think you're gay and are using the term partner to be inclusive of anyone you might be dating. OR I've found that a lot of progressive people tend to use partner no matter what.

[DawnOday]

My optometrist asked me this morning how I wanted to be addressed. It felt weird but nice she would ask. They have it listed in my records that I am on HRT and to refer to me as Dawn.

[Elis]

I'm not sure if it was because she's inclusive and progressive bcos she was in her 50s; which leads me to believe she'd likely use a more widely used term like gf or a more out of date term like partner for bf.