I think stealth is achievable for some. We as humans have mental models of everything around us. These models are basically the generic stereotype that our brains create so there is minimal mental effort in processing our surroundings and world. They work like heuristics- mental shortcuts. Every building we come across we instantly categorize, schools, stores, office, church, house, etc. if you think of "dog" a generic mental image is bound to pop up in your mind. We of course have these models for genders as well. Every person we encounter has the brain trying to automatically categorize each individual as quickly and effortlessly as possible. If something doesn't quite fit into the model we either look for more information to categorize correctly OR our brain simply ignores the information through selective attention.
I think there is also mental models coming into the norm of society of what a transwoman is. We all hold one which makes our internal clocking that much stronger.
I think we need to be aware that these trans mental models are becoming more common in the general public and to the best of our ability try to draw attention from any of these.
This is different than trying to fit the model for a cis female or male as well.
An example would be:
The person in front of you is tall say 5'11". A "V" type body frame. Okay that's male (from behind). But their hair is shoulder length and obviously styled. female.
Out brain at this point has a mismatch and is trying to decide where to put this person. Maybe into the third, trans category. We need more information.we look at their outfit. Hmm jeans and a tshirt. Not helpful. Shoes? Boots, but we can't see the front yet. Still not too helpful. They aren't carrying a purse, but we do notice their wallet. Red leather with gold button- low profile.
Okay they are turning around. Hmm okay this person is in their 50s, sagging skin around the neck. Adam's apple or just skin? Chest. Ah, there's a bulge. So breasts? Hmm what does the rest of their body look like? Well they are heavy set but muscular. Could that just be muscle and or fat?
They then say a few words to the cashier a little high pitches but still gravely. Okay toss up. What does the brain do, its lazy and you suspect they might be trans, but not sure. The person in front grabs there bag of goods, but there's a tear. Out falls some cough drops, a pack of cigarettes, and NyQuil. They go to pick up the items, look at you, sigh, and murmur "why the heck do people go to work sick... I have to give this sales pitch later today and what client is gonna want to listen to this voice for 30 minutes?"
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So, is this person male, female, or trans?
I think most would say female... with a cold.
My point is out brains are lazy, and we can use that to our advantage. If there is enough evidence for one category, all the outlier clues are either justified or completely ignored. We don't see the world objectively, as it actually is, we see it "good enough" to get through the day.
How well did you do on this attention test?
