Coming out at work.

[Coffeedrew]

My family was easy.I am tech in a company that is family owned.The problem is we make house calls with repeat customers.All our customers know me as a man and son of the owner.I do not let things bother me and it could have to do with starting hrt soon.Good customers are like distant family coming into town and getting interrogated with questions. I am wondering if anyone has a similar experience.How do I handle this without explaining my life story 25-30 times? When a female who could pass as my sister with a maleish voice comes over to their houses.I just want advice or if someone had a similar situation what did they do?

[Northern Star Girl]

@Coffeedrew
Hmmm, this is a very interesting dilemma for sure.  I wish that I had some good suggestions for you but I am at a loss to offer anything that resembles a good answer.

Obviously with a family business and regular and repeat customers you are in a delicate situation.
I am looking forward to reading what other members have to say on this matter.

Wishing you well
HUGS
Danielle

[Colleen_definitely]

I have a job where I go visit customers a couple times a year, or more if they're really good at breaking things.


I honestly haven't found a way around the occasional question, but for the vast majority of customers they either act like they don't notice or just don't care.  Some don't even make the connection.  I typically end up unintentionally outing myself by being way too familiar with a system to be some new person visiting.

I have not had any truly negative responses.  Either they're all accepting, or they realize that they need me there worse than I need to be there so they bite their tongues.  My managers haven't heard any complaints so it's probably the former.

[Donica]

I don't know what to say either. I do work in a similar situation (family owned and many years of friendship). I don't have to meet with our customers as often as I used to. We have other employee's that do that now for the most part. Just to take a guess, I'm thinking I would have to explain it to anyone that asked. Other than that, I don't think I wouldn't say anything, hoping they just don't care? I would like to know what solution you decide on. I do bump into customers from time to time.

[Coffeedrew]

I fix home appliances so there is a huge amount of talking involved and it is apart of the trouble shooting process.My therapist is bold and told me all that matters is fixing their stuff.Basicly who cares what I look like at least I do not have to deal with HR.I agree with them but it just feels weird.Now new customers are probably fine and vacant houses for property managers is a dream come true. .I am lost as well but I do appreciate the support from everyone.

[Colleen_definitely]

That's basically my job.  I just work on more expensive and more science-y sorts of appliances.

Customer calls up and says "my thingie no workie" and off I go to save the day.  There's definitely a lot of "OK, so what is it doing or not doing?" sorts of conversation and shop talk since we're all usually chemists.

Personally I was terrified of how customers would react, but the majority of them have been really positive and the rest are either clueless or don't care.

[Katie V]

I'm not sure if this would work but it might keep some of the repetition down.  Maybe print up business cards with your new name and work info and add a line with something like, "the exact same experience and service as (old name) but much easier on the eyes".  Just something to break the ice and make it a lighter exchange.  I'm sure you'll still get a lot of questions, but it might change the nature of the conversation to a more positive one.

Or maybe people won't care as long as their appliances get fixed right.