Something I don't understand

[jmaxley]

Most of my friends know I'm trans.  Some of them I've explained about STPs and being able to stand while peeing and how great it would be (I'm finally starting to get the hang of it).  Then I'd tell them, "You know, you could do it too."  And every one of them has been almost horrified at the thought and have said they'd much much rather sit to pee.  I don't get it.    Why are they horrified at the thought of it?  What's not too love about standing to pee...it's really convenient and it helps save toilet paper, which is also good for the environment.  If they're worried about not being seen as a lady, it's not like they have to pee in front of people.

[insideontheoutside]

They've probably never tried it for one. Although I can't imagine never encountering a situation where you would think something along the lines of, "this is a disgusting toilet, I wish I didn't have to hover over it" or while out camping or something thinking it would be nice to not have to squat in the bushes. Then again I know some women who think all men should sit to piss because they, "make a mess" by standing. And then there probably is that portion who think it's "gross" or something or that only men should do that and it somehow calls their girliness into question lol. Although I hear Go Girl is getting quite a following.

[Squirrel698]

My feelings are that it might have more to do with using the men's bathroom then actually standing to pee.  I know my family is really shocked and dismayed when I saunter into the man's bathroom like I own the place. 

They might also be worried about your safety using an urinal because the chance of being outed there is obviously much greater. 

Of course I don't know, this is just speculations and such.  Just assure them that you are careful and you do know what you are doing.  You don't take unnecessary risks such as peeing next to another man where one casual glance over would give you away.   

[cynthialee]

standing to pee is about the only payoff having a penis that I like

[emil]

i dont know, a lot of girls actually do like the idea. gogirl and travelmates and such are actually marketed towards women in outdoors and public restroom situations where they don't want to sit to pee. however, some think the devices "unsanitary".

[SnailPace]

I think that people are attached to their toilet paper.  Toilet paper = cleanliness in their minds.  Therefore, standing to pee is unsanitary.

[Bones]

Not to say that this is what they're doing, but it might be on a psychological level...they might feel that since it was you, a transmale, that suggested such a thing to them that if they took some thought into it or considered it, they might fear that they might be like one of us...I'm wondering if a woman had said it to them if their reactions would have been different. *Shrugs*

[ilanthefirst]

I'm with emil on this.  If you look at the way some STPs are marketed to women (they call them female urinary devices or FUDs, and if you do a little Google search for them, you'll see there are dozens of brands), it's pretty clear that a lot of them see it as something useful to do in unusual circumstances.  I got Go-Girls as gifts for some of my friends who love the outdoors, and they were really happy to get them (though my personal favorite is the pStyle).  And then I found out that several people I'm not terribly close to had been taking them on camping trips for years, and all I could think was that I wished they had told me earlier!  I also think Bones has a point that if I had been out as trans when I started praising FUDs, they might not have been as receptive.

[jmaxley]

Maybe it's just the girls I know.    I was really puzzled by their reaction.

I also think Bones has a point that if I had been out as trans when I started praising FUDs, they might not have been as receptive.

I would say it's possible, but unfortunately, most everyone who knows me, even though they know I'm trans, still see me as female.  They don't see me as a man at all.    Although...they do see me as kind of a freak, maybe they think that might make them "freaks" too.

[STRM]

Toilet paper = cleanliness in their minds.

If you've got enough clearance to pee out or get a device in, surely there's room for the toilet paper?

[Farm Boy]

Being an extreme germaphobe, not using toilet paper wouldn't work for me, either.  But I really don't see why I couldn't use it if I wanted to, so I don't see that being a problem.

[Alexmakenoise]

I've always thought standing to pee would be a good thing.  And why can't you use toilet paper if you stand to pee?  I understand that it makes it less essential, but I don't see how it would rule it out.  Anyway, I agree with Bones.  Maybe they were reacting to the suggestion of doing something (anything) associated with being trans.  Maybe it called their femininity into question, or just seemed "weird" or something along those lines.

[Fencesitter]

Not to say that this is what they're doing, but it might be on a psychological level...they might feel that since it was you, a transmale, that suggested such a thing to them that if they took some thought into it or considered it, they might fear that they might be like one of us...I'm wondering if a woman had said it to them if their reactions would have been different. *Shrugs*

Might well be. I once made the big mistake to suggest to a friend of mine (lesbian transwoman) to try to use a strap-on cause they're a lot of fun. If looks could kill...