Hi everyone!
I've only been ma'amed a couple of times, but it was a while back and was obviously a mistake as I was dressed entirely male and had a beard. Not too many bearded ladies out there besides Louise and I...LOL
Interestingly enough, I was small and "sickly" as a child too, K. While I am the oldest of two children, Mom had had (I believe) 3 miscarriages before I was born, so that would have made me the 4th child also. While I wasn't treated as a girl, or had girl toys growing up, I do remember getting in trouble a couple of times at an early age for sneaking into my parents' room and putting on Mom's makeup. Not sure if that was out of the ordinary or not...kids tend to emulate their parents and at early ages are not aware of the boy-girl roles.
Also, I too, find that women tell me lots of things they don't tell most guys. Can't tell you how many ladies tell me about their problems with hubby (especially his lack of interest in things intimate...if you can read between the lines on that, or, conversely, about their great love life).
Men, on the other hand, don't open up to me any more than they would anyone else...not that men open up much to begin with. Only close friends discuss problems, and even then, they tend to avoid the important things.
Great questions Shinobu...
.......Laurie