Susan's Place Transgender Resources

I just got my packy in the mail yesterday (the non-functional kind) from Mango, nearly six weeks (!) after I ordered it.  I wore it around last evening, and I like the way it feels and looks, and yet I'm not sure I'll want to wear it all day, everywhere.  What I'm wondering is, for those of you who haven't had any bottom surgery, how do you feel about packing?  Do you do it all the time, or sometimes?  How important do you think it is as a visual identifier (even on a subtle level; i.e., is it something people really notice, even subconsiously)?  Or is it something you do only for yourself, for how it feels?  Binding my breasts feels more critical to me, because it's much more easily noticeable to other people.  Your thoughts and opinions and practices appreciated, and if there are options I haven't thought of, suggestions are welcome.  Input from the girls is welcome too.  Do you look at guys' crotches?  Does it matter?

Rob

I pack everywhere i go!!! But i have to admit, it was exciting and all at first, but the Mango Pack and Pee is more annoying than anything nowadays. I have my heart set on saving up for one of those silicone prosthesis from the link Bev gave.

But it is important to me to have something there. I do it mainly for me, but also just in case anyone does happen to look in 'that' region because i get very conscious of it.

I don't usually bother packing. I will occasionally if I'm wearing jeans that might show. Otherwise it's more of a bother than anything. My GF says she doesn't notice whether I am or not, so it strikes me that if she isn't looking there hard enough to notice, nobody else is.

Dennis

I have not found the need to do so yet... and besides the jeans I wear already "show" something.  Never realized they were enhanced before.

I pack because it boosts my confidence that I'm passing. I know [most] guys dont go around checking out other dude's crotches, but incase somebody suspects I'm trans (duno how they would  ;D) they'd see the bulge and pass me off as a normal guy. If I don't pack I feel anxious, like somebody's  gonna notice. Plus it feels right being there.

Nick

Not to Pack.
I chose 'Packing is silly.'
Let me rephrase that - it's silly to me.
I understand some guys do it to feel more complete or comfortable, and that's the only reason to do it IMO.
For yourself. For your own comfort.
It'd only be a passing issue if you wore jeans so tight they look painted on. Most guys don't wear tight pants, and you really can't see anything unless he's hard.
I would never do it, because I don't want anyone seeing (or groping) anything that isn't all me.
I don't want anything in my pants that isn't my own flesh.

i pack all the time. Since I've been packing for so long, i think it  would feel 'weird' if i didn't pack. I remember when i first started i would only do so occasionally, then i just started packing all the time  since it felt right and natural to me. Do i think others notice it, i doubt it, i don't know too many people that go looking at guys crotches- so for me, its purely for my own comfort level. 

Quote from: Nick on July 03, 2007, 06:21:30 PM
I pack because it boosts my confidence that I'm passing. I know [most] guys dont go around checking out other dude's crotches, but incase somebody suspects I'm trans (duno how they would  ;D) they'd see the bulge and pass me off as a normal guy. If I don't pack I feel anxious, like somebody's  gonna notice. Plus it feels right being there.

Nick

It's definitely kinesthetic.  The same thing happens to pre-op MtFs when they start tucking -- that kinesthetic body-awareness change.

My two cents from the opposite lane of Trans Highway  ;)

Karen

Thanks, everyone, for your input.  I think for me it will be just an occasional, sometimes kind of thing, when I feel like it.

You guys are incredible, I admire you so much.

Guymade gave me the low down on what packing is (I hadn't a clue I am so sad to say), He even posted me some links, which was way cool of him.

Buffy

Quote from: Buffy on July 04, 2007, 12:34:45 PM
You guys are incredible, I admire you so much.

Guymade gave me the low down on what packing is (I hadn't a clue I am so sad to say), He even posted me some links, which was way cool of him.

Buffy

Yeah, at first I was leery to open this thread. Thought we were talkin somethin else. :laugh:

Quote from: Nero on July 04, 2007, 12:50:18 PM

Yeah, at first I was leery to open this thread. Thought we were talkin somethin else. :laugh:

LOL.  Now that would be a whole other kind of discussion.    ;D

I pack at night  (when my kids are asleep or out, every night) or if I go out to a club or special event (long story).  For me it just feels more "right" and natural.  Unfortunately/fortunately I have just arrived in Southeast Asia where I will be doing voulnteer work for the next year with my sons so it's safe to say I'll be a lot more cautios in this area and probabaly won't leave the house packing until I see what the area is like.  I think its a total personal thing and as i'm learning from the board we are definitely a group of individuals and its great that no matter what our thoughts are we can voice them and feel ok about it.
So whatever you decide good luck and heck you could always change your mind later.
Myles (still around just not as much)

I think both men and women notice more than they admit. A lot more than they admit.

Love always,
Elizabeth

Quote from: Elizabeth on July 07, 2007, 04:28:42 AM
I think both men and women notice more than they admit. A lot more than they admit.

Love always,
Elizabeth

That's one reason I'd never do it. Better that they don't see anything in my pants than to be thinking I'm hung like a horse. I don't think it's a make it or break it passing issue, though. Tight pants aren't my thing, so if they are looking, they'll just assume I'm not very well-endowed.
Giving the illusion that I have something I don't would make me feel fake. Like I'm trying to be something I'm not. I'm a man without the frank and beans, and that's just that.

I pack occasionally. For me it's just a personal choice to pack because when I don't pack I feel like a part of me is missing. When I do pack I feel like it makes me a whole heck of a lot more confident and comfortable in my skin. If I'm going to go  out somewhere then I'll definitely pack because I choose to present as male when I'm out in public.

i pack some times only really when i am in new york city or home because im not out in my home town.

I pack on occassion and not to help me pass (I don't) but just because it feels "complete" to have something there.  After a bit of trial and error, I am using the smallest packer I can find, and that feels just perfect. 

Is it just me or is anyone else curious who the people were who actually answered that if you don't pack you aren't a man?

i didnt answer at all because i really didnt like having to choose between "if you dont pack you arent a man" and "i only pack when i go out". i pack everywhere unless i'm completely by myself. i dont think anyone who doesn't isnt a man though, and i dont think anyone else truly thinks that here. it was probably just for the lack of a "i pack all the time" option Oo

Thread Necromancy!

"I never bother to pack" was my choice.

Actually because I'm not all out yet. My husband would give me weird looks, since he has no clue. I would be curious to try it, though.
But I just don't need it right now.

Quote from: emil on September 07, 2010, 07:49:47 AM
i didnt answer at all because i really didnt like having to choose between "if you dont pack you arent a man" and "i only pack when i go out". i pack everywhere unless i'm completely by myself. i dont think anyone who doesn't isnt a man though, and i dont think anyone else truly thinks that here. it was probably just for the lack of a "i pack all the time" option Oo

I didn't even notice there wasn't an option for someone who packs all of the time, lol. Goes to show my ability to pay attention to detail.

If I do it, I do it for me and not anyone else.

I pack when I feel like it.. when I know I'm going to make use of mens restrooms alot or something (STP).. or going out to the clubs, or visiting the girl, however I don't see it as necessary.

Quote from: Tad on September 07, 2010, 12:48:18 PM
I pack when I feel like it.. when I know I'm going to make use of mens restrooms alot or something (STP).. or going out to the clubs, or visiting the girl, however I don't see it as necessary.

I seriously need to get on top of the STP thing, I have two separate devices for this but never seem to actually take either one anywhere with me. It's kind of weird when I'm at work and have to use the restroom because most of my coworkers don't know I'm trans and I'm extremely uncomfortable about sitting and peeing in public restrooms. I end up spending more time sitting there waiting for everyone else to leave than I actually spend peeing! It really kills my adherence to my phone schedule (I do hotel reservations in a call center) which in turn hurts my job performance.

Quote from: Cowboi on September 07, 2010, 01:01:58 PM
I seriously need to get on top of the STP thing, I have two separate devices for this but never seem to actually take either one anywhere with me. It's kind of weird when I'm at work and have to use the restroom because most of my coworkers don't know I'm trans and I'm extremely uncomfortable about sitting and peeing in public restrooms. I end up spending more time sitting there waiting for everyone else to leave than I actually spend peeing! It really kills my adherence to my phone schedule (I do hotel reservations in a call center) which in turn hurts my job performance.

Peeing in urinals is sooooooooooo much fun... or on bushes or in a bottle.. gah.. I've become a lazy ass boy. Bottles instead of the bathroom when I'm too lazy to head upstairs.. O_o

I'm getting to the point that I *need* to pack.  I don't have a packer and I'm going to make one until I can afford to buy one.  I can't really pass as male, but having nothing down there just makes me irritated.  I'd love an STP, when I get the time.  I'm really looking forward to starting to get more "male" clothing and starting to try to present as male at least part-time. 

And I do like guy's crotches, but it's because I look at people all over out of habit.  I'm not sizing the person up or anything, it's just something I've always done.

I so want to start packing ... just need to do some research and figure out what I want.

My son doesn't pack unless he is going out....however, once I get mine I plan to pack every day

I have a packer, but I can't wear it because I don't have any men's pants that fit me.  >:( And it looks quite silly--ludicrously large even though it's a small packer-- in women's pants.

Stupid f^$#ing female thighs.

As of late, I haven't packed at all unless I'm packing hard...and I pack hard if it's an occasion where it's possible/likely that I'll be hooking up. I do have soft packers but I don't really wear 'em. It's not for me.

Quote from: brainiac on September 07, 2010, 05:43:23 PM
I have a packer, but I can't wear it because I don't have any men's pants that fit me.  >:( And it looks quite silly--ludicrously large even though it's a small packer-- in women's pants.

Stupid f^$#ing female thighs.

Packing in girl pants is bloody uncomfortable cause there's no space for the packer!

Too bad there wasn't an option for "I only pack at home".  I'm a bit paranoid about the packy falling out...be a bit hard to explain.

Used to pack 24/7.  Last few months only while awake, but not in bed.  Now, no.

Personal decision.  I needed to feel junk down there and used the STP all the time.


Jay

Quote from: jmaxley on September 07, 2010, 09:49:17 PM
Too bad there wasn't an option for "I only pack at home".  I'm a bit paranoid about the packy falling out...be a bit hard to explain.

Yup, standing in the queue for the Post Office and this bright pink, floppy penis falls down your trouser leg onto your shoe.  Good ice-breaker though.

I stick mine in a sock that gets safety-pinned to the inside of my boxers.  Its not elegant, but it works just fine.  It has led me to want to write the Dr Seuss guide to FtM transsexualism, called "Cocks in Socks"  Do you think it would sell?

To tell you the truth I do not ever pack..I never really thought about it I guess...I get called Sir, man, boss, all this stuff all the time and I never have anything really in my boxers...I think to me it would kinda look unreal or something because I look at my boys and I'm like "yeah i don't really see their ->-bleeped-<-" unless their wearing like swim trunks (No homo I promise) lol I just look because I want to see how I size up to them but back to your question I do not pack and probably wont ever really

HAH I still haven't gotten an STP and harness [90$ or sth total] I ordered from mango.... and I ordered it over a year and a half ago.

Sometimes packing helps, sometimes it doesn't

Situations I will almost always pack in:
- Jiu Jitsu. I take jiu jitsu and it is pretty much the only place I never go without my packer in. Too close of contact for me not to. Usually worn in briefs with a cup the "jock strap" for the cup is spandex shorts with a cup pocket its so tight there is no chance of the packer going anywhere it shouldn't

- Dressing nice. [Probably about 75% of the time on this depending on if it bulges out all weird in whatever pants I'm wearing] If I'm putting that much effort into my appearance I figure I may as well go for it and pack.

- Airport. I always pack to fly just seems logical in any situation where you're likely to be patted down.

I do pack just randomly, but because of the weather [heat = sweaty... need I say more] and my mood and ect. I usually don't.  That and I like boxers generally and to pack I wear briefs and boxer briefs on top of that which contributes to the heat issue...

Another thing with packing is that sometimes it makes me feel better and less un-whole but other times [usually when the packer and physics team up against me] it makes me feel a whole different level of pathetic. 

I pack all day every day, because it just feels wrong not to. I even wear it to sleep if I'm sleeping alone. I'd sooner not bind than not pack.

I actually just recently received an STP packing device and wore pretty much instantly. I didn't really think before getting it that I would want to use it so much, I thought of having it more just when the time was right. Anyways, it was a little weird at first just because I wasn't really going anywhere with it just getting used to the feel and then one night I decided to go meet up with some of my friends (all three were girls). All of them are being pretty supportive about this transitioning and one in particular definitely noticed that I was packing but didn't dare say anything to me. I thought it was pretty funny because up until that point I hadn't noticed how it was a big deal for me to not be packing. Kind of like I didn't know what I didn't have until I had it. Now I rarely leave the house without my packy. Not to mention it is a HUGE confidence boost.

Quote from: DylanAugusten on September 10, 2010, 01:07:32 AM
... one in particular definitely noticed that I was packing but didn't dare say anything to me. I thought it was pretty funny because up until that point I hadn't noticed how it was a big deal for me to not be packing.

I've noticed some people mention, oh other people don't notice, but honestly I think people do look. Maybe it's on purpose or maybe it's an unconscious thing. I have definitely caught people looking in my scenario. Could be they're trying to figure out if I was male or female, not sure. But I think people do look/notice more often than not.

Think it really depends how I'm feeling at the time - like how dysphoric with regard to that region.

At the moment it feels really weird not to pack whereas a few weeks ago - the thing sat in my drawer!! But I always packed when heading out on the town...

I think if people are tending to look - more often than not to figure out if I am male or female.

But I do find myself worrying about people at work noticing the difference...

Like I said in previous weeks I haven't packed and now I am I get very self conscious as my uniform is on the snug side that colleagues are going WTF?!!

Not that it matters what others think and they pretty much all know I'm trans anyways...

Just my 2p :)

Jay

I have to pack with a sock because I can't order a packer and I'm not 18 yet so I can't walk into a sex store and buy one.