I have interesting experiences with kids questioning my gender in public, and I figured maybe I could start a thread where we could all talk about that sorta thing. Sometimes it's funny, sometimes not. Most of my experiences just make me smile.
I'm not full-time so most of the time I'm out as Madison tends to be times/places where children aren't usually around.
That being said I do work a couple of nights a week at a larger retailer and I always have my nails done - be it acrylics/gels or at least polished and I always have earrings in. About once/week a younger child will ask about my nails or my earrings (more often the nails as I usually wear stud earrings to work). Normally their mother's will say something like "I keep my nails done/painted" or something like that - or I'll simply say because I like them that way; but every now and then the child just won't drop it and I do tend to become amused at that. Never bothers me, I like my nails done and I like my earrings (although I prefer dangly ones over studs); and I figure it's worth the occasional question.
Madison
I have really long hair, but I used to also have a goatee thing because I never shaved and that was the only place hair would grow. I can't tell you the number of times kids stared at me! I think they thought I was a woman, but the facial hair was throwing them off and they were confused as to what I was. One time, I was at a friends house and his little 4 year old daughter kept saying, "daddy what is she (that's me) doing?" Another time his daughter asked me what was on my face! LOL!!!
I finally got it removed. I basically instantly became a woman in the eyes of all the little children. I'm still not sure what adults think of me. But I can tell you I get less stares without it! Seeing a basically female looking person with a goatee causes a rift in the minds of people everywhere!
I think they dont question me much, maybe some older boys.
A few weeks ago, in my apt building hallway, i ran into a mother and daughter while i had my cat. I stopped and kneeled so she could pet him for about 5 minutes. She asked what his name was, i told her and then she looked at her mom and said, "whats her name"?
She definitely made my day.
I've heard comments from children and I smile. They are naturally curious.
My favorite: Still makes me smile. 4 year old and dad. My dog and I go up and I let the kid pet her.
The dad says "Thanks ma'am". Then the kid says "Thanks man!" :D
(Apparently I only pass with the Sesame Street set.)
--Jay Jay
I was strangely moved yesterday - I was standing on a train platform along with a whole load of other people, when a small boy came right up to me and asked me if I knew where the toilets were (I did, and he was "relieved"). I felt like he chose me to ask because I looked somehow like a mum surrogate :).
Quote from: Padma on September 01, 2012, 03:55:07 AM
I was strangely moved yesterday - I was standing on a train platform along with a whole load of other people, when a small boy came right up to me and asked me if I knew where the toilets were (I did, and he was "relieved"). I felt like he chose me to ask because I looked somehow like a mum surrogate :).
Now, that is cute. There is no other way to cut it.
Hmm, I still haven't gotten any comments from kids. Usually they just glance at me then go back to what they were doing. :)
I don't know if it has anything to do with gender, but kids seem freaked out by me. Maybe it's the tattoos/facial piercings.
I love the truth of children, they keep me in check and remind me that Gretchen is a little different from everyone else. Althouth I must admit that there are times when that truth can cut me, but I would take the truth of a child over the bigotry of an adult any day of the week.
In many ways kids are the ultimate test. A little girl clocked me at a Starbucks, but then her sister argued in my favor, lol. Kids pick up more than you think.
Im FtM and today we had a party for my neice, before we went outside she asked me if i was a boy or a girl ( she just turned 7) i told her i was a boy. she was content with the answer and we went outside and played baseball =) Another time i was working in the fitting room and as the mother went in to try clothes her children sat in the chairs and were debating what i was. The younger one kept saying i was a girl and the older insisting i was a boy. They asked me what i was and i said " Well now" ( btw im only 2 months on T) instantly they all agreed i was a boy and started giggling. Kids always put a smile on my face.
I was in McD's once and a mom and kid were in line behind me when the kid asked his mom why is "he dressed like a girl". the mother just hushed at him and I got my order and left.
A lot of kids here ask me if I am a boy or girl, since I'm foreign to them. Two little girls stopped me to ask ifl American boys can have blonde hair, because in the American movies only girls have blonde hair. I told them that some American boys have blonde hair and was able to keep a straight face until they left, at which I about busted a rib laughing.
But I get kids just staring at me in general. I normally just smile at them. I have had a few ask me why I have metal things in my face. :laugh: