I am more guilty than most in my vanity and my need to look like a female and I was ever so humbled and inspired today. I am in Phuket Thailand and TG are commonplace here and no one looks twice, I find myself, out of curiosity, seeking to spot us and observe how we interact in public, its an educational process for me to see how we do this.I have seen so many - some absolutely beautiful and other look like an average females, all of us ever so comfortable being who they are. This morning I had a late breakfast, in one of my hangouts and soon noticed at an adjacent table an older European lady, dressed in a flowing Mumu and quite slim with ample breast. Most striking was that she was bald yet the male pattern baldness was visible to my curious mind. She seemed fully at ease and inspired me with her confidence. I felt shamed at my vanity and so happy to see such acceptance from the Thai society and also the tourist who never looked twice. Truly a paradise.
In many cultures though that acceptance unfortunately does not exist. One can only hope that the bald mumu wearing lady feels just as comfortable presenting like that in other countries (if she does). I suffer from a fair bit of vanity too but in my local urban society, while there is some degree of trans acceptance, I know I wouldn't receive much if any if I didn't make some attempt to blend in so the vanity is useful. What you discuss is a good epiphany to have though.
Thailand does sound quite wonderful.
I live in L.A. and dressing with vanity in mind is a necessity bc it directly impacts how I pass... poorly dressed days can get me clocked, yet even worse I dread the day that getting clocked might lead to assault or anything worse.
When I have makeup on and am dressed well, I'm a lot more at ease. It'll be a while before US starts to catch up with the rest of the world, but we're making progress. At least we have a lot to hope for.
Or we should all just move to Thailand.
Audree
Well... I'd say visit the place from time to time (thailand)...
and try to carry some of it with you, wherever you are...
its also a part of you which influences others... if we are really relaxed and at ease it carries outwards...
*hugs*
There's nothing wrong with a bit of vanity. If anything, this experience highlights the root cause of your vanity: social acceptance. When we're accepted, we are free to only do the things that make us happy.
I don't know if I would call it vanity. One of the first things I can see in myself before I knew I was transexual was the the desire to appear nice. Yes I was doing it in male clothing but I really hated the though of wearing bluejeans because they weren't dressy enough. I have gotten a bit more casual as I have grown older but when I need to be out with others, I still like to look nice not so much for myself but for others so they are comfortable with me.
BTW, these dresses are also included in mumu? I purchased them in Big Island, Hawaii, which costed less than US$ 10.
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2907/14000580592_7f51db8377_b.jpg) (https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5555/15181952181_c32fa5b4d8_b.jpg)
I had a chance to visit Thailand, but I cancelled it because of too many other trips. I will try to go there again soon!
barbie~~