Boxers rock
Peeing standing up is fun
Guy's clothes is comfy and cheap
I get to choose the size of my cock
Having a beard (eventually) is gonna rock!
Being ignored more easily.
Male clothes > female clothes XD
My friends' parents no longer question my friendships with their sons. >>
-Flat chest (when I can finally get one >_< )
-That feeling of being a guy
-Being treated like one of the guys
-More body strength
-Peeing standing up (when I can get it to work)
-Men's underwear ROCKS! Girl's underwear would give me wedgies a lot but I haven't had that problem AT ALL with the tightie-whities (still do with the boxers though)
-Men's clothes are cheaper and better quality
-Not expected to look pretty
-Not expected to have babies
-Not expected to go gaga over other people's babies
- boxer briefs are sooo comfy
- don't take things as personally anymore which rocks
- the feel of facial hair (while only a little) is brilliant (leg hair too)
- every single time someone says sir
- feeling at home in my skin
- muscle mass increase
-Jace
BOXERS.
I love them. I've never, ever worn briefs, haha.
Not having to shave.
Looking younger than I am-I get to buy the cheaper bus tickets.
Flat chest. Oh god, seriously. I'm so obsessive about it. I wear two binders and I can barely breathe but totally worth it.
I love having a bulge. >.>
Getting muscular-once I start testosterone.
Shaving my face.
I would love to pee standing up but sadly my aim is non existent.
feeling normal
Not having to shave.
Not being expected to show emotion all the time by the inflection of my voice. My ma never liked it when she couldn't tell exactly how I felt about something. Now she has realized that it is the words I use that matter.
One thing I don't like is not being able to cry. I'm an emotional guy.
- mens underwear. I used to assume that it was impossible to design comfortable underwear, and that everyone put up with it. Then I started wearing briefs.
- not being expected to care about other people's babies and young kids.
- men's clothing is more comfortable, and often cheaper and more functional
- not being expected to be able to relate to other girls as a girl/ not being expected to understand the nuances of what's happening in a social situation/ being ignored more
- peeing standing up
- more muscle mass and a flat chest eventually
- feeling safer when I'm by myself at night
- being treated as one of the guys
- feeling like myself :icon_dance:
On the other hand, I dislike not having as much freedom to express my emotions, even though I'm normally stoic.
Im gonna start to post here, with the ideas in my head but probably come back and edit once i think of more things cause I know that there are a lot of good things.
-clothes, girls clothes are tight and uncomfortable and too flashy, guys clothes are comfortable, simple, and convenient
-less head hair (unless u have long hair for a guy) its just simpler, plus more fun to style
-bathrooms, guys don't go in there to put on makeup and giggle, they go in there to ->-bleeped-<- and piss, I love it, i always felt weird trying to do my business in the girls room, cause it seemed I was the only one in there using it for what it is, a bathroom.
-no makeup, most girls are expected to wear makeup, sure guy liner is cool sometimes, but i'm so glad i'm not expected to wear it
-I don't have to look good- i can just roll out of bed and go to class, no one cares if i look grungy
-no periods/pms (for guys on t)
-don't have to shave your body
-boxers, I had been wearing men's underwear before i even knew i was trans, panties are uncomfortable and too thin!
-higher pay, they say men get more money.. cha ching.
-more respect
-getting treated as one of the guys by other guys, there seems to be a silent code of respect between guys (for the most part)
-being stronger, not being seen as weak, being expected to pull your weight, and not treated like a wimpy girl
-stp's sometimes it sucks to not have a penis that pee's but sometimes its nice to have an stp, cause you don't have to touch anything! (with my stp brand) so i don't even have to wash my hands after, and its nice using urinals cause i had bad ocd, and i don't like going inside stalls, i think its gross even to just hover over a toilet.
-getting erections, now that I am on T, I can feel them. being able to physically feel arousal is awesome
Quote from: Chris73 on February 03, 2011, 02:35:03 PM
- feeling safer when I'm by myself at night
agree
-Being called bud, bro or man by peers.
-Being called son (I love that term of affection. You never hear anyone say "daughter" as a term of affection).
-I completely agree with the men's underwear, although I find briefs the most comfortable.
-Not being given a hard time about not wearing makeup.
-Not being assumed to be weak or vulnerable.
-More comfortable clothing.
For all of you who say cheap clothes where do you shop? My mom is
constantly getting better deals than me
-Flat chest (when binding)
-boxers
-Just being ignored instead of looked at like a weird butch chick
-getting teen discounts when I'm not a teen
-Feeling alright with myself
-Being able to wear a tie :)
-Not being stared at weird for acting immature...
Quote from: LordKAT on February 03, 2011, 05:37:39 AM
feeling normal
Quote from: Chris73 on February 03, 2011, 02:35:03 PM
- feeling safer when I'm by myself at night
- being treated as one of the guys
Oh and being called boss by a guy the other day :)
-Being more comfortable.
-Lack of femininity isn't questioned.
Quote from: Elijah on February 03, 2011, 03:36:33 PM
-I don't have to look good- i can just roll out of bed and go to class, no one cares if i look grungy
That was one of the things I always loved about being born with a male body. I could literally wake up and go to the store. Sometimes I didn't even comb my hair. Just a quick running the hand through the hair is sufficient.
Even to prepare for work literally takes only minutes. You run a comb through the hair, put on your suit, and walk out the door.
Quote-getting treated as one of the guys by other guys, there seems to be a silent code of respect between guys (for the most part)
Don't forget that respect is earned, not given. I noticed in my interactions with my guy friends that there is a degree of contention. You should expect to be challenged every now and again. It seems to be common for guys to challenge each other, even if it is only through sports and games. If a guy tries to test you in such a way, don't take it too seriously. Being really serious and emotional about things is considered a feminine trait by most of the guys I've met.
Not feeling like I'm putting on a show. If anyone's seen Chicago, I used to always think of my interactions with people as starting with "And now, Ladies and Gentlemen, a tap dance."
This thread is sad. For me, the only answer is: being myself.
MANY of the things you guys have listed are things that girls or women CAN do and DO, every single day. Many are things that I did long before I knew what trans was, and no one was policing my gender or saying, "Girls can't be grungy," "Girls can't wear boxers," "Girls can't wear men's clothes," etc. etc. etc.
It makes me sad, because it means that so many of you guys are either living in places or with families that have far stricter "gender policing" than where I grew up or lived as an adult OR have internalized a lot of gender socialization so you *think* people care about this stuff, when the truth is, they really don't or it's no where near the big deal that you think it might be.
I find this type of thread uncomfortable, because it suggests that the reason people are trans is that they want the advantages of being a guy or don't realize that you can't be a masculine girl or woman. I KNOW that's not why you guys are trans, but these "Wow! I love being a guy so I can do stereotypically guy things!" threads give the impression that people are trans because they are too chicken to live as butch women. To me, there really is only ONE answer about the best thing in being a guy - feeling normal or more like who you are.
Quote from: VeryGnawty on February 03, 2011, 07:51:09 PM
Even to prepare for work literally takes only minutes. You run a comb through the hair, put on your suit, and walk out the door.
Haha. I do that now.
I uderstand that. I made this thread because I see so many negative comments about how tguys (and girls) hate their bodies and hate things about being trans. I am trying to get guys to realise that there are good things about being a Tguy.
Quote from: Sean on February 03, 2011, 08:15:00 PM
It makes me sad, because it means that so many of you guys are either living in places or with families that have far stricter "gender policing" than where I grew up or lived as an adult OR have internalized a lot of gender socialization so you *think* people care about this stuff, when the truth is, they really don't or it's no where near the big deal that you think it might be.
I disagree. For me those things I listed are male because
I feel they are male. I consider black nail polish male. I also consider being able to say "screw the stereotype I want to cry" very male. Man if I thought my period was male I wouldn't care if the rest of the world said otherwise because that is how I think and feel. I liked the thread. I thought that it exactly fulfills Mr. Rainey's attempt to show the positives.
Quote from: Andrew Scott on February 03, 2011, 08:52:42 PM
For me those things I listed are male because I feel they are male. I consider black nail polish male. I also consider being able to say "screw the stereotype I want to cry" very male. Man if I thought my period was male I wouldn't care if the rest of the world said otherwise because that is how I think and feel.
Dude, you have an awesome attitude. You rock!
That's really what transition is all about. It's about becoming what you feel you are deep down inside.
Thanks VeryGnawty ;D
I appreciate your clarification Andrew, and I understand that the OP is trying to post positive things. Obviously, YMMV on how you view these things. Personally, I look at your list, Andrew, and I think it is VERY sad. Because you have combined "feeling alright" with myself (thumbs up!) with things like not being seen as a "werid butch chick" (which is not what you like about being a guy, it's what you like about finally PASSING as a guy). And it is sad to me not because I think there is something wrong with you, but because it tells me how hard your life has to have been that you view the positive things in your life now simply to be the ABSENCE of bad stuff! When your enjoyment of being a guy is about *not* being something else or treated poorly, that's just sad to me. I'm sorry that you and other guys have had that experience.
But then I see your comment that you can be called the boss by other guys now? Because women are never the boss or called the boss? Seriously? Do you really think that people would never have been able to view you as the boss if you were not a guy? I don't think you really mean this that way. I think you're just happy about how life is going at work, and you're combining the fact that it is going well with you being a guy.
I think this is a weird thread because it mixes such positive, affirming statements with bizarrely stereotypical or sexist ideas about what it means to be a woman.
Quote from: Sean on February 03, 2011, 09:04:14 PM
And your comment that you can be called the boss by other guys now? Because women are never the boss or called the boss? Seriously? Do you really think that people would never have been able to view you as the boss if you were not a guy?
No just "Boss" It's a term that some northerners from New Jersey or New York use to refer to boys younger than them. Like "man" or "dude" But I do see the rest of your point
Quote from: Andrew Scott on February 03, 2011, 09:09:36 PM
No just "Boss" It's a term that some northerners from New Jersey or New York use to refer to boys younger than them. Like "man" or "dude"
Yeah. It's a male affectionate term. It has nothing to do with business. I've had guys call me "boss" before.
Number 1: Straight chicks checking me out. Always makes a guy feel good ;)
2. Being my girlfriend's man.
3. Being called "bro" by other guys my age.
4. Being one of the guys, without them having to add "without the dick".
5. Being chivalrous; men have always held doors for me. Not that I don't appreciate the consideration, but I'm a door-holder, not taker. Now I get to let the ladies and older persons go ahead of me, or hold a door open, and put a smile on their face.
6. Wearing clothes that suit my personality without people glaring at me or shifting uncomfortably when they see a bug dyke walking their way.
7. Button-down collared shirts. Mmmm. Sexy on a woman, yes. But since coming out my wardrobe has steadily increased in button-downs.
8: Boxers and boxer-briefs.
9. Using the men's washrooms. You know, the ones where you don't have to pee through conversations about your friend's new hairstylist.
10. The drive to work out, the desire to have muscles, the lack of shame about having a more muscular body than most other women because, well, I no longer consider myself a woman. I'm a man, I'm strong, I'm proud, and lifting those weights makes me feel even better about my body.
Quote from: Sean on February 03, 2011, 09:04:14 PM
I think this is a weird thread because it mixes such positive, affirming statements with bizarrely stereotypical or sexist ideas about what it means to be a woman.
In my opinion, there are all kinds of ways to be a man. A man is a man is a man. If wearing a pink shirt and fuzzy slippers made you feel manly, then thats fine with me. I think that if females wanna do 'guy stuff' thats okay too. I think as long as people aren't hurting others they can dress, act, and be what they like. I don't think there is anything wrong with butches, or femme guys at all. Just wanted to clarify this.
When people use the right pronouns and the right name for me.
When I see a (stereotypical) boy's face in the mirror if I'm not wearing glasses.
When I touch my chin and feel slightly coarse peach fuzz (it got that way from shaving, but losing my wispy moustache made me feel naked, so I won't shave again!).
When I can look in the mirror and see what I "really" look like easier (when I was in girl mode, I felt like I was hiding something).
Short hair is just a personal preference, and the same with wearing male underwear. Girls can do that too. It doesn't make me feel specifically male (well, asking for a men's cut kind of makes me feel manlier). Having short hair is a childhood dream of mine, since I had long hair when I was little.
I never wore makeup before, never wore revealing clothes, never wore high heels or all that other "girly" stuff. I was slightly confused, and would sometimes "forget" that I had a girl's body. I didn't wear bras for a LONG time, simply because wearing them meant acknowledging that I had breasts. Sometimes, in summer, I almost took my shirt off in public, as well (because of the heat; luckily, I stopped myself). This was when I was still knee-deep in denial. Even then, I pictured myself as a person with a "boyish" figure, and I tended to pose in ways that hid my curves when forced to look in the mirror.
I'm pre-everything, still waiting for the bleedin' therapy to start.
-Having my woman feel safe in my arms, protected.
-looking forward to watching my wife walk down to aisle to me.
-Feeling proud when my gf ask me to help fix something around the house
-Smirking when my gf needs me to open a jar.
-being honest to myself.
-being called handsome.
Quote from: VeryGnawty on February 03, 2011, 07:51:09 PM
That was one of the things I always loved about being born with a male body. I could literally wake up and go to the store. Sometimes I didn't even comb my hair. Just a quick running the hand through the hair is sufficient.
Even to prepare for work literally takes only minutes. You run a comb through the hair, put on your suit, and walk out the door.
Yeah you ever notice when people think you're a girl and you have messy hair how they look at you? Like you're some kind of dirt bag tramp or something.
One of the things I'm looking forward to is no more periods, PMS or cramps which always make me feel crap physically and mentally.
Quote from: Lance M. on February 03, 2011, 10:48:38 PM
i have to say that i'm with sean on this one, my mind was a bit blown when i first read the thread.
I have to admit reading through this thread I had mixed feelings about it too. I often hesitate first to post something that's purely my opinion in case someone were to take it personally or the wrong way.
There's a lot of people younger than me on this board and there's also the majority of people on a different path than myself so it's not like I can do some straight comparisons on how I feel based on how others here feel. I do totally get that for most people, once you are perceived as the gender you are inside by the outside world it makes you feel better. And I also get that it's nearly impossible not to use any stereotypes at all when it comes to gender anything.
People can straight up hate me for what I'm about to say next but just know it's not aimed at anyone and it's just my own personal perception. But I can totally see how people like the butch lesbian ftm/trans hate blogger get fuel for her misguided fire. Just a quick look at a thread like this would do it. You know what I'm saying? Someone like me can totally get everything that people have said here but not someone who's already got a chip on their shoulder to trash a whole segment of the population. It's very easy for someone like that to turn it all around to suit her agenda and prove her point.
Not that people should be censoring themselves about what makes them feel good (as long as it's not hurting anyone else).
It's hard enough being trans and it's real easy to find comfort in stereotypes that might seem like they help "prove" your manhood. The thing I've learned over and over again in my life is when I'm not staying true to myself ... when I've tried to fit into a different mold or just do something to have people accept me more ... I've usually had problems. I understand that the whole transition thing is a long process and extremely tough to deal with the "in-between" moments but you should be moving toward being more YOU than being more "everyman". By that I mean, don't just try to be the definition of "man" - be yourself.
Many of the things listed in this thread could be done by any person, male or female. To me, it appears that people either personalize each thing because it makes them feel better or because it stereotypes the gender they feel they are.
So yeah, I get what the OP started this thread for, but I can see how this information could be used by someone else to turn it against everyone and my own opinion is that I like being myself, which is more unique to me than just being a guy.
Why do I have a feeling this topic is going to de-rail?
Quote from: Mr.Rainey on February 04, 2011, 09:59:16 PM
Why do I have a feeling this topic is going to de-rail?
Eh, it's a message board ... and everyone's always got an opinion :P
Sure, I'll bite...what I like about being a guy (which, by the way, I interpreted as something like, "Stuff you like about your body and mind finally matching up and being treated accordingly by others").
And for me, the #1 thing is not feeling self-conscious in public. I was NEVER able to go anywhere without feeling uncomfortable with myself. Now that doesn't even cross my mind when I'm out. When it does, it's in the form of a thought like, "If I was still the 'old me' I'd be a nervous wreck by now." It's so good not to have to deal with that stress anymore.
Quote from: PixieboyWhen I can look in the mirror and see what I "really" look like easier (when I was in girl mode, I felt like I was hiding something).
This, too. I feel the same way but never thought to express it in words.
instead of reading it as 'stuff you like about being a guy' i think people are mostly taking it as 'stuff that feels more natural since transitioning'
i think its a good thread. nice to focus on the things that make us feel good
I like this thread. It's not sad at all :/
I mean come on, we are transGENDERed people. GENDER is the role in society as masculine and feminine .
Wearing boxers, mens clothes, having shorter hair, using the mens room, going by the male pronoun, male name, having a flat chest etc. are a part of masculinizing ourselves so that we are comfortable with our selves but also in society.
Obviously we don't have to perfectly fit the masculine role, we can go against it like wear eyeliner, tight jeans, longer hair, and be comfortable with it because we are finally overall comfortable with who we are and how we fit in our role in society. And yes, it is okay for women to not shave, wear mens clothes, look "butch" and be proud of it but how many of us when we looked like that didn't feel pride? Because we weren't comfortable with it because that wasn't us.
That is simple....FINALLY being comfortable in my own skin and setting the REAL me free at last!!!!!!!!!
Thing I have to say I like best about being a guy is having the confidence to lift my head up high and be playful, something I lack when I am forced to be a woman in a lot of situations.
...I am slightly addicted to the giddiness that I get when I get compliments like "What a gentleman", etc.
I enjoy the comfort I feel in being myself, no matter how others perceive me, or what they define me as. I may still go by my female name at work, but that doesn't stop me from binding and dressing as male 100% of the time. It does occasionally lead to some confusion, being called "he" by new employees and leaving the person sitting next to them wondering who they are talking about.
I enjoy working as a supervisor/ shift lead and the respect I get for it, and that no one cares what my gender is, or that my name doesn't always match my presentation because I have proven that I am more than capable of doing my job.
Maybe I would be happier if I came out to everyone, and started T and change my name, but thats not guaranteed. I'm already happier now that I'm facing the world feeling like me for the first time, and It doesn't matter how others see me because for the first time ever, I am happy with me.
None of that has anything to do with being a man or woman, and everything to do with being human.
oh yeah, and I also really enjoy confusing people. Watching the hamster wheel slowly spin as they try to guess my gender. Knowing that I have forced someone to think outside the binary, even if it was just for a second.
Quote from: kyle_lawrence on February 05, 2011, 11:07:54 AM
I enjoy the comfort I feel in being myself, no matter how others perceive me, or what they define me as. I may still go by my female name at work, but that doesn't stop me from binding and dressing as male 100% of the time. It does occasionally lead to some confusion, being called "he" by new employees and leaving the person sitting next to them wondering who they are talking about.
I enjoy working as a supervisor/ shift lead and the respect I get for it, and that no one cares what my gender is, or that my name doesn't always match my presentation because I have proven that I am more than capable of doing my job.
Maybe I would be happier if I came out to everyone, and started T and change my name, but thats not guaranteed. I'm already happier now that I'm facing the world feeling like me for the first time, and It doesn't matter how others see me because for the first time ever, I am happy with me.
None of that has anything to do with being a man or woman, and everything to do with being human.
oh yeah, and I also really enjoy confusing people. Watching the hamster wheel slowly spin as they try to guess my gender. Knowing that I have forced someone to think outside the binary, even if it was just for a second.
Glad I'm not the only one :)
I have found since my mtf wife began transition 2 years ago that I sometimes come to a place of questioning with regard to my own gender identity. I have over the course of my life been a very confident, assertive female in the role of "boss" at a retail business that I created, and now as a "farmer" in a second career business. I like the parts of me that I consider to be masculine parts of me: eg. standing up for justice, carrying big rocks up hills, feeling free to wear comfortable clothing, fixing stuff around the house, taking an interest in the car, ...I could go on. I also like the parts of myself that I consider feminine: eg. loving the sensuality of fabrics, cooing babies, singing the high notes with abandon, looking in the mirror and liking what I see when I choose a really good outfit, and wearing really cute panties (as long as they are reasonably comfortable!).
On a good day, I can say I enjoy challenging the gender binary - always have. But other times, I am aware of feelings of self loathing, confusion, anxiety, and well...questioning.
I'm sorry to be off-topic :( I have a feeling you guys might be able to relate to my anxiety even though most of you are a generation younger than me. I've never really thought that that particular anxiety might actually be seen to be gender dysphoria. Reading this thread brought that up for me.
What I really want to say to all of you is that I really appreciate this thread. I love your expressions of yourselves, what you care about, what helps you to feel like yourselves. I don't know if what I am experiencing is gender dysphoria. I do know a therapist can help me unravel that for myself. Thank you so much for helping me bring that question to the light (again). Even if it did make me cry!
Now, get back to the OP topic! :police: ;)
Quote from: jayunit on February 05, 2011, 06:14:58 AM
I like this thread. It's not sad at all :/
I mean come on, we are transGENDERed people. GENDER is the role in society as masculine and feminine .
Wearing boxers, mens clothes, having shorter hair, using the mens room, going by the male pronoun, male name, having a flat chest etc. are a part of masculinizing ourselves so that we are comfortable with our selves but also in society.
Obviously we don't have to perfectly fit the masculine role, we can go against it like wear eyeliner, tight jeans, longer hair, and be comfortable with it because we are finally overall comfortable with who we are and how we fit in our role in society. And yes, it is okay for women to not shave, wear mens clothes, look "butch" and be proud of it but how many of us when we looked like that didn't feel pride? Because we weren't comfortable with it because that wasn't us.
Oh...and I really wanted to say that I especially appreciated Jay's(?) post. If I had the power or if I knew how to give you a reputation post, I would.
Deeper voice :D
Feeling like myself at last!
stronger body
more red blood cells!
Faster in sports
Being called Son, mate, buddy, etc.
Not expected to date/marry/be interested in guys
Women will stop expecting me to be interested in (or know about) womens clothes, babies
Get better presents for xmas, no more make up kits, or girly clothes
Buy nicer clothes, better quality suits and shoes
Be able to introduce my girlfriend to others without being afraid of their reactions
At hotel receptions, be able to get a double bed in our room with my gf and not get rude stares, or 2 single beds
So much more.... :) thank god for medical advances and HRT!
Quote from: kyle_lawrence on February 05, 2011, 11:07:54 AM
oh yeah, and I also really enjoy confusing people. Watching the hamster wheel slowly spin as they try to guess my gender. Knowing that I have forced someone to think outside the binary, even if it was just for a second.
I gotta admit I love this. I've seen some older male customers at work staring at me with this burning anger in their eyes, trying to put the pieces together. My name tag is unisex (I go by Chris), my voice is debatable whether it's feminine or masculine (high-pitched guy, or low-pitched female?), my breasts are practically non-existant, and my stance, figure and speech pattern is typically that of a young adult male.
I'm guessing more people settle with me being a very butch lesbian, but occasionally I get a few who see me as I want to be seen.
And THAT is what I like the most in the end. Being seen and accepted as I am.
Quote from: Ruby on February 05, 2011, 12:23:18 PM
Oh...and I really wanted to say that I especially appreciated Jay's(?) post. If I had the power or if I knew how to give you a reputation post, I would.
There should be a thumb;s up icon and a thumb's down icon next to his info on the left. Hit the thumb's up if you want to increase his rep. :icon_yes:
Thumb's down if yer a hater.
After some physical change, I don't get random guys talking dirty on streets. It used to get my nerves and had to hold myself from shout something back. Im glad I don't have to deal with it anymore.