Last night I was talking with the lady that I bought my wig from, and I told her that I would be back at her store the next day to show her how I looked. When I arrived at the shopping mall, I first went to the music store and saw the manager that I'm good friends with, and again I surprised him. He told me that he didn't recognize me.  Then I went to all the stores that I normally go to when I'm in my male mode, and nobody seemed to recognize me. Last night I met this lady at a new Kiosk and today I met her again and we were talking about personal things, and she told me about her mother having heart problems, and I almost goofed when I told her that my 'wife' passed away, so I quickly caught myself and told her that my husband passed away last year, and she bought it.  Overall I had a very enjoyable time walking through the mall and I had no bad looks from no one.    At least nowadays I'm dressing more casual then I did before. I went over to the DMV to see about the cost of changing the picture on my driver's license, and then I dropped of my camera off for development and I used my feminine name on the receipt. 

Quote from: Gina Taylor on November 21, 2013, 11:23:46 AM
Last night I was talking with the lady that I bought my wig from, and I told her that I would be back at her store teh next day to show her how I looked. When I arrived at the shopping mall, I first went to the music store and saw the manager that I'm good friends with, and again I surprised him. He told me that he didn't recognize me.  Then I went to all the stores that I normally go to when I'm in my male mode, and nobody seemd to recognize me. Last night I met this lady at a new Kiosk and today I met her again and we were talking about personal things, and she told me about her mother having heart problems, and I almost goofed when I told her that my 'wife' passed away, so I quickly caught myself and told her that my husband passed away last year, and she bought it.  Overall I had a very enjoyable time walking through the mall and I had no bad looks from no one. At least nowadays I'm dressing more casual then I did before.

Wow, sounds like you had an awesome time!!

I could only hope to not be recognized anywhere.  Would make meeting guys/girls so much easier.

Congratulations!  Sounds like you are making huge progress!  I'm with you on the dressing casually... nothing commands attention like someone in evening-wear shopping at Walmart.

I get recognized by those who know me well, but generally pass through life unremarked now when I'm dressing, which is *lovely*. 

Now to master (mistress?) the art of conversation.  I'm getting there, but so self-conscious. :\

Sounds like a fun time. I sooo envy you right now. Wish I could pass this easily.. sigh ..

Great story. I'm always glad to read success stories.

Quote from: Beth Andrea on November 21, 2013, 11:36:54 AM
Wow, sounds like you had an awesome time!!

I really did had an awesome time Beth Andrea, and it's getting so much easier the more I go out. I have so much good news to tell my therapist when I see him next!

Quote from: Sophia Hawke on November 21, 2013, 12:04:26 PM
I could only hope to not be recognized anywhere.  Would make meeting guys/girls so much easier.

Well to be honest with you, Sophia, that lady that I met at the kiosk had asked if she had met me before, but I told her that it was the first time that I had been there, and so she had accepted that.  :)And as long as she doesn't see me to often, everything should go well.

Quote from: Gina Taylor on November 21, 2013, 01:14:28 PM

Well to be honest with you, Sophia, that lady that I met at the kiosk had asked if she had met me before, but I told her that it was the first time that I had been there, and so she had accepted that.  :)And as long as she doesn't see me to often, everything should go well.

Heh, i cant go anywhere here without having to see people who know me. such a small town.   I love going out of town shopping as long as its a full on girl store or i have a partner with me for safety.

Quote from: Robin Mack on November 21, 2013, 12:29:19 PM
Congratulations!  Sounds like you are making huge progress!  I'm with you on the dressing casually... nothing commands attention like someone in evening-wear shopping at Walmart.

I get recognized by those who know me well, but generally pass through life unremarked now when I'm dressing, which is *lovely*. 

Now to master (mistress?) the art of conversation.  I'm getting there, but so self-conscious. :\

Thanks Robin. When I used to go out years ago, I'd always be over dressed, so I'd always stand out like a sore thumb. But nowadays I just dress casual. I was dressed in a pair of jeans with a lime green Wal-Mart shirt, suntan pantyhose and my black ballerena slippers. Nice and simple as compared to what I used to wear which was a short black dress, heels and a nice blouse. No more executive style for this girl!  

Quote from: ssneha23 on November 21, 2013, 12:39:37 PM
Sounds like a fun time. I sooo envy you right now. Wish I could pass this easily.. sigh ..

Yeah, I did have a fun time, and I'm sure with a little time and practice you'll be passing as well.  PM me and we'll talk about it privately.

Quote from: Sophia Hawke on November 21, 2013, 01:20:12 PM
Heh, i cant go anywhere here without having to see people who know me. such a small town.   I love going out of town shopping as long as its a full on girl store or i have a partner with me for safety.

I live in a small town as well, and my biggest problem (for lack of a better word) is that my parents bought a business back in 1994 and they've built it up so much that everyone knows them, and they fear that everyone will know me and word will get around and it will destroy what they have built and they'll blame me because of it. From what I've seen so far, it's not gonna happen, so I'm not gonna take the blame.

Quote from: Gina Taylor on November 21, 2013, 01:29:20 PM
I live in a small town as well, and my biggest problem (for lack of a better word) is my parents bought a business back in 1994 and they've built it up so much that everyone knows them, and they fear that everyone will know me and word will get around and it will destroy what they have built and they'll blame me because of it. From what I've seen so far, it's not gonna happen, so I'm not gonna take the blame.

My dad is a partner in my own taxicab business.     He had the same immediate fears. Funny thing was, everyone already knew, and i received so much love and support from everyone i encountered for the most part.      Even people who previously we hated each other came out in support and even apologized for things they said not realizing i was a woman.   It will only destroy their business if the make an issue instead of giving their love and respect.

What a wonderful experience Gina, an atta girl for living it large!

Quote from: Sophia Hawke on November 21, 2013, 01:41:46 PM
My dad is a partner in my own taxicab business.     He had the same immediate fears. Funny thing was, everyone already knew, and i received so much love and support from everyone i encountered for the most part.      Even people who previously we hated each other came out in support and even apologized for things they said not realizing i was a woman.   It will only destroy their business if the make an issue instead of giving their love and respect.

Very well said, Sophia. Maybe I might say something like this to them

It's good that you had a nice time, Gina.
I'm considering doing the same on Sunday; going to the mall with a friend (maybe for another pair of shoes!) before the LGBTRC's dinner.

Quote from: Willow on November 21, 2013, 03:31:37 PM
It's good that you had a nice time, Gina.
I'm considering doing the same on Sunday; going to the mall with a friend (maybe for another pair of shoes!) before the LGBTRC's dinner.

That really sounds good Willow. Hope you have as much fun as I did!  BTW is that you in your avatar?

Quote from: Gina Taylor on November 21, 2013, 04:01:27 PMThat really sounds good Willow. Hope you have as much fun as I did!  BTW is that you in your avatar?

I plan on it.
Indeed it is. Check the fabulous thread for more

Quote from: Shantel on November 21, 2013, 01:51:45 PM
What a wonderful experience Gina, an atta girl for living it large!

Thanks for your nice words Shantel, but y'know  it's just like I was telling the lady at the wig store, I live by the tattoo on my right thigh: it says NO FEAR

Quote from: Gina Taylor on November 22, 2013, 11:20:16 AM
Thanks for your nice words Shantel, but y'know  it's just like I was telling the lady at the wig store, I live by the tattoo on my right thigh: it says NO FEAR

Would that everyone here could internalize that more fully in their own lives!