Usually it’s a look that’s held a bit too long as people try to figure it out, to an outright
stare—which generally means they have figured it out. I suppose if you go out looking
like crazy Aunt Mabel, people might point and laugh too. This is where it helps to
dress the same way a women would, unless you’re interested in attracting attention. (Some girls do… or if you’re at the Folsom Street Fair (not work safe) or Bay to Breakers, then being in obvious drag ain’t a big deal.)
Women are more likely read you, since 1) they’re constantly checking out other women
(competitve dressing and all that), and 2) men don’t have the experience with hair and
make-up etc. to notice when it’s not quite right, whereas women do.
We’re quite self-conscious because we know what’s we’re up to, but most of the time people are pretty oblivous. I’m 5’10” without heels and broad shouldered, so I’m not exactly a “typical” girl. But I was out last weekend for about two hours and only got overtly read 3-4 times (although undoubtedly more times behind my back). Granted I was wearing sunglasses, which helped, and I’ve worked hard on feminine movement. But mostly people around Fisherman’s Wharf were just busy being tourists and weren’t paying attention. I figure at worse I’m doing my part for the tourism industry by providing local color thatfolks can talk about when they get back to Kansas.While we’re on the topic, it reminds me of the first time I went out. I was headed out to a
restaurant and of course there was a guy with a first-grader right outside the door. Needless to say, the little boy was fascinated by me—although thankfully the brat kept his mouth shut. But I was so nervous I tripped on the stairs right in front of them. So much for my grand entrance….
