Creative way to out myself

[Guest DianeATL]

(excuse me if this is a duplicate - I thought I had posted it days ago but I don't see it anywhere so I put it in again)

I was getting new eyeglasses frames last week and the Optician brought me a bunch to try on. Then we narrowed it down to his 3 favorites. I took pics of me in each of them to go home and study but I wasn't thrilled with any of them, they were too masculine. (I was in boy mode)

So I came up with this clever way to out myself to him. I put the photos on my iPad in a special folder with some other pics. The shop was pretty busy and crowded but I positioned the iPad so that only he and I could see it. Flipped through his 3 favorites finishing with the most heavy and masculine pair. I told him that I didn't want something so heavy and that I needed flexibility for different looks, as I flipped to a pic of Diane, then another. He said "I gotcha" and came back with the perfect frames that could bridge between my two worlds for now.

As I finished up paying him, I thanked him for working with me since I was a bit of a problem. He said not at all and I thanked him for his confidence. I have seen him a couple of times since then and we have a special bond because of "our" secret.

[Charlize]

That is a sweet story. Thank you for sharing. I'm sorry it didn't show up from before. We have been having some trouble with the server.

I started to wear much lighter glasses a way back. So many styles work for either gender. I put my wife's on some times as we have the same frames.

At one point early on i bought pinks reading glasses at the drug store. Glad i can see now. One of the many advantages of being out for a while.

Hugs,

Charlie

[Guest Guest_]

Clever of you! Hugs Amber L.

[Guest Zayden]

That's wonderful to hear!

It's funny how it seems so much easier that when I go into the shop and I look at the frames and they are all very feminine, the sales clerk makes suggestions from the men's collection. Just the other side of the fence. Things like that seem to be easier in some respects.

[Guest Amber Lynn]

Diane,

That's a really neat story! I think it was also very brave of you to put yourself out there like that, I know I certainly have trouble bridging that gap. But it sure paid off! It's pretty cool that you now have another person that you don't have to hide from, with the bonus of getting frames that you actually like!

Love,

Gina

[Guest DianeATL]

Thanks Gina, I fret over having to out myself but I think I am learning less is more. I don't have to explain everything about what it means to be a TG and my life history and what my path is etc. Just keep it simple, I'm a TG, now how can you help me.

I bought a couple of bras at Victoria's Secret while in boy mode this weekend and when the girl rang me up she asked if I would need a gift receipt, I smiled and said no thank you. I didn't out myself more to her but I was prepared to if she had asked a follow up question. I think she knew they were for me, especially after I had asked her if they had any removable enhancers.

I am becoming more and more at ease doing it.

[Guest Amber Lynn]

Diane,

I think that is excellent advice regarding keeping it simple. I'm always ready to defend myself as if I'm going to be put under a bright lamp and interrogated (of course I don't actually end up doing this, rather, I tend to shrink away). But you're right, people don't need to know the life story or anything, we're trans and that is that. We are under no obligation to defend who we are. And your experience shows that there are people who are just fine with that. As for myself, more and more people that live in my (largish) apartment building have passed by me (as myself) on my way in or out, and their reactions have really been overwhelmingly friendly and positive. For the most part, I seem to be surrounded by pretty good neighbors, so I'm thankful for that as well!

For most part I have come to prefer buying feminine stuff while female, but at some point I want to get some advice on foundation color (after I run out), which I can't do if my skin is already covered by foundation! So that may be something I'll have to do in guy mode, and when that time comes, I will keep your advice in mind.

Love,

Gina