An unexpectedly long walk this morning, mainly because I forgot to check when the Oxfordshire Art week exhibition at St Mary's was due to open and arrived around 10.30 rather than 12:00, which gave me another hour and a half to kill. Rather than go home, I went back down to the High Street and browsed in the charity shops. I think this was probably only the second time in five or six years that I've done local the charity shops as Susie. One slightly quizzical look from an old lady - although I might have been imaging it- but otherwise no one paid any attention. And the same back at the art show when it finally opened. (Some nice watercolors on display, and I was particularly taken with couple of the morning light on a Norfolk beach.)
Going out for an extended period the middle of the day, rather than very early in the morning (so I can be back in before the neighbours are up and about, which might otherwise lead to awkward questions), leads to a couple of questions:
Do I pass? - probably not at 6' plus heels, and I'm not confident about adapting the way I walk (even without finding I'd broken a heel when I got home). And:
Does anyone in the real world (outside the TERF mafia) really take much notice or care? To which the answer seems to be no. Or maybe I just live in a nice accepting corner of the world. Then again, I'm not trying to challenge or push anybody's boundaries. If the most I get is a nod and 'Good Morning' from someone as I pass, I'm happy with that.
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My general experience is that no one who is not looking will clock you - if that makes sense. Most that do look won't clock you either - they usually take in the context clues, say "morning" and that's it. Does that mean you pass? I guess so, yes. And I've met several cis women of 6' or taller, so there.
ReplyDeleteI get clocked all the time, but then, I am driving a bus and talking to people, and thus reasonably known where I live. Also, I don't bush up as nice as your photos suggest you do.
You're probably right, and even when it is obvious (as with the trans lady who was helping out in the book section of one of the shops a few weeks ago) no one cared and chatted with her quite freely about favourite series and authors while she was restocking the shelves. We probably notice our own shortcomings more and project that onto others.
ReplyDeleteTwo outings and two posts, yay! 🎉
ReplyDeleteFWIW, said lady may have been trying to work out if you were a women she knew.
Most folk seek caught up in their own little world, or a phone, so they just pass us in the street.
The art exhibition sounds nice. I always find the art world inherently bigotry free, artists and their promoters being traditionally a bit alternative. I participated in such a show as Sue once, with some of my paintings on display there, and it was an affirming experience.
ReplyDeleteIt's good to see you getting out. On the whole, people are too wrapped up in their own world to pay close attention to others in the street.
Sue x
I think this is also only the second time I've attended a local art exhibition as Susie; the first being some years back. I've never had any of my drawing on display, although it's years since I did any drawing. That must have been a thrill.
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