After consistently passing as a man, I noticed that women that I meet are much more guarded around me than before. I definitely have to make more of an effort to appear “safe” to strangers.
Another thing is that I can get away with previous behaviors more without as much social repercussion. Due to being neurodivergent, I’ve always been socially unaware of things, never really tried to be polite or say all of the socially acceptable niceties as often as expected. People used to perceive me as “rude” or a “removed” and now I’m just “blunt” and “get to the point.” When I’m not in a talkative mood I used to be “cold” and now I’m just “preoccupied.”
Facial hair greatly “softens” or disguises a lot of one’s face. I found it greatly helped me be more approachable, which was great at the time when I had to train up new hires as they would actually ask questions
Not an option for everyone sadly, and YMMV depending on the structure of your face (I am blessed/cursed by a somewhat chubby face and relentless hair growth)
After consistently passing as a man, I noticed that women that I meet are much more guarded around me than before. I definitely have to make more of an effort to appear “safe” to strangers.
Another thing is that I can get away with previous behaviors more without as much social repercussion. Due to being neurodivergent, I’ve always been socially unaware of things, never really tried to be polite or say all of the socially acceptable niceties as often as expected. People used to perceive me as “rude” or a “removed” and now I’m just “blunt” and “get to the point.” When I’m not in a talkative mood I used to be “cold” and now I’m just “preoccupied.”
Facial hair greatly “softens” or disguises a lot of one’s face. I found it greatly helped me be more approachable, which was great at the time when I had to train up new hires as they would actually ask questions
Not an option for everyone sadly, and YMMV depending on the structure of your face (I am blessed/cursed by a somewhat chubby face and relentless hair growth)