Mostly, when I'm out and about, I try to avoid using the restroom. There's a Walmart neighborhood store in the area that I generally have cause to be out and about in. The restrooms there are rarely busy and only once or twice have had to interact with anyone there. If I find myself in need, it's my restroom of choice.
Before the recent wave of insanity, I had used the restroom in the Safeway I do my grocery shopping. But during the pandemic they opted to go to a code knob to enter. That means that you need to go to customer service to get the code. I sometimes think the part of the reason the code is still needed is to weed out cross-dressers. Perhaps that's a bit of paranoia. Be that as it may, if I need the restroom while shopping I generally hold it and swing by the Walmart on the way home.
Today, however, in the middle of my shopping I began to get gas pains and it soon became evident that there'd be no holding it. With great reluctance I went to customer service, afraid I'd be challenged or given the code to the men's room. If it was the latter, I'd just have to take my chances; I had no choice.
At customer service, when I asked for the restroom code, the 20 something lady behind the counter didn't blink and rattled of the five digit code. I repeated it to confirm I'd heard it right. To the restroom I went and hoping against hope I tried the code on the women's room and it worked. Gratefully I went to the handicap stall because it's the farthest one and in the event that someone else comes in while I'm there, there's no reason for them to be near the door and accidentally peak in.
While I was there, I noticed someone come to the door of the next stall pause and walk away. When I was done and cleaned up, I excited the stall to find a young lady waiting. I would guess her to be seventh or eighth grade. She smile and gave me a little wave as I made my way passed her. I smiled an nodded. I stepped up to the sink and quickly washed my hands. As I left, I noticed that she had gone into the handicap stall. I suspect that the other stall had no TP.
The point is that neither the customer service clerk nor the young lady gave any indication that they thought that I didn't belong in that restroom.
Comments
You're a Female Own It
There is a silent signal from those who are afraid of being found out they aren't what they are supposed to project to others. The best spies, con artists, liars, etc are the ones who are so sure of themselves they almost believe themselves to be what they are claiming to be. Those projecting fear of being caught usually are as they give off the vibes they are lying. Many of the trans fictional stories here on BCTS have the transition person scared as "she" first steps out in public. Which is more true to real life than not. It is why years back I offered to accompany any females in my part of the world who wished to step out in public.
Patty, you accepted and made a life choice. If you really want to enjoy all the pleasures and yes the downside which comes with the decision, you need to own it. In the words of Winston Churchill, "The only thing we have to fear is fear itself." Thank you for sharing your experience. Hopefully it will give others encouragement to live their life also. And when all you ladies are in the women's bathroom, discretely give Trump and all the totally clueless, ignorant haters the one fingered salute.
Hugs Patty,
Barb
John 15:18 If the world hates you know it hated me first...
Oklahoma born and raised cowgirl
Which is more true to real life than not.
I remember my early days out in public. At first, only at night and a walk through some neighborhood away from where I lived. How stupid can a girl get? When I started going out in daylight, it's a wonder I didn't get whiplash.
I also remember the first time that need made me use the women's restroom. I had become comfortable being out and about and was doing some shopping at a local mall. I had made the mistake of stopping to pick up an Iced Mocha at drive-through coffee shop on the way to the mall. (Remember, you only rent coffee.) As my shopping day was winding down, my bladder started to really demand attention. I had a 90 minute drive home.
After debating I went to the public restroom. Wearing a dress and makeup there was no way I was going to chance the men's room. I had hoped that I could simply go in, duck into a stall and do my business and leave. No such luck. Inside the door was the proverbial line I was number five waiting for one of the four stalls.
I fought down the urge to just walk out and forget it. I'd have had to take the chance of wetting myself on the way home; as it was it would be a challenge to wait in the line. So wait I did. Directly in front of me was a woman with her two daughters; a young teen and a tween. The line progressed and finally, the two daughters were in stalls. When the next stall opened up, the lady in front of me turned and said, "You can go ahead. I'm just waiting for my daughters." I softly thanked her and took the stall, none too soon,
Hugs
Patricia
Happiness is being all dressed up and HAVING some place to go.
Semper in femineo gerunt
Ich bin ein femininer Mann