Called "Sir"... Why, oh WHY?!?!

[Red Rock]

I had thae same problem growing up. I was involved in gymnastics so I kept my hair short. I still do. About 1" in the summer and 1.5" in the winter. I grew up with two brothers. I like "guy" things. Legos, playing in the sand..etc .The barbie dolls never caught my attention. Riding bikes fit into that category too.

I have been called Allen instead of Ellen many times.

I think it has bothered my parents a whole lot. I ended up getting my ears piereced to let people know I was a female.

Oh, well.....

Red Rock

[redrhodie]

Pretty is as pretty does. You're a true beauty, knot.

[indysteel]

pretty is as pretty does. You're a true beauty, knot.

+1.

[Biciclista]

NO WAY!! LOL Hey, I never thought you looked like a guy. I will agree with those of you who say it is because you are scandahoovian. who knew?
PS my very first impression of you was that you were a spinster. Definitely female.

[badger]

PS my very first impression of you was that you were a spinster.

LOL!! not sure if this is a compliment?!

[Biciclista]

it's not really a compliment, it's me being honest. Of course after we spoke, I learned that she was not. My point was, it was obvious to me that she was a woman.

[Pax]

Knott has the most amazing high cheekbones. I think it's your height "tall person, must be a guy." I'm short, never been called "sir".

I'm right there with Knott, whenever my SO and I are out and about I inevitably get called sir (and many times without her); I have short hair, dress in shorts and t-shirts, and I'm 5'10" and she's 5' nuthin'. It gets really old.

[Tokie]

I find myself assuming that small-boned short slender men are women. Body size (height, shoulders, and especially to me leg length - long legs=female) are common cues. I think sometimes working at McD's (I did in college) you just get in a grind taking orders without REALLY looking at the face you are looking at. I mostly remember the hands I put change into. In rural Idaho, there were more missing fingers than I expected (?farm accidents). But when the mistake happens over and over, it must be troubling for you. If you were wearing baggy jeans and plaid shirts - I could see it, maybe. And as if you were a man dressed as a woman, you would want to be called "sir"? - I think maybe no, but who really knows....

[grey]

What's up with all you Scandinavian chicks getting blessed with the big boobs?

I am rather Weeble-shaped. I barely fill out an A cup, but people often ask me when my baby's due.

At least I still look young enough to have babies. That's my silver lining.

Roxy

Me too! WHAT BOOBS? In another month, with all this riding, I'll be looking for TRAINING BRAS. And yeah, I got belly. When I lose weight, the boobs go first. Then the flap-flap in the upper arms slim down, and when I get near-anorexic looking, that's when the tummy fat goes away.

And the between-the-thighs fat mentioned in another thread just doesn't. Ever. Leave.

Just remember. Webbles wobble but they don't fall down.

[GLC1968]

Just remember. Webbles wobble but they don't fall down.

Yep - it came in very handy when playing rugby in college.

I don't know why I've never been mistaken for a man even when I had a pixie cut and hardly ever wore makeup. I often went to the store in dirty carpenter jeans and muck boots, too. But I am only 5'4", so I'm sure that plays into it.

I'm sorry Knot, that's gotta suck. I'm going to blame both your height and people's general inability to pay attention to much else than themselves...

[beccaB]

I've been mistaken for a guy too. I am amply endowed, but thin. When I was a runner I had short hair in a pixie style. I can't believe anyone would mistake me for a guy, and even the male co-workers I mentioned it to because it happened at work, were incredulous. I thought it was funny.

[surgtech1956]

I get called 'sir' once in awhile. I always thought because I don't dress feminine or girly. I wear guys shorts, shirts, jeans, don't carry a purse, don't wear makeup or hardly any, and have short hair.

[indysteel]

I'm sad to hear that any of you get mistaken for men, but as for boobs being an obvious give away as to female gender, have you seen how many men have moobs these days? It's scary!!!

[Dr.Doo]

I get called Sir and in times gone by Son or Sonny lots. I get asked to leave women's rest rooms often and I'm a shorty skinny thang (not as skinny now at a 'hefty' 125lbs - now before y'all jump on me, it's relative, I've been 100lbs all my adult life until I gave up smoking and hit menopause). However, I totally love the 'gender queerness' of it. I love how, when a man has asked for the time "Mate", how flustered they can get when I answer in a very obviously female voice. I don't suppose it helps that I don't wear women's clothing, have a shaved head and no boobs to speak of.

I don't think people 'see' beyond general details. My housemate and I have been mistaken for each other many, many times - especially when we were a couple - but we look nothing alike apart from we're both not tall and both average/under-weight.

[rollinat]

I don't think people 'see' beyond general details. My housemate and I have been mistaken for each other many, many times - especially when we were a couple - but we look nothing alike apart from we're both not tall and both average/under-weight.

LOL - my friend and I are still confusing the local pharmacy, only because we are both short, 40-something Scottish women - I guess they still don't really believe there can be two of us! It makes me laugh every time (I am easily amused...)