“the milk and sugar are over there sir,” says the woman in the coffee shop.
“can you pull your car forward please mama?” says the guy at the petrol station.

(“mama” isn’t just saying that my gender’s been read as female, it’s also saying i’m old enough to be a mother)

those two interactions took place within minutes of each other and i responded the same to both i.e. i didn’t contribute anything gender-related at all. there were times in my twenties, when if a guy ...

I get called sir by cabin crew and petrol pump attendants and business contacts and, well just lots of people.  It happens to me face to face and on the phone too.  As a young kid I was mistaken for a boy a few times and was highly delighted - my Famous Five hero was always George.  I'm sure I've said it before, but there was one memorable time when I was 23 and a guy shook my hand and congratulated me on being brave enough and man enough to wear a skirt.  I've never been particularly uncomfo...