“Act like you’ve been there before” is a cliché I’ve heard that means to behave in a situation that is new and exciting to you as if it is something old and familiar to you instead.
As a closeted transfeminine person, I’m thinking about painting my fingernails black - wearing coloured polish in public would be a first for me. And I’m thinking of getting them done at a salon - another first.
I’m so nervous but excited. I know from experience of rocking neutral or clear polish as a cis-looking AMAB person that being super nonchalant about having painted nails in public will lead to me having a better time, which is ironic because rocking painted fingernails in public is like bucket list-level excitement for me. But to assuage my high levels of social anxiety and increase my odds of having a good time, I know I ought to be nonchalant or “act like I’ve been there before.” It’s kind of humorous to me, even though I obviously don’t think there should be any stigma at all.
The more I dwell on this, the more I realize it’s important to me and I should do it. Gotta gather my courage tho! 😅
Having your nails painted isn’t nearly as scary as it sounds. You might get a second glance sometimes, but mostly people don’t really care and it’s all in your head. Mine are a nice flashy corral color right now and I haven’t had any negative interactions. In a worst case you just kind of get the feeling that people are actively trying to not comment on it.
It honestly works great as a good social filter. Sometimes I’ll run into a cashier or someone similar in passing who seems uncomfortable with it(usually older folks), but it’s otherwise a good way to find other queer folks or allies in the wild and start a conversation.
Thanks for the words of wisdom :). Corral sounds lovely. And thinking of positives helps me reframe it
Just go for it and walk around with it! You can always take it off with a little bit a acetone and a minutes effort if you don’t like it!
I still present as male pretty much anywhere that isn’t my house, but I often paint my nails and I usually also get them done at a salon while getting my eyebrows waxed.
No one has ever said anything about the eyebrows, and maybe two or three people ever have said anything about the nails, and they were complimentary.
Do it! Ive def been there my friend, and i can tell you that it feels good as hell. If you find comfort in “act like youve been there before” then more power to you, but i also think that people should be free to be excited about things! Enthusiasm is great for your self esteem, or at least it is for me!
Good advice.
Painting my nails was the first remotely fem-presenting thing I did (other than shaving!). Very few people even noticed. One of the people I work with, after I came out, said I just looked a bit more stylish than usual. The biggest response I got was paying at my local where the owner knows me well – “oh, you’ve painted your nails” / “yup”. And that was it.
Having said that, I don’t have nearly enough courage to go to a salon or anything yet! Let us know how it goes!
Thanks for sharing! And that is top-tier pub banter! :P
I should follow your example and keep responses simple - I don’t need/want to blab. Maybe just “yup” and a smile, like “I’m doing me, and I hope you’re doing you!”
Thank you for the encouragement! I hope to be back to provide an update :)
Yeah, not talking too much is often a good plan if you want to keep things simple :)
Plus, stuff like nail art of course isn’t exclusively feminine. If I go out with (very) light makeup, in women’s jeans and painted nails, internally I’ll be overflowing with girl stuff euphoria, but to everyone else I’m just some dude. Since my body shape, face and hair aren’t remotely feminine (yet!), there’s not really much to code “woman”. I think I’d have to wear a dress and full-on eyeliner for anyone to notice.
Good advice. And maybe I overestimate how many people do/will notice. I guess I do tend to focus on the majority who do notice and not appreciate the majority who don’t or are chill.
I’m glad to hear of your times overflowing with girl stuff euphoria. And that “yet” sounds exciting ☺️
