Cross Dressing on Formal nights

[MrsCruiseBabe]

My husbands brother is a cross dresser and wants to know if he would feel outta place dressing up on formal nights ????

[tangerinebunny]

No one can ever predict the behavior of others, but he's more than welcome to share our table.

[SweetP2]

My husbands brother is a cross dresser and wants to know if he would feel outta place dressing up on formal nights ????

I cannot say how he would "feel". I would think it is best for him to expect the same variety of reactions as he would in most general public places. There will be some that don't understand, and that do and are supportive. We are gay women (married - yeah Canada!) and at home or away on previous cruises, we are mostly supported by others, we certainly will encounter those that don't understand. We are comfortable in our own skin, the quality of person we are and that is that. If he is comfortable, then others will be too.

We ditto Tangerinebunny - you are all most welcome to our table too!

[ab0si]

No one can ever predict the behavior of others, but he's more than welcome to share our table.

ditto

[MrsCruiseBabe]

he is not what you would call a passing cross dresser........he kind of looks like its holloween with lots of lipstick. We love him;) and support his choice of dress.

[parrotfeathers]

It sure wouldn't bother me and I am very conservative. I probably would stare a little but he is probably accustomed to that. People are just plain fascinating.

[jeffs55]

Fine by us,as long as he tries to look fabulous.
(We're 2 out gay men.
Not married, we live in New Jersey.)

[dot73]

he is not what you would call a passing cross dresser........he kind of looks like its holloween with lots of lipstick. We love him;) and support his choice of dress.

As long as he wears some sequins and lots of bling, he will fit right in.:D I would have no problem sharing a table with him as long as he had a sense of humour and didn't try to convert me to whatever religion he practises. He is lucky to have an accepting family like you.

[IRL_Joanie]

My husbands brother is a cross dresser and wants to know if he would feel outta place dressing up on formal nights ????

If he, your hubby and yourself are comfortable with his dressing style, no matter what it is, that is all that matters.

I'd love to have all of you at table with us. Heck, I might pick up some great ideas from him:) Ya'll would probably be more fun to chat the night away than some old codgers without an open mind:)

Our last cruise in February I met a large group of Gay men from the Maryland and Delaware area. They were absolutely fantastic and called me their baby sister. At our last formal night they wore tiaras and stopped specifically at our table to present me with a matching pink tiara, mainly because our table mates had made a point of putting their noses in the air previously and making disparaging remarks about, "Those kind of people." I loved my big brothers:) :)

Joanie

[jeffs55]

You seem like someone it would be fun to hang out with. We're gay oval track racing cruisaholic people, a kind of small demographic.

[Denverbri69]

Just as long as he doesn't break out in a rendition of Cabaret, he should be fine. :D

[unfdoug]

There were a lot of cross dressers on the Eurodam sailing. It didnt bother me but a lot of people were looking. It was very obvious though and they shouldnt have been out by the pool in a bikini!

[mudscraper]

Will the Dining Rroom Mgr. insist that he wear a jacket and tie on Formal night even though the gentleman is dressed in a fabulous gown?

[DougandEric]

Even if he wears too much lipstick, he'll look better than some - especially those women who've had a bit too much plastic surgery and now have smiles that go permanently from ear to ear and wear lots of lipstick - kind of looks like the Joker from 'The Dark Knight' Batman movie!:eek:

[jmps]

Our family wouldn't mind a bit. Everyone has the the right to be who they are as long as it doesn't hurt others. I suppose you have given him some kind advice about clothing/makeup to look "better". If he doesn't take it that is up to him. :-)

[kyriecat]

Interesting question so I'm going to give an honest answer even though some people will be happy to hang me on the spit for it.

The OP didn't mention whether the BIL is dining only with members of his party or with strangers, open seating or fixed. That could make a difference in response. I prefer fixed seating at a large table so I can dine with a mix of people. I admit that I don't always agree with my tablemates, but I respect their right to have differing opinions and lifestyles from mine. I wouldn't intentionally offend someone simply because they live their life different from me.

However, if I knew a tablemate as a man for a couple of days then he suddenly showed up as a women, especially if I didn't recognize him approaching the table, my mouth might let out an "OMG" in SURPRISE or I may simply get a stunned expression before my brain has a chance to process this new information. It wouldn't be intended as unacceptance or an insult to the BIL - just something I wasn't expecting. However, the BIL might take the comment/expression as an insult.

If the BIL is dining with new people, it might be good to work the cross-dressing into a conversation before formal night so the others at the table aren't surprised and cause accidental offense. I have no idea if there is a delicate way of doing that. If the others at the table do seem unaccepting, the BIL would have a chance to decide whether to join them anyway, switch to a different table, or try another dining venue for formal night.

If the BIL is only dining with members of his party, then he should show up dressed as he wants, within the accepable dress code for the gender he chooses, of course.

[DRWhit]

Well, it is "As You Wish Dining", isn't it? :)

[Two@Sea]

Well, it is "As You Wish Dining", isn't it? :)

I think we have a winner for the "Best Answer of the Week" award... :D:D:D

[Boytjie]

There were a lot of cross dressers on the Eurodam sailing. It didnt bother me but a lot of people were looking. It was very obvious though and they shouldnt have been out by the pool in a bikini!


Who: the cross dressers or the gawkers? :D

[2ptu/000]

I think we also have a winner on the best question of the week.

[navybankerteacher]

he is not what you would call a passing cross dresser........he kind of looks like its holloween with lots of lipstick. We love him;) and support his choice of dress.

Whatever he wants to wear is his choice and should be accepted by his fellow cruisers. I am curious as to why it "... looks like its halloween..." . Is he just not good at the application, or is he trying to generate comment? If it's the former, no comment should be made -- if the latter, it would be discourteous to ignore him.

[fireofficer5]

Don't do it.

[elycelynne]

As long as he waxes properly. Formal night and the "hairy legs/chest contest" shouldn't be one and the same!

[terigo]

Does anyone watch the show "Glee"?
I keep getting the mental picture of Coach Beast... :D

[photomikey]

I think he would get the same reaction he would get anywhere he went into a fine dining restaurant wearing a dress and lipstick, which is to say many or most would stare, and a few would pretend not to notice. I'd say at the table you'd get 50/50 of people who were nice to him and those who were made uncomfortable by him and/or refused to speak with him.

FWIW, I find it intriguing that if you asked if he could wear a suit jacket with a dress shirt and a tie, complete with polished black dress shoes, with jeans as pants, you would be unequivocally flamed and informed that this is not the "redneck jamboree". But take off the jeans and give him a dress and a tube of lipstick with no mirror to use in its application, and suddenly he's welcomed to every table.

Intriguing.

[amunhbuu]

I think he would get the same reaction he would get anywhere he went into a fine dining restaurant wearing a dress and lipstick, which is to say many or most would stare, and a few would pretend not to notice. I'd say at the table you'd get 50/50 of people who were nice to him and those who were made uncomfortable by him and/or refused to speak with him.

FWIW, I find it intriguing that if you asked if he could wear a suit jacket with a dress shirt and a tie, complete with polished black dress shoes, with jeans as pants, you would be unequivocally flamed and informed that this is not the "redneck jamboree". But take off the jeans and give him a dress and a tube of lipstick with no mirror to use in its application, and suddenly he's welcomed to every table.

Intriguing.

I wonder if it is the intent.

Does it really matter what I wear as long as I try? What if my "Sunday Best" was a pair of ironed jeans and a sport shirt? I always struggle with those questions. There are people in the world who can afford really nice stuff and there are people who can not. It does not make anyone any better than the other.

What if I were to where white tie to the MDR which is far above the requested dining attire? Would be I be looked down upon? Just wondering.

[Prairie_Gal]

I think it depends how comfortable your BIL is with being the center of attention and with having people talk about him, because he will get a lot of attention.

On our last cruise there was a trans-gender woman. Now, I realize she was different from what your brother likes to do, but the point is, a lot of people were talking about her behind her back, and not in a nice way. People can be mean about people that are different.

If it were me, I would save the cross-dressing for private functions.

[photomikey]

Does it really matter what I wear as long as I try? What if my "Sunday Best" was a pair of ironed jeans and a sport shirt?
Does it matter... to me? No. But many of the people on this board disagree. Just search for the threads. :-)

[bepsf]

Just curious - Is this an RSVP charter cruise or a regular cruise?
If it's an RSVP Charter, none of the passengers would bat an eye -
- in fact, he might get some great makeup tips from the other "Ladies" and you'd probably have a great time too!
:)

In either case, as long as he meets the standard of dress appropriate to the gender he is personifying that evening - I'm certain he'll be fine.

[mudscraper]

Unless I missed it I see no mention from the OP that the gentleman is gay even though some posters seem to assume so. Does he cross dress all the time or very infrequently? If he indeed looks like he made himself up for halloween maybe a visit to the spa to learn proper makeup techniques would be worth considering.

[MrsCruiseBabe]

I think we also have a winner on the best question of the week.

I'm back as they say in the biz.............

[room010]

Is he only planning to cross-dress on formal nights? If so, it might raise a few eyebrows because people either won't be expecting it or they aren't comfortable with the whole idea anyway. It's easy to be inclusive and tolerant on an internet message board but I think if a guy showed up in the MDR wearing a stunning frock, wig and bling I wonder how many people would be quite to "cool" about it. But whatever, if he's got the chutzpah to do it then good for him and I doubt he cares what other people think anyway. Good for him!

[salsanut]

Well, it is "As You Wish Dining", isn't it? :).

I hope you guys have a wonderful cruise ,if you join us at
the table I'll be honored ,as long as he dose not up-dress me :p

[SakeDad]

Is he only planning to cross-dress on formal nights? If so, it might raise a few eyebrows because people either won't be expecting it or they aren't comfortable with the whole idea anyway. It's easy to be inclusive and tolerant on an internet message board but I think if a guy showed up in the MDR wearing a stunning frock, wig and bling I wonder how many people would be quite to "cool" about it. But whatever, if he's got the chutzpah to do it then good for him and I doubt he cares what other people think anyway. Good for him!

This is the question I have too. The OP only asked about Formal Night so I'm wondering if that's the ONLY night he is cross-dressing? Or will he be cross-dressing the entire cruise? I do think it will make a difference as to how people react. If he is always in cross-dress then by formal night people will either be used to it or not but at least acknowledge how "smart" (hopefully) he looks in his formal wear. But if he's a regular joe the whole cruise and shows up in full gown and bling:eek: on Formal Night I'm not sure if they would think he was a cross dresser or just in costume for some reason. Hope that makes sense. As a gay man who's been known to wear a skirt or two in his day (never on a ship) I'd welcome him and the entire fabulous family to join me on a cruise anytime!:D I also agree maybe a trip to the salon for a "make-over" on formal night would be a great idea! Many women do it, why not him! If he has a wig he could even take it to the salon a few days early to leave to be styled! When you get back PLEASE let us all know how it went and we want to see the wonderful Formal Night pictures. HAPPY SAILING!

[mudscraper]

The possibility exists that the gentleman is 5`8" tall and weighs 285lbs. and has a long red beard! What eye shadow would you recommend ?

[Duck Duck Cruise]

Always take care of yourself...........because
Those that matter don't mind......and
Those that mind don't matter.

It is no ones business but his.

[mariner]

As long as he wears a La Perla thong, I have no issues.

[wingit]

he is not what you would call a passing cross dresser........he kind of looks like its holloween with lots of lipstick. We love him;) and support his choice of dress.

Does he always dress and apply make-up like its Halloween? Or only at meal time?

[amunhbuu]

Does it matter... to me? No. But many of the people on this board disagree. Just search for the threads. :-)

Oh, I know.. ;)

I find the whole thing amusing.

[Tamaracboy]

My husbands brother is a cross dresser and wants to know if he would feel outta place dressing up on formal nights ????

It seems you will have LOTS of competition for table mates. :cool:

As long as he wears some sequins and lots of bling, he will fit right in. I would have no problem sharing a table with him as long as he had a sense of humour and didn't try to convert me to whatever religion he practises. He is lucky to have an accepting family like you.

Viva la difference !,
And yes, do save us from the "Blue-Noses", they deserve the sad lives they live.
S&xual preference (as some have alluded to) has no, zero, nil correlation to fashion preference.
"So it is, so let it be written"
However I would second the motion that he visit the Spa for a "consultation"
Or, with any luck, there will be a Friends Of Dorothy group onboard where he could visit for some pointers :rolleyes:
Odds are that he will be better turned out than many of the "traditional gender" in their gowns. ;)

Well, it is "As You Wish Dining", isn't it? :)

AMEN on the answer of the week ! !
Who writes your material ?
And I wonder if Seattle had this in mind when they adopted the nomenclature ? ? :confused:

As long ago as Shakespeare, the message was "To thine own self be true . . ."
And as contemporary as Star Trek, "Go boldly where no man has gone before . . . ."

Shake things up, Dance to a different tune, Dream every dream, the wisdom is everywhere, just "Let the Sun shine in . . . " :D
Wouldn't life be intolerably BORING if everyone were exactly the same ? ! ? !

Do tell BIL that staid old HAL has a bunch of CC'ers that encourage him, and want feedback after your fabulous cruise !

r.

[Thoth]

Oh my ! What a subject ! LOL

[mudscraper]

Back in the mid 70s our friend Rosie owned a lounge in Chicago named the Blue Dahlia. Had the best female impersonation shows in the city. Singers, lip sinc, comedians etc. Some of these gals were downright gorgeous. Good friends and fine people.

[DizzyDallasDi]

I don't know why but I keep picturing OP's BIL looking like Gene Hackman in The Birdcage. :p

[ward10]

So here's an interesting coincidence: amongst the first 12 thread titles on page 1 right now on the HAL board...........

"They do it so well so why would they change it?"
"For all cruisers to remember"
"Here's a picture you will not see very often"
"Dressing up on formal nights in specialty dining"

and finally

"Two more reasons to hate any time dining"

spooky :)

[Taxguy77]

As long as he wears some sequins and lots of bling, he will fit right in.:D I would have no problem sharing a table with him as long as he had a sense of humour and didn't try to convert me to whatever religion he practises. He is lucky to have an accepting family like you.

I wish all tablemates fit that description!:cool:

[navybankerteacher]

Interesting how open-minded everyone on this board is -- clearly not reflective of the country as a whole.

I really do not care what someone else does or wears as long as it does not put limitations upon what I do or wear.

That said, however, I do prefer attractive surroundings and courteous companions to ugliness and coarseness. Without imposing my taste on a table-mate, my personal preference would be that he/she not look as though he/she were made up for halloween ---- or, for that matter, ready for a fast-food meal at some roadside McDonalds: you know - muscle shirt, baseball hat on backwards, etc.

Ambience does count - just as I shouldn't impose my taste on other, those others should not uglify my surroundings.

[Hlitner]

Just wondering if the CD had to go to a public rest room during diner which room he/she would choose. :)

Hank

[Bill B]

That said, however, I do prefer attractive surroundings and courteous companions to ugliness and coarseness. Without imposing my taste on a table-mate, my personal preference would be that he/she not look as though he/she were made up for halloween...
I was thinking the same thing. I'm sure many of 'the open-minded' posters on this thread would disapprove if I showed up at their table on formal night in a pirate costume. Why is it 'acceptable' to look like an idiot (and garner approval) if it involves transvestism?

[SakeDad]

I was thinking the same thing. I'm sure many of 'the open-minded' posters on this thread would disapprove if I showed up at their table on formal night in a pirate costume. Why is it 'acceptable' to look like an idiot (and garner approval) if it involves transvestism?
As long as your sword was bedazzled I'm sure it would be just fine!:p

[solocanadian]

I think we have a winner for the "Best Answer of the Week" award... :D:D:D

I'll go along with that!:cool:

[seadancer]

Interesting how open-minded everyone on this board is -- clearly not reflective of the country as a whole.

very astutue observation . Seems like the more traveled a person is the more open minded they are. Those fresh on the boat as it were seem a little less open minded. Not in all cases but a great majority..

[Bill B]

As long as your sword was bedazzled I'm sure it would be just fine!:p
How about if I showed up as King Arthur wearing Excalibur and regaled my table-mates with the story of how the Lady of the Lake told me to pull it from the stone... then asked them to hold off ordering while I ran back to my stateroom to change... because I've decided -
I AM The Lady of the Lake. ;)

[Scrapchick]

Does the person cross dress openly in his private life at home??? Do his friends and family know he does this? If not, I can't imagine that a cruise is any "safer" a place to reveal such preferences. Most people are not that open minded and might not say anything but would probably stare, whisper and point. If the cross dresser is okay with that, then to each his own. My 9 year old DD would DEFINITELY have comments to make and would wonder if it was a fancy dress party. If attracting attention and being the center of ship gossip is not a problem, then go for it. Personally, I have never seen this on a ship and can't imagine it getting a positive reception.

[CowPrincess]

So the OP says

If we cruise with anyone other than Disney or Regent, it won’t be HAL.


in this thread from Dec/09

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1111150&highlight=

... so I'm really wondering what her motivation is for even asking this on the HAL board.

[lorekauf]

So the OP says



in this thread from Dec/09

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1111150&highlight=

... so I'm really wondering what her motivation is for even asking this on the HAL board.

I've been wondering that as well.

[taxmantoo]

My husbands brother is a cross dresser and wants to know if he would feel outta place dressing up on formal nights ????

If you wanted to know how your BIL would feel, I think you would have been better off asking him instead of CC members...I believe he would have more experience than most people for having been in similar situations before. I admit I do not have any experience and am quite proud of the fact.

[DFD1]

IMO, it would be idiotic for him to walk into dinner dressed to make a spectacle of himself.

If, on the other hand, he can cross-dress in such a way as to make himself look like a properly dressed, properly made up woman and not be a spectacle, that might not be so bad.

If he's just doing it to show off, I'd rather he do it over on Carnival or Disney. The audience is likely to be more responsive.

IMO

[DeepWaterMariner]

He wouldn't be the first cross dresser we've seen on a cruise, or even the second. Not a problem for us as long as it isn't over the top.

[PirateShark]

The possibility exists that the gentleman is 5`8" tall and weighs 285lbs. and has a long red beard! What eye shadow would you recommend ?

Always cue from the color of the eye first Rich when selecting shadow ;)

[hensghan]

OP says ...

My husband's brother is a cross dresser and wants to know if he would feel outta place dressing up on formal nights. He is not what you would call a passing cross dresser. He kind of looks like it's Halloween with lots of lipstick.

C'mon! How can a post like this get taken seriously? Regardless of age, sex, level of sophistication, travel history, sexual orientation, country of origin, natural hair color, religious preference, or anything else, who could actually take this posting to be a serious question? Is political correctness so rampant that a joke can't be spotted as one anymore?

Or is it just me? Please, someone -- anyone! -- please tell me this is a joke!

[Bill B]

I'd be laughing at the 'guy'!

[Opinions]

So the OP says



in this thread from Dec/09

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1111150&highlight=

... so I'm really wondering what her motivation is for even asking this on the HAL board.

Perhaps I am confused but it seems that the quote you posted isn't from the OP...When you go to that link it's from another poster I believe?

[Bill B]

Perhaps I am confused but it seems that the quote you posted isn't from the OP...When you go to that link it's from another poster I believe?
Yes. The OP replied on the quoted thread; she was not the 'originator'.

[cateyes2u]

I got a few good laughs reading the responses.

I say YOU GO GIRL ;)

PJ

[navybankerteacher]

OP says ...

My husband's brother is a cross dresser and wants to know if he would feel outta place dressing up on formal nights. He is not what you would call a passing cross dresser. He kind of looks like it's Halloween with lots of lipstick.

C'mon! How can a post like this get taken seriously? Regardless of age, sex, level of sophistication, travel history, sexual orientation, country of origin, natural hair color, religious preference, or anything else, who could actually take this posting to be a serious question? Is political correctness so rampant that a joke can't be spotted as one anymore?

Or is it just me? Please, someone -- anyone! -- please tell me this is a joke!

You hit the nail on the head --- everyone was so busy falling all over themselves showing how broadminded they are that they failed to see that the question lacked a sense of reality.

[donaldsc]

I will be politically incorrect here - I would be uncomfortable sitting at the table with him. I would not make any negative comments directly to him but if he insisted on cross dressing at evening meals, I would request a change of tables.

Flame away.

DON

[lorekauf]

OP says ...

My husband's brother is a cross dresser and wants to know if he would feel outta place dressing up on formal nights. He is not what you would call a passing cross dresser. He kind of looks like it's Halloween with lots of lipstick.

C'mon! How can a post like this get taken seriously? Regardless of age, sex, level of sophistication, travel history, sexual orientation, country of origin, natural hair color, religious preference, or anything else, who could actually take this posting to be a serious question? Is political correctness so rampant that a joke can't be spotted as one anymore?

Or is it just me? Please, someone -- anyone! -- please tell me this is a joke!
I'm pretty sure this is a joke. I think the OP is just trying to stir the pot.

[surfergirle]

Hi there,
there were two very nice and fantastic "gals" on our Oct 30 cruising of Eurodam. They were always dressed, and dressed nicely might I add! They were fun and sweet. Funny enough we met them on a previous RCCL cruise and they remembered us. I believe he will be fine. They seemed to not have any issues and looked like they felt comfortable.

[sapper1]

I'm pretty sure this is a joke. I think the OP is just trying to stir the pot.
Think back to our last cruise-----something like that might have made dining more alive and fun eh?;)

[hensghan]

Even after folks here have pointed out that this emperor has no clothes, others still continue to step up to state how much they admire his wardrobe.

OP must be rolling around on the ground laughing.

[Cruising-along]

Even after folks here have pointed out that this emperor has no clothes, others still continue to step up to state how much they admire his wardrobe.

OP must be rolling around on the ground laughing.

I agree!

[BassettMom]

Hey, I live in Las Vegas. Go out to the Strip, and you'll see plenty of cross-dressers, a few Elvis's, and maybe even an Elvis cross-dresser. :D

Not much surprises me anymore--I say to each his own. I'd be more interested in good conversation and a sense of humor in my table mates.

[tomc]

Female airline pilots cross-dress, Judy Garland did a c-d dancing scene except for no pants and great legs, Roman soldiers wore short skirts...

[Barsnikel]

Interesting question so I'm going to give an honest answer even though some people will be happy to hang me on the spit for it.

The OP didn't mention whether the BIL is dining only with members of his party or with strangers, open seating or fixed. That could make a difference in response. I prefer fixed seating at a large table so I can dine with a mix of people. I admit that I don't always agree with my tablemates, but I respect their right to have differing opinions and lifestyles from mine. I wouldn't intentionally offend someone simply because they live their life different from me.

However, if I knew a tablemate as a man for a couple of days then he suddenly showed up as a women, especially if I didn't recognize him approaching the table, my mouth might let out an "OMG" in SURPRISE or I may simply get a stunned expression before my brain has a chance to process this new information. It wouldn't be intended as unacceptance or an insult to the BIL - just something I wasn't expecting. However, the BIL might take the comment/expression as an insult.

If the BIL is dining with new people, it might be good to work the cross-dressing into a conversation before formal night so the others at the table aren't surprised and cause accidental offense. I have no idea if there is a delicate way of doing that. If the others at the table do seem unaccepting, the BIL would have a chance to decide whether to join them anyway, switch to a different table, or try another dining venue for formal night.

If the BIL is only dining with members of his party, then he should show up dressed as he wants, within the accepable dress code for the gender he chooses, of course.

This forum doesn't enable the "reps" option, so I'll give reps manually. This answer is pretty much exactly what I was thinking.

He should feel welcomed to dress as he wishes, but some common sense should also apply. If his table chaps see him as male, and he suddenly shows up in a formal gown, it's going to be awkward, to say the least.

If that is the situation, the previous night he should give them some advanced notice.

[Bill B]

If that is the situation, the previous night he should give them some advanced notice.
I'd STILL laugh at him... and probably crack some bad jokes/puns.

[tomc]

An old man named Jim was a tranny.
When someone asked if he was a granny,
Said, "I'm less,"
Lifted his dress,
And said, "You may kiss my fanny."

[jmps]

I'm pretty sure this is a joke. I think the OP is just trying to stir the pot.

Since the OP hasn't responded in the conversation accept with one remark, you must be right. Such a waste of time for people trying to be helpful. I guess the only positive of this thread is I now learned a few more posters to put on my ignore list.

[Floridiana]

very astutue observation . Seems like the more traveled a person is the more open minded they are. Those fresh on the boat as it were seem a little less open minded. Not in all cases but a great majority..

I hope this is true for my first HAL cruise next April. On my last cruise (different line), I did not feel that the passengers doing similar cruises for the 15th time had widened their horizon.

[Thoth]

An old man named Jim was a tranny.
When someone asked if he was a granny,
Said, "I'm less,"
Lifted his dress,
And said, "You may kiss my fanny."
Funny !

[dot73]

I believe that the more people travel and actually sit down and talk with people they consider "different", the more tolerant they become. They actually start judging people based on their character rather than by stereotypes. Of course, there are exceptions. A lot of people's perceptions are based in many ways on their upbringing. I was brought up in an ethnocentric environment where tolerance of people different than us was not exactly seen as a good thing. My ethnic group's view of other people was based on centuries of intolerance and untruths being fed to them throughout generations. By being educated and working with people of different backgrounds, religion, sexual orientation, I learned tolerance. I learned that there are good and bad people from every walk of life. When I go on a cruise, I always hope that I am sharing dinner with people who are well mannered, are witty and have a sense of humour, and can carry on a conversation about travel, politics, religion, etc. without resorting to ugly accusations or comments. Whether a man wears pants or a dress to dinner, really makes little difference to me. Whether this thread was started as a joke or not, I think it has been interesting.

[cruisinggranmama]

JMHO but it seems to me that if he is a public cross-dresser then he should know how he will be perceived at sea. It will be the same no doubt as perception on land.

Varied perceptions are represented on this board.

[iancal]

Joke or no joke...who really cares???

[gummi]

"On our last cruise there was a trans-gender woman"

how do you know?

[Rutland Gate]

This is a stupid example of how "culture" has been hijacked by the nut cases.

[E-500]

Richard was a Tranny
Liked to be called Fanny
Tried a thong,
but it was wrong
Wore a pair of hose one night,
decided they were too tight
The wig would not fit,
left him in a snit
In the end Richard was just Dick,
wearing lipstick.

ee cummings was some poet

[Aussiemick]

"On our last cruise there was a trans-gender woman"

how do you know?

I would ask the TSA, they will know.

[COMBOY]

Oh my...can I comment on this subject. In 2004 I did a RSVP GLBT charter cruise on HAL Zuiderdam from Ft. Lauderdale to New Orleans for Mardi Gras. I was on a share basis with another male arranged by RSVP cruises. So this gentlemen arrives in the cabin. Never met him before. We exchanged a few welcomes and he informs me that he is a cross dresser. OK...my response was "all the time?" No, he replies, "Just at night at the themed parties or on formal night and for Mardi Gras." Now you can image my shock to all this. I'm thinking my cabin is going to have dresses, bras and panties, etc. Now, this is a charter so I can expect this kind of craziness, but not in my cabin!!! OK, to make a long story short. He was the nicest guy, we got along great as cabin mates, had a lot of nice conversations and he actually look better dressed as a women then a man...sorry (or happy) to say and he didn't dress up during the day or every night for dinner. I even escorted her to the captains formal cocktail party in her evening gown and we spent the whole day in New Orleans partying together for Mardi Gras (yes, with him dressed as a southern bell.) So the moral to the story from what I learned don't judge a book by it's cover. If he comfortable dressing up as a women so be it. Clearly he should inform the dining table prior to arriving that he is a cross dresser. If they don't approve then alternative dining arrangements should be made. Sorry to say some guys do cross dressing better then others. However, you don't want any surprises or awkward situation. It's better to be upfront. Who knows... dinner might be a fun event.