by kidme » Fri Jul 12, 2019 4:19 pm
Don’t let them frighten you off. No I am not from Bay Area, but I have made many trips there. No, I have not don a skirt in S. franc itself, but have hiked in Yosemite wearing one, and some other National and state parks too. . I have gone shopping some county’s malls in a skirt. The most I got was a boy at the motel’s balcony running into his room shouting “there’s a men downstairs wearing a skirt” while I was at the car park.
I have flown in and out through SFO many times, in a skirt... from your home base. But more as transit to a different US state. Yes, I am your fellow resident in Lion city. I am out and about in a skirt almost everyday in my neighborhood, here back at home in SG, throughout the day. Even to the malls for food or catch a movie with my family. It takes awhile to get use to it and learn to ignore. Life is too short, I dress for my own comfort and I present as a man, get address as one. It is a no issue for me at work too, since the company is supportive of the OPEN movement, and has policies against discrimination.
Different part of Bay Area, is slightly different, as the population there varies between extremes. And definitely in each county, there are areas to avoid... just use common sense and avoid certain streets just by looking at the conditions of the buildings and shops (graffiti, broken windows...) and try not to scream “I am a foreigner”.
Like wise San Jose is big. Personally, I feel less safe at downtowns, and prefer the suburbs. They are plenty of nicer neighborhoods to stay, depending on your budget and tolerance to rush hour traffic.
Good luck.
