using a cane every time i go outside has been interesting because how other people deal with my presence in public has changed so radically. a list of changes i have noticed:
- before, i generally found myself forced to weave around most men i encountered on the street, whereas other women would typically move slightly, and i'd move slightly, and it wouldn't be much of an issue.
- now, however, men swerve out of my way as though i'm a speeding truck, and more often than not i'm forced to adjust more significantly than i would have to for women. i don't know what the sociological implications are here? also obviously my best guesses as to how folks might identify are like. hazy. but in general this seems to be the pattern
- in general people will hold doors for me if they notice me, so that's nice? back when i lived in the south this was standard fare, but in new york it was pretty uncommon. now people will hold the door for me.
- lastly, (and this is the funniest one,) women with strollers, like, seem actively hostile towards me. it's like i'm contesting their seat availability priority, and so they will, like, weaponize the strollers to ensure they have first access to elevators, seats on the train, et cetera. this is far from true for *all* women with strollers i've seen, but it's happened a few times now!
EDIT: i also meant to ask if anyone following me (or just reading this in general) has also experienced something like this! i would be interested to see if my experiences match that of other people's...
