Transgender People Reveal Biggest 'Culture Shocks' After Transitioning

Thousands of users flocked to a viral internet forum to share their biggest "culture shocks" after undergoing gender transitions.

The Original Poster (OP), known as u/TyDye386, asked the viral question in Reddit's popular "Ask Reddit" thread where it received more than 6,000 upvotes and 4,300 comments. The post can be found here.

Many users said their social interactions changed after their transition, while others said they needed time to get used to the lack of pockets in women's clothing.

Transgender Americans

According to data analyzed by Pew Research Center, an estimated 5 percent of young adults in America identify with a gender different than the sex they were assigned at birth.

More than four in 10 Americans report knowing someone who is transgender compared to three in 10 Americans in 2017.

Americans under 30 are more likely than their older counterparts to identify as trans or nonbinary, according to Pew Research.

What Does Transitioning Mean?

The National Center for Transgender Equality defines a gender transition as: "the time period during which a person begins to live according to their gender identity, rather than the gender they were thought to be at birth."

It is important to recognize that gender transitions differ depending on the individual, with some opting to change their name, pronouns, appearance, and sometimes identification documents.

Others choose to undergo hormone therapy while others choose to get gender-affirming surgery.

"No specific set of steps is necessary to 'complete' a transition—it's a matter of what is right for each person," NCTE said. "All transgender people are entitled to the same dignity and respect, regardless of which legal or medical steps they have taken."

Biggest Culture Shocks

More than 4,300 users commented on the post asking "Trans people of Reddit, what was the biggest 'culture shock' you noticed after transitioning to your gender?"

'Bud'

"People weren't joking when they said Canadians use the word "bud" a lot when talking to boys," one user commented.

'One of the Girls'

"The amount of women in my family, my female friends, and even female acquaintances now confiding every single deep dark detail of their life in me, or just openly talking about their every bodily function," another user commented. "I became 'one of the girls' way before I was comfortable with it."

Safety

"As a passing almost fully transitioned trans woman, it's that people are a *lot* more concerned about my safety as a woman than they ever were as a man," another wrote.

"I am MtF [Male to Female] and even though I knew about it, the amount of sexism, harassment and sexual assault is shocking," another commented. "Logically, I knew it happened. I've had people tell me all about it before. But once I started passing as a woman, holy fuck. Sexual comments happen all the time, even just sitting at a stoplight in my car, people have shouted through my window sexual shit. More than once!"

Confusion

"I never adjusted my voice after transitioning, so my voice does tend to cause confusion, and yet, rarely an issue," one user commented.

Men's Restrooms

"Men's restrooms are weird slits in the fabric of the universe where social norms don't make sense anymore. Do NOT look at anyone. Do NOT speak to anyone," another commented.

Women's Clothing

"The lack of pockets," one user wrote.

"Welcome to sad reality of feminine clothes," another commenter replied.

Mental Health

"As a 'passing' almost fully transitioned male, I've been told to suck up my mental problems A LOT more (and by that I mean even more than a lot) than when I looked like a female," one user commented.

Anonymity...and Pockets

"Male here. suddenly no one gives a shit about me, I feel totally anonymous. no one makes any comments about me or double takes or smiles or anything. I'll get a nod but that's it."

"Welcome to being a man. We have jackets," a user replied.

"More importantly, we have pockets," another added.

Newsweek reached out to u/TyDye386 for comment.

LGBTQIA+ in the News

Earlier this year, a woman criticized Delta Airlines for not offering a nonbinary option during the booking process.

A spokesperson from Delta Airlines told Newsweek they are working on fixing this issue and confirmed that a nonbinary option will be made available through their system this year.

Recently, an anonymous individual went viral on Reddit after revealing they learned their genitals were removed after birth.

Another Redditor went viral after gaining support from commenters to ask out his gym crush even though he always thought he was straight.