I've been out to my friends for years but I had fears/brainworms about presenting that way at work. As a result, I kept everyone at arms length and was generally pretty cold and closed off to everyone, which made me a shitty communist. But I finally managed to overcome that and find a new job (just some temp warehouse work) with my preferred name and presentation, which I just started today!

So I come in with a batch of new hires, ready to turn over a new leaf and start socializing, and wouldn't you know it, there's a guy awkwardly hovering around me! Perfect! I know awkward hovering because I'm an awkward hoverer myself, clearly, he wants to be friends but is too shy - so I introduce myself, and we get assigned to similar areas and sit together on breaks. "Making friends is so much easier as a woman!" I thought, a fool.

This guy starts simping hard. Starts asking if I have a boyfriend, takes a big interest in all my hobbies, stuff like that, but the big kicker was he'd been talking about how much he'd prefer being on a different shift so I suggested he ask someone about it but then he's like, "But then I wouldn't get to see you." BRO.

Also, he's 19, and I'm in my 30's. Ew

I'm not sure if he's aware I'm trans or not, I usually assume people can tell but idk and it's not on some people's radar. Not sure which is worse.

Overall, I'm still happy about being able to present the way I want at work and I've been unemployed for a while so I'm glad to be making money and the job's not too hard. But as far as workplace socializing, I kinda feel like I just traded one problem for another