Is the hardest thing to do also the easiest thing to do?

I believe one should not apologize for being oneself. From my experience, we are often our own worse enemies - making mountains out of mole hills worrying about an issue that may not be there. Over the past 5 years, I have traveled domestically repeatedly without my choice of clothing or presentation being an issue. This includes domestic air travel, renting a vehicle, checking into a hotel, and attending a conference. I have found that being confident in oneself goes along way to setting the expectation for how you will be treated.  As for the issue of your ID not matching your appearance, I have lost count of how many IDs I have seen showing different hair styles and colors, glasses / no glasses, and a much younger person than the individual in front of me. A man presenting as a woman or a woman presenting as a man is not different. Besides, Indoubt you are the first case facing that establishment.

MacKenzie Alexandra

Hi Bianca, I do not know if it would be the easiest thing to do, but it would be the best thing to do.  Being honest and upfront is always easier ( falsehoods are hard to keep track of ), but how easy it winds up being depends on the person you are dealing with.  Hotels do/should have professional staff so I dont think they would cause any issues other than just wanting to confirm you are you.  And you gotta be you - so.... yes, it is easier that way.

Stevie

Bianca,  it is usually easiest when you are honest from the start.  Each situation must be measured on it's own merits.  The hotel I spoke of in the other thread is 4 star establishment, and I felt I had stayed in enough Motel 6's over the years.  I needed a treat for myself.  I  am sure that if I had presented as Paula from the beginning, the whole misunderstanding probably could have been avoided.  The staff now call me by name when I stay, and now when I  call for reservations, once I  give them my name, we are done in just moments instead of spending 30 minutes each time.  Now that they do know me, I don't use online booking, and save even a little bit of money there too.

Doing so much online has spoiled too many people with it's supposed ease.  But if we would just try doing things in person, we might just see that in person is the way to go.   Most of the fears and worries that afflict us are almost always self-imposed  and aren't really much more than a wall of smoke.  It does take a little courage to step through, but becomes easier each time we face them down.

PaulaF

For me this comes back to the decision about where you go. For example, I stay in Brighton - a lot - and the hotel's there wouldn't bat an eyelid if you were in full glam but handed over your Mr credit card.

It's such an inclusive place to be, hopefully you'll be able to find somewhere equally as welcoming for your get away.

On the flip side, if you rock up to a B&B run by Basil Fawlty in a little mining village wearing your finest  (I'm picturing the Slaughtered Lamb in American Warewolf) the chances are they may have something to say and could, potentially, be very disparaging.

The other thing you could perhaps consider is something like an air B&B. All bookings and payments online, you turn up and the key's under the plant pot.

location, location, location darling.

Didi💋

Oh, Bianca! Yes, the hardest thing IS the easiest!

I am Polly and no amount of apology will ever deny that fact! Today I went to a beauty product wholesaler and got some lash serum... on the way out another woman smiled going past, waved and we got talking. I must add I was in drab but with painted nails and toes. She totally accepted me and offered to take me through all the lashes and other stuff when I had a spare hour or so!
An accounting client also noticed my nails and asked the question. What could I say? She was also totally in my camp!
I have not found any adverse reaction so far...

Love xxx Polly