How should one react when a male colleague shows up dressed as a woman at work?

Question

I'm open minded but also... very surprised. How would you react? What would you say?

Answer 1

I don't mind when people cross-dress, but yes I would be surprised too. And I would say something! I think those people who say they'd ignore it completely are pretty rude... or they are thinking of a colleague in the sense of someone who works in the same building but they don't ever interact with. We're pretty close at my work place so when someone comes in with anything different/special, we say something out of interest! If they have their hand bandaged, we'd ask what happened, if they show up wearing an engagement ring we'd congratulate them, and if someone showed up crossdressed we'd ask whether they'd come out or if something else was up like a party right after work. Either answer would be fine with me, I wouldn't want to delve into every detail about his personal life, but IGNORE it? Gosh people, show a bit of human interest in your colleagues, you might like them (including the crossdressing guy).

Answer 2

I probably wouldn't say anything. In a few weeks, you'll hardly notice.

If the person is dressed inappropriately as a woman (in attire that would not be acceptable for a woman to wear) that's a different story.

Answer 3

I'd say, "There is something different about you today. No NO don't tell me, new dress? New shoes?"

I would be smiling and it would abviously be a friendly joke/banter. I would also offer my support in anway that could be helpful. I would also get a bunch of people to go to lunch with her toi make her feel accepted.

Answer 4

I personally don't think you should say or react to it at all. You should go on about your business. If the business services customer that will actually see you and is improperly dressed you may want to bring it to his attention. Possibly give him a few pointers. If no clients actually see the employees just let it go.

Answer 5

You shouldn't say anything. Just keep it to yourself and enjoy the change of pace! Try not to let your jaw drop too much. That is one's natural reaction to such a drastic change. There's nothing wrong with it...I just don't see what he thinks he's going to accomplish by dressing this way at work. He should keep work and personal life separate...

Answer 6

the three or 4 adult men that she stops and speaks to are probably those she feels she will end and talk to, without them getting the incorrect thought. maximum men think of that because of the fact a female speaks to them, she might desire to fancy them, that's no longer so. The poor female might desire to be desperate for common communication if she works with twenty adult men , out of which sixteen or seventeen of them thinks she fancies them!

Answer 7

you know, political correctness has gone too far, when a guy can come to work dressed as a woman and people are afraid to say anything

Answer 8

Had that happen to me over 20 years ago. I didn't say a word about it, and pretended not to notice. The only awkward moment was when I used his name, and he corrected me and told me his feminine name. He eventually had a sex change operation, and was a "she" in all respects.

Answer 9

Hmm...
It's uncommon but I would probably get over it.


That person is obviously comfortable in womens clothes.
Maybe talk to him a bit to find out why he does it.

Answer 10

I'd try not to laugh because when I get surprized that's what I do and that would be insulting. If You can't ingnore it tell him how pretty he looks in his new dress