I Want To Know Your Gender.
By Jabo
@jaboUK (64354)
United Kingdom
September 17, 2015 3:59pm CST
Have you ever been surprised that someone you have been communicating with online turns out to be the different sex from what you had presumed?
Last week someone with whom I had been in touch on and off for quite some time surprised me with a reference to shaving. I'm not sure why, but I had assumed he was a woman.
Then the other day someone on this site addressed me as Sir. I put him right, and then 'he' put me right as she was a woman too!.
User names are often ambiguous, and sometimes reading their writings gives you no clue as to their gender. I really would prefer to know.
Wouldn't it be a good idea if there was a simple F or M on a person's profile page ? That would save any confusion.
There once was a fellow called Lee,
Proposed to his girl on one knee,
But he got a fright
On their wedding night,
It turned out that she was a he.
Original limerick by Jabo
Original limerick by Jabo57 people like this
63 responses
@Rollo1 (16679)
• Boston, Massachusetts
17 Sep 15
I spent many years in online chat with a name that was not identifiable as a feminine name. I didn't care what gender people were and I liked it better when people didn't know what gender I was. I prefer to be known by my words. Men got much more respect, as well. And in the unkind world of chat, the insults against women were much more vile and lewd than those one suffered as a man. Plus, it cut down on the number of private messages inviting one to cybersex.
11 people like this
@TexanTornado (5573)
• United States
17 Sep 15
@Rollo1 Oh do you mean, the simple PM of 'ASL'?? That always got on my nerves.
4 people like this
@TexanTornado (5573)
• United States
17 Sep 15
On my birth certificate it states female, and last I checked I was of the female gender. I think it might be safe to say, I am female. 
Oh and I plan on staying female, in case anyone wonders about that.
I have been shocked to find out some genders too. Especially when their avatar doesn't tend to help.
Oh and I plan on staying female, in case anyone wonders about that.
I have been shocked to find out some genders too. Especially when their avatar doesn't tend to help.8 people like this
@Rosekitty (19368)
• San Marcos, Texas
17 Sep 15
@TexanTornado..i figured only a spirited woman would call themselves a tornado..hahah..hugs hun
9 people like this
@jaboUK (64354)
• United Kingdom
17 Sep 15
@TexanTornado You of course are that dear little angel on your avatar
, so what else would you be but female? 
, so what else would you be but female? 6 people like this
@sacmom (14192)
• United States
18 Sep 15
@DaddyEvil What'd you think? That I just played one on TV? 
By the way, we're able to keep up on here because we never leave... 
lol
By the way, we're able to keep up on here because we never leave... lol3 people like this
@TexanTornado (5573)
• United States
18 Sep 15
@sacmom I think you meant to say, 'One helluva woman".. LOL
4 people like this
@DaddyEvil (137802)
• United States
18 Sep 15
Oh, my! YOU are a woman, @sacmom? 
I really need to catch up on all my notifications! How do you guys keep up?
I really need to catch up on all my notifications! How do you guys keep up?3 people like this
@allknowing (138048)
• India
18 Sep 15
What else would I be but a female. Have you ever come across a man who is all knowing
7 people like this
@allknowing (138048)
• India
18 Sep 15
@TexanTornado And you think a wife will ever do that unless she wants to extract a diamond necklace from him?
4 people like this
@TexanTornado (5573)
• United States
18 Sep 15
@allknowing Hmm good point. I myself am still trying to get a corvette from mine.
4 people like this
@wetnosedogs (1533)
• United States
17 Sep 15
Great limerick there. Just so you know. I am female.
7 people like this
@jaboUK (64354)
• United Kingdom
17 Sep 15
@wetnosedogs Yes I did know that, must have gleaned it from your posts somewhere along the way . I know what most of my longtime connections are, there's just a few I'm not sure about.
. I know what most of my longtime connections are, there's just a few I'm not sure about.4 people like this
@sueznewz2 (10409)
• Alicante, Spain
17 Sep 15
I love the limmerick at the end.... so funny.... I've been surprised 3 times in that way....once on bubblews and twice on here... and.... not that it really matters... but I have also misjudged peoples ages....
6 people like this
@pgntwo (22408)
• Derry, Northern Ireland
18 Sep 15
@sueznewz2 @jabo I dunno - I could think of Egypt or the Red Sea if I saw SuezNews as a name... I know it isn't but it's all to do with how you parse it, as well as how your mind works 
2 people like this
@Rosekitty (19368)
• San Marcos, Texas
17 Sep 15
Mine kinda explains exactly who i am without no wonders or guesses..i am a kitty..meow..hahaha
5 people like this
@Rosekitty (19368)
• San Marcos, Texas
17 Sep 15
@jaboUK hahah..yes just as long as you don't think of me as a flower..
4 people like this
@TexanTornado (5573)
• United States
17 Sep 15
Yes, quite self explanatory to me.
2 people like this
@cupkitties (7421)
• United States
18 Sep 15
Whether people think I'm a male or female, doesn't bother me. I agree with having a M or F for those that want to use it so long as there is an option to remain blank. I hate being forced to choose one or the other.
5 people like this
@cupkitties (7421)
• United States
18 Sep 15
@jaboUK Not everybody follows the gender binary though. Although I'm a female in the physical sense, I identify as bi-gendered, so unless they want to add a mf, and fm or something, then I'll just stay a blank.
3 people like this
@jaboUK (64354)
• United Kingdom
18 Sep 15
@cupkitties Do you really think that some people would really rather not be gender identified? Surely it's an integral part of who you are.
3 people like this
@SIMPLYD (90721)
• Philippines
18 Sep 15
Nice suggestion and i hope Mylot can take note of that . I too , have encountered being corrected as it turn out the woman i am thinking she is turned out to be a man .
Good thing my username at the other site is rebel_woman06 . Sure enough , none mistook me for a man .
Good thing my username at the other site is rebel_woman06 . Sure enough , none mistook me for a man . 4 people like this
@Dragonairy1 (1722)
• Newcastle Upon Tyne, England
18 Sep 15
It is hard to tell sometimes, and I'm also guilty of assuming people are one or the other until pointed out otherwise 
4 people like this
@jaboUK (64354)
• United Kingdom
18 Sep 15
@Dragonairy1 I think it's natural to make assumptions, isn't it?
3 people like this
@Ceerios (4698)
• Goodfellow, Texas
17 Sep 15
@jaboUK - Perhaps it might be appropriate to inquire about the micturitional posture of the possessor of a name of non-specific gender variety (lid up or lid down) - or where the name and the namesake's image don't make all that much sense. Fingerprints would not help much, nor would blood type, nor would food preference. Names can be a real problem, for example, "Caitlyn" (Who would know?) 
5 people like this
@DaddyEvil (137802)
• United States
18 Sep 15
@jaboUK Uhm... actually, I haven't run across anyone with that name yet. What is it I should know?
2 people like this
@pgntwo (22408)
• Derry, Northern Ireland
17 Sep 15
Ah, now I wonder who that might have been...? M or F, some could still fib, like the woman imprisoned recently for pretending to be a man whilst embarking on a love affair with her best (female) friend... Ooooer Missus! 
Loved the limerick, the version I know references a plumber and is not quite as clean ahem!
M or F, some could still fib, like the woman imprisoned recently for pretending to be a man whilst embarking on a love affair with her best (female) friend... Ooooer Missus! Loved the limerick, the version I know references a plumber and is not quite as clean ahem!5 people like this
@thesids (22180)
• Bhubaneswar, India
18 Sep 15
Ah yes, it happens. I too had one instance. A dear friend, I always believed "he". I even addressed by "he" on some others' discussions and all was fine. Then on one of mine where "he" had responded, I wrote - you are like a an elder brother to me. I got a surprise when "he" responded - I would be better as an elder sister to you
Sometimes, things become complex, when you start believing in wrong things for sure. Relations break and what not. But nothing went wrong in our case. She is still connected to me at FB and though she returned here she found the new version complicated. So I am unsure if she returns back or not.
Sometimes, things become complex, when you start believing in wrong things for sure. Relations break and what not. But nothing went wrong in our case. She is still connected to me at FB and though she returned here she found the new version complicated. So I am unsure if she returns back or not.3 people like this
@DaddyEvil (137802)
• United States
18 Sep 15
@rebelann Aha! I KNEW I recognized that avatar! I just couldn't remember WHY!
It is nice to see you here!
It is nice to see you here!3 people like this
@DaddyEvil (137802)
• United States
18 Sep 15
@jaboUK I don't see how they could miss it? Doesn't everyone read clear to the bottom of the posts?
4 people like this
@jobelbojel (36095)
• Philippines
18 Sep 15
I noticed that too, site owners should place a reference on our profiles. One of my online friends, called me girl. But it was just fine with me, we did not have too many conversations to really know what I am. She was sorry for that - I sad no need to say sorry.
3 people like this
@jobelbojel (36095)
• Philippines
18 Sep 15
@jaboUK I think it isn't difficult to place M or F beside our usernames. Nice to see you here Bubblews friend.
1 person likes this
@jaboUK (64354)
• United Kingdom
18 Sep 15
@nerdonmylot You'd think it wouldn't be hard to place an M or F there, would it?
1 person likes this
@jaboUK (64354)
• United Kingdom
18 Sep 15
@jobelbojel Thanks - did you have a different name at Bubblews?
@GreatMartin (23671)
• Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
18 Sep 15
Actually his name was Martin and he was delighted!!!
PS I am very much a male!
4 people like this
@jaboUK (64354)
• United Kingdom
18 Sep 15
@GreatMartin - Your user name isn't ambiguous, and neither are you.
.3 people like this
@Tampa_girl7 (50591)
• United States
17 Sep 15
I have also been occasionally surprised.
3 people like this
@jaboUK (64354)
• United Kingdom
17 Sep 15
@Tampa-girl7 Yes it throws you a bit, especially if you've 'known' them for a while.
3 people like this
@Inlemay (17713)
• South Africa
18 Sep 15
It depends on how deep your voice is over the phone too - I am never call SIr as I am a little squeaky.
Oh the picture is stunning, You always have great flowers to show. My Geraniums are blooming, the ones I planted early in the year. I am thrilled about that
3 people like this
@jaboUK (64354)
• United Kingdom
18 Sep 15
@Inlemay Funnily enough, my husband and I are often mistaken for each other on the phone, even by people who know us quite well.
I'm glad you like the begonia - I have loads of pictures of the garden to use on posts that I can't find a suitable one for. I'm pleased that your geraniums are doing well.
1 person likes this
