I have a friend who lives on the West coast of the US who refers to me as “buddy” a lot, and I don’t mention it, but it gives me the ick (she knew me pre-transition). I think she just uses it like a gender-neutral word for anyone (the way “dude” and “bro” ca be used sometimes), but I’m triggered, lol 😅
In public / with people who never knew me before transition, people will often refer to me and whoever I’m with (they’re usually women) as “ladies” (ironically my sister-in-law hates how often she is called “ladies” when she’s around me, lol).
On the phone or individually people often refer to me as “dear”. In the South, I got a lot more “sweetie”, “honey”, and even “sweet girl” and “good girl”.
What have your experiences been like (before, during, and after transition)?


yeah, I think that comes across - “Jungs” also feels weirdly intimate / familiar, like “my bros” or something, or “my boys” …
Thanks for introducing me to Mädels, it’s really helpful to actually talk to someone familiar with the language - I always struggle in my adoption of German because of lack of social context and use. It has really declined over the last 5 years, I’m afraid, I have probably slipped from a B-1 to more like an A-2 level or less 😞
Yes, I agree. I’ve actually only ever encountered it in family situations, like when somebody has multiple male kids, or in school.
It’s my pleasure, I’d happily offer my services as a native speaker. I fear that the same is happening to the French I learned until I finished high school.