Same As Man?

When I was a child, I was often mistaken as a boy. I have strong resemblance to my older brothers and I wore their old clothes. It is not a surprise that people thought I was a boy. My mother actually thought it was a blessing because she thought it would be less likely for me to be kidnapped or molested.

Apparently, I have not outgrown my boyish appearance.  

I just came back from a trip to Thailand and Burma. Pretty much wherever I went, people thought I was a man. It started on the flight over: "Hello, what would you like to drink, Sir?" I never get offended or angry about such things. I just smile at the flight attendants and reply in a very soft voice.  Usually, that is enough for them to get the idea. Sometimes they apologize, sometimes they just blush. 

I went for a foot massage near our hotel in Chiangmai. A young man, Mike, worked on me. I was the only customer that morning. The old lady, Noi, who works there was eager to practice her English with me. "I saw you last night. I thought you man." I smiled at her and said,"But, you know I am not a man now. I just look like my brothers." Noi and Mike seemed very amused by me and my hairy legs. Repeatedly, they say to me, "You many hair. Long. Like man." I smiled at them, "Yeah, I do have a lot of hair. My husband does not like shaved legs." 

Noi and Mike just wouldn't let go. "You same as man. You long hair. Many hair. Hahaha." 

Same as man? Really? "No, I am not same as man. You may say I look like a man, but I am not the same as a man." I tried correcting them. 

Mike started pulling on my hair while looking at me with a funny smile. "Hehe, yes, same as man. Very long." 

It was becoming tiring. I came only for a massage after all.  I looked at Mike and asked him to show me his arms and legs. "Hey, where is your hair? You have no arm hair? And you have zero leg hair either??? I have many hair. Long. Same as man. But you have no hair. I have more hair than you do. And you have two earrings? Maybe you are no man. You woman? Maybe you are woman? Want me to give you some of my hair? Huh?" Mike did not expect me to strike back like this. He frantically waved his hands and mumbled, "No,! Me man. No woman. Me man! Me man!" They finally stopped. 

Actually, this is not the worst incident about me being mistaken as a man. 

Years ago, my Mike and I went to Japan together. At the immigration counter, there was a big sign that said one person may go up at a time. So, I let Mike go first, but Mike kept signaling me to join him because we were one household. The immigration lady looked at him, turned to look at me, and then looked at him again. 

Mike: 😅 We're together. Issho ni! ("Together" in Japanese")

Immigration Lady: Together? Your son?

Meipo:  🤣 Hahahahaha! 

Mike:😡 NO!!!! THIS IS MY WIFE!

Immigration Lady: 😰 Sorry, sorry, sorry  . . . 

Everybody else in the immigration hall: 😶 Cricket. Cricket.