UPDATE: Since the "prior" posts links were getting a bit long, there is now a page with links to all of the posts: My Transgender Experiences. Additionally, I've went back and added more links and made some updates to some of the individual entries below since over time some things have changed.
Services:
- *UPDATE* - Exquisite Threading (Clayton, Missouri) - I visit here on a regular basis and while the service is always good; sometimes it's really good/great. It - as with most service environments - fluctuates depending upon who is doing the service. There is one young woman (and I keep meaning to ask her name) that simply goes out of her way to do a tremendous job on my eyebrows. That's not to say they don't look good/great when others do them, but this one particular person simply goes above and beyond. I will say that I seem to get a better job when I go in there *dressed* as Madison versus a more or less androgynous look. I haven't always done that as sometimes I've went straight from a laser appointment - hence no makeup and usually no hair since it gets in the way; but now I try and arrange these visits when J has a laser appointment. Still highly recommended.
Retailers:
- *UPDATE* - Schnucks (Wentzville, Missouri location and Des Peres location - the one nearest West County Mall) - As I've said before I've had great luck at Schnuck's Wentzville. Recently I've been into Des Peres a couple of times and if possible they are even more helpful and friendly. It's definitely more of a "fru fru" location (to borrow a phrase from M's husband); and it's way too far to drive just to grocery shop; but if I'm coming from the therapist - which was my first time there - or a laser treatment, or something else it's nice to visit. They carry things such as Jilly's Cupcakes which aren't my thing but M, J, and my daughter love them; as well as lots of other things I don't see out here.
- *UPDATE* - Dierberg's (Wentzville, Missouri) - Again, I don't shop here a lot, but on the occasions that I do I've always been treated very well and the store staff while not quite as "friendly" as say Schnuck's, they are very nice. Their customer base also tends to skew a little more affluent and a touch older than Shop-n-Save and possibly even Schnuck's. I only mention that because I'm a little bit older and it gives me a good frame of reference on dressing age appropriately as most places I tend to go skew younger.
- Bank Of America (Lake Saint Louis, Missouri) - This probably belongs under "services", but since I'm here - well here goes. I've been a customer from the old Boatmen's Bank, through their acquisition by Nations Bank, and finally Bank Of America. Over that 25 or so years I've been extremely happy with the service I've gotten from all three. Yes, there has been an occasional issue; but they've always taken care of it promptly and to my satisfaction. A couple of months back after my name change; M, J, and I went into this branch to get my name changed on my accounts and get J added to one of them. Per their website all I should've needed was an updated ID and a copy of the court order; but I took M just in case since two of the accounts are still joint ones with her from when we were married. A rather nice and friendly young woman promptly took us into her office to take care of it. It turned out that it was a good thing that I brought M since the woman did inquire as to if the joint account holder was there - perhaps it wouldn't have been an issue regardless, but it did simplify things. She got my name switched and ordered me a new ATM card for the joint accounts. She then got my name fixed and J added to my other account and got us ATM cards ordered for that - she did offer to "unify" mine; but I wanted to be able to use the third account to purchase things so I opted for a separate card. She also offered to sign me up for their "rewards card" - initially I didn't want that, but after speaking with M and hearing what the BOA woman had to say I went ahead. I figured I could use it in place of the debit card for the most part and just transfer the money when I got home so I'd accrue the rewards. So she ordered J and I those cards as well. The debit cards came in under a week and I appreciated the fact that she ordered one as a "Visa" and one as a "Mastercard" - normally it shouldn't matter, but if I run into a place that accepts one but not the other I'm all set. We did have an issue with the rewards cards. I got an email saying they were on the way, but they never showed up. Several weeks later we followed up and they had somehow sent them to an address that was two addresses and 8-9 years ago. Initially the person on the phone implied it was our fault; but after we pointed out that our statements and my debit card(s) had come to our correct address they acknowledged it was their issue and got me new cards out. It was a mild agitation, but considering everything that was changed it wasn't a big deal. I strongly recommend BOA.
- Dillard's (St. Peters, Missouri) - M and I went shopping on New Year's day there and picked up several things on clearance. I got a couple of what I'd say were "less than considerate looks" from one particular employee; but she was polite when we went to pay so I didn't want to make a big deal out of it, but I didn't feel as comfortable there as I do elsewhere. In hindsight I sort of wish I had used a fitting room to see how that went, but hindsight is 20/20.
- City Trends (St. Ann, Missouri) - M and I also visited here on New Year's day and while their clothing is more geared towards a generation younger than me, I was able to pick up a couple of things very cheap, including a nice pair of pink wedge high top tennis shoes. I didn't really need them, but I liked them a lot better than the pair I already had. Actually I could've easily dropped $100+ on shoes as they had several really cute ones including some Lady GaGa ones - in larger sizes (I wear an 11); but I kept it to the one pair. I had no need to try anything on there as I got shoes and accessories, but the staff was very nice and polite.
- *UPDATE* - Ulta (Chesterfield, Missouri) - I've been here a couple of more times and they continue to go out of their way to be nice and helpful. I'm probably not their demographic (Sephora, M.A.C., etc., seem to cater more to the transgender community); but they always are very polite and graceful so I don't hesitate to shop there.
- *UPDATE* - Beauty Brands (Wentzville, Missouri) - The same can be said here. They are ALWAYS incredibly nice and polite and we tend to go here more often since it's both closer and they often send out coupons for a free item if you purchase something. Now the free item(s) seldom if ever apply to me (often haircare items and I use wigs); but I can give them to J or M. There's a Stilla lip gloss that I really like - it's a bright red - probably too red for me, but I like it and tend to pick it up here.
Restaurants:
- *UPDATE* - 54th Street Grill & Bar (Wentzville, Missouri) - We don't go out as often as we used to since I've been dieting; but we do like to hit here late night for 1/2 price appetizers. What we've found that we like even better are their taco and/or slider specials late night. We now tend to order a single appetizer instead of one each, and then J (and M if she comes) will order a couple of their tacos and I'll either do that or get the sliders. Even though it's discounted and later in the night, the food is always fresh and good and the service is always very good. It's definitely a restaurant I feel comfortable at.
- Ponderosa (Bridgeton, Missouri) - M and I hit here for lunch on New Years day; we used to really like the one in St. Peters, but it's long since closed so we don't get here often. Food is how I remember it; although their pricing has gotten a little funky now as everything is more or less a la carte; and in the future I'd probably only order the buffet as their steaks don't exactly rock my world; but the chicken wings alone are worth it to me. Our cashier and our server were both very polite and I wouldn't hesitate to go back.
- Landmark Buffet (Ameristar Casino - St. Charles, Missouri) - I can't believe I haven't mentioned this before. We really like it here; the weekend Champagne Brunch is especially nice. They don't have as huge a buffet as casino's in Las Vegas or even Hollywood Casino (formerly Harrah's); but the food is always top notch and the dessert area is exceptional. I've always been treated respectfully and politely. Additionally, this is the first place I actually used the ladies room. I normally try to not use the restroom in public and if I have to I try and find a "family restroom"; but late last year shortly after my gender change went through we hit the champagne brunch after a visit to the threading place I've mentioned before. It was an accident as we got on I-170 going the wrong direction - but it worked out well. I did have to use the restroom and I didn't see a family one; so J took me with her and it was uneventful which is just what I'd hoped it would be. I did end up having a few too many Mimosa's and apparently became a little "entertaining" as the meal progressed; but I guess once in a blue moon isn't that bad. If it wasn't quite so far we'd visit more often.
- O'Charley's (St. Peters, Missouri) - I've also been to the O'Fallon location, but those times I was pretty much still going out androgynous so I'm not going to include that. I met a couple of friends of mine there for dinner a few weeks ago - unfortunately one of them couldn't come and the other was very late, leaving just myself and one of the three. It let to a bit of an uncomfortable situation as we waited a good 45 minutes for the one to show up and the server was getting a bit agitated. However, other than that, the service was above average; and the manager did touch our table twice which was appreciated. It's not so much "my thing", but I wouldn't hesitate to go back if somebody wanted to eat there as I did feel comfortable there.
I think that'll cover it for now, thanks for reading.
- M
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