What do I do about misgendering

I'm a 30 year old guy who looks younger, and people usually think I'm 18 - 20 Sometimes when I interact with people, they think I'm a girl somehow and say ma'am, she, or her How would someone think

At the one job I had last year, there was this younger guy with long, blond hair who worked in some other department. I didn't really have any thoughts about that, and we never interacted. There was this older woman who worked in another department, and she was always really talkative, but seemed like a good worker and was always busy working on something. I felt like I lost a little respect for her when she made some comment about "That boy being far too pretty for a boy..." It was just kind of rude how she said it, and I remember the comment kind of came out of nowhere. Like as if it implied he was some lesser man, or the belle of the ball or something. I didn't look up to see if anybody else around responded nonverbally to that comment, but nobody really said anything. And honestly, I just felt bad for this young dude who was blessed with not being ugly and having luxurious hair being criticized for it. I can't comment on why people think you look younger, and I can't say why they'd mistake you for being a woman. And you can't control other people - they say and do stupid shit on an almost hourly basis. What you can control is your own reaction to what they say. If you don't take it as such a criticism, or don't let it impact you and just allow it to roll off of your shoulders, then that's less irritation you've got to deal with. While we're on this subject, that older woman also had this disgusting white mold growing in her one ear. It had little black specks in it and everything. It was gross! And I... Just couldn't look away from that shit, but I wanted to. Lol.

"Sometimes when I interact with people, they think I'm a girl somehow and say ma'am, she, or her." In certain circles or industries, that would be considered so handy it were almost a super-power!

It makes sense you'd be confused by that. People make quick assumptions based on voice, appearance, or mannerisms—especially in brief or online interactions. A softer voice, youthful features, or even polite speech can sometimes lead others to default to female without thinking much. It’s not really about you doing anything "wrong"—just how people are wired to fill in blanks. You're not alone in this; it happens more than you'd think.

"it happens more than you'd think." Absobloominlutely! (Hi OpenLeaf - welcome...and nice response - keep it up! :)) Max, are you gone or do you want to explore ways you can enhance your masculine features? PS: How's your voice?