Would you learn with this instructor?

In all honesty it wouldnt matter to me.In fact if I lived near to you I would go to you if and when I choose to re start my driving lessons.The fact that some if your students havent come back , imo, shows how narrow minded they are.I'm sure your gender plays no part in your ability to teach people to drive.Dont give up something you want to do.

Having a preference for a driving instructor isn't being narrow minded

Hi All,

I've been a contributor here for a while now and have tried to help out where I can both publicly and privately. It has been very satisfying to see some people move on in their driving career.

I now need to ask you for your comments and I hope the moderators will consider that this is still a driving question and not move it somewhere away from the target audience.

I am struggling at the moment, personally (not something for divulging here) and professionally, as an instructor. I don't have a lot of business and this week I have actually had more people cancel than have lessons. Some of these have been new pupils who, for their own reasons, have simply not materialised. My drop-out rate has been very high right from when I started in this business and I think I know why.

I am transsexual. I don't think it should make any difference but I am now beginning to wonder whether it does. So many times I have first lessons with people for them never to return. Sometimes I book lessons with new pupils, only for them not to even turn up. I look okay on the whole but my voice is deeper than it should be and it lets me down, particularly on the phone. In terms of instruction, I think I am pretty good and some pupils have remained loyal. However, it doesn't change the fact that something is causing many people to either not turn up or cancel.

Due to the lack of business I am now seriously considering giving up a profession that I love, much to my huge regret.

So the question is simple. What would your reaction be?

Please be honest - I'm sure you will be.

Thanks

Emma

Being transsexual shouldn't make a difference. But in reality, it will. So, turn it to your advantage. Have you considered targeting a slightly different demographic? For example, at most universities there will be LGBT societies and the like. I see you're in Rochester, so you probably cover the Kent Uni area?

If so, look here: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=2225524370

296 members. I'd say a fair few of them don't have their license yet. Get in contact with that society via Facebook and offer them some sort of deal/referral scheme. I'm sure you could pick up plenty of business this way and through word of mouth. I'm sure lots of LGBT people would prefer to learn with somebody like you, as they know you're not going to be judgemental. Your sexuality is currently detrimental to your career - you could turn it into a positive...

Nice....!

I'm full of good ideas me.

They changed their minds on who they wanted to instruct them just as you changed your mind on what gender you wanted to be.

Honestly, I personally would be feel uncomfortable with it. Nothing to do with you, more to do with the fact that I'm a firm believer that we should stay as nature intended and not cosmetically alter our bodies in anyway. However, you chose to do so, and that is your own independent choice, which I respect.

Its probably more to do with the economic climate and the fact that companies such as BSM are offering deals plus they are well known, so most people will go with the obvious reputable company.

I certainly wouldn't go to these pathetic extremes

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1020767/Muslim-man-threatens-sue-driving-school-sending-transsexual-instructor-teach-wife.html

Hi All

Hi All,

I've been a contributor here for a while now and have tried to help out where I can both publicly and privately. It has been very satisfying to see some people move on in their driving career.

I now need to ask you for your comments and I hope the moderators will consider that this is still a driving question and not move it somewhere away from the target audience.

I am struggling at the moment, personally (not something for divulging here) and professionally, as an instructor. I don't have a lot of business and this week I have actually had more people cancel than have lessons. Some of these have been new pupils who, for their own reasons, have simply not materialised. My drop-out rate has been very high right from when I started in this business and I think I know why.

I am transsexual. I don't think it should make any difference but I am now beginning to wonder whether it does. So many times I have first lessons with people for them never to return. Sometimes I book lessons with new pupils, only for them not to even turn up. I look okay on the whole but my voice is deeper than it should be and it lets me down, particularly on the phone. In terms of instruction, I think I am pretty good and some pupils have remained loyal. However, it doesn't change the fact that something is causing many people to either not turn up or cancel.

Due to the lack of business I am now seriously considering giving up a profession that I love, much to my huge regret.

So the question is simple. What would your reaction be?

Please be honest - I'm sure you will be.

Thanks

Emma

dont give up - no offense but you will get that kind of prejudice in every profession if you are a tran

i will be honest. if i booked a lesson with a small firm and first lesson turned out to be with a tranny, i would feel very scared that they would drive me somewhere remote and molest me or kill me or grope me or something. though im thinking of an obvious tranny like a dude with beard stubble wearing a wig, skirt and tights. if i barely noticed, i prob wouldnt think twice

if they were a conservative, normal looking person (looks like either a man or woman not both) with BSM or a good reputable school despite being a tranny, i would think, they must be quite good and safe and everything to be with BSM, so i wouldnt care at all. it would be a bit weird if i knew they were a tran, but if it is barely noticable i wouldnt mind and wouldnt realyl think about it.

tbh if you are good at what you do, i would think the risk of students dropping out is lower if you are with a safe and reputable driving school like bsm, where most kids (wrongly?) assume all instructors are vetted screened and interviewd to make sure they arent paedos or serial killers.

im sorry but this is my true opinion. there was a really nice tranny that used to work in my local charity shop, but whenever we went in there, me and my mates would be too scared to go in the changing room. the tranny was basically a dude, with square jaw, deep voice, blond wig, long skirt, stubble and lipstick. s/he was getting hormone treatment at the local hosp and was very nice and everything, but just a man-woman. in this society, you can only be one not both. im being honest.

so yeah, in conclusion, the reaction is inevitable. to minimise dropouts , go to a good school and dress conservative - long skirt or trousers, not too much makeup and no beard stubble.

EDIT: my views arent to to with anti-tranny or people should stay as they are etc, but rather i wuold worry that the guy is a perv of some sort