Are You Transgender? Another Question Men Should Never Ask Women, plus Alternatives

Denver, CO – Matt Richardson recently opened up about a first date with someone he matched with on a popular dating app. The pair had exchanged messages until both felt comfortable meeting “casually for coffee,” as Matt put it. Matt confessed he was still somewhat hesitant about who he’d been chatting with.

“Something looked… off.”

Starbucks. As far as first dates go, finding a place that’s predictable, safe, comfortable is important, Matt explained. He arrived early as to not keep his date waiting. His recollection of the evening is that it generally went well up until the final moments. Sipping the bottom of their grande drinks, Matt hadn’t been able to shake the thought in the back of his mind, only more constantly brought forth in his conscious after meeting in person.

He treaded as lightly as possible when he asked, “Is there anything I should know about you that you’d like to share?” The response didn’t extinguish what was nagging him. He let the conversation wander off as a river through a steep canyon. 

Trash tossed into the bin. Smiles exchanged. Keys extracted from pocket and shoulder bag. 

Matt opened the coffeeshop door politely as they exited, and casually asked, “I just have to know, are you transgender?” Matt has learned a lesson here. There are a handful of questions men should never, ever ask their dates if they want another date. That’s what Google is for. Matt never saw her (or him–she never answered, just stormed off, shaking her hips in defiance) again. To help Matt and other clueless men out there, here’s a list of questions and phrases to avoid along with alternatives to be used with more tact, even if your woman might possibly be a man.

No: Are you transgender?

Replace with: Tell me about your childhood.

No: How old are you?

Replace with: What year did you graduate high school/college?

No: How far along are you?

Replace with: Are you looking forward to being a parent?

No: You look like my mother.

Replace with: You have a familiar face.

No: Are you a cat lady?

Replace with: Do you go to a lot of protests?

No: Can we talk about politics?

Replace with: How about that weather? Sure is hot out.

No: It’s not you, it’s me.

Replace with: You seem to have your hands full with all the cats.

-OTW News

McDonald’s “As Seen In” Commercial… Better Than The Menu It Advertises

McDonald’s restaurants are everywhere. Kind of like Michael Jordan or Michael Jackson or maybe Taylor Swift to use a more recent reference, I think everyone has heard of McDonald’s whether you live in ‘Bama or Bangkok, or anywhere on the little map displayed on my awesome old watch.

I remember loving the McDonald’s chocolate milkshakes when I was a young’n, back when their ice cream machines always worked. 😉

Highlighting the part they play in the fabric of modern humanity, a new ad from McDonald’s is out and shows how it’s been integrated into movies and music. It’s a great idea, and I love the commercial. Take a look then scroll down for the details…

At the end of the commercial is a list of the movie and TV clips presented. They are…

• Coming to America
• Richie Rich
• Blankman
• The Devil Is a Part-Timer
• Seinfeld, “The Boyfriend”
• Reality Bites
• 30 Rock, “St. Valentine’s Day”
• The Fifth Element
• Friends, “The One with the Bullies”
• I’m Not Rappaport
• Clueless
• The Longest Yard
• From Paris with Love
• Fallen Angels
• The Office (US)
• Aquí No Hay Quien Viva
• Palasonic (Palace Skateboards)

The commercial is for a limited-time menu (they’re calling it the “As Seen In Menu”). I looked it up on their website and it’s actually a lot more underwhelming than the ad. The only items listed on this special menu are Big Mac, Quarter Pounder with Cheese, and a 10-Piece Chicken McNuggets. Aren’t these items always on the menu already, or am I missing something… like when I missed that Janice from Friends was also an actress on Seinfeld? The website also has a few additions to the list of films, TV shows, and songs referencing McDonalds. They are:

• Space Jam
• “You Be Illin’” by Run-D.M.C.
• Brief Answers to the Big Questions by Stephen Hawking
• “Cómo, Cuándo Y Dónde” by AKWID
• Chak De! India
• The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift

I’m guessing they might not have secured the rights to these in time for the ad, or the cost was just too high to justify their inclusion. What do you think about the commercial? Does it entice you to stop in to a McDonald’s near you for a meal today? See you all tomorrow…

-Out of the Wilderness

I’ve picked my top Florida State Parks photos

This is the second year I’ve submitted photos to the Florida State Park photo contest and I’m just as proud of these as I am of last year’s. Also, I think I’ve improved in my photography between the two submissions. First up, here are the 5 pics from 2022…

In 2023, I sent in 12 photos and, to be honest, I had a lot of fun narrowing it down to my favorites from all the parks I’d been to. One thing I think that made a difference… 1. This year I knew there would be a contest, last year I didn’t know. So I think I did better when there was something at stake, something to aim towards. 2. I had more time. In 2022 I had only camped in a handful of parks. In 2023, I went to almost all the parks I’d wanted to visit in Florida.

Here are the 12 I picked to send in for 2023…

I think the website said they’re picking winners in November. I would be surprised and so happy if one of my photos was chosen. Surprised, because I saw a lot of the photos people sent in from the online parks gallery and there are great photographers out there who captured very unique moments. I guess I’ll just have to wait and see, and I’ll say this, too… camping was its own reward for each of the parks I visited. Florida has such beautiful natural settings, I’m just glad I captured a tiny portion of it on camera!

-Out of the Wilderness

Ghost Hounds – More Like Your Father’s Country Music

I don’t know what’s going on in country music but something’s changing. I’m not a fortune teller but it appears as though the shallow days of bro country and faux country (artists from other genres switching over to country) are a thing of the past. Musical styles sometimes repeat themselves just like fashion (1990s is popular again now with overalls and mom jeans??) but let’s just hope bro and faux country are buried, never to be unearthed again!

There are two camps in country music fandom. Those who like new country (Luke Bryan, Lady A, etc) and those who prefer the old stuff. I’m talking about artists like Randy Travis, Shania Twain, Clint Black, Kris Kristofferson, Patty Loveless. Stuff your parents or grandparents listened to. But rising stars like Zach Bryan, overnight sensation Oliver Anthony, and the reason an artist like Colin Stough can finish nearly at the top of American Idol in 2023, the future of country music sounds a lot like the past. And that’s such a welcome change. There’s another band to add to the growing list of refreshing country music acts… they’re called Ghost Hounds. Check out “Last Train To Nowhere.”

It’s not the first country song about trains but by golly, it’s got my yaw dampers choo-chooing. I don’t even know what that means, I’m not a train engineer for Pete’s sake, but it’s a great song. Far be it from me to predict where country music is going but if the songs becoming popular are the ones with meaningful lyrics without mentioning truck beds, tan legs, or beer kegs, my caboose will be first in line for tickets.

-Out of the Wilderness

Oliver Anthony’s Country Song – The Guitar, the Grit, but No Girls

Oliver Anthony has basically become an overnight sensation with one of his songs, it’s called “Rich Man North Of Richmond.” If you’re kinda fed up with Washington politics in general, this song is for you. This is the country music the founders intended. I’m sure it’s in the constitution somewhere. In the future, will famous people be singing this song through Artificial Intelligence, kind of like these timeless AI hits?

It’s so encouraging to hear music like this in a genre that’s been giving us shallow stuff like HARDY “Truck Bed” (I dish out my 2 cents on that one here) or virtuous songs like Brad Paisley’s “Same Here” (I explain how dumb it is here). Oliver Anthony calls a spade a spade, which is what sets country (or bluegrass, blues) music apart. I’ve said it before in a post called “Rap Music vs. Country Music, Polar Opposites” and it’s still true today. Country music, at its core, is about being relatable to the common American. Singers are singing our story. Oliver is a gritty example of the beauty of this type of music. And he did it without tan-legged girls! The horror. Somewhere Tyler Hubbard is rolling over in his Chevy Silverado.

I would’ve called it something like “Men Who Want More… South of Baltimore” but that’s why Oliver has the Gretsch Resonator Acoustic guitar and I’m in my camper typing on my computer. The sentiment would be the same, though: Politically, Washington, D.C. sucks. Doesn’t matter if you’re a Democrat or a Republican, the ones who are representing us (allegedly) seem to be slightly out of touch. And by slightly I mean there’s a giant chasm between what an every day American experiences and what a D.C. politician thinks an every day American experiences.

That’s a big part of why this song is everywhere right now.

This is the country music country music stations haven’t been playing on the radio in the last however many years but I sense the tide is shifting to songs with lyrics that are less phony, less shallow (songs like Zach Bryan “Oklahoma Smokeshow” and Tyler Childers “In Your Love”) It’s also pretty cool that one genre of music can have such a wide array of songs. On one hand, there’s Luke Bryan’s “But I Got A Beer In My Hand”, a song with more typical country clichés like a breakup, beer, and partying. There’s a time and a place for a song like that (ever heard of the “White Trash Bash” in north Florida?). Then there’s Oliver Anthony ripping into our elected officials with the struggles of blue collar people all across the nation. It won’t be played at your next kegger but can we all stop now for a moment of silence, showing our gratitude that the bro-country songs about tan legs, ripped blue jeans, trucks and truck tailgates, might officially and forever be over? It was real. It was fun. But it wasn’t real fun. Somewhere Cole Swindell is rolling over in his topless Chevy Blazer.

Some people will hate “Rich Men North Of Richmond,” that’s just how the world turns. But one thing is for certain, Brad Paisley’s song is pretty dumb.

-Out of the Wilderness