Personally, I am not here for a big show - I am here just to state what has been happening with me, as I have played about three female personas. Two starting off as children (elves), another starting out as a 30 year old (elf). Back to the point, although, but I have never really started off any conversation. Starting in Norland with my dark elven woman, was I interacted in first and almost a day later participated in a fun event where I had been referred to by many.
Second being 'Lychee', where I was sitting in Lurin for the first time with the persona rather late in the afternoon. Such being about 1-3 AM EST. I was also interacted first, and got to go into 'CRP' to try out for a guild. It was generally amazing and funny each time. I would tell about the other one, but it is similar to the last two.
Even if I were to be ignored, I would start RP first and go to the people who actually care rather than people who just want to push me off to the side. There is no use staying, as you can make yourself at home and test other places if you struggle in just one; for there are mutiple. But, for the current persona I am on, I have gotten approached first by a number that surpassed the rest. By far Dasyra has been my best persona and yet she is still a child.
And I have heard some people generally speaking how it makes them feel uncomfortable to RP with child personas; both due to the pedophilia caught in the server and the fact that normally those children personas are people twenty through thirty years of age pretending to be a child. I must admit, I do see this clear and I understand it. Even if I am not even an adult yet, nor have escaped high school, I understand the concern and I am not going to put anything else to that. I am glad people space themselves out when thinking about that reason, actually, and see it as valid; as it stops any concern and either way both groups have their entertaining and comfortable RP.
Honestly depends where you are, I would think. It tests the group of people in that location more than overall roleplay genders and OOC involved thoughts or directions. (If this has already been said, then my bad. I have not read the last 3 pages of responses.) Although for whoever made it to the end of this, I wish you to have a good day.