Should I instead hold the pen and notepad out ANGRILY?

[code_epic]

A friend of mine is writing a paper on how people with obvious physical disabilities are often studiously ignored in public. She asked me for my experience as a Deaf person

Comments

[laundreu]

Man and I was about to comment on this in our MSN conversation, but evidentially the last King of goddamn Scotland is more important?

Anyway! In example number one I will bet most of the people aren't going 'OMG she is crippled and in disguise as a normal person', they're going 'oh shit I was insulting and didn't even know it; fuuuuuck'. (Not everyone is like me! ps would you like this MP3 i am fond of it) So it is not really a matter of 'bracing themselves to deal with the DEAF (dun dun duuuuun)' but more that nonstandard modes of communication are needed without any way for them to know that until they already go 'Hey! Hey, I said something to you, are you deaf or som - oh fuckThe second part is silly; I don't think I'd do that. I'd probably be irritating and hold two conversations at the same time, but re: irritating. Waiters I can see doing that because it's easier to take your order that way. Salespeople doing it are being dumb or outright insulting, though - either way they're losing a sale, and they may not realize it

[code_epic]

Hey now, The Last King of Scotland was a goddamn good movie. I recommend it.

I've never understood why hearing people think they're being insulting for assuming I'm hearing, when it's their reaction upon learning I'm otherwise that is the truly insulting part. Occasionally, when I happen to to be in an assertive mood and have writing implements with me (I don't always travel with them), I'll take them out and give the person in question a second opportunity to strike a conversation up with me: their reaction is still to disengage as quickly as possible. In fact, I am making the situation worse. Um, sorry for attempting a nonstandard mode of communication with you

[kevion]

=/

Did I give a look?

[ciaan]

Have you seen the movie Babel?

[idan_cohen]

I must make a note to learn the ASL for 'My handwriting is horrible do you possibly have a laptop around here somewhere'.

Just in case.

[aoanla]

...I'm sure there's a simpler sentence available, you know. The ASL equivalent of badly accented "Je ne parle pas francais". Perhaps you should just carry a laptop with you everywhere, just in case.

(ASL is fifth on my list of languages to learn, after Sanskrit, Hindi, Mandarin and Welsh. Given how badly I'm doing getting past the first two entries...I will probably be about 200 before I get to it.

Yes, Flax, Hebrew is #6. I thought that an ancient language of yadda yadda yadda could probably afford to wait for me.)

[idan_cohen]

The goddamn ancient language of love and wisdom is pissed at you for liking Welsh better, !caps.

Because, seriously, welsh?

[laundreu]

Welsh is prettier.

[thebaconfat]

As a salesperson myself, I would love some tips on How Not To Offend. I've managed thus far with hand gestures, eye contact, and notes, but every time a Deaf person comes into the store, I think of you, and wonder if I'm making a complete ass of myself.