Communication problems at work?

L

LunaCat

New Member
Joined
Jul 11, 2005
Messages
1
Reaction score
0
Hi Everyone :)

I'm curious about how some of you deal with communicating with hearing people at work. Do you ever have problems understanding what they say and how do you deal with the communication barrier?

I have just started a new job at an animal shelter and at lunchtime in the staff room I cannot follow the group conversations that happen in there. I feel very uncomfortable sitting there in silence, not knowing what is being said and having people talking over me. It is like sitting there in the dark, when everyone else has the light on!

I am OK talking to people face to face, one-on-one, but in groups I always tend to get lost. So, I just end up sitting in silence, not being able to join in and read a book or something. I usually socialise in the Deaf world (apart from my family) and am used to chatting with friendly and very talkative Deaf peeps! So this is a strange situation to find myself in. I hate being left out of things and not able to follow what is going on!

Has any of you ever had this experience with co-workers at lunchtimes, and how do you deal with it? Do you try to join in and make others deaf aware, or do you just think, "to hell with it" and go to a cafe or somewhere else for lunch? I am thinking of not bothering with the staff-room situation, because it's very boring for me! I might just go to a nice restaurant for lunch and relax and read a book.

I don't want my co-workers to think I am being rude and avoiding them, because when I talk to them one-on-one they are nice people. I don't dislike them. But it is always difficult for a Deaf person, trying to fit into the hearing world.

I'd appreciate any thoughts or advice on this matter!

Thanks alot and keep smiling :)

~LunaCat
 
I know how you feel.

What I did was to go out and read/eat. If co workers ask me why I rarely eat with them in lunchroom, I'd simply say Cos I love to read and this is the only time I can get to read :) That way, they wont feel offended.

Breaks should be relaxing, not stressful as it is the very reason why you take a break from work.
 
@ my work-- i am too busy to sit down and rumoring with those nurses-- so NAH, i play games on my sk2 or chatting or bs bs and EAT then go back to work. At my work, they tend to rumor around like fire go thru the grass. I have NO time for that.

Just keep yourself busy, reading, or whatever then go back to work. That keeps you out of trouble. :)
 
When im on my break i go outside and relax and chat online and we don't get same breaks its one or two person on the breaks so this way theres always someone there to do the clean up like last night i was the only usher so i managed to get a break withon 30 mins before the 2nd to the last movie was being let out since after 10 i don't have to do usher work and this way i'm not behind. this is abt communication and so if anyone needs my help or i need thier help i always talk to them one on one unless its WAY too busy in the concession area i ll talk to the podium gals or guys asking them to od the bathroom check if the guys i tell the i ll take over if u ll go check the men's room for me i won't go in there since i can't hear anyone inside. i have my diginity i don't need to see thier jewels So i just basically send the men in, for the other communication is in the dark sure i have my hard time but i make it REAL clear turn off the cell phone or leave the room and take your call outside. and if they are defiant with me i just get my back up the managers :)
 
i know how that feels.. but the first few months i just sit with them and let them talk out.. and yeah i'm way behind... and have no clue what they're talking about but there's times i catch what they're talking about.. the most things when i went on break.. my workers always talk bad about other workers.. or how bad they hate to do this and this. etc...

once i got implant turned on.. i start to get actived into joining their conservation.. i ask the co-workers what are you talking about? and i get the idea.. and having implant on.. its easier for me to lipread... since i can hear the "s" sounds, etc.. anyways.. i start to join and have an enjoyment chat with them once a while going out to eat for lunch with them, etc.
 
I know how you feeling.

I'm lucky to have co-worker who can sign.

We (2) work together in the office since 1991. I taught her how to sign... We communicate each other with no problem. She tell me what the office gossip around about... :giggle:

Some of my co-workers communicate with me thru pen & paper or read lips...

I read alot and make posts at any forums when I'm alone in the office. (when co-worker are not around - vacation, sick, etc.)
 
<---Brings my USA Today newspaper to work every night. The USA Today has been my constant companion to work in the last 10 years I been there. Also my stash of books in my office are constant companions during lunch and break times except when I gotta go outside to light up a ciggie.

Right now what I keep in my file cabinet stash at work are:

1) a copy of "Collectible Automobile" magazine
2) Leo Tolstoy's "War and Peace"
3) 2 copies of "Game Informer" and "Official xbox Magazine"
4) a book of compilation stories from "Star Wars"

and communication at work is done by gestures an chimpanzee can easy understand and is very important cuz the warehouse is a NOISY place 'cause of the conveyors and motors constantly running. Most of the time Im writing a lot whether its completing an audit or passing notes around.
 
ahh, we are in the same shoes, I just read book, or talk on im, go outside...seems people don't wanna put all the efforts to sit and talk slow or whatever to repeat what they just talked abt.

no need to waste their time...they usually backstab people...its better off than backstabbing or creating an rumor.
 
downing said:
no need to waste their time...they usually backstab people...its better off than backstabbing or creating an rumor.
Click to expand...

You're right Downing, they usually do backstab people, it the same here when I'm working with my crew at the cook-offs, all they do is talk about everyone....I'm not interesting hearing it....
 
At my work number one, we usually have break at 12.30 am, and it is a large group of people who sit together at this "Stammtisch." I often sit with them, and I talk with people often via paper and pen. One of my coworkers from Kuwait and I talk all the time. It's always fun and pleasure to chat with people at work. As for gossips and backstabbing, I know others do it, but I really dont know how often cos I don't pay attention. Also at the Stammtisch the funny thing is that not everyone talks everyday. Sometimes you see people reading books, newspapers, etc... The work provides free newspapers everyday to read.

At Job number 2, it is all deaf people, so it is easy to chat with coworkers!
 
Back
Top