What is a polite way to get a deaf/hoh person's attention?

Holly · 04-06-2008, 09:42 PM

What is a polite way to get a deaf/hoh person's attention? Especially if you are in a crowded room? Obviously I wouldn't be throwing anything at them or stomping on the ground (especially in a public place). Is it polite to get somewhere in their line of vision and just wave your hand? or put your hand on their shoulder? what is ok?
I ask because there are a few deaf people at my church who I know and have spoken to before but there weren't many people around or between us. At church I am always afraid of offending them accidentally.

Maybe I'm just too worried about it haha!

in advance for answers!

PuyoPiyo · 04-06-2008, 10:06 PM

Tapping on their shoulder.

Or try to wave to get their visuality.

That's all I can think of.

Chase · 04-06-2008, 10:16 PM

This may have been discussed at another time in AllDeaf. If so, we have Repost Rangers who will bring it to the attention of the Merge Mercenaries (of which I'm one).

Until then, a normal, friendly wave is almost always a polite attention-getter, but looking like you're flapping wings for a take-off isn't too cool, ha ha ha.

I'm never offended by a soft touch on my arm or shoulder. A rough jab or inappropriate touch pretty much depends on who's doing the touching. For instance, Jennifer Love Hewett could poke me anyplace and get a big grin.

Matilda · 04-06-2008, 10:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chase

Until then, a normal, friendly wave is almost always a polite attention-getter, but looking like you're flapping wings for a take-off isn't too cool, ha ha ha.

I'm never offended by a soft touch on my arm or shoulder. A rough jab or inappropriate touch pretty much depends on who's doing the touching. For instance, Jennifer Love Hewett could poke me anyplace and get a big grin.

I agree with Puyo & Chase ... that's about the only two gestures that I normally do with deaf people or vice versa.

August · 04-06-2008, 10:44 PM

i've heard slapping them hard in the face works pretty well

give that a try and let us know how it went....

Matilda · 04-06-2008, 10:49 PM

^ Whhhaaattt?

Chase · 04-06-2008, 11:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by August

i've heard slapping them hard in the face works pretty well

That's pretty much how audists go about it, but in polite society -- you know, non-psychopathic -- the hard slap is usually counterproductive.

Holly · 04-06-2008, 11:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chase

This may have been discussed at another time in AllDeaf. If so, we have Repost Rangers who will bring it to the attention of the Merge Mercenaries (of which I'm one).

Until then, a normal, friendly wave is almost always a polite attention-getter, but looking like you're flapping wings for a take-off isn't too cool, ha ha ha.

I'm never offended by a soft touch on my arm or shoulder. A rough jab or inappropriate touch pretty much depends on who's doing the touching. For instance, Jennifer Love Hewett could poke me anyplace and get a big grin.

Sorry if it is a repost, I tried to search for this topic but didn't come up with anything.

August · 04-07-2008, 02:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ozzie

^ Whhhaaattt?

hmph

it must be an American thing.

deafdyke · 04-07-2008, 08:48 AM

Quote:

Tapping on their shoulder.

Yes, when I first went off to college, I had to train everyone to tap me on the shoulder....I remember how surprised I was, one time being on the computers and feeling a tap on my shoulder....Turned out to be someone I knew who was visiting my college...

EyesBlueDeaf · 04-07-2008, 08:56 AM

Attention Getting Techniques (ASL)

shel90 · 04-07-2008, 09:32 AM

Flicking the lights...however at church, I am not sure if that would be appropriate. It sure would get everyone's, even God's attention!

Holly · 04-07-2008, 09:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EyesBlueDeaf

Attention Getting Techniques (ASL)

Thanks! that was really helpful.

Holly · 04-07-2008, 09:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shel90

Flicking the lights...however at church, I am not sure if that would be appropriate. It sure would get everyone's, even God's attention!

Haha, yes flicking the lights at church would definitely draw some attention

jillio · 04-07-2008, 12:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chase

That's pretty much how audists go about it, but in polite society -- you know, non-psychopathic -- the hard slap is usually counterproductive.

The audists are known for face slaps in both a literal and a figurative sense.

They have also been known to use the opushing and shoving technique, and when that doesn't work, full body tackle.

***VamPyroX*** · 04-07-2008, 01:13 PM

A simple tap on the shoulder will be good enough.

Interpretrator · 04-07-2008, 03:48 PM

Personally I like walking up to one of my students who's gabbing away and standing right in front of him until he stops and turns around and gets the crap scared out of him due to my "suddenly" being there. However this is more of a "will the classroom please STFU so I can continue teaching" technique than a polite method.

Pepsi · 04-07-2008, 10:09 PM

People look at me like they are flaging down a cab.

Babyblue · 04-07-2008, 10:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by August

i've heard slapping them hard in the face works pretty well

give that a try and let us know how it went....

Slap a deaf person!!

Good IDEA! If you want to be slapped back! or worse get your ass kicked.

Yeah. Most people flap their arms at me like they are getting ready for take off. A few just scream their heads off until they get my attention, which is usually drawn by an unusual red face beaming. Had some that were brave enough to just kindly tap my shoulders.

August · 04-07-2008, 10:49 PM

statistically, the most proven, fail-safe methods of garnering attention are the "zap 'em with a cattle prod" and "shoot 'em with a 250,000 volt stun gun" techniques. however, these methods have waned in recent years after studies showed that the users of such devices were marginally more likely to acquire erectile dysfunction and/or enlarged prostate with age. protests by the deaf community over being inhumanely beat and electrocuted like animals were largely ignored for decades, as Deaf Prods and Deaf Stun Gun sales soared in Wal-marts the entire nation over, where consumers could purchase the devices for the low, low Rolled-Back(tm) price of $14.88.

Babyblue · 04-07-2008, 10:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by August

statistically, the most proven, fail-safe methods of garnering attention are the "zap 'em with a cattle prod" and "shoot 'em with a 250,000 volt stun gun" techniques. however, these methods have waned in recent years after studies showed that the users of such devices were marginally more likely to acquire erectile dysfunction and/or enlarged prostate with age. protests by the deaf community over being inhumanely beat and electrocuted like animals were largely ignored for decades, as Deaf Prods and Deaf Stun Gun sales soared in Wal-marts the entire nation over, where consumers could purchase the devices for the low, low Rolled-Back(tm) price of $14.88.

That would be a

Nice sales pitch though!

August · 04-08-2008, 12:35 AM

yeah but....but....just look at the savings!

i'll bet you're tempted to buy one just for yourself. why? JUST BECAUSE IT'S ONLY $14.88.

Raykat · 04-08-2008, 06:23 AM

QUOTE=August;952617]statistically, the most proven, fail-safe methods of garnering attention are the "zap 'em with a cattle prod" and "shoot 'em with a 250,000 volt stun gun" techniques. however, these methods have waned in recent years after studies showed that the users of such devices were marginally more likely to acquire erectile dysfunction and/or enlarged prostate with age. protests by the deaf community over being inhumanely beat and electrocuted like animals were largely ignored for decades, as Deaf Prods and Deaf Stun Gun sales soared in Wal-marts the entire nation over, where consumers could purchase the devices for the low, low Rolled-Back(tm) price of $14.88.[/quote]

My sense of humour exactly.

Just dont try getting attention by turning the vaccum cleaner off and expecting deafie to notice........I can assure you from previous experience it does not work

jillio · 04-08-2008, 08:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Interpretrator

Personally I like walking up to one of my students who's gabbing away and standing right in front of him until he stops and turns around and gets the crap scared out of him due to my "suddenly" being there. However this is more of a "will the classroom please STFU so I can continue teaching" technique than a polite method.

Chase · 04-08-2008, 10:05 AM

Gus: I was saddened to learn of your dysfunction due to too much attention.

Interpretrator: Ha ha ha, my last semesters teaching English were in the computer lab. It was fun to glide silently behind a student busy with her e-mail or enraptured in his favorite porn site. When they finally came to and saw me leaning over them like Snoopy playing vulture, thelr jump out of their skins and looks of pure terror were rewarding.

Back on topic, aside from the small waves and polite tap on the shoulder, I'd forgotten switching lights on and off. It annoys some, but I like it. I worked in a city library where it was my personal signal to go immediately to the front desk for anything from a visitor to a fire drill.

August · 04-08-2008, 11:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Raykat

My sense of humour exactly.

Just dont try getting attention by turning the vaccum cleaner off and expecting deafie to notice........I can assure you from previous experience it does not work

how about an air horn? surely if we make enough noise you'll snap out of your deafness and hear us?

Chase · 04-08-2008, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by August

how about an air horn? surely if we make enough noise you'll snap out of your deafness and hear us?

Ha ha ha, typical hearie philosophy: throw more volume at the problem.

deafbajagal · 04-08-2008, 11:31 AM

There is actually a unspoken rule about flickering the lights. You only do that if you want the entire group to stop and look at you...never ever do that with one person unless that person is the only one in the room. Also, avoid tapping shoulder unless you have to because there are some deafies who don't react very well like when they are startled (ask the dude with the black eye what happened when he scared the jeepers out of me...oops). Try to draw that person's attention by coming in the room where the person can visually see you, if possible. Thumping on the floor - same rule as for the lights. You can also thump on the table. There are a lot of unspoken culture rules - it's more complicated than just waving and tapping on someone's shoulder. An example: two deafies are in a conversation. You wave. No one moved. It is not that they are ignoring you (usually)- they are enaged in a conversation, and it is considered rude to stop eye gaze...eventually when it is appropriate they will acknowedge you if you will wait. Most hearings don't stop there...they keep on waving or start to tap on the shoulder, etc.

04-06-2008, 09:42 PM	#1 (permalink)
Holly Registered User Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 118	What is a polite way to get a deaf/hoh person's attention? What is a polite way to get a deaf/hoh person's attention? Especially if you are in a crowded room? Obviously I wouldn't be throwing anything at them or stomping on the ground (especially in a public place). Is it polite to get somewhere in their line of vision and just wave your hand? or put your hand on their shoulder? what is ok? I ask because there are a few deaf people at my church who I know and have spoken to before but there weren't many people around or between us. At church I am always afraid of offending them accidentally. Maybe I'm just too worried about it haha! in advance for answers!

04-06-2008, 10:06 PM	#2 (permalink)
PuyoPiyo slotting Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Fourth Plain Village WA Posts: 4,825	Tapping on their shoulder. Or try to wave to get their visuality. That's all I can think of. __________________ Hey everyone, I know some of you guys tried to pm me or leaving a message on my profile. I am very sorry that I haven't been around here lately because I went up to Puyallup State Fair working with my parents, and then I decided to go to Yakima Fair with my parents to work more, somehow when I came back and discovered that my computer had collasped. So I won't be using the computer as often as I was used to. Thanks everyone

04-07-2008, 08:56 AM	#11 (permalink)
EyesBlueDeaf Quit staring at my arse! Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: East Coast Posts: 1,147	Attention Getting Techniques (ASL) __________________ Remember to keep the rubber side down and the shiny side up! Ride on... www.deafbikers.freeforums.org http://www.njdeafsports.org/NESR

04-07-2008, 09:32 AM	#12 (permalink)
shel90 Sun Whorshipper Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: A Desert Rat that has found herself in Maryland Posts: 15,016 Blog Entries: 1	Flicking the lights...however at church, I am not sure if that would be appropriate. It sure would get everyone's, even God's attention! __________________ ~Shel~

04-07-2008, 01:13 PM	#16 (permalink)
*VamPyroX* bloody phreak from hell Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Hell Posts: 27,051	A simple tap on the shoulder will be good enough. __________________ Check out my city... CLICK HERE! (If you already visited yesterday, visit again today!)

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04-06-2008, 10:16 PM	#3 (permalink)
Chase Premium Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 2,316	This may have been discussed at another time in AllDeaf. If so, we have Repost Rangers who will bring it to the attention of the Merge Mercenaries (of which I'm one). Until then, a normal, friendly wave is almost always a polite attention-getter, but looking like you're flapping wings for a take-off isn't too cool, ha ha ha. I'm never offended by a soft touch on my arm or shoulder. A rough jab or inappropriate touch pretty much depends on who's doing the touching. For instance, Jennifer Love Hewett could poke me anyplace and get a big grin.

04-06-2008, 10:44 PM	#5 (permalink)
August Registered User Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 930	i've heard slapping them hard in the face works pretty well give that a try and let us know how it went....

04-06-2008, 10:49 PM	#6 (permalink)
Matilda Boxing Kangaroo "Jack" Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Brisbane, Australia Posts: 2,176	^ Whhhaaattt?

04-07-2008, 03:48 PM	#17 (permalink)
Interpretrator Crime fighter Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,417	Personally I like walking up to one of my students who's gabbing away and standing right in front of him until he stops and turns around and gets the crap scared out of him due to my "suddenly" being there. However this is more of a "will the classroom please STFU so I can continue teaching" technique than a polite method.

04-07-2008, 10:09 PM	#18 (permalink)
Pepsi The One and Only Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: USA Posts: 2,838	People look at me like they are flaging down a cab.

04-07-2008, 10:49 PM	#20 (permalink)
August Registered User Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 930	statistically, the most proven, fail-safe methods of garnering attention are the "zap 'em with a cattle prod" and "shoot 'em with a 250,000 volt stun gun" techniques. however, these methods have waned in recent years after studies showed that the users of such devices were marginally more likely to acquire erectile dysfunction and/or enlarged prostate with age. protests by the deaf community over being inhumanely beat and electrocuted like animals were largely ignored for decades, as Deaf Prods and Deaf Stun Gun sales soared in Wal-marts the entire nation over, where consumers could purchase the devices for the low, low Rolled-Back(tm) price of $14.88.

04-08-2008, 12:35 AM	#22 (permalink)
August Registered User Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 930	yeah but....but....just look at the savings! i'll bet you're tempted to buy one just for yourself. why? JUST BECAUSE IT'S ONLY $14.88.

04-08-2008, 06:23 AM	#23 (permalink)
Raykat Registered User Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Auckland New Zealand Posts: 277	QUOTE=August;952617]statistically, the most proven, fail-safe methods of garnering attention are the "zap 'em with a cattle prod" and "shoot 'em with a 250,000 volt stun gun" techniques. however, these methods have waned in recent years after studies showed that the users of such devices were marginally more likely to acquire erectile dysfunction and/or enlarged prostate with age. protests by the deaf community over being inhumanely beat and electrocuted like animals were largely ignored for decades, as Deaf Prods and Deaf Stun Gun sales soared in Wal-marts the entire nation over, where consumers could purchase the devices for the low, low Rolled-Back(tm) price of $14.88.[/quote] My sense of humour exactly. Just dont try getting attention by turning the vaccum cleaner off and expecting deafie to notice........I can assure you from previous experience it does not work __________________ I'd rather be deaf than brain dead www.pindrop.org.nz

04-08-2008, 10:05 AM	#25 (permalink)
Chase Premium Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 2,316	Gus: I was saddened to learn of your dysfunction due to too much attention. Interpretrator: Ha ha ha, my last semesters teaching English were in the computer lab. It was fun to glide silently behind a student busy with her e-mail or enraptured in his favorite porn site. When they finally came to and saw me leaning over them like Snoopy playing vulture, thelr jump out of their skins and looks of pure terror were rewarding. Back on topic, aside from the small waves and polite tap on the shoulder, I'd forgotten switching lights on and off. It annoys some, but I like it. I worked in a city library where it was my personal signal to go immediately to the front desk for anything from a visitor to a fire drill.

04-08-2008, 11:31 AM	#28 (permalink)
deafbajagal Jasmine's Tiger "Lilly" Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: USA Posts: 1,885	There is actually a unspoken rule about flickering the lights. You only do that if you want the entire group to stop and look at you...never ever do that with one person unless that person is the only one in the room. Also, avoid tapping shoulder unless you have to because there are some deafies who don't react very well like when they are startled (ask the dude with the black eye what happened when he scared the jeepers out of me...oops). Try to draw that person's attention by coming in the room where the person can visually see you, if possible. Thumping on the floor - same rule as for the lights. You can also thump on the table. There are a lot of unspoken culture rules - it's more complicated than just waving and tapping on someone's shoulder. An example: two deafies are in a conversation. You wave. No one moved. It is not that they are ignoring you (usually)- they are enaged in a conversation, and it is considered rude to stop eye gaze...eventually when it is appropriate they will acknowedge you if you will wait. Most hearings don't stop there...they keep on waving or start to tap on the shoulder, etc.