ABC Cards

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DeafCaroline

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Apologies if there's already been a thread started on this. I'm curious, how do you react to someone coming up to you and asking you to buy one of their ABC cards?

I have mixed feelings on this.
 
They have hugely turned me off for many reasons and the main reason is they have made the Deaf community look bad.

At one time the Deaf guy, who knew me in real life, stopped by my apartment and he tried to sell me the ABC card. I was like WTF and he begged me to buy one or two cards. I told him to get out of the building or report him to the landlord.

Another true story is another Deaf peddler whom I did not know well, tried to sell coupons which were supposed to be free, on the street and it made me feel :ugh:.
 
Growing up, I thought the same thing - that ABC peddlers gave the Deaf a bad image, then when one approached me in a university pub, his signing was rather bad so I was suspicious he wasn't deaf at all and I was right.

But now that I see how hard it can be for the Deaf to be employed, and knowing some of them have kids, I'm not so harsh anymore but I still don't like the peddling and the image it presents.
 
Deaf or hearing, it does not matter to me. Whenever I'm in a public place and these people come up to me to sell, beg, etc., I immediately inform management. More than once I've been told: "He/she has permission." To which I'll ask of they would rather have my business or allow me to be harassed, in which case I'll take my business elsewhere. You can imagine how fast the business puts a stop to this behavior.

BTW.....Houston is World's Champ when it comes to beggers, windshield washers, panhandlers, etc.
 
I remember on search find on ABC card I knew I forget name! peddle 0_o
 
I actually had someone approach me at a festival in my hometown recently. I started signing immediately, and after he got over his shock, he again proffered an ABC card. I pulled my card out of my bag, gave it to him instead, and told him to contact me, and I would assist him in finding a job.
 
rolling7 said:
Deaf or hearing, it does not matter to me. Whenever I'm in a public place and these people come up to me to sell, beg, etc., I immediately inform management. More than once I've been told: "He/she has permission." To which I'll ask of they would rather have my business or allow me to be harassed, in which case I'll take my business elsewhere. You can imagine how fast the business puts a stop to this behavior.

BTW.....Houston is World's Champ when it comes to beggers, windshield washers, panhandlers, etc.
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Yep, there is the way to address social problems that create poverty situations for a marginalized portion of society. Just judge them harshly, and tell everyone that they have no value or rights.
 
jillio said:
I actually had someone approach me at a festival in my hometown recently. I started signing immediately, and after he got over his shock, he again proffered an ABC card. I pulled my card out of my bag, gave it to him instead, and told him to contact me, and I would assist him in finding a job.
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Did he contact you?
 
rolling7 said:
Deaf or hearing, it does not matter to me. Whenever I'm in a public place and these people come up to me to sell, beg, etc., I immediately inform management. More than once I've been told: "He/she has permission." To which I'll ask of they would rather have my business or allow me to be harassed, in which case I'll take my business elsewhere. You can imagine how fast the business puts a stop to this behavior.

BTW.....Houston is World's Champ when it comes to beggers, windshield washers, panhandlers, etc.
Click to expand...

Is nice be more important other people??
 
I remember this one peddler who came into my work place, trying to sell the ABC cards....I was the only deafie working there at the time, and yes, I was totally embarrassed and pissed off....This was years ago....

Seems to be that ABC peddlers are becoming a vanishing breed, or I just don't see them as much as I used to.....

Now, it's mainly just deafies asking for $$ for food...

But it's ironic that whenever a hearing bum sits outside with a sign begging for money, or will work for $$...no one really cares...but if it's a deafie selling ABC cards, then "all" deafies must do it...hearies way of thinking....categorizing deaf people.

Just recently, I was introduced to a deafie (woman)...and within 5 minutes, she was trying to get me to pay $100 into a Pyramid scheme....I told her to fuck off....and it really upset me! As I do try to be nice to people.
 
Hi. I am deaf and poor. Thank you. ILY
 
I think it is truly a sad commentary when people are forced to beg in order to eat. It seems even worse when we judge them harshly, riducule them and swear at them. We have no idea what events brought them to that position in life and I wonder what any of us would do in their situation. There have been several times in my life that brought me into difficult places through no fault of my own and had it not been for the grace of God and several minor miracles it might have been me on the street begging. Is it so hard to offer a homeless begger a kind word and a dollar bill? I don't really need a $5.00 cup of coffee. At least someone offering an ABC card is trying to give something in return. Many beggars do not even have that much. I am reminded of a homeless man in my community that was beaten to death for no other reason but that he was poor. His only possessions a Bible and a sleeping bag. Is it so hard to show a little kindness to the less fortunate? They certainly do not see much of it in their meager lives and that is just another sad truth to a world run amok. Just my opinion.
 
Some of those ABC peddlers are hearing people pretending to be deaf.
 
shel90 said:
Some of those ABC peddlers are hearing people pretending to be deaf.
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I can see that would be a problem and shame on them. No one likes to be scammed, me included, but I guess I could live with it if I gave a dollar to a liar but I could not live with it if I was mean to someone who really needed a burger and I am not sure his/her hearing status would matter to me. If it really is a hearing person pretending to be deaf I don't think they would know a lot about what it means to be deaf so they must have some mannerisms that give themselves away. Is there any one or two things they do that a deaf person would not do?
 
Savvi said:
I think it is truly a sad commentary when people are forced to beg in order to eat. It seems even worse when we judge them harshly, riducule them and swear at them. We have no idea what events brought them to that position in life and I wonder what any of us would do in their situation. There have been several times in my life that brought me into difficult places through no fault of my own and had it not been for the grace of God and several minor miracles it might have been me on the street begging. Is it so hard to offer a homeless begger a kind word and a dollar bill? I don't really need a $5.00 cup of coffee. At least someone offering an ABC card is trying to give something in return. Many beggars do not even have that much. I am reminded of a homeless man in my community that was beaten to death for no other reason but that he was poor. His only possessions a Bible and a sleeping bag. Is it so hard to show a little kindness to the less fortunate? They certainly do not see much of it in their meager lives and that is just another sad truth to a world run amok. Just my opinion.
Click to expand...

What makes you think it is OK for a homeless person to assume that the person he/she is asking money from has money to give?? It is not very safe either. A stranger approaches you and you open your wallet..People get robbed that way... I had one walk up to me at a bank drive through. Scared the daylights out of me! Locked my doors and rolled up my window. I'm trying to cash my check. The man kept knocking on my window. Security came out of the bank, and escorted the man away from me. I figured it was a homeless person or a begger. but still..... you get my point? It is not right.

I have seen people panhandling and begging for money and making a living off of it. Wearing brand name shoes and clothes. If they have the time to walk around and beg, they do have the time to seek a job.

For the ones that seriously have issues or can not find a job because it is beyond their capablities. There are places they can go to for help. So many resources out there. Instead of handing him money... why not help guide them to the right resources.

I have fed homeless people. I have worked in soup kitchen. I have observed and heard stories. I know they all have their own stories. Many of them get assistance and help... Many of them reject it and go back out to the streets begging. That is what bothers me.. help is there. Some do not want it. They prefer the street life. I do feel bad for them.. No one can help them unless they help themselves.
 
Re: ABC cards for sale. I fingerspelled I am DEAF-seemed the gentleman had no idea what I had just done I just smiled and walked away. A useful exercise in the future to anyone trying to sell you-ABC cards.

Implanted A B Harmony activated Aug/07
 
Babyblue said:
What makes you think it is OK for a homeless person to assume that the person he/she is asking money from has money to give?? It is not very safe either. A stranger approaches you and you open your wallet..People get robbed that way... I had one walk up to me at a bank drive through. Scared the daylights out of me! Locked my doors and rolled up my window. I'm trying to cash my check. The man kept knocking on my window. Security came out of the bank, and escorted the man away from me. I figured it was a homeless person or a begger. but still..... you get my point? It is not right.

I have seen people panhandling and begging for money and making a living off of it. Wearing brand name shoes and clothes. If they have the time to walk around and beg, they do have the time to seek a job.

For the ones that seriously have issues or can not find a job because it is beyond their capablities. There are places they can go to for help. So many resources out there. Instead of handing him money... why not help guide them to the right resources.

I have fed homeless people. I have worked in soup kitchen. I have observed and heard stories. I know they all have their own stories. Many of them get assistance and help... Many of them reject it and go back out to the streets begging. That is what bothers me.. help is there. Some do not want it. They prefer the street life. I do feel bad for them.. No one can help them unless they help themselves.
Click to expand...

I do not think it is "OK" for a person to be in your face about anything including begging and I definately do not think it is "OK" for anyone to walk up to you in your car while in line for the bank teller or the ATM. I agree it would be better to guide them to the right resources but I confess I do not know what or where they are. Truth be told I am also a little afraid some of these people would try to adopt me and I already have a full plate.

I do not have your experience working with the poor so you would have a better understanding than I and I certainly defer to your experience. My only point is I do not think it is necessary to be mean, or make cruel remarks to these folks. I have been approached by beggers in the past and I have said NO in a nice way when I did not have anything to give. They all went away and not one of them were in my face or rude. I can't save the whole world and do not mean to imply anyone should try but I do think it would not be hard to be a little kinder to one another. Just my opinon.
 
Savvi said:
I do not think it is "OK" for a person to be in your face about anything including begging and I definately do not think it is "OK" for anyone to walk up to you in your car while in line for the bank teller or the ATM. I agree it would be better to guide them to the right resources but I confess I do not know what or where they are. Truth be told I am also a little afraid some of these people would try to adopt me and I already have a full plate.

I do not have your experience working with the poor so you would have a better understanding than I and I certainly defer to your experience. My only point is I do not think it is necessary to be mean, or make cruel remarks to these folks. I have been approached by beggers in the past and I have said NO in a nice way when I did not have anything to give. They all went away and not one of them were in my face or rude. I can't save the whole world and do not mean to imply anyone should try but I do think it would not be hard to be a little kinder to one another. Just my opinon.
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I can agree. It is not necessary to be cruel.
 
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