Odd questions from hearing people

Bear with me, I am new here, and don't get to socialize with deaf much anymore, and need to vent.

I've been asked this many, many times over the years.

When my lunch break time comes, I usually get in my car and go to a fast-food restaurant, and sit in a corner of the restaurant looking out the window while eating.

That, or I bring my lunch and eat at my desk.

A few hearing people asked me this: "How can you eat in a restaurant all by yourself? I would never get caught eating alone!!"

They looked at me like I was on drugs when I said "I am used to eating alone, since no one usually invites me to lunch with them. Plus, I enjoy being alone most of the time, especially when I am around hearing people".

I've also been asked "Why don't you eat at the picnic table with the rest of us?"

"Because I can't keep up with what everyone is saying".

They still don't get it.


Any of you experience that too?

Yes, I am exactly the same! I don't like eating in busy restaurants with more than one person/friend, simply because I find it too difficult to hear what's being said. + When you're eating, it's actually harder to hear anyway. I guess I often prefer eating alone, because then I can enjoy my food instead of having to concentrate on what other people are saying.

It makes me feel uncomfortable because I automatically isolate myself. (How can I integrate if I can't even hear what they're saying very well?) Because of this, some people may assume I'm shy or unsociable, neither of which are true. I just need to be in the right place.

Problem is that most people don't understand, even when I try to explain it to them. Many assume that if they speak louder, it will all be ok. Of course, they don't typically understand the concept behind sound/auditory discrimination and directional hearing, so it's very hard to get the message across. It's a shame that people don't realise how complex hearing actually is.


I was at a doctor office and I was having a hard time understanding the doctor, so he leaned over and talked into my HA!! I am thinking WTF! I thought a DR. would know better than do than , I was not sure what to say to him. I never had a DR do that before.

I've recently learned that GP Doctors (I believe they're called family Doctors in the US) are very under qualified, especially when dealing with specialist issues. They usually do have a broad knowledge overall, but not in-depth enough to meet our needs.


How about this classic......"What's it like being deaf?"

While that may seem like a stupid question, I don't think it is. If you think of all the implications and consequences that deafness has had on your life, you'd probably be able to give them an insightful answer as to what it's like being deaf. I'm sure many also some positive things to say about it too. These people are usually genuinely interested. If we can help them to understand us better, then why not?
 
While that may seem like a stupid question, I don't think it is. If you think of all the implications and consequences that deafness has had on your life, you'd probably be able to give them an insightful answer as to what it's like being deaf. I'm sure many also some positive things to say about it too. These people are usually genuinely interested. If we can help them to understand us better, then why not?

It is not a stupid question, that I agree, but when asked in a brief encounter, are they really expecting us to answer? That's what this forum is all about, being able to answer that question in detail. For me to reply to that question in a way that would have meaning, would take me more than just a few minutes in passing to answer.
 
God Bless

God Bless i am a hearing chick and hearing people always ask me that too, Vick why are you sitting alone, no reason for me in particular i zone out alot.
I have heard some crazy things said to my friend because she is from the deaf community. she is profoundly deaf, we were out a dinner with a co worker and her mom, my friend and i were signing, our coworkers mom started talking loudly to my home girl " I HAD A UNCLe WHO WOULD SIGN CAUSe He WAS DeAF, I USeD TO SIGN'' My home girl looked at me and signed "? she knows i am deaf right?:|
Bear with me, I am new here, and don't get to socialize with deaf much anymore, and need to vent.

I've been asked this many, many times over the years.

When my lunch break time comes, I usually get in my car and go to a fast-food restaurant, and sit in a corner of the restaurant looking out the window while eating.

That, or I bring my lunch and eat at my desk.

A few hearing people asked me this: "How can you eat in a restaurant all by yourself? I would never get caught eating alone!!"

They looked at me like I was on drugs when I said "I am used to eating alone, since no one usually invites me to lunch with them. Plus, I enjoy being alone most of the time, especially when I am around hearing people".

I've also been asked "Why don't you eat at the picnic table with the rest of us?"

"Because I can't keep up with what everyone is saying".

They still don't get it.


Any of you experience that too?
 
Ever had your boss say "I KNOW you can hear".. ?

aaaaugghhh

Yes.
I had a boss make hand motions once and had pleasant face trying to convey "Thank you" but the words he said were "I hate you!"
 
One of my bosses was the best ever!...He was very flexible..took an interest in ASL....he also had a tremendous amount of humor!...I taught him a lot of signs....even the insulting ones, like "F--- You....S-- Azz....Stupid A-Hole"...etc., etc.
We had a lot of laughs...he died not too long ago, bless his soul! He was one of the most flexible persons I've ever known.
 
One of my bosses was the best ever!...He was very flexible..took an interest in ASL....he also had a tremendous amount of humor!...I taught him a lot of signs....even the insulting ones, like "F--- You....S-- Azz....Stupid A-Hole"...etc., etc.
We had a lot of laughs...he died not too long ago, bless his soul! He was one of the most flexible persons I've ever known.

It's usually the naughty ASL that get people interested in ASL in general.. people always asked me for signs like that when they assume i know ASL because I'm deaf.
 
Bear with me, I am new here, and don't get to socialize with deaf much anymore, and need to vent.

I've been asked this many, many times over the years.

When my lunch break time comes, I usually get in my car and go to a fast-food restaurant, and sit in a corner of the restaurant looking out the window while eating.

That, or I bring my lunch and eat at my desk.

A few hearing people asked me this: "How can you eat in a restaurant all by yourself? I would never get caught eating alone!!"

They looked at me like I was on drugs when I said "I am used to eating alone, since no one usually invites me to lunch with them. Plus, I enjoy being alone most of the time, especially when I am around hearing people".

I've also been asked "Why don't you eat at the picnic table with the rest of us?"

"Because I can't keep up with what everyone is saying".

They still don't get it.


Any of you experience that too?

Just tell them that you are having lunch with the person whose company you enjoy the most. It just happens to be yourself.:P
 
Long long time ago.

I was chatting with a guy online.

I revealed to him that Im deaf.

The guy asked me, seriously: "How can you read if you're deaf?"


.... are you f*cking serious? :-|
 
"Are you sure you can't take the minutes from this board meeting?"

Oh, now you got me all riled up. I get this often. More like:

"Don't worry about the number of people in the meeting. You can ask me what they said after the meeting is done".


What's the point of me going to the meeting then? :roll:
 
As a certified nursing assistant (CNA), I had to attend these type of meeting or I can lose my license. I rarely know what these people are saying, but I have no choice but watch and learn. Sometimes when there is a new technique and I didn't hear it at the meeting, my co-workers will take the time and teach me. I never found the point of going to these meetings either, but it is required.
 
Oh, now you got me all riled up. I get this often. More like:

"Don't worry about the number of people in the meeting. You can ask me what they said after the meeting is done".


What's the point of me going to the meeting then?
:roll:
:laugh2: Have you asked them that?
 
I always ask, "Is a bear Catholic? Does the Pope shit in the woods?" :P

You must check to see if the bear is wearing a saint's medal or a crucifix around his neck. The answer to the second question is "Yes.":lol:
 
God Bless i am a hearing chick and hearing people always ask me that too, Vick why are you sitting alone, no reason for me in particular i zone out alot.
I have heard some crazy things said to my friend because she is from the deaf community. she is profoundly deaf, we were out a dinner with a co worker and her mom, my friend and i were signing, our coworkers mom started talking loudly to my home girl " I HAD A UNCLe WHO WOULD SIGN CAUSe He WAS DeAF, I USeD TO SIGN'' My home girl looked at me and signed "? she knows i am deaf right?:|

:laugh2: *headdesk* *facepalm*
 
:lol:


I still have a few people (especially backwoods rednecks) say the word "death" instead of "deaf".

Maybe they think we are the walking dead???

My deaf friends and signing hearing friends and I JUST talked about this on Halloween! Lol tatts crazy!
 
Back
Top