By 
Date Night! My husband and I score a babysitter, boom out the door and into the car. Floor it to freedom. A much needed couple of kid-free hours awaits. Into the restaurant, yes we’d like to sit on the patio, such a nice night out. Ushered to our table next to a family of … KIDS!! We chuckle that they knew just where to put the deaf people. No matter, it’s true we won’t be bothered by any noise. Ha. Ha. Chit chat, chit chat, chit chat. Ha.
Chit.
CHAT..
THIS KID IS STARING AT US SIGNING.
Not a little glance. Full on, facing us, staring. Non-stop. Like we’re an iPad.
He didn’t stop when I looked at him and smiled. He didn’t even stop when I took this picture.
So, I had to post it. It was too funny not to.
Sometimes I forget that signing in public places can attract a lot of attention. This kid is kind of symbolic for what some hearing people have never seen: real live deaf people.
Sometimes they want to share something with us like…
they know someone who is deaf
they are learning to sign
or they are curious..
why are we deaf
how can we talk
can we lipread (hopefully while they don’t have mouths full of food)
can we drive (hey we got here)
and if we have the kids with us..
are they deaf (no)
did we teach them to sign (well yes)
how did they learn to talk (TV?)
they talk so well (lots of TV?)
It’s just funny. All that’s on our minds most of the time is really the usual kind of stuff like what we’re eating for dinner (and that we’re actually eating, did I mention we had a babysitter?!), so nice to relax, is someone smoking a cigar out here, how can they charge $18 for tacos, are you getting salmon, oh there’s that yogurt place we should go to after this..
And this kid reminds me we’re kinda unique!
Deb
March 15, 2014It took me a long time to get over being stared at when my daughter went out. Now, twenty years later, I am oblivious of people looking at us.
soundforlight
March 17, 2014Beautiful example of what practice does for us, Deb. XO
Maryanna Doria
March 20, 2014Great message. Proud of you &Paul
Jennifer Stuessy
July 25, 2014Thanks Maryanna!
Jeannette
April 7, 2014This made me chuckle. It happens to us quite often. Sometimes, as a family, we decide to go out and all sign and no voice. My twins are deaf, my husband, myself, and two other children are hearing. It’s an interesting experience when we all are perceived as Deaf. Once we were in Walmart on one of our outings, we literally had a group of people following us around as we shopped. When we checked out, the expression on the cashiers face was priceless. We had purchased earbuds and an Adele CD.
Jennifer Stuessy
July 25, 2014I would have loved to see her expression! Classic 🙂