Hands On Learning

I made a personal relationship with eye-contact in the Deaf WORLD. I've studied and read and written and reported and explained. But now I know. Now I feel it. In the hearing world, when one needs to pass by and say "excuse me," it is said with the head nearly tilted downward and barely any eye contact; presumably in a display of respect. In Deaf culture, eye contact must be made during any and all communication. Period. In my efforts to maneuver the food court at the South Street Seaport during the Deaf Expo, I physically became aware of my hearing tendency and quickly corrected myself.

The Deaf Poetry Slam at the Bowery Poetry Club was amazing! The performer, Rob Roy, gave his "Deaf Man Walking" (signed 'dead man walking') skit. Originally from Australia, he delivered in ASL and intermittently sought correction from the audience in various words. Sidenote: I found it interesting Australian signs "number" the way Americans sign "problem." He signed very clearly, a little larger than one would in normal conversation, and used humor and rhetoric for emphasis.

This was my first experience in ASL discussing more adult themes. Ironically enough, I laugh just as hard in ASL as I do in English. I love the directness and openness of ASL. Because understanding and information is so important, so pertinent to the culture, communication can be so much more smooth than in English. Well, that's my opinion anyway. Hearing people are so busy being caught up in etiquette, passivity, second-guessing, implicit statements, vague feedback, and formality. GET TO THE POINT ALREADY!

Ahem...

After the performance we migrated to the nearby bar where the center section of the floor turned into our world. Fingers flew and beer glasses collided. I met some new people and saw some old friends. Finally, deaf women MY age!! It was great to meet others who are attending or have attended Gallaudet, this makes my upcoming visit and application that much more tangible.

Something Interesting:
Sitting at the bar eating my over-cooked yet delicious veggie burger (get the English mustard, it has an extra kick!), a man with longish blond hair and an awkward way of signing came over and introduced himself. He proceeded to tell me he believed in Jesus Christ and asked me if I believe He died on the cross for us. Next he passed me two pamphlets in English and pen-drawn ASL relaying messages about the Savior's love and that I, too, can be saved.

In a bar.
He brought these papers to a bar.
I've never seen missionaries in a bar.
I know God loves everyone, including the drinkers... but come on, man!

This is yet another anecdote of my "hands on" learning in the Deaf way:
Deaf culture has everything any other culture has, including fights, bible-pushers, actors, and friends.