Blind and Visually Impaired Community
↑
17
↓
Blind people of Reddit, what do you appreciate other people do for/around you? What do you hate? (self.Blind)
submitted by Zorra_
NicklasMCHD 12 points 3y ago
* like: That others around me treat me like a human being
* Hate: If people pray for me, or grab my mobility aid.
* Hate: If people pray for me, or grab my mobility aid.
sadafxd 8 points 3y ago
Your second point triggers me so much. Why do people thinks that saying "im so sorry", "sorry for your loss" is better than nothing. All it does is remind you that something happened.
8i8oio 6 points 3y ago
I just say “why?” [are you sorry] and let them flounder. People need to learn to think things through, and I can help with that.
razzretina 4 points 3y ago
I'm getting so close to just responding to "I'm sorry" with "But are you $20 sorry? I can't do anything with sorry but I could use $20". :D
8i8oio 2 points 3y ago
*high five* you are my kind of sarcasm!!! Im a firm believer of social consequences and I WILL enforce them. *laughing*
8i8oio 2 points 3y ago
I just say “why?” [are you sorry] and let them flounder. People need to learn to think things through, and I can help with that.
8i8oio 1 points 3y ago
I just say “why?” [are you sorry] and let them flounder. People need to learn to think things through, and I can help with that.
AchooCashew 5 points 3y ago
It’s helpful when people identify themselves when they greet me. I can recognize voices, but not everyone is very distinct or else I don’t know them well enough. Having a name is usually helpful, otherwise there’s a high chance I don’t recognize who’s greeting me and just come off as rude or standoffish.
I like when people ask what is helpful and take it into consideration (like you are doing with this post)!
Probably one of the least helpful things for me would be using vague directional words like “over there.” Using concrete left/right/distance words.
Edit: I just came back to this thread and realized I had posted multiple times through the mobile app without realizing it. I was getting an error message that indicated my reply would not go through, apologies that I left up multiples for so long! I deleted the extras.
I like when people ask what is helpful and take it into consideration (like you are doing with this post)!
Probably one of the least helpful things for me would be using vague directional words like “over there.” Using concrete left/right/distance words.
Edit: I just came back to this thread and realized I had posted multiple times through the mobile app without realizing it. I was getting an error message that indicated my reply would not go through, apologies that I left up multiples for so long! I deleted the extras.
Zorra_ [OP] 4 points 3y ago
I have a question about greeting. I'm from Europe, so it's quite common to greet people with a hug and/or cheek kisses (also when meeting them for the first time, 2-3 kisses if they are e.g. friends of friends).
I once saw a doncumentary about a guy with no arms. He explained how people are more likely to hug him as a greeting, because (as he explains it) they don't want him to think they are uncomfortable with the situation, even if it would be more appropriate to give them a hand shake (e.g. for business meetings). He explains that he is also not always comfortable with hugging random people (which is understandable), so a preferred greeting is apperantly a Squeeze on his shoulder.
I'm wondering right now, is there a general way "blind" people (in any degree) prefer to be greeted or a way that is common to greet between not fully sighted people. I imagine getting random hugs from people when you are not expecting it can be a little surprising.
I am happy for all the responses in this thread :) I personally don't know any "blind" people and I'm curious. When I see a person with a service dog and/or a "blind stick" I always try to cough or make myself present so they know I'm there. I learned from the blind youtuber Molly Burke, how scary it can be to walk around without seeing everything. It seems kind of obvious, but I think now I'm actually more aware of this. It's interesting to know more ways to be considerate without being patronising. There is a lot to learn! :)
I once saw a doncumentary about a guy with no arms. He explained how people are more likely to hug him as a greeting, because (as he explains it) they don't want him to think they are uncomfortable with the situation, even if it would be more appropriate to give them a hand shake (e.g. for business meetings). He explains that he is also not always comfortable with hugging random people (which is understandable), so a preferred greeting is apperantly a Squeeze on his shoulder.
I'm wondering right now, is there a general way "blind" people (in any degree) prefer to be greeted or a way that is common to greet between not fully sighted people. I imagine getting random hugs from people when you are not expecting it can be a little surprising.
I am happy for all the responses in this thread :) I personally don't know any "blind" people and I'm curious. When I see a person with a service dog and/or a "blind stick" I always try to cough or make myself present so they know I'm there. I learned from the blind youtuber Molly Burke, how scary it can be to walk around without seeing everything. It seems kind of obvious, but I think now I'm actually more aware of this. It's interesting to know more ways to be considerate without being patronising. There is a lot to learn! :)
abifel93 2 points 3y ago
Hey! I am having pretty much the same issue with greeting vissually impaired people. I am from Argentina and we tend to be quite physical in everything we do, and we greet everyone by kissing their cheeks. I have a friend with severe RP which I greet as I did when he could see, but I am now meeting some of his blind friends from mobility training and have no idea of how to interact with them on that angle.
What I can tell you is that asking is key in everything. It may feel a little awkward at first, but stay assured that it is way better to have an awkward conversation than to startle people all the time. As always, consent is the way to success haha
What I can tell you is that asking is key in everything. It may feel a little awkward at first, but stay assured that it is way better to have an awkward conversation than to startle people all the time. As always, consent is the way to success haha
bluefox1394 1 points 3y ago
I’m in the US...I volunteer with low vision and blind individuals from age 7 through adulthood.
I always make sure to say hello and announce my name as I’m entering a space or when someone comes in to a room I am in. I also let them know if I’m about to leave the room or move anything around (furniture primarily).
I am able to use visual cues in response to their actions regarding any touch (handshake/high five/fist bump). If someone reaches a handout, I’ll shake it. In the event I want to initiate the shake, a soft hand grab on the forearm is enough for them to know my intentions. I never initiate touch when first meeting someone, as regardless of sight, not everyone likes to be touched.
I also try to be more vocal/purposeful with movements so there is some familiarity with my voice and my movements. It seems to take some of the trepidation away when there is someone sharing space whether in public or a shared workspace.
I always make sure to say hello and announce my name as I’m entering a space or when someone comes in to a room I am in. I also let them know if I’m about to leave the room or move anything around (furniture primarily).
I am able to use visual cues in response to their actions regarding any touch (handshake/high five/fist bump). If someone reaches a handout, I’ll shake it. In the event I want to initiate the shake, a soft hand grab on the forearm is enough for them to know my intentions. I never initiate touch when first meeting someone, as regardless of sight, not everyone likes to be touched.
I also try to be more vocal/purposeful with movements so there is some familiarity with my voice and my movements. It seems to take some of the trepidation away when there is someone sharing space whether in public or a shared workspace.
without_nap 5 points 3y ago
Hate when people grab me and steer me around without asking. It's the worst.
Like when people ask first. "Do you need help?" "How can I help?"
Like when people ask first. "Do you need help?" "How can I help?"
WarHamster40k 4 points 3y ago
I appreciate when people, as a close friend of mine put it: "treat like I'm blind, not disabled". Help me if I show that I'm having difficulty, but don't deprive me of the chance to find out. If you don't let me do something and risk failure/success, then I won't do anything and continue to be the burden that you presume I am. When she described that to me recently, I had to give myself a moment. She put a lot of my recent feelings into perspective and it meant a lot to hear someone empathize with me.
What drives me up the wall is when people try to suss out what kind of blind jokes are okay around me. I'm "all in" for self-deprecating humor ("does anyone see the point of this conversation? Because I don't."), but if someone thinks they've "earned" it because they met me, it makes me feels like I'm just a social transaction.
What drives me up the wall is when people try to suss out what kind of blind jokes are okay around me. I'm "all in" for self-deprecating humor ("does anyone see the point of this conversation? Because I don't."), but if someone thinks they've "earned" it because they met me, it makes me feels like I'm just a social transaction.
razzretina 3 points 3y ago
I like when people ask me if I need help and listen to what I say about it. I like being seen as an interesting person to talk to and getting to trade stories about life with people.
I hate hearing everyone's sad dead pet stories just because I'm out with my guide dog. And for the love of god, don't touch me! I don't know why people who wouldn't grab any other stranger feel like it's okay to just grab a blind person.
I like when people are honest with themselves and just go ahead and ask the questions they have, provided its an appropriate time.
I hate being interrupted in a conversation with someone else by a stranger demanding if I can see them (they clearly know the answer). If you're over 21 and asking that, you're being an asshole. :D
I hate hearing everyone's sad dead pet stories just because I'm out with my guide dog. And for the love of god, don't touch me! I don't know why people who wouldn't grab any other stranger feel like it's okay to just grab a blind person.
I like when people are honest with themselves and just go ahead and ask the questions they have, provided its an appropriate time.
I hate being interrupted in a conversation with someone else by a stranger demanding if I can see them (they clearly know the answer). If you're over 21 and asking that, you're being an asshole. :D
LittleTay 3 points 3y ago
I'm legally blind and my left eye is better than my right to the point that my brain only uses my left eye to see (unless I force myself to look out my right eye...still cant see much.)
Anyway, when I am with people I always am on the right side of people because I can see said people with my peripheral vision (enough at least). Well most my friends know this and will always make sure I am on their right. I even have s friend whom verbally says: "Tay you are on the wrong side" even if it just for a few seconds and it makes me so appreciative of my friends.
Something I hate? Cant really think of anything at the moment. I am pretty chill and lenient
Anyway, when I am with people I always am on the right side of people because I can see said people with my peripheral vision (enough at least). Well most my friends know this and will always make sure I am on their right. I even have s friend whom verbally says: "Tay you are on the wrong side" even if it just for a few seconds and it makes me so appreciative of my friends.
Something I hate? Cant really think of anything at the moment. I am pretty chill and lenient
SWaspMale 3 points 3y ago
Not entirely blind, and I suspect most of us are similar. Mostly I like to 'pass' as a seeing person.
mi1ky_tea 2 points 3y ago
Like - when someone will read the menu for me and doesn't mind.
Hate - when people ask my why I look so close. Like, why do you think?
Hate - when people ask my why I look so close. Like, why do you think?
[deleted] 2 points 3y ago
[deleted]
8i8oio 1 points 3y ago
Or north south! Or clock (1-12). So many options!
[deleted] 1 points 3y ago
[deleted]
This nonprofit website is run by volunteers.
Please contribute if you can. Thank you!
Our mission is to provide everyone with access to large-
scale community websites for the good of humanity.
Without ads, without tracking, without greed.
scale community websites for the good of humanity.
Without ads, without tracking, without greed.
©2023 HumbleCat Inc • HumbleCat is a 501(c)3 nonprofit based in Michigan, USA.