That was most likely a joke. I work with the visually impaired and I almost always say, “Ok, I will see you next week,” for example, just out of habit. When you start to edit your language for the sake of not offending people who are visually impaired, *that* is when things get awkward and actually offensive.

I make jokes about word choices all the time.


"See what I mean?"
"Not recently."


"I'll see you later."
"Sighted privilege!"


"I'm going in blind."
"welcome to my world."


I don't consider it insensitive. Hell, even I say, "See you later!" and such because it's habit. The world needs a little less outrage and a little more grace and humor.

Look I only went blind three years ago so I can’t speak for anyone else.

But I think that stuff is HILARIOUS, I am CONSTANTLY making jokes about my own vision. Not just because I think it’s funny but it’s also a kinder way to remind the people around me of my limits.

I do not mind words and phrases like that. Age 70 and VI all my life.

If it wasn't a joke, one of two things applies. First possibility is simply that he's the asshole. I would never do that to someone. Nobody should be policing their language like that and if he is genuinely picking you up on it, you're not the bad guy, he is. If I noticed you were being careful like that around me, I'd probably tell you to relax. I don't care how you phrase things.

Second, if you are very good buddies, that might be him giving you an in to ask if he's doing OK, but obviously the interpretation of that is up to you.

These are just parts of speech, and most of us have a pretty good humor about it, beats the alternative. If you want to avoid faux pas, stay away from language that accompany visual cues, such as "over there" or the like. Just use concise language with good descriptions. Your friend was most likely not offended, it's a question of context and intent.

Honestly I think it's funny, it's when people make a deal out of it that's when it feels hurtful tbh

Yes that friends comment was probably a joke, I myself like to do that often.
As to saying things like that, I actually get offended when people try to not say things like "See what I mean" etc. Just treat me like you would anyone else.

In my experience, it doesn't bother people at all. I can't speak for everyone, but back in boarding school, it was the FAVORITE type of humor for my classmates and I. Someone would say something related to sight metaphors and someone would fire back with a snarky joke. It was so common that those jokes actually make me groan now from overuse, but back in high school, we thought it was the funniest thing on Earth.

It’s when you start to change your language to not include those words that it actually becomes offensive. We want to be seen as normal and our vocabulary should reflect that, but also we get the privilege to make those jokes. It’s how we get to laugh about it. Don’t take it too hard and just learn to laugh with us. Key word, WITH us.

I make jokes like this constantly. We adopt the words of people around us, and it would be flat out ridiculous to change the way we speak to suit our inability to "see" in the usual way. I won't be caught dead telling the world I listen to Netflix, even if that is technically correct. "Hear you later?" Yeah ... no. I'd laugh at anyone who said it and to be fair, they'd probably be joking. I can sometimes tell when people are trying to avoid using these words, and it drives me crazy. I feel the need to almost aggressively make it clear that I'm not going to fall apart at the mention of a visual word, and that I'm actually kind of doing an okay job at being a functioning independent adult. If you're still not sure though, definitely ask.

I'm fairly sure he was joking, don't worry about it. Try to not even think about his blindness as it's not a big deal. I can't speak for everyone, but I definitely feel more at ease when people treat me as a person, instead of a walking disability or medical condition. That's what you're doing when you overthink the blindness aspect, even if it's not your intention.

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Thinking of disability in general, imagine a crucible where all the impurities of metal poured into it melt away and only a pure metal or alloy remains. After that, what's so different? We can't see, you can. We can still do many things a lot of sighted people don't think we can or should do. We generally want the same things e.g. a fulfilling career, a spouse and family, to have fun and find engaging hobbies et cetera. OK, so we have to go about things a different way, but the destination is the same, right?

totally agree with all comments so far.

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I've been blind for almost 3 years and spend most of my time with sighted people. I use all the phrases like see you later... Only one person I know tried to not use those phrases. Once I told her to not worry about it, she was more relaxed.

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One of my favorites is when out drinking with friends. I like to say, "that's it for me, I'm blind drunk." Okay, maybe it's funnier after a few beers, I'm not quitting my day job.

That was definitely a joke, friend. After awhile that line of joking is such low-hanging fruit that the delivery will become casual or maybe even dry, which is probably where your confusion stems from (I say this as a legally blind person myself who makes these jokes).

It doesn’t bother me at all.