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What is your funniest deaf-related true story?

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Humorous Experiences
What is your funniest deaf-related experience? Any tendency or annoying situations? Any embarrassed stories that you laugh when looking back? You do not need to answer those all questions. Just a general thought.

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This better get posted. One good incident occured when I was a child playing hide and seek with my deaf friend. As usual, I dont always have good common sense. At one point, the cat was meowing his heaf off really wanting to go outside. So I opened the door and boy, this cat JUMPED UP with tail getting fluffy and bolted out. About less than ten minutes later, I saw at my door, two policemen and a very cross looking Mom. Confused ? Well, I had the burglar alarm on and accidently set it off when I let the cat out . It sure sounds awful and it automatically alerts the police. What was I thinking at that time not wearing
my hearing aids ?
catnip
- Monday, November 22, 1999 at 02:37:35 (EST)

This was a memorable moment that made my Mom really cross. One day my deaf friend and I were playing hide and seek at my house. and I told her lets turn on the burglar alarm because for safety reasons and we were ALONE in the house without Mom around. She had to go out on a short errand. Naturally, I had my hearing aid off so what was I thinking anyway ? After a few rounds of playing hide and seek in the house, I saw my cat was meowing really hard and kind of wanting to go out. So I opened the door and let him out. I was rather puzzled at the cat's reaction as he JUMPED UP and ran out with such a frenzy. BIG deal, we continued to play this game. A short while later in about 5 minutes, I saw there were two policemen at my door and my Mom was really raging MAD. Gee, what's going on ? Oh I see the alarm went off and it was blaring LOUD and it alerted the police.
catnip
- Monday, November 22, 1999 at 02:29:34 (EST)

PLEASE RESPOND TO MY MESSAGES IN THE CAPTIONING SECTION.

Linda
Texas - Tuesday, November 02, 1999 at 11:35:27 (EST)

One really funny one-liner. My Dad took us to a city in New Mexico called Alberquerque. So then I said, " Apple-turkey ! " Of course, a lot of comical things happen when I mispronouce words and I take it with good nature. One funny incident happened when I was teachng an ASL class some time ago. The students got mixed up with two signs, one for coffee and making out. They kept signing, "making out" and I kept laughing. I couldnt stop and told them I am not making fun of them. Then I signed back to them "making out" in a very sexy look on my face. They got it !
catnip
Denver - Friday, October 15, 1999 at 03:07:24 (EDT)

I am a hearing 12 year old. I have a like, a bunch of deaf friends and I sign very fluently. We were at the pool talking about ya know, "girl stuff." I signed something about my period and I noticed this guy (WAY cute!!!!) watching us. I jst forgot it and thought "Like he knew what I said." Later, when we were leaving, he comes up to my friend and says, "Man, she's had her period for along time!" I was humuliated. So were she and our other friend.
Anonymous
Anonymous - Sunday, October 03, 1999 at 14:12:01 (EDT)

what was your funniest deaf conversation...
ronda milhouse
walla walla washington - Saturday, October 02, 1999 at 21:59:48 (EDT)

At the start of a new college semester at ECU, I was anxious to meet my hearing roommate; she arrived after dark and it was raining hard outside. We were chatting, introducing ourselves(I have good speech and can read lips somewhat well) when suddenly the phone rang. Jackie, my roommate, dove down between the two twin beds and pulled a pillow over her head. I hollered, "Hurry, get the phone, get the phone!!!" After urging her several time to answer it, I was puzzled. She did poke her head up one time to holler "NO WAY I am not getting the phone!!" I was puzzled by her strong reaction; the phone stopped ringing shortly afterwards and I asked her, "Jackie, why did you not answer the phone? I cannot hear on the phone and cannot tell if the call is for me (TTY)and if it is a hearing person I cannot tell what he says."
She (still-wide eyed) patiently explained the reason she was had not answered the phone, "Did you not see the lightening in the room? It is dangerous to get the phone when it is lightening so badly!! NO WAY was I going to answer it!" That is when I realized, I had forgotten to explain my blue-strobe light which alerts me to phone ring! We laughed about it for a long time (it is not lightening now, Jackie, can you get it now haha)
Marianne
NC (USA) - Friday, October 01, 1999 at 15:22:15 (EDT)

My funniest deaf-related experience is when my supervisor of three years gave me a music globe for Christmas. She didnt even think of it at the time of purchase. I laughed and boy was she never so embarrassed. The same went for a co worker that handed me her Secret Pal a Musical Mug...her face was beet red and I thought of it as a compliment due to the fact that I lip read well. Itsure makes me fit in with the hearing people except for my deafness being the only one in an office of 70. I get along great with them other wise. They forget and call from behind me Yelling and not even remembering me being deaf and I amjust strolling along in my own little world. I have a good sense of humor cuz I have been around hearing people all my life. This all puts a smile on my when I think of the friends that have known me for years and still want to whisper in my ear..Just when they remembered me being deaf...I always tell them that is one secret I wont ever tell. They crack up and so do I. I guess thats what keeps me going as great as I feel at 55 years after being deaf for fifty years.
Nora Machado
Centralia WA USA - Sunday, September 26, 1999 at 00:38:22 (EDT)

DearRosetta I am 21 years old I have a job working in ShopRite and I lost my hearing the year before last year I am profoundly deaf and also I have nerve deafness I need your help I`ve been trying to get hearing aids for along time Can you send me a pair E-mail me at Raymond45.
Raymond Mahaffey
SpotsWood N.J. - Tuesday, September 21, 1999 at 11:50:42 (EDT)

I am hearing, but I have some deaf friends I go off with. We were shopping one day. These smart mouthed girls (hearing), were folowing us around, making fun of us. When I sign ,I don't speak. Why should I? I'm not talking to the "hearing". Anyway, I finally had enough and I made it very clear that I wasn't deaf and I could hear everything they had been saying, and didn't like it at all! They got very quiet,and me and my friends got a good laugh!
Jamie
Lexington,N.C. U.S. - Saturday, September 18, 1999 at 21:50:18 (EDT)

In court the judge took me aside an stated the person i arrested for failing to move when told by the police,was deaf!!!!!!!!
retired dc police
md - Thursday, September 09, 1999 at 20:21:09 (EDT)

In court the judge took me aside an stated the person i arrested for failing to move when told by a police,was deaf!!!!!!!!!!
retired dc policer
md - Thursday, September 09, 1999 at 20:17:53 (EDT)

As a 5 year hearing child of deaf parents while my parents were having a really loud party(hearing people don't know how loud deaf people can be)the neighbors were being good about the noise but the problem came when somebody threw a pot through the window,the police came amd a 5 year old had to interpret between the party and the police.that was 65 years ago and I can still remember the noise,it was a great party.
george
ftlauderdale fl - Friday, August 20, 1999 at 17:13:01 (EDT)

I recently came back from working at the Ontario Camp for the Deaf in Parry Sound. My job at the camp was program staff I was explaining to the campers that we were going to meet in the meeting room for an activity, but instead (as I am just learning sign language) I told the campers we were going to the kissing room for an activivty!
melissa
ottawa ontario - Thursday, August 12, 1999 at 14:14:17 (EDT)

My friend was just learning sign language. For the first two or three months she was in class I thought there was something wrong with our relationship. I couldn't understand if she was questioning my sexuality or hers, and why she would be doing that in the first place. Well, it turns out that she wanted to ask me out to lunch. But her signing was so fast and jerky that all I ever saw was "out" and "Lesbian". She had mistaken the sign for lunch!
Em
Denver - Sunday, July 25, 1999 at 13:24:39 (EDT)

While attending Bible College in Dallas, my hearing friend and I went to McDonalds late one night. I noticed a man who seemed disoriented in the parking lot. I asked him if he was okay or needed help. He motioned to his ear and signed that he was deaf. I am hearing, but had taken one semester of ASL in college. I signed to him that I knew ASL and before I could explain that I was not proficient at it, he got very excited and started signing really fast in ASL. I told him to please slow down, that I couldn't keep up with him that well. He finally was able to tell me what had just happened. He had just got off the city bus, where a man was robbing the bus. The robber wanted everbody's wallets and jewelry. The deaf man I was talking to, did not hear him, and therefore, was not paying any attention to the robber. The robber became very angry with him and put a gun to his head and was yelling at him for his wallet. Still the deaf man did not understand, of course, because he could not hear. Anyway, by the grace of God, I believe, the robber pushed the guy down and ran out of the bus. The deaf man also ran because he was so afraid and was now in the parking lot, several blocks from home and petrified. I felt so bad for him for what he had been through. I told him that my friend and I would be glad to take him home. He agreed. When we got to his home I asked the man if my friend and I could pray for him. He agreed. I also asked the man if he had met Jesus as his personal Lord and Savior. He said yes and was really happy about it. My friend prayed first while he read his lips. I prayed in sign and just thanking God that He spared this man's life and that He was watching out for him. I then met his wife, who was also deaf. They were a very sweet, precious couple. I never saw them again, but will never forget them. I thank Jesus that He gave me the ability to communicate that night in ASL. I am thankful too, that Jesus is a universal communicator and has no boundaries. That He desires relationship with all people. His love is endless.
KB
Clovis, CA - Wednesday, July 21, 1999 at 03:33:02 (EDT)

While I was growing up, I would sign to my brothers who do not know ASL in an attempt to talk to them without my parents' intervention. However, my brothers clearly did not understand and when I would read their lips to see if they were understanding me correctly, I would find them saying things like "She's got something in her hoof" (It goes back to a nickname they had for me...long story.) When I was trying to tell them what I had gotten my mother for her birthday. At the time, I was extremely frustrated, but I look back and I have to laugh.
Kelly
New Haven, Connecticut, U.S.A. - Sunday, July 11, 1999 at 11:55:29 (EDT)

I live with a roommate of mine named Jackie. She is hearing and I was born profound deaf, yet i do speak very well and knows sign language. You see, Jackie and I go way back. I have known her since I was 5 years old. Now she knows I read lips and without that I am lost not knowing what they are saying. One day her sister Rose came up for a visit and Rose was standing to back to Jackie. Now, Jackie was waiting for Rose to turn around for Rose to read her lip. She caught herself laughing and said I thought you needed to read my lip and I am so use to doing this. Rose is not deaf and doesnt need to do that. This happened a couple of times with other people and its kinda funny because in her mind as a habitforming, everybody has to read her lip regardless of hearing or deaf.
Regina Kraus
Pittsburgh, Pa. USA - Thursday, July 08, 1999 at 11:11:52 (EDT)

I was living in Los Angeles and I was having beers with a friend of mine at a neighborhood pub. This absolutely gorgeous guy is standing near me and I wanted to talk to him and, naturally, I was "plotting" to meet him. When he turned to me (being a hearie) and I realized he was hearing impaired, I could not think of what "to say" and all I could remember was the signing for "I love you" - probably the only thing hearing people know - so I (think) that's what I told him! Anyhow, I really wanted to get to know him and had no idea how to communicated with him - I could tell he was shy about approaching me and maybe thought I wouldn't be interested in a hearing impaired guy - which was definitely not true - I think he thought I was making fun of him; or the worst
case scenario, is maybe I didn't "say" "I love you" but something else with my hands and fingers I'll never know!!! Anyhow, I wish the hearing impaired would let us know how to simply say "hello" to be able to simply acknowledge each other - to open the channels at least of communications - like we do in the hearing world; this would be nice! I don't know how sign language is used to teach on-line, but I personally would like to know how to at least simply say "hello" to a hearing impaired person I meet on the street the next time!
Deby
Phoenix, Az - Saturday, July 03, 1999 at 19:28:27 (EDT)

My mother-in-law has lost her hearing but wears hearing aides which help her, unless the batteries go dead. One day she was using the vaccum cleaner and had to step out of the room for a moment. She got very upset when she returned and the machine no longer worked. She kept flipping the switch on and off but still nothing. Just when she had had enough, she noticed that not only could she not hear the machine but the world around her had gone completely still as well. That is when it dawned on her that the batteries had quite in her hearing aides. We all had a laugh.
Alicia Scott
Eldon, Missouri - Thursday, July 01, 1999 at 22:12:13 (EDT)

Ok, I have many funny or embarrassing moments that related to my deafness but I'll just tell two of them here. First of all, I am deaf but can read lips and speak well. I learned sign language in college which was a long time ago. OK, the first one I'll tell you happened when I was in high school. I was the only deaf in high school and no one really knew I was deaf except teachers and close friends. One day, in biology class, there was this cute boy sitting across from me and he kept saying something to me and I was like "huh?" Over and over again. Finally he said "what's the matter you deaf or something?" And I replied, "Yes, as a matter of fact I am." His mouth dropped and he felt so bad and apologized. We ended up dating for several months after that. haha OK, the other one happened recently in Florida when I lived there for few years. You know when deaf go to fast food places and they write out what they want. Well, I used to just voiced my order for food and when they would ask me a question I would tell them I was deaf then they wouldn't believe me cuz I spoke so well. So from now on, I decide to use the paper to write out my order for the food. The first time I did that was at Taco Bell. I see this young kid about 16 yrs old he is working there behind cash register and I am in line and when it's my turn I go up to him and I point to my ear and gestured that I was deaf and handed him the paper with my order on it. He freaked out! He didn't know what to do. He went up to his supervisor and his supervisor told him just simply ring up the order from the paper I wrote. He was still freaky and I was kinda pissed at him so I decided to do something about it. When I gave him the money and he gave me the change back I said in a clear voice "BOO!" He about fainted and his eyes got real wide. That was mean of me but it was funny!
Smokey
Knoxville, Tn - Tuesday, June 15, 1999 at 14:56:29 (EDT)

Oh yeah! I was in a mainstreamed program in high school, and one time there was a teacher substitute for my English class (ugh!) for a week. One time I was late for class, and she asked me why I was late. I told her that I was using the phone (she actually believed a deaf guy like me used the phone!) The class bursted in laughter!

I was late again during that same week, and she asked me why this time ? I told her that I couldn't hear the "bell". Boy - was she dumbfounded! The class, once again, bursted in laugher!
A deaf Jim Carrey!!! =}
A deaf guy!
N.H., USA - Wednesday, June 09, 1999 at 15:56:50 (EDT)

Years back in high school when I was in a mainstreamed program for the deaf with hearing students, we had several deaf students. (Thank God!) Anyway, one day the three of us deafies were walking down the hallway full of hearing students in front of us. One of the deaf guy was behind the two of us deafies. The two of us at the front agreed to scream at the top of our lungs, and then turn our heads back and look at the deaf guy walking behind us. After counting to three, we screamed as loud as we could and when many hearing faces were turning back to look at us, we turned to look at the deaf guy behind us! Boy - was his face RED!!!
A deaf guy!
N.H., USA - Wednesday, June 09, 1999 at 15:51:22 (EDT)

I am deaf. About 20 years ago, I was doing the dishes when a glass broke as I was washing it. The glass sliced into the back of my right thumb and it started spurting blood. I was home alone, but only lived about two miles from the nearest hospital. So I wrapped dish towel around my hand and ran to my neighbor's house and asked her to drive me to emergency room. In the emergency room, the doctor spoke slowly so I could understand. He said I would need stitches. A nurse came in with a clipboard and some forms for me to sign my name. I showed her that my right hand was injured and told her I would have to sign the papers after the doctor stitched my hand.

After the doctor stitched my hand, a different nurse came in and looked at my hand. She spoke very slowly -- "Do you think you will be able to sign now?"

"Sure," I said, "But I will probably need to fingerspell with my left hand for a week or two."

She looked VERY confused. Then I realized she meant could I sign the forms now.
It was pretty embarrassing.
Anonymous
- Wednesday, June 09, 1999 at 11:44:35 (EDT)

One day a friend of mine were signing hello but it turn out to be Hell!!! I wondered what was that~~~~~~~~~
Pam Stoops
USA - Saturday, May 22, 1999 at 07:55:23 (EDT)

It's not that Deaf people resent hearing people. What Deaf people resent is the IGNORANCE that people would have about Deaf Culture, ASL, Deaf Life, etc. Deaf people resent when people fear what they don't know. Deaf people want to be treated as that, PEOPLE.
Anonymous
- Friday, May 14, 1999 at 22:53:51 (EDT)

Why do people with hearing impairments resent people who are hearing?
Adonis
Chicago,Il U.S.A - Friday, May 14, 1999 at 14:31:10 (EDT)

One time when I help my mom build barn. I went to tell her something and forget I was holding board, let go to sign and board fell and hit mom in head made her head bleed...
Sonya
Drayton Valley, AB, Canada - Monday, May 10, 1999 at 17:54:24 (EDT)

I was an employee as a deckhand on the boat in late 80's. My employer and I were fishing for sockeye salmon on the west coast of Vancouver Island on the night of commerical opening. After we catch some fish, we head for the large boat who buys our fish. A guy from that boat saw me throwing a rope to him. He was speaking quickly to me. I told him to speak slowly and read his lips. He said to me "Do you speak english?" I said "Of course". He found out that I am deaf and did not say anything. He thought that I am speaking foreign language. heheheh!
William Irwin Jr.
Victoria, Canada - Saturday, May 01, 1999 at 17:48:46 (EDT)

One time, I cut my fingers bad enough to go to the emergency room. My hearing aunt took me to the hospital. I was taken to the examination room and the doctors ordered my aunt to stay outside. After a minute or so, I noticed the doctors and nurses seems to be in a panic mode around me. I just layed there watching them scurry around in a panic. Finally, my aunt burst in the examination room yelling, "My nephew is deaf and he can't hear you!". Suddenly, everyone was quiet. One of the doctors let out a huge sigh of relief and said, "Thank goodness, I thought he was slipping into a coma!!".
Robert Williams
Tulsa, OK - Friday, April 30, 1999 at 18:56:37 (EDT)

I am hearing, my friend Chris is deaf-blind. She taught me how to sign in her hand. One day, as we were walking in the building where she lives, my ring got tangled on her ring. We wiggled our hands around, trying to untangle them. A neighbor lady saw us, and said to her friend, "Wow!!! They sure can sign fast!!!" Chris and I still laugh about that.
Melanie Cummings
Des Moines, Iowa U.S.A. - Thursday, April 29, 1999 at 06:28:09 (EDT)

One time I was trying to explain to my girlfriend (during one of our
discussions) that I really love her. I told her "My love for you is powerfull!" Well, when I went to say the "full" part of powerfull I said "f*ck". So she thought I said, "My love for you is powerf*ck". Very embarassing but she got the idea. What was I thinking?!?!
Curtis Husum
Regina, Sask. Canada. - Saturday, April 24, 1999 at 14:03:04 (EDT)

One time in a Bingo Hall, my deaf girlfriend and I were doing some fundraising for a trip I was going to go on at school. We had to clean up all the used bingo cards and put them in the garbage. Well, Cheryl (my deaf girlfriend) was doing this and this one really grumpy old woman saw her taking these cards. Well, these cards that Cheryl took weren't garbage. This woman was playing with these cards and Cheryl threw them in the garbage. The old woman was yelling so hard at her with her cigarette in her mouth still (haha). Cheryl just kept doing her job and made this woman more upset (because she thought Cheryl was ignoring her). Well, for all I know this old woman could sill be playing bingo at this hall. But to this day, Cheryl and I laugh about this so hard!
Curtis Husum
Regina, Sask. Canada - Saturday, April 24, 1999 at 13:24:52 (EDT)

ohh.. funny jokes or experiences.. being hard of hearing, you can manage to get away with alot of things! one time i was on the bus eating a bag of funyums and the bus driver was spying on me and getting all mad! he stopped the bus and turned around to face me, i didn't want to be embarrassed so i turned MY head and tried to look at who he was pointing to. (i pretended I couldn't hear him!!!!!!) and that was smart! freaky.. i'll have to ask my cousin to see this page!
Mei-Li
Mililani, Hawaii - Saturday, April 24, 1999 at 05:20:43 (EDT)

I am HOH and lipread very well. One time some friends and I were at a conference, in the hotel, we were talking. One of my friends turned off the light so we could go to sleep. But they kept talking. Finally I said, "Turn the light back on I can't hear". That is still a standing joke with us.
Rachel
USA - Monday, April 19, 1999 at 17:43:33 (EDT)

Well, other weekend, my friends and i was staying our friend's house, our friend has coolest speakers, we can hear it and it was soo loud so at that moment somehow my best friend feel asleep and she was sleeping like baby and my friend turn the music sooo LOUDLy like we are in concert and she still sleeping even she is hearing, can u beleive i told him to turn it down cuz it hurts my ear even i am deaf!! God, but it was coolest beat anyway!!
Unknown
Minnesota, USA - Tuesday, April 13, 1999 at 00:50:30 (EDT)

I was in chruch one Sunday. My little two year old dauter was acting up , so I brought her up sirs to the baby room. where I cpuld keep her quite and wach and hear the sieve. The speecker were to low I got the Pastors atention and sign I could hear him. He undersood me and ask me howit sounds now. I sing to him great and thank you. BUt he thouht I was blowing him a kiss. After church I told him "I wasn't blowing you a kiss I was saying Thank you!!!". LOL Paster Rick said " He sould take up ASL too then !!!." I learn never practice singing when you can't tell them what you signing. I'm in my secound semster ASL.
Virginia C.
Torrington, Ct. USA - Tuesday, April 13, 1999 at 00:50:07 (EDT)

One night I was watching WCW wrestling and this wrestler named Diamond Dallas Page comes up to the ring with this "diamond" sign he did with his hands, even the fans down there were doing the same, and I was laughing my sorry ass off so hard, my hearing girlfriend asked me why was it so funny? I told her that sign the wrestler does means "PUSSY". After that,I told my friends this, better believe it they almost laughed harder than I did. Sometime when anybody watches that show, look for this guy, he still
does that "pussy" sign. So overall, what kind of impression are we supposed to get from this guy?
Anonymous
canada - Wednesday, March 31, 1999 at 02:01:25 (EST)

I left Kansas to live in California for a year. When I got back I wanted to
show my deaf Kansan friend the California signs I learned. She knew them all. I was so frustrated that I showed her the sign for God, but I did it backwards. She had no idea what it meant.

It means "dog". Get it? 'God' backwards... We laughed and laughed.

The next time we chatted I told her I played poker in California and I 'now',
but I did the sign for 'now' backwards. Laugh again.
Tom Severs (Hearing)
Wichita, Kansas - Monday, March 29, 1999 at 23:10:43 (EST)

I dropped my hearing aide in the toilet. The toilet was FULL!!
Lisa
fred - Monday, March 29, 1999 at 11:06:49 (EST)

I dropped my hearing aide in the toilet. The toilet was FULL!!
Lisa
fred - Monday, March 29, 1999 at 11:04:58 (EST)

I was talking with my deaf friend in the kitchen and I didn't realized I left the water running in the kitchen sink and as we were chatting away, water begin to flood the kitchen without us realizing it and all of sudden we saw shiny reflections from the water and we said oh no and immediatedly shut the water off and laughed about it. It took us two hours to clean up this big mess of flood. My hearing friend came in on us cleaning up the flood and her mouth dropped open for miles. ha ha ha
Jennylee Connors
Kingston, Massachussetts - Sunday, March 28, 1999 at 19:18:34 (EST)

My husband is Deaf and he was involved with my youngest son's baseball little league that he did a lot of volunteer. He got along with coaches and he was able to communicate with them by gestures. One day, my husband need my help to talk to one of the coaches so I went over and started talking to coach. I was kinda puzzled that coach look at me funny until in few days after, I found out why. My hearing friend told me that Coach told her that "Something happened to that woman who was Deaf and now she is miracle hearing! She talked to me with voice!" My friend laughed and explained to him that there is lot of varies of Deaf people and I'm Deaf and I just happened to talk well but I'm not miracle at all!
Belinda
New York - Saturday, March 27, 1999 at 14:30:18 (EST)

I am deaf and wear two hearing aids but I never learnt signlanguage until two years ago. I remember when I was first learning signlanguage. I really liked one of the guys in the deaf group and when I was sitting with them one day I asked him if he wanted a coke. He nodded his head and all the deafies were laughing loud. I was confused. In AUSLAN Coke and Sex are the same hand signs but with a different movement. I had asked him if he wanted sex!!! Shame!!
Michaela Robertson
QLD, Australia - Wednesday, March 10, 1999 at 23:01:19 (EST)

Hi Sarah: Believe it or not i had the exact same problem working as a cashier
in Rite Aid. Someone asked me for the same product and I for the life of me
could not understand what they said. I wear hearing aids and even asked her to repeat what she said and I told her I was HOH, and she saw my aids and flushed tomato red. She also ran from the store, embarassed as could be. i am glad I am not alone. Unfortunately alot of people feel us HOH should not be cashiers, too which I say bull. Take care and good luck!
Rosetta
Burlington N.J - Saturday, February 20, 1999 at 11:53:06 (EST)

I was sitting in the courtroom last week watching a trial. I am going
completely deaf as I have lost almost all my hearing in left ear and most in
right ear. Anyway, 2 years ago I bought a Winnie the Pooh watch to wear that
plays music so I could amuse my son when he was little. Needless to say I
accidently push the button and it started to play. I noticed everyone looking at
me and I said what?....then I realized my watch was playing. I was so embarassed so I kept the watch off......
SGR
Augusta GA USA - Tuesday, February 16, 1999 at 19:42:59 (EST)

For the past 2 years I didn't wear a hearing aid, becuase I'd had an operation
my junoir year of high school that had improved my hearing . However I wanted a hearing aid for college. A few weeks before I left I went to my audiologist and he fit me for a hearing aid. I left for school and it took 8 weeks to get up to me, here at LSC. The day it came I put it on and everything was SO LOUD! I had my own room b/c my original roomie didn't want to share a room with someone who was deaf! {I know, what a meanie!} Also the college was suffering from an undercrowding problem, so I didn't get a new roomie. Anyway, the room was pretty quiet, I heard a noise I'd never heard, so I went up to my RA, Lucia's room. I told her that there was a weird noise in my room and she came down to investigate. It turned out that the noise was the ticking of the clock my parents had sent me for my birthday!
Torrie J. Bryant
Lyndonville VT USA - Monday, February 08, 1999 at 16:07:18 (EST)

ONE NIGHT AFTER DRINKING FOR A VERY LONG TIME, I CAME HOME TO MY GIRLFRIENDS PLACE. I DIDN'T HAVE MY KEY, SO I BANGED ON THE DOOR BECAUSE I COULD HEAR THE T.V., SO I FIGURED SHE WAS WATCHING IT. I DIDN'T HAVE MY CELL PHONE TO RING THE LAMP. SO I LAYED DOWN ON THE RUG TO SEE IF I COULD SEE HER FEET WALK BY SO I WOULD KNOW WHEN TO BANG ON THE DOOR. WELL, THAT'S WHERE I WOKE UP SUNDAY MORNING. SHE HAD STAYED AT HER GIRLFRIENDS, AND WAS NOT EVEN HOME. CARPET WAS NICE THOUGH.
CHRIS SIKES
ARLINGTON, VA. U.S.A. - Thursday, February 04, 1999 at 14:26:35 (EST)

i used to work in CVS pharmacy as a cashier. Ocassionally, we would get some really rude people in the store. One particular time, a woman walked in, and said, "where is the hydrogen peroxide?" so you know how when people are angry, their faces get contorted and it's difficult to read their lips? well, such was the case with this woman. i asked her to repat what she had said. She goes, "the hydrogen peroxide!!!!!" very very rudely...like I was some kind of dummy or something. So, I said to her, "Excuse me, I am hard of hearing. Can you repeat that please?" She turned completely red and hurried off in a huff without saying another word. I laughed about that for days afterwards. It totally disarms the rude ones! hee...hee..
sarah
northport, ny usa - Wednesday, February 03, 1999 at 22:58:26 (EST)

I was sitting around the dinner table at my friend Melissa's summer house. Everyone at the table except Melissa's dad knew that I am hearing-impaired. Her dad has a really strong accent, and I ALWAYS have trouble with the accents, so I kept praying that he would not say anything to me. Unfortunately, he did, and I couldn't understand a word he was saying. We went back and forth, with me asking him to repeat himself and him growing all the more frustrated. Eventually, he got really fed up and, using some kind of mock sign language, he asked, "Are you deaf or something?!" in a really mean voice. Everyone around the table suddenly noticed a stain on their pants or on the tablecloth and became incredibly interested in it. No one said a single word. The silence was terrible. Finally, Melissa whispered, "Dad, she IS deaf!" The man was so incredibly embarrassed. His face turned totally red and he kept apologizing to me. It was hysterical!
Sarah
Northport, NY USA - Wednesday, February 03, 1999 at 22:39:46 (EST)

About seven years ago, I went shopping and was waiting in line for the cashier. Two hearies ladies pushed me out of the way and exclaimed "Can't you hear me saying excuse me?" I pointed to my ears showing my hearing aids and said "Huh? I'm sorry I didn't hear what you said. I'm deaf in both ears." The look on their faces were confounded and I laugh my head off. I apologized and told them when they say excuse me and no one respond please just tap me on the shoulder. I promise I won't bite.
Susan
Augusta Georgia USA - Thursday, January 28, 1999 at 16:29:17 (EST)

I am a sign language interpreter who works in a mainstreamed setting. I remember one time in our A.S.L. session, my 9 year old student was talking about the human body. She commented that her mother had large breasts, but that I didn't. She then went on to tell me to not worry, because when I got older, they would grow! I explained to her that unfortunately for me, I was 24 years old, and I was as big as I would get. Her innocence made me laugh a lot. She seemed a little embarassed and said "Oh! I see!"
Christine
Canada - Tuesday, January 19, 1999 at 16:02:34 (EST)

I became deaf as an adult. Many of the people I delt with had no idea that I first had one aid and then two. When they would talk to me and I did not hear what they said I would say," I'm sorry but I did not hear what you said I'm wearing a hearig aid". The person speeking would look side ways to see if they could see the aid with a dumb look on their face. Then if I did not hear them the second time they would give up and say," It does not matter" and walk away. Being deaf, I think, is harder when one did not have a problem from the beginng.
Anonymous
Pittsburgh,Pa. USA - Monday, January 18, 1999 at 20:00:36 (EST)

I haven't really got over this embarrassing incident. A long, long time ago - at a hearing school where I was the only deaf student, the teacher waffled some kind of maths question and for the first time, I knew the answer before anyone could work it out - because I am pretty competitive, so I had to scream, "Six!" Everyone looked at me and burst out laughing. It was a moment before I realised that I said a certain word I shouldn't have said, e.g. "sh*t" It took a few days before they stopped taking the piss out of me.
Catty
Hell City, UK - Thursday, January 14, 1999 at 23:26:19 (EST)

A friend of mine who is deaf, one day stole a car and rode around in it, cruising and showing off for all his friend so that they would think he was cool. But he didnt noticed that the burglar alarm was making a hell of a noise,
so he was arrested for car theft.
anonymous
Norway - Thursday, January 14, 1999 at 16:19:20 (EST)

Younggu was driving a motocycle with his girl friend. Shw was behind him. But the speed was so high that she felt dangerous. So she cried out." Honey, please lower the speed!" Hearing her voice, he answered." I love you,too"
Younggu,Han
Changwon, Korea - Wednesday, January 13, 1999 at 04:28:41 (EST)

Younggu was driving a motocycle with his girl friend. Shw was behind him. But the speed was so high that she felt dangerous. So she cried out." Honey, please lower the speed!" Hearing her voice, he answered." I love you,too"
younggu,Han
Korea - Wednesday, January 13, 1999 at 04:25:24 (EST)

DO YOU HAVE ANY INFO. ABOUT DEAFNESS
ANONYMOUS
DUNCANVILLE TX US - Friday, January 08, 1999 at 10:14:58 (EST)

I'm TOTAL deaf. Well, in the morning, I almost missed my bus, I had to run. A boy was running behind me. I tripped on the water spinkler! My backpack was flying over me. I looked back and I saw a boy laughing at me and his face told me that he was think, "Isn't deaf people dumb?" I smiled and hurried got up and ran. He contuined to laugh all way to school! I was WAY embrassed by what happened to me!
Anonymous
Utah - Thursday, January 07, 1999 at 01:00:22 (EST)

A few years ago a friend of mine (Rachael) and I were on the underground in London. We were signing away and we were talking about our sex lives (or rather the lack of it) and our conversation was really personal and private but we didn't think anyone would understand us. Ten minutes later a deaf girl came up to us, I knew her face from somewhere but I did not know her name or where she was from but I knew her from the "Deaf World" - anyway she came up to us and told us that she was "listening" to us for twenty minutes and said we made her boring underground trip go faster. We wanted to die!
Amy Ebdon-Blanchette
UK (but living in America) - Wednesday, January 06, 1999 at 22:59:48 (EST)

I am a hearing person who learnt ASL in college a few yrs ago. I was on a bus when I noticed two people signing to each other. I hadn't seen too many people signing in a while, so I tried to nconspicuously listen in. I was having a hard time since they were signing so fast, but I thought I was going unnoticed until one of the poeple suddenly signed to her friend "Why is she staring at us?!" THAT I understood! So much for "eavesdropping":)
PSYCH123
Bklyn, NY - Sunday, January 03, 1999 at 21:44:11 (EST)

I am hearing and was in college learning Sign (but still pretty bad). I met a young Deaf man who was a teacher in a Moscow (Russia) school for the Deaf. I took him to meet a group of Deaf friends. He didn't sign ASL very well but spoke and speechread in Russian, so I "interpreted" with my equally pathetic Russian spoken language, Russian Sign, and ASL skills. Well, he was talking all about his home town of Moscow, and he used the RSL name sign for that city (an A hand tapping the cheek). I was clueless, and used his sign. What I was really saying was, "I grew up in menstruation. I like menstruation very much!" etc. Finally, a nice man across the circle from me got my attention and explained my mistake. I was REALLY embarassed. I looked in my Russian/English dictionary to try to explain to the Russian man, but it didn't have the right word. So, I just decided to change the name sign to NEW YORK with an "M". I explained later when we were away from the group. Thankfully, the people were really nice and never teased me about it, but I bet they had a great time laughing!
Anonymous
Alaska - Wednesday, December 23, 1998 at 02:40:10 (EST)

One day I was driving home from ASL class at college and didn't notice a stop sign until I was half way through it. When I saw the car coming from my right I slammed on my brakes just in time to avoid a collision. As the other driver passed slowly in front of me his look changed from anger to bewilderment as I was signing for "sorry". He probably wondered, "why is this guy rubbing his chest with his fist."
Eric
Little Rock - Friday, December 04, 1998 at 00:57:34 (EST)

I was 13 that time when I went to California for the first time with my mother. I was on the way up to my hotel room on the elevator. This old lady came on the elevator with me. I pushed the button to close the door. But the old lady pressed the other button for open. I pressed the door to close. And the old lady got rather pissed and started to yell at me. I could lipread very well and the old lady was saying "What the hell are you doing opening doors?? I'm trying to close the door!!" I said, "Um, you were pushing the door open and by the way, I'm deaf."
Charon
Canada - Monday, November 09, 1998 at 14:58:50 (EST)

My husband attended an all-Deaf residential school from K-12. His house-mothers and house-fathers were all hearing. One day, he was practicing (in sign) some new swear words he's learned and was busted by one of the house-mothers. She grabbed him by the ear and dragged him into the bathroom where she washed his mouth out with soap. When she finished, she asked him (in sign), "What do you have to say for yourself?" He got a spanking when he replied, "Shouldn't you have washed my hands instead?" He told me that story years ago and I still crack up when I think about it!
Pam
Minneapolis, MN - Friday, November 06, 1998 at 13:41:24 (EST)

*smiles* I have another one that I just thought of. It was a similar situation with my big group of friends all going out to eat for the night. Well, we all took turns paying so it worked out that about every 5 weeks, it was our turn again. This particular week, it was my deaf friend's (April) turn to pay so she was getting money from an ATM. It was a small group that night because a couple people couldn't make it so it was just her, me, Heather, and John. While she was getting her money from the ATM, me, Heather and John were just chatting nearby. I don't really remember what about, but we were usually being silly. So just the time April got the money from her ATM and turned around, John made this "universal sign"... ya know, the one that looks kinda like the sign for "morning" only done more forceful and with a fist instead of an open hand. April's eyes got sooooo huge and I quickly signed to her that we were talking about something silly and explained it to her. She looked visibly relieved. *grins* It was a few weeks later that I was flipping through a book "Signs for sexual behavior" that a friend had loaned to me and found that that "universal sign", in ASL, equates to a "big, giant erection." *giggles* When I told John and Heather about it, they just laughed so hard that they about couldn't breathe. :)
Rachael
Springfield, IL - Wednesday, November 04, 1998 at 08:44:17 (EST)

COMING BACK HOME FROM THE STORE ONE DAY, I FOUND MY HUSBAND HAD LOCKED THE FRONT SCREEN DOOR. I WENT TO THE BACK GATE AND ALTHOUGH MY HUSBAND WAS CLEARLY VISIBLE WHILE PAINTING A SHED, HE COULD NOT HEAR MY SHOUTING TO HIM SO I BEGAN THROWING PLASTIC SODA BOTTLES FROM THE RECYCLING BIN. BUT UNFORTUNATELY I "THROW LIKE A GIRL" AND THE BOTTLES WERE FALLING SHORT OF THE MARK. OUR DOG THOUGHT I WAS PLAYING WITH HER AND GRABBED ONE OF THE BOTTLES AND STARTING RUNNING AROUND. HER MOVEMENT FINALLY CAUGHT MY HUSBAND'S EYE AND HE SHEEPISHLY TURNED AROUND TO
SEE ME SIGNING FRANTICALLY THAT I HAD BEEN STANDING THERE LOCKED OUT OF THE HOUSE FOR 5 MINTUES TRYING TO GET HIS ATTENTION!!!
Anonymous
NEW JERSEY, USA - Tuesday, November 03, 1998 at 16:41:10 (EST)

My husband (Deaf) works at night, so I (hearing) usually disconnect the phone before leaving work so he will have undisturbed sleep from telemarketers. I am glad I did not do that one morning when I left without my key. I have a cell phone in the car, but without keys, I could not get in the car to call my husband via relay to come open the door! I called through the door opening to my pug hoping she could "do a lassie" and jump over the barrier to the kitchen, go the bedroom, wake my husband up, and lead him to the door. No such luck! Unfortunately, I had removed our door ringer from the door because it was scratching the paint, so I could not summon him by flashing the lights or shaking the bed. Desperate, I tried banging on the window, hoping that the vibrations would wake him. Finally I went to a neighbors' house, explained the situation, and asked to use the phone. I did not have the relay number memorized so tried I AT&T info service for the number and none of the operators had any idea what I was talking about!!! Finally, I got the number. I called my husband via relay and quickly told him to come to the door, I was locked out. Hurrying across the street, I was worried that I was too fast for the CA and my message was not relayed. But he was up and had opened the door. Needless to say, the doorbell is back on the door, scratches or not!!!
Anonymous
NEW JERSEY, USA - Tuesday, November 03, 1998 at 16:35:23 (EST)

I was at a resident camp when I was about 12 years old for deaf week. I am
hearing but loved deaf week the best so, I always came and this was probably my 3rd or 4th year. I had been learning some sign language and had learned the sign for "sorry". We were playing volleyball one day and I accidently hit one of the deaf boys in the head with the ball. I walked up to him and signed "sorry" (or what I thought the sign for "sorry" was) I had the correct hadshape but it was on my cheek instead of my chest, which is the sign for "period" The boy gave me a very strange look and when the interpreter told me why I was humiliated.
Anonymous
Tally, FL - Monday, November 02, 1998 at 16:35:31 (EST)

I am an interpreter for a college here, and during one of my first times in
front of a class, I was signing a sentence and getting ready to sign "SUPPOSE" - only my pinky did not make it to my forehead - it went up my nose! I was sooo embarrassed, but only my client noticed. Luckily, it was not the first time we had met! I will never forget that story!
Anonymous
Kansas - Monday, November 02, 1998 at 10:04:20 (EST)

One time I asked my deafie boyfriend if he wanted to go to a park near our house called "Chisolm Park". He was raised with Cued English, but now signs. This time, I just spoke to him - "Do you want to go to Chisolm Park?" He looked reallly perplexed for a minute and finally asked me, "Where is Chicken Park, I've never heard of it." Of course, I got a lot of laughs from that one. Once I signed what I had really said, so did he. We have called it "Chicken Park" since then!
Amy
Kansas USA - Monday, November 02, 1998 at 09:52:30 (EST)

When I was younger, my mother was a social worker for the deaf. As part of her job she would go and visit lots of different deaf people who were in her working area, giving out hearing aids and going about general social work business. During my holidays, I was too young to be left alone, so my mother would take me with her in the car. She would be in a persons house and I would wait in the car playing not with dolls but with the hearing aids (hearing aids then were much bigger!). I would try to pretend to be deaf, when people would walk past they would wave then see the hearing aid and say ahhh!
Vic Sanders
Birmingham - Monday, October 19, 1998 at 07:36:11 (EDT)

Oh, that's easy. Me and a big group of friends were going out for Thai food. One of my friends was deaf. She signed, but she also had a one-channel cochlear implant and spoke and read lips pretty well (she progressively lost her hearing till like age 8 or 12). Anyway, I tried to sign and speak around her both and figured she could pay attention to whatever she wanted to pay attention to. So this big group of my friends were going out to eat at this Thai restaurant that I really liked and I was explaining to her this appetizer they had called satee (also spelled satay). It's kinda like a shish-ke-bob and even tho I fingerspelled shish-ke-bob to her, she still didn't quite get it so I explained that they take a piece of meat like chicken or pork (and here I held out my left hand to represent the chicken) and the skewer it with a bamboo stick (and used my index finger of my right hand to kinda poke through the "chicken"). Her eyes got so huge and after I realized what I'd done all I could think to say was "no no no... not THAT!" What I'd done was kind of a cross between the sign for condom and a rather sloppy (tho clearly understood) sigh for sex. *giggles* That was one of the biggest laughs I ever had in my entire life. She later told me that her deaf friends would love me. :)
Rachael
Springfield, IL - Thursday, October 01, 1998 at 07:31:46 (EDT)

I once visited Galludett University in Washington DC with a friend who had an
uncle attending there. We went to the campus pub and ordered beers in sign,
except that he did a sloppy sign and actually ordered a prostitued instead, but
it was understood and he got the beer that he THOUGHT he was asking for.
Russell Erickson
Stuttgart, Germany - Sunday, September 27, 1998 at 10:19:24 (EDT)

I am a hearing child with deaf parents and growing up I always went with my
parents to the deaf community functions. I always found that when I was playing with the other kids and my parents decided it was time to go they would call me and tell me that it was time to go home and I would get ready to go and sit in the car and wait. I would be waiting for about fifteen minutes in the car while my parents would talk about their last minute gossip and then I would decide that I didn't want to wait in the car anymore and I wanted to play with the other kids and so I would get out of the car to play again. My parents would then realize that I wasn't in the car anymore and then they would come and get me again and look frustrated and tell me again that it was time to go. I would get back in the car with my parents and my parents would talk to their friends again while sitting in the car for another fifteen minutes and then we would finally leave to go home. I have other friends whose parents are deaf and they have shared the same experience and we laugh about it. When I was young it would frustrate me, but now that I am older it doesn't bother me anymore and I have learned that, that tendency is part of the deaf culture and that I need to be patient. They are my parents and I love them with all my heart, and I have learned that having deaf parents has given me more patience than any normal teenager.
Anonymous
Austin, TX - Tuesday, September 08, 1998 at 16:05:36 (EDT)

While in college I communicated to a lot of my friends across campus or
off-campus through the computer. One night I was talked to a male, Deaf friend of mine on the computer and he was talking about the problems he was having with his girlfriend. I asked him if he wanted me to come over to his apt. (she lived in the same complex) and serenade him to make her jealous. I asked him what he wanted me to sing and he replied, "You could sing Tip Toe Through the Tulips for all I care. I wouldn't hear you." I felt so stupid, but we had a good laugh over it.
ASH
Hopkinsville, KY - Monday, September 07, 1998 at 20:25:26 (EDT)

I first started learning sign language at my church about 9 yrs ago. I was a
very beginning signer at the time when one of my deaf friends told me a story
about her cat. I don't know why but I thought she signed "Aunt"! (I know they
dont look anything alike!) I thought she signed "my aunt had nine babies last
night!" I thought wow... this lady's going to be in the Guiness Book of World
Records! I asked "are all the babies ok?" She said "yes, fine" But she doesn't
want to keep all 9..." I thought wow, poor lady... I asked, well, mostly
fingerspelled cause I didnt know all the signs, " Was she taking fertility
drugs?" And she said"What? fertility drugs? my cat?! NO!" And I signed "oh, you mean cat! I thought you signed AUNT!!! Of course we both caught the
misunderstanding and laughed and laughed...haha! :) She's moved away now, but I still see her every once in a while, and we both remember the story and laugh about again! Now, I am a teacher for the HI and I tell this story to my students and they enjoy it too! :)
SLMA
Texas - Saturday, September 05, 1998 at 00:37:56 (EDT)

I am a deaf ed. teacher. One day during a science lesson we were learning about diffusion...Well, I was trying to pass out papers and answer a question at the same time (not a good idea) I ended up signing "ejaculation" instead of
"diffusion" without realizing it! You should have seen the looks I got from that
one! Afterwards, I had no problems getting their attention! They were in 7th
grade- =)
T.C.
Texas, USA - Sunday, August 23, 1998 at 12:31:23 (EDT)

I am hearing and take ASL in school. One day I was sitting in the public
library reviewing some new signs i had learned that morning. I was wearing
headphones (sitting in plain sight) and got bored so i was looking out the
window signing the song. This lady came up to me and tapped me on the shoulder. She asked me the normal question "Can you read my lips" and as usual with hearing people, she over enunciated way too much (i hate that). So i turned off my walkman, took off my earphones, and signed/said really loud, "what, i can't hear you" The lady looked around and turned bright red and then walked away. All my friends had a good laugh about it the next day
Starbuck
Seattle, Washington - Friday, August 21, 1998 at 02:39:16 (EDT)

It doesn't matter how much education a hearing person may have, they can make themselves look like the biggest fool there ever was if they have never had any experience with the deaf. A few years ago I was working as a teacher for hearing impaired students. The program for the hi was small and I was the only deaf teacher in a district of about 700 teachers. One year the district dicided to change from the jr high school concept to the middle school concept. One day there was a inservice training for all the teachers. I was sitting up front and my interpreter was doing her job. The speaker was a woman with a PH.D. She walked over to my interpreter and said, "can she read?". My interpreter was such a professional that she signed what that moron said without realizing at first that the lady actually asked if the deaf teacher could read. I was so stunned that I just stared at the so called educated speaker.I
anonymous
Phx, Az - Saturday, August 15, 1998 at 04:40:11 (EDT)

When I was in CSUN back in the 70's there was quite a bit of racial
tension.Unlike many white students, we Deaf students didn't have any problems with the Black students. I lived in the dorm and my roommate was always talking about the racial tension. One evening I was at my little table making myself a cup of hot tea. The door was opened wide. I was about to pour the hot water into my cup just as a tall Black student walked down the hall. He saw my door opened and stepped in a little, smiled at me and at the same time aimed his cup at me. I was looking at him while he said something and motioned with his cup. Thinking he was a poor student who need some hot water for a coffee or tea break, I started to pour some water into his cup. I tipped the pot and saw money in his cup. Puzzled, I called for my roommate. No answer so I told the guy to wait a minute. Called twice more. Each time a little louder. Finally my roommate sheepishly walked into the room. I asked what the guy wanted. She looked at me and said, "he wants you to contribrute to the Angela Davis defense fund.
anoymous
Glendale, Az - Monday, August 03, 1998 at 02:45:15 (EDT)

I am hard of hearing... I was baby sitting and the phone rang.. they did not
have a answering service.. I had to get it.. I picked up the phone..
said.."hello?" the person started talking to me... I could not make out what
they were saying very good... I told them to yell into the phone.. this person
started yelling real loud at me.. "why the hell do you want me to yell?" I had
to explain..*LOL* the person laughed so hard... it was so funny.. I guess you
had to be there..
Kari
USA - Monday, July 13, 1998 at 14:09:34 (EDT)

I'm hearing and a relatively new signer (19 mos.). One day my friend Debbie and I were talking about another lady who is in an interpreter's program. She signed to me. Asked me if I knew her. I signed, yes and asked where she knew her from. Debbie signed M-I-S-S then cookie then church. For some reason when I saw cookie I thought cake and understood Debbie to have communicated Mississippi Cake Church. I'm Jewish and I thought "well I know some people call Methodists casserole people; what is a Mississippi cake church? Maybe they bring cakes to church and eat them after services." I signed again twice and Debbie kept signing Mississippi cake church. Finally Debbie changed her tactic and asked me if I remembered the neighbor who waved the day we went to her house. That that was who she was talking about. The light bulb went on. Deb was signing " she goes to Miss Cookie's church." Big oops. When I told Deb what I thought she said she almost fell out of her chair laughing. Precious memory.
Cheryl Zapien
Dumfries, VA USA - Tuesday, June 16, 1998 at 21:24:49 (EDT)

I'm an independent Biker and ride a Harley. I made friends with many other
hearing bikers in all kinds of biker happenings. After a while getting to know
these people and there were some bikers who were amazed that deaf people can ride Harleys or party as hard as they do. One biker, perhaps never had met a deaf biker or a deaf person before asked me for a light so he could smoke a joint. I pointed my ear and told him I was deaf and couldn't understand him, so I asked him what he was trying to ask or say to me. He was huge, about six feet five inches tall. He looked scared of me by backing off with a big smile and put his hand up like a gesture that it was okay. I don't have good speech skills but I could try to talk to anyone who hears so I asked him again what the fuck he wants! His eyes popped wide open when I said that staring down at me which I am only five feet and seven inches tall. The tall huge biker said in amazement,"Gee, a talking mute". My other biker friend was sipping his beer and heard hm saying that and he laughed so hard made him gagged his beer out of his nose and mouth and told me what the big biker said. So I told my biker friend."How the fuck can a mute talk if he is called the "Talking Mute"? So it had been my nickname in the Biker World in Cleveland, Ohio where I originally came from. I thought it was pretty cool and funny. The big biker's name was Tiny! Tiny even freaked out when I offered him a joint of my own! He was so fucked up he had to sit down wondering that a deaf person like me ride a Harley and parties as hard as he does and whats more? I talked!
Len Green
Columbia, Missouri - Thursday, June 04, 1998 at 23:39:11 (EDT)

People telling me that i am cute and pretty so one day at united youth congress in st.louis, the man was using asl but i use english signed, so the man signing "you fine", i thought he said that i am fine!!!(pretty), so i said thank you! and he gave me the weird look like "what?" ooh then i thinking that he means how am i? so i played it off by telling him, i was just joking, then he called me a bad joker! ha!!!
Shante
Fort Worth, USA - Tuesday, June 02, 1998 at 13:24:16 (EDT)

My child signs in her sleep. It created a bright spot in my life. I and my
husband talk in our sleep. We often wondered about our daughter. One night, I was just watching her sleep. It seemed as though she was happy and eating. I wondered what her dream could possibly be. Then she signed - cookie. She was approximately 2 years old at the time.
Michele Berman
Massachusetts, USA - Wednesday, May 13, 1998 at 16:02:26 (EDT)

One day, My friend and I went to the park for swimming. When we arrive the park and we swim. We only swim for half hour because the life guard told us that we have to get out of the pool. Because they was closing. So me and my friend got out. While we was change to dry clothes and shoe we got a feeling that someone will left us out so I told my friend that I will cheked it out. But No one was not there. We got stuck there and it was locked the fence. We tried to get everyone attention and no one was not paying attention to us. So I have to call my mother for help but it was the answering machine. So we wait for somebody to get out attention. Finally a guy came to us and I told him that we are deaf and we stuck can't get out. At first he did not believe us then finally he ran and came back with the cop. The cop asked us why are we here. I explain to him what happen. So finally the cop call ed somebody to come to the park and somebody did and got us out of there.
Nicole Frate
Enicott, NY - Monday, May 04, 1998 at 17:04:17 (EDT)

One day, My friend and I went to the park for swimming. It wa last minute to go there. When we arrive to the park to swim it was only half hour. When the life guard told everyone that we have to get out of the pool because they getting ready to close. So me and my friend got out and change to dry clothes and brush our hair and get ready to go. But we was t he last person in there and no one was there and we stuck because they locked the fenecs and couldn't get out. so I had to call my mother and I hear the answering machine beep so I left the message to my mother. we wait wait for a long time. So finally I got the guy to get my attention and I told him that "We are Deaf and we can't use the phone because we can't hear. I told him that we need to get somebody to unlock the fences and he did not beileve me so I got mad and told him please get somebody because we stuck there. So he ran somewhere and came back to us with the Cop. So the cop ask us what happen and I explain to him what happen. So he call sombody to unlock the fenece. So finally somebody came and got us out.
Nicole Frate
Endicott, NY - Monday, May 04, 1998 at 16:41:57 (EDT)

y sister and i worked in a supermarket and she was checking out the customers order when he told her he had coupons... naturally she didnt reply coz she didnt hear him.....he started yelling at her and a one point he made her look at him & asked her ( real nasty) if she was deaf or something at which point she lifted up her hair and showed him her hearing aid.....he was so embarrased.....when he left we laughed .....to this day we laugh about this....
anonymous
lynbrook ny usa - Sunday, April 26, 1998 at 23:58:45 (EDT)

the funniset thing I can remember is when my daughter ws around 4 years old and wanted to sing to me in church. she was eating crackers and forgot to put them down and tried to sign school while holding her crackers. as you must know the crackers went flying everywhere. I just looked at her and told her," Sweety you can't talk with your hands full." The couple behind us started chuckling. Since then we have learned to put our stuff down before talking.
anonymous
newyork - Sunday, April 12, 1998 at 20:05:13 (EDT)

One day, my deaf friends and I (hard of hearing) went to my boyfriend's house. We started talking and I accidently signed to them that I was going to buy a new van. Next thing I knew, they were laughing their heads off. I asked why they were laughing about it, they told me I signed "I was going to buy sex" Opps, I guess I haven't learned ASL very much.
Anonymous
Sudbury - Saturday, April 11, 1998 at 22:43:52 (EDT)

I'm a hearing high school student, and I'm in a beginner's Sign Language class. There's a guy, "Sam" that I kind of have a crush on, and we always flirt. One day we were looking up signs in the dictionary. I put together a sentence, and signed it to him. Unfortuantely, neither one of us was paying attention to the teacher, who had been wathcing us sign. When my teacher saw me, he asked me to step up in front of the class and teach everyone the sentence I had just signed. With my face red, I faced the class and taught everyone, "Meet me after school. I want to see your naked body."
Anonymous
SLC, Utah, USA - Thursday, April 09, 1998 at 11:59:58 (EDT)

I am hearing. I am taking an ASL class and had just learned the sign for
thirsty. My friends and I had to do an class exercise where my friend would face the chalkboard and ask me a question that was on the board. I had my back to the board so I could not see what the question was. My friend was trying to sign, "are you thirsty" but instead it came out, "I lust for you".
Anonymous
San Diego, CA - Monday, March 23, 1998 at 22:39:58 (EST)

Would like to see or hear how you sign to compare to English Speaking.