Deaf Groupies???

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JoeDawg

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I've never experienced this is real life only since I've been here on this message board but it appears as if there is a subculture of, for lack of a better term, deaf groupies. Have any of you ever met people like this in real life? What is their motivation for immersing themselves into deaf culture, attempting to learn ASL and generally seeking out deaf/HOH individuals to interact with? Does anyone else find it a tad creepy at times?
 
I have had one guy jump out of the vitamin store in the mall as I walked with my husband and start signing to me about his church's mission to the deaf.

So I would have to say yes.
 
JoeDawg said:
I've never experienced this is real life only since I've been here on this message board but it appears as if there is a subculture of, for lack of a better term, deaf groupies. Have any of you ever met people like this in real life? What is their motivation for immersing themselves into deaf culture, attempting to learn ASL and generally seeking out deaf/HOH individuals to interact with? Does anyone else find it a tad creepy at times?
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I think some people are strange. Like to have gay friend. Like to have black or asian or east indian friend. Like to have Deaf friend. Make them feel progressive or something.

But, yes, agree, strange people out there who think *cool* to have Deaf toy to play with and show off to friends. :roll: Ex-boyfriend like that. Reason he is ex. :giggle:
 
Haven't met any "deaf/Deaf/DEAF groupie" yet? Not sure how many "hiding out" at Bob Rumbal Senior centre here in Toronto.

Implanted A B Harmony activated Aug/07
 
Pertinent question: would deaf/Deaf/DEAF groupie be welcomed in the local community?

Implanted A B Harmony activated Aug/07
 
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I think its more so they are amazed with Deaf people. Its like anything else, when its not part of the norm. Some people find ASL to be beautiful and want to learn it. But there is an entirely different side of the groupie perspective. There are people in the world who have a fetish and we have seen some of those people here on the boards (i won't name names but people know who they are lol)
 
Bottesini said:
I have had one guy jump out of the vitamin store in the mall as I walked with my husband and start signing to me about his church's mission to the deaf.

So I would have to say yes.
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That is not a groupie it is a salesman.

I think the groupies are hearing people who are studying to become interpreters and want to hang around deaf/signing people for only that purpose.
 
Beowulf: wouldn't bother me -swimming. Groupies are invited to the pool-just bring a bathing suit and swim. No problem. Right- my implant disconnected-quiet!
Normally don't interact with persons while swimming. Not even using Fingerspelling! Important- Pay attention to "slow swimmers"-don't run into them!
Right-can practice "deaf swimming".

Implanted A B Harmony activated Aug/07
 
I just thought of something. I think growing up and being taught by teachers how to be a "hard-of-hearing" audist, I wanted hearing people to be my hard-of-hearing-groupies! :lol: I think during college as a "hard-of-hearing" audist looking in, I was the "hard-of-hearing" Deaf-groupie. But then I just accepted myself for who I am and all aspects of myself (deaf), got rid of what I had originally thought of as my "superior" audist views, and embraced what ASL and Deaf Culture has to offer me (Deaf).
 
Yes. I have two. They are cute college kids. One took ASL in high school. She is ok, not much bother. The other - ech. She pops out at the oddest times. I just shake my old grey head at them most of the time. The first always wants to sign with me. The second wants me to help her with her Psych/Soc lessons on the Deaf Minority. ha. I fixed her. I set her up to go to Deaf Bunco. She will learn lots. :)
 
I met few deafies that they are member of AD (how? pictures) but they have no idea I was a member of it. I love to hide.
 
Its one thing when people want to learn sign because they want to communicate with you...but ive noticed since switched at birth SO many people want to date a Deaf person, make it like a prize or a fetish...either way it is creepy. THEN you have the honest people that are learning signs but come here to quiz us and pick us apart on various views...Im just not really sure. It is weird and It bothers me that people want to be friends with or date a Deaf person as a prize.
 
Shoshana said:
Its one thing when people want to learn sign because they want to communicate with you...but ive noticed since switched at birth SO many people want to date a Deaf person, make it like a prize or a fetish...either way it is creepy. THEN you have the honest people that are learning signs but come here to quiz us and pick us apart on various views...Im just not really sure. It is weird and It bothers me that people want to be friends with or date a Deaf person as a prize.
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It's the same as when a woman watches a movie about an American woman moving to italy and falling in love with a sexy Italian guy. Then the viewer starts fantasizing about having the same experience and thinking all Italian guys are hot.

I really like that Switched at Birth is bringing deafness out into the open (I know I would have really enjoyed watching that show as a kid and would be hoping some of my hearing friends and classmates were watching it too) and in a way, I think this overrides some of the side effects such as hearing people coming here by the droves wanting to meet us because of some misconceptions they got. At least they're coming here and we can help correct some mistaken views and hopefully more hearing people will be educated as a result.

On the other hand, hearing people coming here and telling us we need an attitude adjustment after reading threads like "annoying hearing people stories" - makes me want to tell them to butt out and shut up. Until they're personally experienced deafness themselves, they have no business telling us how to think, feel, behave and act.
 
Deaf Groupies

Hello, I am a hearing person. Since childhood I watched deaf sign and always thought it was beautiful and so amazing they could communicate so well using their hands. I grew up married raised 4 sons and eventually went back to school to learn ASL as it still fascinates me. I am a second year ASL student who signs whenever anybody will sign back with me. One of my hobbies is genealogy and I recently found and uncle and a cousin in Texas nobody knew about them. When I was able to contact them it was to discover they are both deaf. I flew to Texas took a 5 day road trip with them and had a blast. They were so excited to learn to learn the family was much bigger than what they new of. I do not consider myself a groupie and we as students are encouraged by instructors to meet deaf and hard of hearing people. I'm am sadden to find some feel it is creepy, it really isn't meant to be.
 
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