Flicking the light switch?

Flicking the light switch to get the attention of a deaf or HOH person...

  • is extremely rude.

    Votes: 2 7.4%

  • is commonplace and not rude.

    Votes: 12 44.4%

  • is interpretted differently by different people, and may or may not be considered rude by who it is.

    Votes: 13 48.1%
  • Total voters
    27
A

Alika

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Hi everyone! I'm new to the forums, :)

While I am hearing, a friend of my mother's is deaf and I know another man who is HOH. My mother's friend lip reads, and can hold a conversation with me, but I suppose I feel like I'm making her do all the work. I used to know some formal SEE, but I'm trying to learn ASL now.

My mom also has a colleague whose wife is an ASL interpreter. She mostly does medical interpreters, but some time she works in a legal setting. I find that very interesting, and I'm somewhat inspired by her. Since I work at a library, I think knowing some ASL would also be helpful if a deaf or HOH person needs my help.

Anyways, I'm using several methods to learn. I've read in multiple places that if you are entering the office, home, workspace of a deaf/HOH person and they don't notice you, then it is okay to flick the light switch. I first heard this from a CODA woman. It makes sense to me, partly because I have a habit of not entering unless I'm invited. I knock on an office door and wait before my boss (or someone else) invites me in. She said waiting around hoping to get noticed is awkward, so if a light switch isn't available just try and walk into their line of sight or tap them gently on the arm.

I asked a question of ASL etiquette and I mentioned what she said, and of the two responses I got back both said that flicking the lights sounded extremely rude. Neither one said whether or not they were deaf/HOH so I'm not sure what to think. I'm not very touchy, so I would find it more awkward to approach someone's desk and touch them and potentially startle them.

But maybe I'm in the wrong? Are the majority of people okay with someone using the light switch to get their attention, or is this actually considered rude?

-Alika
 
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Touch the person, a tap on the shoulder is my preferred option, turning the lights off and on? No thanks :-(
 
It really depends on the exact situation (and sometimes where you live, as "attention getting norms" can vary in different countries)

If you are trying to get the attention of a number of people turning the light off (count 1 sec) then back on again works best. You don't "flash" the lights like a strobe (that is annoying and can trigger seizures in some people with various seizure conditions!!) - rather just turn it off and on in about 1 sec intervals (once or twice)

If you are going to be walking up to someone to communicate with them - then just tap them on the shoulder ... one tip - if you are entering a room and their back is too you make sure you don't just walk right up behind them and tap them (it startles a LOT of people!). Instead approach from the side so that they can see you out of the corner of their eye first then tap them. IF that isn't possible (and it's a classroom , private room/office or a bedroom/living room etc) the light may be better.

The best thing to do, is simply ASK the person/people what they're preferences are (there are a number of "attention getting techniques" including a very specific "stomping" on the floor - however this is NOT a good idea unless you know EXACTLY how to do it correctly and in which situation to do it otherwise it can be VERY rude)

HTH
 
Alika said:
My mom also has a colleague whose wife is an ASL Interpreter. She mostly does medical interpreting, but some time she works in a legal setting. I find that very interesting, and I'm somewhat inspired by her. Since I work at a library, I think knowing some ASL would also be helpful if a deaf or HOH person needs my help.
Click to expand...

I fixed that for you. ;)
 
Turning the lights off and on is best used in group settings where you have to get the attention of everyone at once. Even hearing teachers sometimes use that method in hearing classrooms--it's better than shouting.

I wouldn't use the lights to get the attention of one deaf person within a group of hearing people, no.

Unless you use a laser pointer beamed directly on the person.

Just kidding! :lol:
 
We use a flick of the lights to get attention around here... from the DeafEd classroom to nearly every deaf household I have been in and activity I have gone to.
 
Reba said:
Turning the lights off and on is best used in group settings where you have to get the attention of everyone at once. Even hearing teachers sometimes use that method in hearing classrooms--it's better than shouting.

I wouldn't use the lights to get the attention of one deaf person within a group of hearing people, no.

Unless you use a laser pointer beamed directly on the person.

Just kidding! :lol:
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:laugh2: I like this method.

:cool2:
 
At work when people come in my office or need my attention I prefer them to flick the lights. I have a nasty startle when I'm deep in thought and someone taps my shoulder. It also helps if I'm in a meeting or on the VP rather than someone bursting into my office.
 
I startle too easily, so my family know to flip the switch.

Reba- we do have a little red laser pointer that my son uses from the living room to get my attention. :)
 
KristinaB said:
I startle too easily, so my family know to flip the switch.

Reba- we do have a little red laser pointer that my son uses from the living room to get my attention. :)
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Cool. :) As long as that is accepted by all parties, no problem (just don't aim at the eyes).

I have a Crimson Trace laser but I don't think anyone wants that red dot pointed at them. :lol:
 
Reba said:
Cool. :) As long as that is accepted by all parties, no problem (just don't aim at the eyes).

I have a Crimson Trace laser but I don't think anyone wants that red dot pointed at them. :lol:
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The one we have is quite old. My father had it at least 20 years ago while teaching English as a Second Language classes here in town.

Son loves to play with it and the cats we had loved to chase the light. Such a neat little toy.

I figured that since I startle so easily, this was a harmless way to get my attention at times. He just likes to play too much and bothers me for no reason, so I have to hide it once in a while. :giggle:
 
Switching lights on and off is fine for if you want everyone in room look at you or the only person in room but not one person in room with plenty of others. I prefer lights on and off than tapping me cos most people tap me from behind and that scares me sometimes when I am not expecting this!
 
My friend works in a deaf advocacy office and they use mini nerf guns to get each others attention, I love it! Lol
 
marcyp06 said:
My friend works in a deaf advocacy office and they use mini nerf guns to get each others attention, I love it! Lol
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not me. I wouldn't like that. I don't like any object thrown at me to get my attention. I consider it rude and classless.
 
Jiro said:
not me. I wouldn't like that. I don't like any object thrown at me to get my attention. I consider it rude and classless.
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Ages ago when I worked as prep cook in a Mexican food restaurant, I told the cooks to throw an olive at me to get my attention. I regretted it soon after because it sort of got out of control. :lol:
 
flick 'er

Since you said you would flick the lights as an invitation to enter an office I would pick the light switch. Not only does it startle less it keeps your distance from the person you are trying to sign too.
These days especially if someone is on the puter you have to keep your distance !! I have gotten angry responses if I get within sight of someones web site !! Embarassing at times believe you me
Play it safe flick 'er
 
It's a wonder that my "old ticker" hasn't stopped ticking after being startled so many, many times when I'm deep in thought, whether at work or home and someone comes over and pats my shoulder!.....

Flicking the light switch is fine with me!...I've been scared silly many times when people come up behind my back or out of vision range and just tap me on the shoulder.....But I'd draw the line if someone threw something at me!...Especially food!....That's rude (or to me it is).
 
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