Usually if I spot somebody signing-- I will ask if they are Deaf (if it is not too imposing and I got time) then I will chat a bit, then be on my way (with awareness so I don't disclose anything private if I happen to sign with somebody else in the same place). If they are only ASL students, then I will chat, then be on my way and don't worry about signing in private if they are ASL 100 students or something.
;-)
Another thing is that-- I will PREFER to know if I have been signing and somebody was WATCHING us-- usually I dont care, but I will PREFER if they DO KNOW ASL and they are also WATCHING.
It happened at Golden Spoon (a frozen yogurt place) when I was chatting with my deaf friend and when we were about to leave, a man in the line abruptly stopped us and signed: "hi, sorry, I know a bit of ASL-- I was watching your convo, but I tried to NOT watch, so I just wanted to let you know that I was peeking in once a while because I want to practice my ASL!" Well I think it will be better if he does it before-- to inform us that he is learnign ASL-- in case we were about to share something secretive (like where to bury the body??!!) if he intends to watch us.
For me, incidents like that make me more concious and be cautious about what I sign in public places-- ASL is no longer a "secret" language in hearing places.
