Hello! I am not deaf (though I do have hearing loss in my left ear from being hit on that side) and I also don't know any deaf people. I have always wanted to learn ASL, think it may be helpful in my chosen career, and wound up here hoping to make some new friends and learn more about deaf culture. I have only been here a few weeks, but everyone seems nice, if not a little distant, like on most forums when someone is brand new. I would imagine a lot of people join, post a few times, and then are gone, so people probably want to see how serious you are or if you will stick around before they get too involved...at least I am hoping that is what it is!!