I was wondering the proper way to introduce myself to a blind person. Let’s say I’m at a party and want to start a chat and don’t know the person’s name (as I can then not address them personally).
I wouldn’t feel right touching a person I don’t know to get their attention…it bugs the crap out of me. Is it better to wait until they are speaking with someone they know and then asked to be introduced?
Any thoughts?
No big deal. Just “Hey, man, my name’s sj2. How you doin’? Great party, huh?” Just like you would anybody else. You can get their attention just by talking, usually. Most people who have been blind for a while get pretty good at responding to and recognizing voices if you make it reasonably clear you’re speaking to them.
“Hello.”
Don’t just touch them to get their attention. Most of the blind people I know expect it, but hate it.
Also, if you ever have to guide a blind person, don’t grab their bicep and steer them around. Offer them your elbow (bump their arm with it and they’ll grab hold), and then walk normally to guide them. I hate when they get this wrong on TV.
Are there any blind Dopers?
There is a blind man who sits next to me at a concert series. I don’t know his name, nor he mine. I get there and greet him before I sit down and he recognizes my voice. Then I usually read him the program, etc. and I ask him about his wife and son. (She used to come and then she was pregnant and then he started coming alone, so that’s how I know.) Once I guided him to the bus stop, but mostly someone else comes by to do it. He seems very familiar with most of the music, so I imagine that he is listening to music when I am reading.
The simplest thing to do is walk up, say hello, and introduce yourself. Then wait for the blind person to extend his/her hand for you to shake (you’ll feel like an idiot if you extend yours, reflexively, an then realize, “Oh yeah, he can’t SEE my hand!”). After that, just converse like any two regular people.
One little thing: sighted people often worry about using words and phrases like “See you later,” or “It’s good to see you.” Don’t fret about that! Blind people use all those same expressions, they know what you mean, and they’re NOT looking for some excuse to get offended!
and dont raise your voice. theyre blind not deaf. I am a bit sure as to how to exactly make them realize I am talking to them when its annoying to actually tap them on the shoulder and say hi. I would imaging offering to help them would be tacky; Im pretty sure they can do it on their own quite well.
Just move to within a conversational distance of the blind person, face him, and address him. He can tell how far away you are, he can tell that you are facing him, and he knows what a normal distance for conversation is. Just like with any other person, the closer you are, the more intimate you are being. The only difference is that you have to get close enough so that he is reasonably sure you are addressing him. I would guess that blind people are more used to responding to a ‘hello’ directed at someone else, than seeing people, but it happens to everyone.
I think that it’s quite alright to also say ‘My hand is in front of you’ so they know you’re ready to shake hands.