[Blindtlk] Other "wrong" assumptions;Learning body language

Wed Jun 3 01:03:04 UTC 2009

I learned something about body language from my numerous siblings who
were unsparing in their critiques of me; often people would tell me,
"quit frowning" which was usually when i was concentrating or thinking
or just doing nothing; i got kind of compulsive about it; then, my
curious nature led me to query my mom about things like shoulder
shrugs and the like; here in the islands, people use eyebrow raises to
convey lots - and i think after these many years i'm still learning of
the many ways it happens. anyway, i still talk to people about
gestures and behaviors, and i think that blind people should just ask
someone they trust about things; i've heard us (yes, the generic "us"
meaning each and everyone of us), described as wooden, expressionless,
stiff, and more.  i just ignore those things, believing that somehow,
rightly or wrongly, people who judge by visual impression are shallow
and uninformed.  Having said this, I know that people really _Do judge
by visual image, and I just hope that people can learn what they want
to about body language but not stress too much over it.
best,
kat

On 6/3/09, Dave Wright <gymnastdave at sbcglobal.net> wrote:
> Good morning all,
> Although I wasn't born blind, I was born in a different country where body
> language just like spoken language is a little different. I lost my sight
> gradually over a period of several years and can understand this topic of
> wanting to utilize body language to better enrich communication. Since going
> blind, I've noticed that I use body language more consciously than before
> going blind. For example, I have to make an effort to verbalize more when
> talking to blind individuals. I often find myself nodding my head or using
> hand gestures to indicate objects, or emphasize ideas.
> When talking to friends who are blind from birth, I've discussed the
> importance of utilizing body language as a tool, but not to be distracted by
> ones knowledge of it. In order to learn body language a positive means of
> communication, it is important to ask questions of family and other sighted
> peers. In my opinion, a certain amount of body language is natural is
> doesn't need to be learned. Just my thoughts.
>
>
> Best Regards:
> Dave Wright
> Work Phone: 651-636-5184 X803
> Email:
> dwrigh6 at gmail.com
> WebPage:
> http://www.knfbreader.com
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Tom Cramer" <tom.cramer1 at gmail.com>
> To: "Blind Talk Mailing List" <blindtlk at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Tuesday, June 02, 2009 12:33 AM
> Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] Other "wrong" assumptions;Learning body language
>
>
>> Yes.
>> I've often wondered very similar things.
>> I would love to get some answers to this as well.
>>
>> Tom
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: "Gerardo Corripio" <gera1027 at prodigy.net.mx>
>> To: "Blind-Talk" <blindtlk at nfbnet.org>
>> Sent: Sunday, May 31, 2009 12:05 PM
>> Subject: [Blindtlk] Other "wrong" assumptions;Learning body language
>>
>>
>>> Robert's message about false assumptions in the workplace reminded me of
>>> the following incident:
>>> The other day while attending a dinner with some coleagues one of them
>>> asked "Are you able to eat on your own"? comment which angered me, though
>>>
>>> I know the sighted person asked me with good intention it still made me a
>>>
>>> bit angry to the point that I know still lots of work needs to be done
>>> (especially in countries where the NFB isn't well-known or even heard
>>> of); this is why I really enjoy the list; ai always learn a lot from you
>>> guys.
>>> This brings me to another question especially for those of you blind from
>>>
>>> birth: How did you guys learn to use body language? I sometimes get to
>>> thinking that aside from integrating more with the sighted world, it
>>> saves our mouths from talking, especially while eating or doing other
>>> things that at that moment doesn't permit us to speak.
>>> also, when saying no (shake of the head) is it from side to side by
>>> moving the head from shoulder to shoulder or moving the head clockwise or
>>>
>>> counterclockwise?
>>> also what does srugging the shoulder signify? As you see we blind from
>>> birth lose a lot of things by not being able to see. And when I first
>>> introduced myself the RP I took it to mean Retinopathy of Prematurity
>>> like in spanish, thus didn't think to clarify the concept.
>>> Gerardo
>>>
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>>
>>
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>
>
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-- 
kathy millhoff - "Let each morn be better than its eve, and each
morrow richer than its yesterday."