[Blindtlk] assumtions at the workplace

[Robert J Smith]

Speaking about assumptions made about us when we're walking -- one day I 
had two in one day.  In the morning, when i was approaching the 
badge-driven entrance gate at the plant where I work, someone asked me if 
I was looking for my dad.  I was in my early fifties at that time.  I 
calmly replied "no, I work here" as I moved the badge through the reading 
slot and the gate let me in.

Then, at the tail end of the day, I was starting to go down the big main 
hallway which goes all the way across the building and then out.  I 
realized that I forgot something at my desk and abruptly turned around and 
started walking back the other way to go back to the desk.  I take quick, 
confident steps when I get to know a route.  However, someone who saw me 
do the quick turnaround said "It must be bad not knowing where you are all 
the time."  I said in an irritated, clipped voice "I forgot something at 
my desk."  I actually felt like saying "I know where the HELL!!! I am, I 
forgot something at my desk just as you could".  Getting hit with it twice 
in one day added up for me and workwise, I didn't have that great a day 
anyway.  Fortunately this doesn't happen often!

Then another time a number of years ago, somebody told me on the way in 
that he couldn't imagine anything worse than being blind.  I would have 
tollerated it but the way he said it was particularly condesending so I 
said "I don't know, being parilized from the neck down ought to be pretty 
good".  He then actually replied "Well, I could still watch TV.  I gave up 
with him at that point.  I wanted to say "Oh, wow, how long would that 
have lasted for you before you started going insane with bordom -- maybe 
two weeks?"

Bob Smith

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