[nabs-l] phone numbers at night clubs

Jedi loneblindjedi at samobile.net
Mon Jan 4 06:28:20 UTC 2010 

I personally don't feel any more or less vulnerable than anyone else 
either because I'm blind or because I'm a woman. I think a little 
common sense goes a long way when you're out. For example, keep a cell 
phone on you so you can call for help if you need it, a ride home via a 
friend or a taxi service, or if you need to locate someone or be 
located. A cane is a must have if you don't have a dog and if you are blind.

As to common sense, it goes without saying that one shouldn't get into 
a car with someone you don't know unless you're positive you can trust 
them. And in that case, go with whatever your gut's telling you. 
Generally, your intuition in these matters is pretty accurate. This 
also goes with accepting invites to private parties, or receiving 
offers from strangers to escort you some place. Also, when I go walking 
at night, I make damn sure it appears I know where I'm going even if I 
don't. That means walking confidently and briskly. Confidence helps a 
great deal. And if I am not sure where I'm going, I'd prefer to ask a 
taxi driver, a police officer, or a business owner/someone who works at 
an establishment for directions. I have found a GPS to be a useful 
device in avoiding getting lost. If you do use a GPS, it's better to 
use a portable one that isn't so obvious such as those you can get in a 
cell phone. And finally, it's always a good rule to play it safe rather 
than to be sorry. If you're not sure about a person or place, don't go 
there. When you do communicate with strangers, be assertive and be 
ready to tell them what you want and don't want in your communication 
with them. That doesn't mean being a jerk, but clear communication can 
resolve conflicts ranging from how much help someone ought to give you 
to whether or not you're interested in getting to know someone better. 
I hope these ideas help. Oh, and by the way, it's never a bad idea to 
learn a couple of self defense moves for just in case. Whatever you do 
though, don't carry a weapon of any kind because it's likely to be used 
against you if your attacker gets their hands on it.

Respectfully,
Jedi


Original message:
> Hello list, As I read this great thread, I wonder, as a woman, what the
> thinking is about going out to clubs and bars alone, with just a cane and
> cell phone?  I have never tried this, but I would like to venture out alone,
> maybe you could share your experiences and ideas?  Most of my friends I do
> hang out with are not into clubs, so this would be a solo outing for me.
> Thanks , Ginny
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Briley Pollard" <brileyp at gmail.com>
> To: "National Association of Blind Students mailing list"
> <nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Sunday, January 03, 2010 7:28 PM
> Subject: Re: [nabs-l] phone numbers at night clubs


>> Depending exclusively on a sighted guide is of course not wise. Having no
>> other mobility aid available is  foolish. However, using sighted guide in
>> addition to another mobility aid is useful at times such as in loud and
>> crowded environments such as night clubs. I'm not saying hang on to your
>> friends all night, (that is obviously awkward and defeats the purpose of
>> going tout to have fun), but it still can be helpful. Even when I'm with
>> blind friends, often someone might hold my arm while using their cane just
>> to insure we stay together in crowded environments. My point is it
>> shouldn't be disregarded as a viable tool in addition to others.

>> BrileyOn Jan 3, 2010, at 6:37 PM, Jedi wrote:

>>> And that's why one should avoid depending  on a sighted guide if at all
>>> possible so that their decisions don't have to affect yours.

>>> Respectfully,
>>> Jedi


>>> Original message:
>>>> hmm no i wouldnt take my guide dog since music would be loud and there
>>>> would
>>>> just be too  much activity but i never really take a cane either. I
>>>> think
>>>> the first time i went to a bar since my vision loss or a  club yes i had
>>>> my
>>>> cell and my cane but after the first time i left it and went with
>>>> friends
>>>> sighted guide.

>>>> here is another question alittle off topic. What if you went sighted
>>>> guide
>>>> and your guide ended up drinking. do you drink too? what if you wanted
>>>> to
>>>> drink, would you do it in a nightblub or bar or even alittle further in
>>>> public?

>>>>            -Teal
>>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>>> From: "Brice Smith" <brice.smith319 at gmail.com>
>>>> To: "National Association of Blind Students mailing list"
>>>> <nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
>>>> Sent: Friday, January 01, 2010 5:16 PM
>>>> Subject: Re: [nabs-l] phone numbers at night clubs


>>>>> I know this is slightly off topic from the original question and
>>>>> others might have different opinions on this, but a club or bar is the
>>>>> last environment I'd feel comfortable losing any type of independence
>>>>> whatsoever. What happens if you find yourself separated from your
>>>>> friends? As a guy I never go out at night without my cane, cell phone,
>>>>> and some extra cash ... and for good reason women usually worry over
>>>>> this more than guys do. Buy an identification cane or one of the new
>>>>> ambutech telescoping canes if you need something light -- anything to
>>>>> keep yourself feeling and looking independent if something unexpected
>>>>> happens.

>>>>> To add to the original question, ditch the notetaker or anything extra
>>>>> that unnecessarily weighs you down. Except for my cane, I never carry
>>>>> anything that can't fit into my pocket. Doing otherwise is asking for
>>>>> trouble.

>>>>> Brice
>>>>> On 1/1/10, Adrianne Dempsey <adrianne.dempsey at gmail.com> wrote:
>>>>>> I think taking a note taker to the club is a bad idea.  I don't even
>>>>>> bring
>>>>>> my purse because it is just something to carry around.  You don't want
>>>>>> to
>>>>>> set it down somewhere, and you would just look silly dancing with it.
>>>>>> In
>>>>>> fact I don't even bring my cane because I don't know what to do with
>>>>>> it
>>>>>> on
>>>>>> the dance floor.  I usually go with a friend and just go sighted
>>>>>> guide.
>>>>>> I
>>>>>> hate loosing a bit of independence but what ells can you do.  If I go
>>>>>> with
>>>>>> other blind friends then I usually bring my cane but I always feel
>>>>>> silly
>>>>>> with it at the club.  As far as phone numbers...  I think having
>>>>>> someone
>>>>>> ells program it in to your phone is fine if you can not do it
>>>>>> yourself.
>>>>>> But
>>>>>> my phone is not very accessible and I can do it.  I just  hit o.k. and
>>>>>> it
>>>>>> brings up a menu the first thing on the menu is add contact.  I hit
>>>>>> O.K.
>>>>>> again, and then you can type in the number then down arrow and type in
>>>>>> the
>>>>>> name. Then hit o.k. again and their it is.  Another option is to have
>>>>>> a
>>>>>> bizness card with your info, so you can give the new person your
>>>>>> number.
>>>>>> This is probably not so necessary as pretty much every one has cell
>>>>>> phones
>>>>>> now but it is a thought.  The slate and stylist is a good idea to if
>>>>>> you
>>>>>> can
>>>>>> get a hold of one of those ninny slates.  But you have to be careful
>>>>>> with
>>>>>> this option, because you could get stabbed with the stylist if you
>>>>>> move
>>>>>> funny or if your pants are tight.


>>>>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>>>>> From: "Beth" <thebluesisloose at gmail.com>
>>>>>> To: "National Association of Blind Students mailing list"
>>>>>> <nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
>>>>>> Sent: Friday, January 01, 2010 4:24 PM
>>>>>> Subject: Re: [nabs-l] phone numbers at night clubs


>>>>>>> Hmmmmm. Interesting subject.  I would've taken the notetaker just
>>>>>>> because I'm pretty touchy feely about my information.  The numbers
>>>>>>> are
>>>>>>> not programmable by a blind person in my cell phone, so a note taker
>>>>>>> is a good option.
>>>>>>> Beth

>>>>>>> On 1/1/10, Kevin Wassmer <commanderlumpy2003 at earthlink.net> wrote:
>>>>>>>> Hello folks. It's been a long time sense I have bought up a
>>>>>>>> discussion
>>>>>>>> on
>>>>>>>> here. First of all, I will say I am doing fine. I have a job at
>>>>>>>> Verizon
>>>>>>>> Wireless working at a call center. It is challenging. How it is
>>>>>>>> rewarding. I
>>>>>>>> am glad to finely get off of social security soon. Or as I call it
>>>>>>>> socialist
>>>>>>>> insecurity. But that's another story.

>>>>>>>>                I want to bring up a topic. I use to go to night
>>>>>>>> clubs
>>>>>>>> back
>>>>>>>> in the day. I did not want to bring my Braille Note with me because
>>>>>>>> the
>>>>>>>> thought back then of bringing my note taker sounded strange. But I
>>>>>>>> would
>>>>>>>> always have a problem if I met someone and wanted to get their
>>>>>>>> number.
>>>>>>>> This
>>>>>>>> was because the music was so loud that it was hard to communicate. I
>>>>>>>> use
>>>>>>>> to
>>>>>>>> have people program numbers in to my cell phone at nosy places like
>>>>>>>> that.

>>>>>>>> My
>>>>>>>> question to you all is this. Being blind, would you have taken your
>>>>>>>> note
>>>>>>>> taker to the night club? The more I think about it, the more I
>>>>>>>> believe
>>>>>>>> a
>>>>>>>> Slate and Styles would have been a great option for some like the
>>>>>>>> night
>>>>>>>> club
>>>>>>>> sidereal. What would you have done?
>>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>>>> nabs-l mailing list
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>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>>> nabs-l mailing list
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>>>>>> _______________________________________________
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>>>>> _______________________________________________
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