[nagdu] Body language
Lyn Gwizdak
linda.gwizdak at cox.net
Fri Mar 11 19:52:24 UTC 2011
Julie,
I'd be interested in what you learn in the body language class. This is
something blind people don't get taught much - especially those of us born
blind.
Lyn and Landon
----- Original Message -----
From: "Julie J" <julielj at neb.rr.com>
To: "NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users"
<nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Friday, March 11, 2011 5:03 AM
Subject: Re: [nagdu] Body language
>I agree with everything you've said. I'll write back to the list with
>what I learn. I think that our body language could be another useful tool
>in dealing with access issues. At least it can't hurt. *smile*
>
> Julie
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Lisa Irving" <lirving1234 at cox.net>
> To: "NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users"
> <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Thursday, March 10, 2011 10:36 PM
> Subject: Re: [nagdu] Body language
>
>
>> Yeah Julie, there's a lot to be said about body language. That's why 70%
>> of what we discern from conversations comes from our body language. When
>> you've completed the workshop, I'd really appreciate it if you'd contact
>> me off line. I really want to know as much as I can about body language.
>>
>> These are some body language movements I've received feedback on. Looking
>> down in sighted society is read as lack of self confidence. Looking at
>> the person; in the direction of their voice and just a tad above, shows
>> assertiveness, self confidence and interest in what the other person is
>> saying. Many years ago a secretary ripped into me because I didn't look
>> in her direction when she spoke to me. She wrongly accused me of being
>> rude. Blank stares and not much facial expression is perceived as
>> depressed, stormy and odd. In social situations such as the women's Bible
>> study I attend, I try to have an inviting smile. I "gaze" around the
>> room. I'm not sure if it makes a difference. I figure it beats looking
>> like I often feel; that is, left out, alone is a sea of chatty and
>> friendly folks, a bit alienated too. My mother harped at me about pulling
>> my shoulders back and standing straight. I later learned not only did she
>> care about my posture, she also recognized how odd blind and visually
>> impaired individuals look when we look at the ground. In my case I used
>> to do that because I was straining to see. Speaking of straining to see,
>> I had a very fruitful conversation with a supervisor a few years ago. She
>> was bent because she thought I arched my eye brows in disapproval. I
>> explained to her that some visually impaired folks do this because we're
>> straining to see. She found the explanation helpful. Her feedback has
>> helped me to be cognizant about not arching my eye brows. She was also
>> quite upset with me because when I placed my hand on my hip and leaned
>> forward on my foot, she perceived me as being defiant. Finally, I was
>> involved in the production of an inclusion video a few years back. The
>> videographer spent more time than any of us planned coaching me on not
>> whipping my head so fast when I looked toward some one. I try to slowly;
>> not exaggerated, turn my head to one side. He gave me feedback on other
>> things I was doing that looked out of place. All of this has been quite
>> helpful.
>>
>> When I'm not glaring or scowling I find people are receptive to helping
>> or interacting with me.
>>
>> Lisa and Bernie
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: "Julie J" <julielj at neb.rr.com>
>> To: "NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users"
>> <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
>> Sent: Thursday, March 10, 2011 10:16 AM
>> Subject: Re: [nagdu] Beyond the Obvious...How Does Your Guide Assist You?
>>
>>
>>> Yup, I was in the pharmacy yesterday picking up meds for Kiddo and the
>>> cashier asks me where Monty is. I haven't been in there in months, but
>>> she always remembers Monty's name. I'm really tempted to ask if she
>>> remembers my name, which she doesn't because I've never told her, but so
>>> far I've remained polite.
>>>
>>> I don't mind casual conversations about the dog while I'm standing in
>>> line, riding the elevator or sitting in a waiting room somewhere. It's
>>> idle conversation that passes the time. I do get severely annoyed when
>>> I'm trying to conduct some sort of business and the person keeps
>>> getting distracted by the dog.
>>>
>>> I can't think of a single conversation about the dog that has resulted
>>> in some sort of long term business acquaintance or other beneficial
>>> relationship. Mostly people seem to want their curiosity satisfied and
>>> then we part ways never to meet again.
>>>
>>> I'm taking this workshop on body language next month. I'm very curious
>>> to see how body language might affect approachability. I wonder if that
>>> might be part of the reason that some guide dog handlers are approached
>>> more often, offered more help or experience more access issues. I think
>>> there are a lot of factors that figure into the equation, but body
>>> language might be one way we could steer the situation into an agreeable
>>> direction. it will be interesting.
>>>
>>> Julie
>>>
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> nagdu mailing list
>>> nagdu at nfbnet.org
>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nagdu_nfbnet.org
>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>>> nagdu:
>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nagdu_nfbnet.org/lirving1234%40cox.net
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> nagdu mailing list
>> nagdu at nfbnet.org
>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nagdu_nfbnet.org
>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>> nagdu:
>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nagdu_nfbnet.org/julielj%40neb.rr.com
>>
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> nagdu mailing list
> nagdu at nfbnet.org
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nagdu_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
> nagdu:
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nagdu_nfbnet.org/linda.gwizdak%40cox.net
More information about the NAGDU
mailing list