[NAGDU] [nagdu] Preferential Treatment was: Blanket Prosciption Against Advance Notice

[Buddy Brannan]

Yes, but there's rude, and there's rude. What some consider to be rude might actually be rude, but on the other hand, some people think that just asserting oneself and saying "no" is rude. Don't believe this happens? Try telling someone they can't pet your dog. There seems to be this perception that we are always cheerful, and should always be pleasant and accept whatever anyone deigns to offer us, all with good grace of course. We aren't allowed to say no, turn down assistance, or lead private lives while not being someone's sideshow freak. Oh yeah, and we're supposed to like it. Tell me I'm wrong. As for me, I reject this notion entirely. I demand my humanity, with everything that that implies, including the very reasonable need to sometimes have a bad day. That doesn't mean I will just be rude and nasty as a matter of course, but neither does it mean I'm going to plast on a happy face and tell you my life story just because you think I should. 

As to preferential treatment, everything has a cost. Sometimes it's worth the cost, and other times it is not. TANSTAAFL, you know. 

Bottom line, and in general, you can have equal, or you can have special, but you can't have both. 

--
Buddy Brannan, KB5ELV - Erie, PA
Phone: 814-860-3194 
Mobile: 814-431-0962
Email: buddy at brannan.name




> On Dec 2, 2016, at 4:01 PM, S L Johnson via NAGDU <nagdu at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> Hello:
> 
> I am always very grateful when the airline moves me t a better seat.  That 
> is much better than my dog being squished in a tight place and the passenger 
> sitting next to me complaining about having to be near a dog.  I consider 
> that a reasonable accommodation.  I feel the same about preboarding.  If 
> they are willing to let me get myself and the dog settled before the other 
> passengers begin pushing and shoving then I am all for it.  I do not think 
> in any it is demeaning to us as blind people.  It is no different than them 
> allowing extra time for someone using a walker or wheelchair.  Let's get 
> real, it does take us a bit longer to get ourselves settled and avoiding the 
> crowd is much better, especially when people these days are so impatient and 
> likely to cause a fuss.  I think many blind people are much too sensitive to 
> what some of you consider preferential treatment.  If you were a senior 
> citizen who needed more time would you think it was wrong to let them have 
> it?  no, you probably wouldn't.  I think we have to quit being so judgmental 
> of others.  If you do not want what you consider as preferential treatment 
> then politely decline it but don't knock anyone else for taking it.  Show 
> appreciation for any airline or any other public transportation or 
> accommodation for being kind enough to offer you a better place for you and 
> your dog.  Changing the public attitude about blindness goes both ways.  We 
> cannot insist on respect if we become rude whenever anyone tries to be nice 
> to us.  One day many years ago I was in New York city.  I was at a very busy 
> intersection waiting for the traffic light to change.  I did not know that 
> signal was out of order until a person came up to me to offer assistance. 
> That woman said she was very reluctant to offer assistance because many 
> times she had been yelled at by blind people when she offered to help them. 
> She said she found blind people to be very rude and hostile.  Obviously this 
> is not the image we want to give the public.  Therefore, if you do not want 
> assistance or to take advantage of other accommodations you don't think you 
> deserve, then please decline with extreme politeness and consideration.
> 
> Sandra Johnson and Eva
> -----Original Message----- 
> From: David via NAGDU
> Sent: Friday, December 02, 2016 3:24 PM
> To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users
> Cc: David
> Subject: Re: [NAGDU] [nagdu] Preferential Treatment was: Blanket Prosciption 
> Against Advance Notice
> 
> I think that comparison is a bit of stretch, Marion.
> 
> If the regular seats would fit ordinary humans, I might consider it
> preferential treatment, but since they don't, I think it is a reasonable
> accommodation.
> 
> I don't mind paying for adequate space, by the way, but I also don't
> mind not being charged for it.
> 
> David and Claire Rose in Clearwater, FL
> 
> On 12/2/2016 1:16 PM, Buddy Brannan via NAGDU wrote:
>> This is a little like what we hear so many times about God giving us a 
>> keener sense of hearing or touch to compensate for our blindness.
> 
> 
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