Thread: So, was I rude?

Originally Posted by bknesal

You mention that you hated treated him differently because he blind, however you are REQUIRED to do so. Treating him differently does not imply you believing that he is a lesser man, you were merely adapting to his needs.

Thanks, that's a good point.

Just to be clear. I'm not beating myself up over this. I realize that he has probably had a lifetime of people treating him differently. I just felt that I could have been more respectful of him even if he did not end up taking offense. Next time I'll try to do better.

Thanks guys.

It sounds like you have played the part of the Good Samaritan to perfection. A dozen people walked by but you stopped to help, I think your intentions as well as the actions say a lot about you. Its all good! Life is a learning experience and you have learned something. I do agree that maybe you should have asked what the best way to help was, but I would have probably made the same mistake trying to act in an efficient manner.

Ut,
I'm adventitiously deaf. Once a year I attend a total immersion interpreter training program to hone my sign language skills. Part of the training involves working with deaf/blind people. Mobility issues for hearing blind and deaf/blind are quite similar.

Were you to accompany this gentleman all the way to the cafeteria, it would have been appropriate for you to place your right hand on his left forearm or upper arm and guide him that way. Since all he asked you was to point him in the right direction, what you did was wholly appropriate.

Trust me on this: that fellow was not offended. He much appreciated your help and your kindness. He could hear all the other people passing him by without offering him help. You deserve to feel good about this one.
Namaste,
Morty -_-

Ron,
What you have failed to take in to consideration is that your touch was just as important as the info you imparted. A blind man was lost in area full of people who were either indifferent, or too awkward feeling to help. You not only went to his aid, but you made physical contact. In our FaceBook /text message world ,we seem to have forgotten how important human contact is to us. I believe you handled the situation admirably. You were a kind individual who helped his fellow man,and did it in a way that allowed him to continue on alone,with his dignity,and maybe his faith in humanity,intact.

Kudos to you,Ron.

I am proud to know you.


Gary

The only thing I may have done different is say in a very loud voice, "May I help you" so that all the walking zombies may wake up for just a split second from their sleepless dreams and perchance recognize what Jesus meant when he said "Love thy neighbor..."

I would not hesitate to do exactly what you did. My own personality would lead me to add something. I've found that if you make a head on collision with their disability he or she will often, if not most of the time, appreciate it. I'll say something like, "It's right over there, next to the hot looking blonde." Of course you have to choose your audience carefully and make a judgement call. But - a hearty genuine laugh from him will make their day. That's truly being treated like everyone else and they usually appreciate it. Obviously, your milage may vary and not everyone can pull it off with success. My success rate is extraordinarily high. Don't hate me because I'm weird like that.

What they said. And if I read your original post correctly, since you mention that this gentleman was wearing a hospital ID badge, it sounds as if you and he work in the same place. Perhaps you'll encounter him again, and you'll have the opportunity to talk with him about it.

If more folks had the compassion and sensitivity with which you are so obviously equipped, this world would be in a lot better shape.

Instead of wondering if you offended by the was you helped him you should be proud that you helped another person in need. I can only imagine how scary it must be to be lost in a room with many people and have no one offer any kind of help. It is a window to your character

As everyone has already said, you did nothing wrong, and definitely could have done worse. Since it was just a light touch to direct him to where he wanted, I think the only way you could have offended him was if he had a big touching issue, and he likely would have made it known. I would have done it the same way, typically I think I'd have said something like "here" before touching him just out of instinct as a preamble to helping him, but it isn't necessary.

You should definitely be proud for stepping out and helping him when others didn't, human brains are hardwired to avoid doing that, and you did. Good on you!

I can't see that what you did was anything but the right thing to do.
Some sections of western society are becoming so hell bent on maintaining political correctness that it is becoming self-defeating. Sure, there are things we did a few years back that we cringe at nowadays, but we are in danger of throwing out the baby with the bathwater.