My wife and I are both deaf and unable of speech. Whenever we need to talk to, say, a clerk, we will ask for a pen and paper in order to be able to talk to this person. We would use our pager but find that the font size is too small for quite many of them. Writing on a paper allows us to write as big as we want.
The difference between me and my wife is the length of what we say. I tend to be brief and concise, while being as polite as can be. My wife writes in more complete sentences, minimizing the chances of being misunderstood, and in doing so, is more courteous.
Here’s my thinking of why my sentences are short: I’m already taking up time asking for pen and paper. You know that’s not always the easiest. Some people just do not understand for what I’m asking. Sometimes I have to repeat myself so many times! Additionally, writing itself takes up even more time. So I write in brief sentences, balancing the importance of being clear in my wording as possible. I feel that I’m respecting them by respecting their time.
My wife, on the other hand, writes in complete sentences to show respect in hopes that she is treated with the same respect in return. I do this occasionally, too, when I know I’m asking for something out of the ordinary–for which may need that extra pinch of courtesy. She doesn’t risk it and extends respect every time.
Take this situation as an example. I’m at the postal office to pick up a package. I forgot my I.D. at home, and before I retrieve it, I want to know if the package is at the office, not on the delivery truck. I write “Is it here?” (The clerk has my slip and knows I’m inquiring about the package.) My wife, alternatively, would write something like “Is the package in the office?”. There are some situations where I could write her sentences in much shorter versions.
- Write in complete sentences
- Write briefly as possible
Which are you? Should I write shorter or longer? Leave your tips in the comments.
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Posted on September 7th, 2007 by tayler
September 7th, 2007 2:18 pm
My name is T. Simmons and I am a hearing person. I think it all depends on what type of situation it is because you want to be brief but give some detail on what you want or what you want to do. It’s very courteous that you want to conserve their time but they are there to help you and everyone else. I hope this helps
September 7th, 2007 3:00 pm
In that situation (I hear), I would prefer the short version, and ask if I didn’t understand.
I can imagine other situations might require more clarity.
September 7th, 2007 3:09 pm
both!! smile. Like this hearing commenter, it depends on situations!! It also depends on the hearing people reacting to paper and pen. If flexible, I would write short. If unsure, or inflexible, I would write fancy.
Oh, those hearing people!
deafk
September 7th, 2007 4:38 pm
On paper, I write short sentences, because I write using a doctor’s penmanship.
On pager, I write medium sentences, because I dont want things to scroll down too much.
On computer, I write long sentences, because I type 80′ish WPM.
Grins.
September 7th, 2007 5:22 pm
Tayler, I’m more of both you and your wife’s.
Like at barber shop, I write down my name, phone number, and “walk-in” on it….that’s all. The barber may be in the middle with the customer so it’s better to do it short. And at gas station asking for a pack of cigarette, just the name brand, that’s all. (I don’t even smoke, just can’t think of another example to use for this comment….me sleepy tonight)
If I go to a doctor’s office without an appointment, it’s more appropriate to write complete sentence…..and it’s same thing going to an apartment leasing office…better to introduce myself and what I’m looking for in complete manner, it could make me look like a good resident for them.
September 7th, 2007 6:19 pm
I have never been one to try and solve a family dispute, ugh, I think my leanings would be towards the woman’s side. However……….
This time, I will have to say, “Short and sweet”. “Less is more” in a case like this. Most clerks in stores, the post office, etc. are very busy, very rushed, and I think a short note and to the point would be very much appreciated by them.
Lantana
Lantana’s Latitude
September 7th, 2007 6:28 pm
Ha no there is no family dispute, but thanks for the concern, Lantana
September 7th, 2007 6:50 pm
I can write different forms of English langauge.
At Wendy’s:
Combo 4
Extra Sliced Tomato
No Picke
No FF >>> Salad with Italian Dressing
I bet your wife probably write too long compelte sentence and that would waste Wendy cashier’s time.
Or Papa John’s:
1. Large handtossed Pepperoni with light sauce
2. Who is gonna to write like: I like to order a large handtossed pizza with pepperoni. I want to make it light sauce because of my bad heartburn.
Oh plez…it would make pizza ordertaker’s eyebrows higher then goes down like frowns.
Isn’t that very simple for any store employee to understand perfectly. I used to work various restuarants. Most of hearing people especially managers write like that . They also do not waste their time to write long formal sentences.
Every time, I have pulled over on the street by the enforced officers. Most of the cops do not use the formal written language in order to communicatie with me since they are simple writers. Maybe they do not have time to patience with me as the deaf driver with big foot.
I have interviewed for the opening positions. All I have to do is formal written introducations and conclusions. I have notice most of the interviewers do not use the formal written language during the interviewing period except introduction and conclusions since they do not have time to write hight-level intelligence questions.
About the Postal Office, I would write:
Yo Yo
Man, I dogga forgot about bring my ID…oh man.
Do me a great favor, Brutha (or Sweetie)
Can you get me a package for me (name and addy)?
Just kidding….I meant
Hello, I forgot to bring my ID but here is the yellow slip
Is the package here or still on delivery?
I can’t believe your wife would write “office”….they think your package is in their boss’s office instead of whole building of U.S.P.S. Maybe they check into the office and can’t find your package. They would say, “No, your package is not in office.”
Just write only if you have time: plenty of time or immediately. So, you know the answer: just write simply or formally.
Maybe you need to take a workshop: How to Write Plain Language.
Mookie
September 7th, 2007 8:16 pm
Hee, hee, I think Taylor opened up a hornet’s nest. “Perhaps the term “less is more” should be come a trademark for deafies dealing with hearing clerks?
Taylor, it might not have been a dispute BEFORE but wanna bet your wife has her dander up now?? I don’t blame her.
Wink,wink,
Lantana
September 8th, 2007 12:35 am
I’d do it medium.
“Has this package arrived?” (point to the slip)
Usually when I go to a place that is very busy, I write the message PRIOR to entering the busy place. I find it helps a lot, and the cashiers appreciate this.
When things are pre-written, they will blink for a second, and get moving. (Instead of having that awkward few seconds of “Oh my god, this guy is Deaf, and I have to deal with this guy at this busy hour”)
September 8th, 2007 8:20 am
Hi Tayler: here are two of my favorite writing strategies. (1) After the clerks at Starbucks misunderstood my spoken order a few too many times and gave me a latte instead of a chai, I took to reserving a page in my notepad where I wrote “CHAI TEA LATTE GRANDE” in large block letters. Then I put a flag on it and can find it any time I need to. (2) here in the SF Bay area, a lot of people at the ethnic restaurants I favor are not fluent in English, so one or two words are understood much better (and with visible relief) than a complete English sentence. I guess I’m more like you after all, eh?
September 9th, 2007 12:16 pm
Well, if you write a note beforehand, you’re risking a big scare for the workers because they might see the handed written note as a written demand by a robber!!! It CAN freak them out! So, be very careful about handing the written note when you arrive…..I rather wait until I get to the worker and then ask for paper and pen then write briefly as much as possible to what you want. I tried that approach at the bank, and oh man, the bank teller almost freaked out when I handed the written note to her, and I had to reassure her….oh wait, I can’t hear….here what I wrote…. to calm her down. That is so sombering….so be very careful with writing notes ahead of time.
September 13th, 2007 11:17 am
Depends on flexiabiltiy and situation. Frequently, I use short and sweet.
You might never know several clerks who can’t read the English, keep in mind!
October 3rd, 2007 8:28 am
Tayler, why am I not surprised that you and Debby are different in this way. Tayler, you are my brother and guess what, I am turning into you! I used to write longer (depending on who anyway). But since I have two kids in tow, forget it! I write in much shorter versions. But if it is to a professional level without kids around, I would write differently.
So maybe Debby will change when you two have kids??
October 22nd, 2007 1:07 pm
I think that the both of you have the best ideas to fit your individual style, while maintaining your courteous mannerism’s. I, however, agree with your simple approach. Less is more, and if the person you are writing the message to understands what you wrote, then that makes it even better.