Deaf Pizza Night Research Paper

As a hearing person in a hearing environment I do not come across a lot of deaf people. I have only encountered three deaf people and in the three situations it was hard for me understanding them. Now I am taking an ASL class and it has been one of the best choices I have made in my educational path. The event I was able to go was the Deaf Pizza Night at Shakey's in Garden Grove. It was on July 16 from 6pm-8pm. There were only 5 deaf people in the event and a lot of ASL students. One of the 5 deaf persons in the Deaf Event was Rennie. He was kind to tell the others that not a lot of deaf people went to the event because the venue was too small. Instead they met at Starbucks located at the Outlets of Orange. Rennie was the only one who was approaching the students the other 4

deaf people were sitting down signing to each other. My observations were made from far away because I felt that I could see and understand their signs and strategies clearer.
Most deaf people use the standard hello sign to greet others. The first thing a deaf person wants to know about you is your name and if you or someone you know is deaf. They want to form connections with you so that they have something to talk about. Deaf events are important to the Deaf Community because they get to communicate freely with other deaf people. Unlike hearing people, when deaf people say goodbye it takes them a while before they actually do leave. Deaf people do not get to see each other everyday and have a lot to talk about that it can be hard to end a conversation. After a deaf event is over at one place deaf people may go somewhere else to finish their conversation.
Waving, stomping, touching or tapping one another or switching lights on and off are ways that deaf people ask for attention. Tapping and touching should be done lightly and used when the person is near. Waving can also be done when the person is near but you have to be careful that you do not exaggerate when you wave. If you are a hearing person you are not allowed to stomp or use the off/on lights to get people's attention because it is inappropriate. Deaf people have to take in consideration that hearing people are around when they stomp because it can be viewed as rude and annoying. I noticed that deaf people keep eye contact with you at all times when signing to show that they are paying attention. Facial expressions and body language communicate a lot to deaf people therefore you need to keep your face clear of obstruction.
As a student learning ASL it was common for me get confuse to what was being signed but deaf people take the time to make sure that you understand them before moving on, which was helpful.

If they see that you are confused they slow down and reword what they are trying to sign. Deaf people need an amount of personal space to be able to do arm movements that are required by some signs. Eye contact is important when signing so you have to avoid turning away, for it is considered rude. When in a group deaf people make sure to make eye contact with all the persons, they wait until someone is finished signing before responding, and if they need to make an comment they lift a finger or wave their hand. They do not hesitate to correct you when you sign something wrong and appreciate the effort of trying to communicate with them.
The Deaf Pizza Night Event was a new experience for me and I learned more about the Deaf Culture. Although only a few deaf persons went to the even I was able to gather information about how they interact with other deaf people and hearing people. It was not my first time seeing deaf people signing but because I knew some ASL it was different from the other

experiences.