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Stamps — Awkward Introduction
Published: 2012-07-18 08:55:16 +0000 UTC; Views: 3144; Favourites: 154; Downloads: 7
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I read a news story a couple years ago about a convenience store clerk who mistook a Deaf person's lack of verbal response for rudeness. The store clerk became so upset because the Deaf person didn't reply to him, that he threw the customer's change on the floor, and while the Deaf person was picking that up, the store clerk hit him over the head with a blunt object.Sadly, I see somewhat similar occurrences all the time (sans the violence) when a hearing person will address a Deaf person I'm with while the Deaf person isn't looking at the hearing person, so the Deaf person isn't even aware anyone is talking to him or her; the hearing person will often not know how to react to this, sometimes mistakenly perceiving that the Deaf person is deliberately ignoring him or her.
Anyway, that was part of the inspiration for this scene from the animation I'm working on with a group of artists here on dA. Toby tries to introduce himself to Katie, but she's reading her book on Tcl and never even notices him.
character art sketches by
coloring & tweening by
background by
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Comments: 18
im not deaf and i feel bad like thats horrible i can remember me being like 9-8 and being like WOW
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I'm not part of the deaf community, but I can relate.
People perceive me as normal- that is, until there's a language barrier (and they get exasperated trying to clear it) or I scream (not AT any one, just scream) or I have an anxiety attack, etc. I have a SD, in training, but he's mine. They just assume I'm just training him for whomever (yesterday it was Paws) and I must be normal. Because my scars aren't visible either. They're under the surface. And people wonder what an "invisible" illness is. 
Thank you for representing the deaf community. This is a good picture and a great idea! Thumbs up!
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I have only ran unto a few deaf people, but that is why I took the time to learn a little sign language
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If you think some is deaf, It is perfectly acceptable to gently touch their arm or hand to let them know you are trying to get their attention. there is no need to automatically assume that they are being rude and ignoring you. The picture is adorable and well done
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Nice drawing. I find it strange that some would be angered when person would not notice them, it would be natural to asume that something made the person not hearing either listning to music or that they were deaf. It's sad that people would go to violence just because they think they are ignored.
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Ah, yes.... We need to be educated, and learn to see more readily that not everyone we meet is hearing.
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That's the style I was telling you about before with the simplistic, stylized, flat coloring with many details added to make it look high quality. 
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It does look detailed. I'm not sure how well I'd be able to re-create that style. I'm kinda "bleh" at art sometimes. Haha
How well do you know color schemes? Do you happen to have concept art you want to have colored? (I'd rather color since I don't trust myself with proportions or line art all too much)
"So, uh. What book are you reading there?"
"Ahem... Well, it was nice meeting you... bye" :C
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I don't have any bg art already sketched to be colored, no.
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I've seen that kinda thing go down cause my best friends sibling is deaf and likes to read a lot so she never sees when people talk to her... even city cops have yelled at her.
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Yeah, a misunderstanding with police due to deafness is a fear of many of my Deaf friends. Sometimes police officers have received training in how to recognize and approach Deaf persons but not always.
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i should learn sign language and become a cop
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