31 replies to this topic

[MTB John]

In New Zealand drivers of Mini Coopers flash their lights in greeting as they pass by. When ever I pass by another Gimp I also wonder about the expected etiquette.
Is there an appropriate form of address that should be used or should I just pass by as I would any other stranger?

I usually play it safe and go for the head nod (something else we're famous for):



But I was wondering what others do??

[isobar]

I live in a big city, i guess it depends on the other party involved facials expression a lot of people wear a frown or scowl on their faces anyway whether in a wheelchair or not some people just dont want to be spoken to or approached and if i did speak it them the word gimp wouldn't leave my lips anyway as a way of saying hello. Then again if you saw me and used the word gimp to greet me then dont ......... walk on by like Issac Hayes said in his song.

[pistol_pete]

I seem to remember bringing up this tricky little question a while ago. Funnily enough I used the VW Kombi analogy, the 'kombi wave'.
It's an odd one isn't it, Just a smile and a nod I suppose, that's what I usually do, depending on the person. I don't meet many other chair users so not something I have to deal with too often.
I live in a small town and I'm the only person in a wheelchair. If someone else in a chair moves into town there's gonna be trouble.
Think the fat little welsh gay dude from 'Little Britain', Daffyth.

"I am the only cripple in this village"

Edited by pistol_pete, 31 July 2011 - 03:57 PM.

[pistol_pete]

http://www.apparelyz...post__p__178899

Here it is

[madhouse73]

I am quite a chatty smilry person anyway .i would probably just smile as go past .But am also aware occasionaly someone strikes up conversations becuas ethey are releived that they are not alone.

Mind I always get asked are they all yours if have the kids and have been known to say uhoh I seemd to collected a few more than had his morning

[wheelchairbarbie]

How about just greet him/her as you would greet anyone else?

We're not in a 'gang' we don't need special waves or hand signals because we're SCIs.

It's not like people who wear green shirts greet other green shirted people in a special way.

[ZEN12many]

I look for eye contact and give a nod. If the person doesn't want to make eye contact, that's ok. It's a big world and you can't greet everyone.

[Vanessamaee]

I dont think theres a specific way to greet a fellow gimp. Ive only been injured 3 months and I've seen people greet eachother different ways. I went to a lake thing my rehab center was hosting for SCI's and there were TONS of people there (there were only 2 of us girl sci's there so it was a rather lively place) lol but there was the common just hey or hello, then there was one "HELLO FELLOW GIMPS!!" besides that just a smile and a nob is what I do. (:

[goose]

good question...just be yourself. A smile and a hello is always acceptable. Then you can read their body language to tell if a few words would be okay. Never pass up an opportunity to make a new friend! Plus you never know when a simple smile might make someones day!

[MTB John]

wheelchairbarbie, on 31 July 2011 - 06:17 PM, said:

It's not like people who wear green shirts greet other green shirted people in a special way.

What if their Springbok/Packer/Celtic supporters?

What if their wearing a green shirt AND in a chair.
It's no wonder I have trouble sleeping at night.

[biggdoggpa]

wheelchairbarbie, on 31 July 2011 - 06:17 PM, said:

How about just greet him/her as you would greet anyone else?

We're not in a 'gang' we don't need special waves or hand signals because we're SCIs.

It's not like people who wear green shirts greet other green shirted people in a special way.

Speak for yourself!!! and it's Red or Blue cause of blood!!!

lmfao jk jk

[evilmac64]

how about hi

[Simba]

I don't think it really makes a difference.

I usually smile though and say hello, but thats' just me I'm polite and I know how rude others have been towards both me and my husband because he's in a wheelchair.

[nomis]

I probably mostly do the nod on eye contact but if I'm busy thinking of or doing something busy it might not register there was another person in a wheelchair till I'd gone by. Lots look away and appear a bit embarrassed (I guess they're still getting used to being in a chair). But I don't expect to make contact. Maybe, maybe not.

The other day I was staying in a seaside resort, mostly abandoned for winter. Just before sundown I decided to go get a bit of exercise with a wander. Here I was on this long straight road, not a soul around and the light fading. In the far distance a spot appeared in the middle of the road. We headed towards each other and slowly it emerged that the spot was another wheelchair pusher. A nod in such circumstances would be daft. We stopped and had a good chat before continuing on our way, still with no one else in sight. For one glorious moment it felt like wheelchairs ruled the world.

[greybeard]

MTB John, on 31 July 2011 - 01:32 PM, said:

In New Zealand drivers of Mini Coopers flash their lights in greeting as they pass by.

It's obvious. Not having headlights, you flash your crutches.

Please note, I have headlights on my scooter.

[wheeliebear75]

All depends on the a few things;time,where we're at,what we're doing, how I'm feeling, the way they appear as far as making any sort of eye contact and their overall interest towards any company/conversation,interest in anything in common like wearing a band shirt, but I almost always say hello.

Wouldn't it be an interesting episode of Twilight Zone if the norm were wheelchairs & being AB was the minority; restaurants with tables but no chairs, low counters at all bank tellers but of course they'd have to bend over, buses & trolleys with no seats just clamps, & all the health clubs would have the equipment that you wheel up to?

[allis53ca]

i curl my hand in the shape of a C, bang it against my chest and say "yo, wutt up crip"

[mcferguson]

allis53ca, on 02 August 2011 - 07:03 PM, said:

i curl my hand in the shape of a C, bang it against my chest and say "yo, wutt up crip"

[wheeliebear75]

allis53ca, on 02 August 2011 - 07:03 PM, said:

i curl my hand in the shape of a C, bang it against my chest and say "yo, wutt up crip"

[spot]

It just happens or not: the quick eye contact and smile or nod to indicate we understand one another. I don't go out of my way to address the person. He's a person like anyone else. I don't force myself on the able-bodied, so why do so to other gimps?

[Millard]

When I was walking with crutches and working at an auto dealership in the office, I saw a man coming through the waiting room and he had a severe limp. When he got to the window, I got up with my crutches and went to speak to him. All I did was ask, "Why do you walk so funny?" He replied, "I had polio, why do you walk so funny?" We became immediately became friends and I found out he was a doctor and wanted to upgrade from his old Mercedes to a much newer one.

I don't really have a way to greet anyone...I just say what I feel at the time.

I hope this helps.

[rollingtrouble]

I'm alot like my dog when he sees another dog. If I had a tail, it would wag furiously, I can't help it, I get excited. I usually will grin and yell "WHAT UP!" and wave and ask how they are doing. If they ignore me, I will sideswipe them with my chair in case they are deaf and blind and they will either tell me to piss off or say "Hey!"

[mcjane]

Like my dog, I sniff their butt. Kidding! Usually it's "Well hello fellow wheeler, how's it rolling?" Unfortunately I don't meet too many.

[Steven K]

Sup Cripple!

[The Black Sheep]

Steven K, on 10 August 2011 - 04:37 PM, said:

Sup Cripple!

Same, and I've never once found someone that took offense. I know we're not, like, a club or anything, but if someone is in a chair and they're out in public, they're not hiding their disability. And I so happen to share that.

So, Sup Gimp?

Or I just crash into them.

[dwht100]

I'm an outgoing person and usually at least exchange a nod/smile or a brief conversation when I see another wheeler. I have also noticed another reaction , some people in chairs go out of their way not to interact in any way, the obvious look in the other direction or even take a detour so as not to pass close. Anything to avoid eye contact.I have often thought about this and can only conclude seeing another person in a chair is too stark a reminder of their own situation, they are not comfortable with the chair.

[rollingtrouble]

dwht100, on 11 August 2011 - 10:23 AM, said:

I'm an outgoing person and usually at least exchange a nod/smile or a brief conversation when I see another wheeler. I have also noticed another reaction , some people in chairs go out of their way not to interact in any way, the obvious look in the other direction or even take a detour so as not to pass close. Anything to avoid eye contact.I have often thought about this and can only conclude seeing another person in a chair is too stark a reminder of their own situation, they are not comfortable with the chair.

HA! Thats where a good sideswipe comes in!

[rue2you]

wheeliebear75, on 02 August 2011 - 11:48 AM, said:

All depends on the a few things;time,where we're at,what we're doing, how I'm feeling, the way they appear as far as making any sort of eye contact and their overall interest towards any company/conversation,interest in anything in common like wearing a band shirt, but I almost always say hello.

Wouldn't it be an interesting episode of Twilight Zone if the norm were wheelchairs & being AB was the minority; restaurants with tables but no chairs, low counters at all bank tellers but of course they'd have to bend over, buses & trolleys with no seats just clamps, & all the health clubs would have the equipment that you wheel up to?

This is SO funny and we should so make a mock episode of this!! Too funny!

[Beautiful]

Am I the only who one usually avoids someone else in a wheelchair? Lol.

[wheeliebear75]

Beautiful, on 13 August 2011 - 11:31 PM, said:

Am I the only who one usually avoids someone else in a wheelchair? Lol.

I don't necessarily "AVOID"....although I haven't exactly gone out of my way to go rushing over to a fellow gimp either.