Attention Getting Techniques Deaf Culture

Attention Getting Techniques 101 Waving your hand, tapping lightly on the shoulder, lightly slapping the table at which someone is sitting, and--in some circumstances--stomping your foot on the ground or flashing the lights, are all common ways to get the attention of someone in the signing environment. Discretion should be used, (especially with stomping or light flashing) because not all ways are appropriate at all times and there are right ways to do it. 


Stomping your Feet If you stomp more than twice you run the risk of looking like a child throwing a tantrum. If you stomp too heavily you might cause people to think you are angry.

Waving your Hand If you wave your hand wildly in someone's face you are being rude. Always use the minimum amount of movement to get the job done effectively. 
 If you wave your hand wildly in someone's face you are being rude. Always use the minimum amount of movement to get the job done effectively.

Tapping someone’s shoulder If you tap someone on the shoulder using a single finger or using too strong of a jabbing movement it will hurt. If you use too light of a movement it will be unnerving. You should generally use a bent hand and make contact twice using the tips of the fingers.


Don’ts for Newcomers Newcomers to the Deaf World would be well advised to NOT use the stomping or light flashing methods until they have lived amongst us for long enough to have seen these behaviors repeatedly and have become familiar with their proper use.
 Snapping your fingers should NOT be used to attempt to get someone's attention in a signing environment.