[nfb-talk] Convention Rudeness

Debra Baxley debrabaxley at bellsouth.net
Tue Jul 10 16:46:55 CDT 2007 

Thank you for that perspective!  This is just a thought: Shall we bring, or
hire, our own personal O&M, or cane travel instructors in order to help us
negotiate the crowds?  

Debra

-----Original Message-----
From: nfb-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nfb-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
Behalf Of Steve Jacobson
Sent: Tuesday, July 10, 2007 7:50 AM
To: NFB Talk Mailing List
Subject: [nfb-talk] Convention Rudeness

Cheryl,

As someone who has attended 34 conventions now, I am particularly sorry to
hear of the difficulties you had while 
attending your first one.  I would caution everyone to keep in mind that in
a convention of that size, there will be a 
certain number of rotten apples.  

Many people seem to really dislike the elevator setup in the Marriott,
having the separate sections, and I observed a 
good deal of frustration over that.  I found that setup to be a good thing
since there were fewer people on each.  Still, I 
noticed that some people were already frustrated when they arrived at the
elevator.  

I also believe that this hotel is not the easiest to navigate.  First, it
has rather wandering pathways and obstacles on 
some floors that prevent one from going directly to, for example, an
elevator when you here the elevator chime.  This all 
contributes, in my opinion, to an increased level of frustration.  Second,
some of the pathways are not that wide making 
it virtually impossible for two people with a cane and a third with a guide
dog to pass one another without negative 
interaction.  You mentioned staying to the right, but I know that I caused
frustration for several people as I tried to make 
certain I found a left turn.  It was unavoidable.  

I remember one time in the exhibit hall when, after looking at something at
a table, I stepped to my left making room for 
the next person but stepped on a woman's foot.  I should have checked before
stepping to the left and I didn't have my 
cane out in that direction because it was in my right hand.  The woman
sarcastically proclaimed that canes were useful 
tools, or something to that effect, meaning that I should consider using
one.  Naturally, I was wrong and had been 
momentarily careless, and in response to her I simply apologized and left it
at that.  I am sure, though, that in her mind, I 
was one of those rude conventioneers who didn't use a cane.

I have never been to a primarily sighted convention of the same size.
However, I do know that there are some rude 
people in every crowd but it manifests itself differently.  It does little
good for blind people to give one another the finger, 
for example, although this may happen in a sighted convention.  Being
mistaken for elevator buttons is inexcusable, of 
course, but I know that the practice of visually inspecting women in a
manner that is uncomfortable is also widespread 
at sighted conventions and is equally wrong.  Obviously, it is less
invasive, I understand that, and I am not justifying any 
of the behaviors above.

We can always do better individually and as a group, though, and I'm not
trying to say otherwise.  I fear, though, that 
some of this is simply modification of crowd behavior that tends to occur in
any large, tired crowd, with some members 
engaging in alcohol.  It is also probably true that this is one of the few
travel experiences for some people as well.  I don't 
think we should just put up with whatever people throw at us at conventions,
but I do think that it is a time when 
understanding is in order.

On Tue, 10 Jul 2007 06:02:49 -0400, cheryl echevarria wrote:

>As a rookie, I had found people very very rude. I try to be a little nicer
especially since I am from NY, they think we are 
so rude or you are from NY, that is just general not meaning convention. But
I found it angered me I am newly blind the 
last 5 years, and the people there including the teens, and I found that
blind teens are just as disrespective as sighted 
ones. I know my mobility we walk close to the right side of the hallway, or
by sighted guide or even by a guide dog 
which I have, I tried to stay out of people's way since I know a lot of
people don't care for the dogs, I understand, I just 
feel more secure with the dog, since I was unsecure with my cane. I use it
if I have to. But there were cane travelers 
walking 2 by 2 in the hallways with 2 canes  going back and forth, that is
not right there were canes travelers that kept 
hitting my dog, and them saying the dog shouldn't be there in the first
place. or the ones there were walking around 
without a cane, dog or sighted guide. Yes I am new and first impressions
mean a lot. We should respect each other if 
we want the sighted community to do the same.
> 
>cheryl echevarria
>NFB of NY/Long Island
>----- Original Message -----
>From:
>mailto:debrabaxley at bellsouth.net Debra Baxley
>To:
>mailto:nfb-talk at nfbnet.org 'NFB Talk Mailing List'
>Sent:
>Tuesday, July 10, 2007 12:10 AM
>Subject:
>Re: [nfb-talk] Resolutions
>In response to your last email. Welcome th the uncivilization of
>conventions, especially, on the elevators!  I guess that people have to get
>places much too quickly!
>Debra
>-----Original Message-----
>From: mailto:nfb-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org nfb-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org
>[mailto:nfb-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
>Behalf Of kaye zimpher
>Sent: Monday, July 09, 2007 10:27 PM
>To: NFB Talk Mailing List
>Subject: Re: [nfb-talk] Resolutions
>Yeah I'd gladly pay more.
>----- Original Message -----
>From: "Brian Miller" < mailto:brian-r-miller at uiowa.edu
brian-r-miller at uiowa.edu
>>
>To: < mailto:mabullis at hotmail.com mabullis at hotmail.com
>>; "NFB Talk Mailing List" < mailto:nfb-talk at nfbnet.org nfb-talk at nfbnet.org
>>
>Sent: Monday, July 09, 2007 7:28 PM
>Subject: Re: [nfb-talk] Resolutions
>> Frankly, I wonder how long we can keep getting rates in the $60 range.  I
>> travel a lot for work and pleasure, and I can tell you this is absolutely
>> unheard of outside of Motel Sixes in Moose lips, Montana, or West
Overshoe
>> Idaho.
>>
>> Personally, I would be willing to pay a few dollars more to be able to
>> check
>> out a few cities other than the ones we keep returning to year after year
>> after year after year.
>>
>> Nothing against Atlanta, Louisville, or Dallas (ok, maybe Dallas), but
>> woe!
>>
>> Brian Miller
>>
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: "Michael Bullis" < mailto:mabullis at hotmail.com mabullis at hotmail.com
>>
>> To: "'NFB Talk Mailing List'" < mailto:nfb-talk at nfbnet.org
nfb-talk at nfbnet.org
>>
>> Sent: Monday, July 09, 2007 12:24 PM
>> Subject: Re: [nfb-talk] Resolutions
>>
>>
>>> Actually, as I understand it, one of the big concerns is whether we can
>>> continue to get our very very low rates for rooms.
>>> If prices go up substantially will members not be able to attend
>> convention?
>>>
>>> Mike Bullis
>>>
>>> -----Original Message-----
>>> From: mailto:nfb-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org nfb-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org
>[mailto:nfb-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
>>> Behalf Of dmgina
>>> Sent: Monday, July 09, 2007 11:52 AM
>>> To: NFB Talk Mailing List
>>> Subject: Re: [nfb-talk] Resolutions
>>>
>>> Well now,
>>> If we are paying the prices the hotel is asking for, then they have no
>> rite
>>> to ask us to make the convention shorter.
>>> This is planned in a year in advance what is the problem here.
>>> Don't care for this at all.
>>>
>>>
>>> --Dar
>>> http://www.mypowermall.com/biz/home/5779
www.mypowermall.com/biz/home/5779
>>> Every Saint has a past
>>> Every Sinner has a future
>>>
>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>> From: "Michael D. Barber" < mailto:m.barber at mchsi.com m.barber at mchsi.com
>>
>>> To: "'NFB Talk Mailing List'" < mailto:nfb-talk at nfbnet.org
nfb-talk at nfbnet.org
>>
>>> Sent: Monday, July 09, 2007 6:04 AM
>>> Subject: Re: [nfb-talk] Resolutions
>>>
>>>
>>> > Brian:  The vote was overwhelmingly to leave the schedule the same.
>>> > Dr.
>>> > Maurer indicated that unless something new came up, he was content to
>>> > leave
>>> > things the same.  The problem seems to be that our conventions are so
>> long
>>> > that some hotels do not want us because they have to turn away other
>>> > business or take smaller conventions.
>>> >
>>> > -----Original Message-----
>>> > From: mailto:nfb-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org nfb-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org
>[mailto:nfb-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org]
>> On
>>> > Behalf Of Debra Baxley
>>> > Sent: Monday, July 09, 2007 7:10 AM
>>> > To: 'NFB Talk Mailing List'
>>> > Subject: Re: [nfb-talk] Resolutions
>>> >
>>> > That is what it means.  We will have the same schedule.
>>> >
>>> > Debra
>>> >
>>> > -----Original Message-----
>>> > From: mailto:nfb-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org nfb-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org
>[mailto:nfb-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org]
>> On
>>> > Behalf Of Brian Miller
>>> > Sent: Monday, July 09, 2007 6:40 AM
>>> > To: NFB Talk Mailing List
>>> > Subject: Re: [nfb-talk] Resolutions
>>> >
>>> > Debra,
>>> >
>>> > By agenda, do you mean the convention schedule?  If so, does this mean
>> we
>>> > will not have a shortened week next year in Dallas as had been
>>> > proposed?
>>> >
>>> > Brian Miller
>>> >
>>> > ----- Original Message -----
>>> > From: "Debra Baxley" < mailto:debrabaxley at bellsouth.net
debrabaxley at bellsouth.net
>>
>>> > To: "'NFB Talk Mailing List'" < mailto:nfb-talk at nfbnet.org
nfb-talk at nfbnet.org
>>
>>> > Sent: Sunday, July 08, 2007 11:45 PM
>>> > Subject: Re: [nfb-talk] Resolutions
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >> They decided to keep the agenda the same as it is.
>>> >>
>>> >> Debra
>>> >>
>>> >> -----Original Message-----
>>> >> From: mailto:nfb-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org nfb-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org
>[mailto:nfb-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org]
>> On
>>> >> Behalf Of dianna
>>> >> Sent: Sunday, July 08, 2007 10:30 PM
>>> >> To: NFB Talk Mailing List
>>> >> Subject: Re: [nfb-talk] Resolutions
>>> >>
>>> >> where can we get a copy of what resolutions were brought up and
passed
>>> >> and
>>> >> what did they decide to do about the agenda.  We had to leave early.
>>> >>
>>> >> _______________________________________________
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>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> nfb-talk mailing list
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