This post may contain affiliate links; by clicking on and buying through these links I will earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you: helping me to keep Blind Girl Adventures running.
As you can probably guess from the title this is going to be a ranty post about my pet peeves of being blind… Skip this if you don’t want a headache from the whiny blind girl 😉
My Pet Peeves of Being Blind:
1. Calling my cane a stick. It is made from metal, and painted white, why on earth do people insist on calling it a stick?
2. Avoiding any vocabulary that involves using words such as see, watch, read or look. Just because I’m blind doesn’t mean the language I talk has suddenly changed… “Can I have a look? “Don’t you mean feel?” ** And breathe Sassy* ”
3. Blind people who encourage this – I was listening to the TV last night… You’re endorsing the overuse of being politically correct. Just stop it!
4. People tagging me in pictures on Facebook, and NOT telling me what the picture is… It’s even worse when it’s a worded picture, and all Voice Over says is “Image”
5. Leaving a room/ walking away and not telling me. Yes I love the sound of my own voice, but that doesn’t mean I will get any feedback from the walls!
6. Moving things and not telling me. I’ve always had OCD tendencies, everything has a place, so if you move something in my house without asking me first, you’ve just given me a good 10 minutes of searching!
7. Similarly, if I’ve made you a cup of tea, and you’ve finished it, please put your cup in the kitchen next to the sink. I’ll have forgotten about it and won’t remember until I’ve washed all the dishes and poured the water away that I made you tea 3 hours ago!
8. Walking into me head on… I know you just have to send that “lol” text instantaneously because let’s face it, your friend won’t believe you found it funny if you send it more than a minute after you read it. But whilst you’re in phone land, I’m trying to keep in a straight line and get to my destination unscathed. Get your face out of your phone and pay attention to what’s around you!
9. Hand rails that don’t start/ stop at the beginning or end of the stairs. I hold on to the handrail to let me follow the steps, but also to hold myself up, my balance is terrible, and when the handrail suddenly finishes but there’s still 3 steps left… Total heart in mouth moment; I swear I’ve nearly broken my neck several times!
10. Stickers on fruit. They are tiny, and mould to the shape of the fruit, I’ve eaten the sticker at least twice, but more often I’ve felt it in my mouth and removed it at the last second. It’s certainly not the end of the world, but I felt like an utter moron! So can we all agree to get rid of these little blighters?
If you hadn’t guessed already, I like a good moan, so I’ll stop here for now 😛 Any irritations or pet peeves that get on your nerves? Leave me a comment below 🙂
Much love, Sassy x
For more similar posts, check out my recommendations below:
Half of these irritate me too and I’m not blind, so they must be beyond annoying for you! I hate stickers on fruit (I hate stickers in general) and people not looking where they’re going while on their phone happens so often and is just unbelievably rude.
Hey,
Oh it’s beyond annoying isn’t it? Especially the people with their face in their phones! If i end up tripping them with my cane because they weren’t paying attention, I have no sympathy! Looool i’m cruel 😉 xxx
I can see why these things must drive you potty! I’m not blind but I could feel myself getting vexed and nodding along with you as I read! Pesky stickers in fruit! Grrr!
Thanks for sharing lovely.
Dawn xx
Hey Dawn,
Thanks for sharing the annoyance and your sympathy!
Hope you are having a lovely day? xxx
Hi,
I publish an Australian website on disability news and opinion at:
https://mydisabilitymatters.com.au
and was wondering if it might be okay to republish this article and any other relevant ones on our website, with appropriate credit and a link back of course.
It would help spread your work and gain a wider audience for you.
Hope we can work together and I am quite happy to publish other articles you may have written that aren’t on your blog also.
Thanks,
Dale.
Hey Dale,
My apologies for such a delayed response!
I would be honoured for you to feature my post on your website!
I shall check out the website and get in touch, just encase you do not receive this reply.
I look forward to working with you! Thank you for the opportunity 🙂
Sassy
Hey Sassy,
Can I follow Dales request and re-blog on our website too?
We are www. adiaccess.co.uk
Thanks
Hey,
Once again, sorry for the delayed response, but yes you can. 🥳
I’m guilty of so many of these. I can see and have a few friends visually impaired but I never think. I’m better at not moving things, and helping to guide but so many foot in mouth when talking. Iv given directions by colour, told them just over there you can’t miss it (clearly they can) and asked the awkward questions oh my god did u see that? What colour was that thing? I’m so blessed my friends have a good sense of humour or Id have lost them a long time ago lol
I do also describe any pictures I share now too. I’m learning. Only taken me a few years
Hey Claire,
Thanks for sharing! I must admit I did chuckle reading this! I’m sure your friends love and appreciate you for who you are, and of course all the help you give!
Don’t worry about foot in mouth comments, look/see/watch/ read, don’t really tend to phase VI/ blind people, it’s our vocabulary at the end of the day!
Good for you for explaining pictures, you sound like a great friend! 🙂 xxx
I am not VI, but I have a blind son (9). He is still fairly tolerant of how the seeing world reacts to him. However, as his father I find it increasingly annoying when other grown ups stop in the street, point at him and nudge the people they are with and say, out loud and very obviously, “look at him, he must be blind” (well done for spotting his cane!) or talking to him through me “does your little boy want ….” (He can speak, boy, can he speak, so why not talk to him yourself! ) or address him in a tone of pity – the “ah, bless him” approach.
Hey Allan,
Unfortunately this happens far more often than I want to admit, over time, either you as a parent will learn to ignore it, or your Son will be responsive to these comments.
Also, as a parent, don’t be afraid to speak up for your Son, when people are being deliberately ignorant or condescending. It’s better to educate these people, than allow them to continue in this way.
Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment! 🙂 xxx
My mum is blind and the worst thing is people saying “do you know who this is?” / “can you tell who I am from my voice?” really puts her on the spot and makes her feel so embarrassed
Hey Kim,
Thanks for leaving a comment! Oh, peoples’ ignorance aggravates me! Your Mum may feel uncomfortable saying this at first, but I think if this happens again in future, she should politely remind the person that it puts her on the spot, and makes her feel uncomfortable! Maybe, just maybe, these people don’t realise how rude they are being, and how upsetting it is for your Mum!
🙂 xxx
Great article Sassy
Any more to come ?
Jacqueline x
Hey Jacqueline,
Thanks so much for the lovely comment! Yes there are, do you like this specific type of post?
I can do more, i’m good at having a moan! 😉 xxx
Enjoyed your post and got to learn a little bit about what to and not say when I encounter a blind person.
Great post!
Hey Maria,
I’m glad you liked the post, and learned something along the way 🙂
Thanks for taking the time to leave me a comment, I really appreciate it 🙂 xx
Love you blog. Definately is food for thought. I have been guilty of some of these myself.
Hey Karen,
It’s cool, we can all learn from our mistakes as they say 😉
Thank you for taking the time to leave me a comment! 🙂 xxx
Oh Sassy, you do make me smile! Love reading your blog. Not done with my list yet, but definitely nominating you for the “Inspire Category” at the BiB 😉 Fingers crossed, you win! x
Hey Dean,
I’m glad to hear I make you smile, you saying that has made me smile!:)
Thank you very much, that is very kind! I nominated you 🙂
Fingers crossed for us both!
Take care 🙂 xxx
This takes me back to my very first VI Awareness/Sighted Guide training. I was wearing Sim Specs and my trainer deliberately took me to some stairs where the handrail didn’t reach the top. I had to lean forwards to reach it Sary or what?
Scary, not Sary!
Hey Dave,
Handrails get me every time! Yes, very scary!
How did you find using Sim Specs and being sighted guided?
Thank you for taking the time to leave a comment! I appreciate it! 🙂
Could have sweared I’d commented on this already! Have definitely read before but maybe I only commented in my head?! Always reading your blog with a smile on my face! 🙂
Hey Danielle,
I know the feeling! Especially when comment boxes aren’t accessible to me, I genuinely think i’ve left a comment!
Thank you so much for your lovely words! I’m grinning from ear to ear! 🙂
Take care 🙂 xxx
I can’t even imagine what it would be like to be blind.
Anyone with this type of disability does have a hard time, but I know with one weakness, there are many strengths which can be gained.
Thank you for sharing.
John M
Hey John,
Thank you for your lovely comment, and your wise words, it’s very true! 🙂
Take care 🙂 xxx
Nothing wrong with a good ol’ moan we are all guilty of it I have to admit! I can’t believe some people leave the room without telling you! That is so rude!
Hey Ana,
Well i’m definitely good at having a good old moan! 😉
Yep, It’s happened more times than I can poke a stick at, I either get extremely embarrassed or have a big bitch fit when they come back haha 😉 xxx
I found this really interesting and I do take things for granted. I can imagine the Facebook tagging is really annoying!!
Hey,
Thanks for taking the time to leave me a comment! Oh yes, Fb tagging is a right pain in the bum!!
I’m lucky though because I live with my partner, so I can get him to read it out to me, but I think of all the blind people who live by themselves and don’t have sighted access like I do… xxx
Some of these are super annoying and I can see so I can only imagine hue irritated these make you especially things getting moved! That’s a pet peeve of mine everything has its place! It’s good to rant new reader
Cupcake Mumma
Hey Hannah,
Thanks so much for leaving me a comment, and being a new reader! I really appreciate it!
Yes I have OCD tendencies so everything needs to have a place anyway, so when it gets moved i’m in a scramble!
I look forward to connecting with you 🙂 xxx
I think it does us all good to let off a little steam every now and again and have a good rant! The one that stands out for me is the Facebook tagging – I mean surely people must ‘think’?! x
Hey,
Oh you’d think wouldn’t you? Unfortunately not, and it’s my family who can be the worst haha! Oh well xxx
Great blog! Who on earth comes to YOUR house and moves your stuff? I’d go mad and I’m not blind! Xx
Number 8, walking into me head on. They do this to me in my wheelchair. I am forever calling out, “Look in front of you,” or “Heads up.” I’ve been run into many times.
People can be so ignorant at times, sorry, you have to feel the daily frustrations also! Xxx
Throwing things all over the place
I hope you aren’t just picking things up and lobbing them everywhere ? 😂 I know I get you, accidentally knocking something or looking for something and you end up sending it shooting across the room, it’s just annoying as hell.
I can clearly get why those are pet peeves for yoat I have low vision. I am legally blind in my left eye and 20/60 in my right as well as a whole host of other vision conditions. I am also a cane user and I too hate when I hear people call my cane a stick. The beginning of January I was at an event kind of like an indoor State Fair without the rides and games that also has all sorts of livestock and farm animal competitions. Some lady came up to me and asked me what my stick was for and what I was showing because since I was wearing a flannel shirt and cowgirl hat and had on cowgirl boots she immediately thought I was one of the people there showing my animals and she also asked me what the ball was for and I had to explain to her that this is my long cane and I use it because I’m visually impaired. I could not call it my white cane because my cane is not the traditional white and red. For anyone who reads this if they would like to order a customized long cane you can order one off of this website called Kustom Canes and you can choose from different styles and lengths of canes and they will make you a customized cane for the blind and Visually impaired with anything you want on it such as a certain color handle and even a certain color cane body with different decals and they even have charms you can add (my cane is a glittery light purple one with Disney characters all over it and a pink handle). I do not have many, but one other big pet peeve and I mean big one I have is when I hear somebody say to anybody “Are you Blind”when I hear somebody say that to someone else it literally makes my blood boil and takes all I can to not say anything to that person. That is like nails on a chalkboard to me. I am a teacher at an early learning center in their school age program and other programs, and I have had kids say to each other and even other adults say to the kids”Are you Blind” and I went off which I know I shouldn’t have, but I did because they should know better. If a kid misses something when they are cleaning up you do not need to yell at them or ask them if they are blind. Kids miss things. They’re not perfect and when I hear other adults say that to other adults part of me thinks how do you know they are not blind, or everybody misses things. Just because they might miss a stop sign or not right away see that the light is green doesn’t mean you have to ask them if they are blind because they may be on their phone taking a call or doing something not paying attention, or maybe the light just changed and the person in front of them didn’t notice it yet. So for anybody that reads this post please do not use those words with anyone because I think saying to somebody “Are you Blind”in a mean way is basically like swearing at someone. Just my personal preference but if you see somebody that might look like they are blind or visually impaired I think the best way to ask them is how some people have asked me. I was in an Uber and a couple times I’ve had people say to me “I’m not trying to offend you, but do you mind if I ask you, are you blind?”if somebody says it that way then you can say yes I do mind or no I don’t mind and usually I’ll say no I don’t mind and then I will proceed to educate them a little bit.