Deaf people have a visually based viewpoint - Often hearing people talking in a deaf person's presence provoke the thought, "Are you talking to me?"

Assistive devices are used to improve contact with the "hearing" world. (Devices such as door lights, phone lights, baby lights.)

A deaf person must look at someone when talking with them (and vice-versa).

Good lighting is imperative; very dim light or light behind a subject makes communication difficult or impossible.

Acceptance of a hearing person in the deaf community is often based on language skill, contribution to community, and understanding deaf culture.

The deaf community is tight-knit; for example, deaf people are usually unwilling to reveal the names of their friends for fear of betraying a trust.

Usually there is a "small town" atmosphere in the deaf community; there is a relatively small number of "signers" in a given area.

Many deaf people are initially untrusting of hearing people.

Typically, deaf people have held non-communication oriented jobs in the past.

It is improper for a hearing interpreter (whether formal or informal) to tell a deaf person either, "I'll tell you later," or "It's not important," believing the deaf person would not understand. For example: A hearing person tells a joke to a group. A friend is interpreting for a deaf person. The joke is hard to interpret, so the interpreter says, "I'll tell you later."

For a hearing person who knows Sign Language to talk to hearing people without signing in the presence of a deaf person is considered very rude. The hearing signer should sign what other hearing non-signers are saying, thus, keeping the deaf person involved in the conversation.

It is proper to acknowledge the deaf people when entering a room. When leaving, one should speak to each deaf person he knows. At least he should make it clear to those whom he knows that he is leaving. This can be done with a "walk-through" waving good-bye. In some cultures this is called "asking permission to leave."

Phone numbers are always thought of as being "unlisted." To call someone who did not give you their number can be quite offensive (even if their number is listed in the phone book). This will almost always evoke the response, "Where did you get my number?"

Deaf people don't want to be thought of as being "handicapped." As a deaf person once said, "Deafness is not a handicap, it is a way of life!" There is nothing "wrong" with being deaf.