Otherness Paper

Otherness Project

Exceptional Learners

David Trieff

I am deaf. I am at Starbucks. I want to order coffee. I have to do it on paper rather than out loud because I speak so poorly, I don't like to try. I intend to write it down and show it to the barrista, but I am nervous. I don't know if I am more nervous because I am not really deaf and I feel guilty or because I am different from the other customers and I will be labeled as disabled. I am not looking forward to placing my order. I order a medium decaf coffee by holding up a notebook with the phrase "Medium Decaf Coffee, Please." The young man at the counter does a quick transformation from a confident good looking guy to a bumbling embarrassed guy. He says," yes sir" three or four times. He spends a long time giving change from a five dollar bill for a coffee. Then, he hands me $4.27. (The bill was $1.73) He seems hesitant and confused, and I'm thinking that