Deafinition:
“Playing the deaf card” is a phrase Deafies use to refer to using your deafness to your advantage.
This could be a way of helping you out in a tricky situation, but most commonly, it refers to using your deafness to get out of paying for something, whether it’s a service of some kind, or simply being mugged (see further reading).
The deaf card is not:
An actual card. More’s the pity. Though it can give you significant discounts in many areas of life.
Further reading:
The Secret Deafie: When I played the deaf card in a prime mugging spot
By Charlie Swinbourne, Editor
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Lana Senchal
March 16, 2012
I know it is unfair to people waiting in the queue at the Depart Room, I usually use the Deaf card to get myself ahead of the queue.
Editor
March 16, 2012
I know a few people who do this Lara… and I’ve even found myself escorted to the front of the queue to board the plane after telling them I’m deaf! Not that I’m complaining… 😉
Scott
March 16, 2012
Play the Deaf card? Why not? Being Deaf in a hearing world is a tricky situation in itself practically by default anyway… 🙂
Tim
March 16, 2012
Language is rarely straightforward. I’ve seen some Deaf people asking for a ‘reasonable adjustment’ being mis-characterised as ‘playing the Deaf card.’ The point about leveling the playing field is good.