Etiquette question w/ wheelchairs.

[dave_the_nerd]

So, say I'm in my office, seated. A guy in a wheelchair rolls in.

Do I stand to greet them? (Traditional) Downside: I'm assuming a stance of dominance.

Or do I remain seated? (Not traditional, might be interpreted as rude. No stance of dominance.)

Do I stand and then sit down immediately? Is that too much movement?

I'm probably overthinking what shouldn't be too big a deal, but making people feel at ease helps me do my job. (Tech support.)

 

[blackdogdeek]

I'd do whatever you'd do if the person were not in a wheelchair.

 

[dave_the_nerd]

I'd do whatever you'd do if the person were not in a wheelchair.

That'd be stand to greet, and remain standing (small office, no guest chairs.)

 

[jaedaliu]

I'd do whatever you'd do if the person were not in a wheelchair.

Good answer.

Or, you could appologize for not knowing, then ask what he prefers.

I think it doesn't really matter, as long as you're helpful.

 

[Blackjack200]

[Joe Biden]

Tell him to stand up.

[/Joe Biden]

 

[dave_the_nerd]

[Joe Biden]

Tell him to stand up.

[/Joe Biden]

I'm tech support, not Benny Hinn.

 

[MisterJackson]

Get up from your chair, walk over to them, and squat to their level. Then offer your hand and a cold beverage. Standard protocol.

 

[kranky]

I would stand to greet, then sit. Even though you would normally stand because there are no guest chairs, in this case it's OK because you'll be more at eye level.

 

[Vdubchaos]

Whenever I meet someone I usually shake their hand and before I do so I usually stand up.

This is what I was taught, it's disrespectful to shake people's hand while sitting.....

Clearly someone in the wheel chair is most likely exempt from that, but I would stand up to shake their hand.

 

[PottedMeat]

Get up from your chair, walk over to them, and squat to their level. Then offer your hand and a cold beverage. Standard protocol.

don't forget to chock his wheels. now you control the situation.

 

[blackdogdeek]

That'd be stand to greet, and remain standing (small office, no guest chairs.)

What would you do if the person were a small or little person? I forget what the politically correct term is.

 

[clamum]

Stand up and shake hand.

 

[Nintendesert]

What would you do if the person were a small or little person? I forget what the politically correct term is.

The term is Asian.

 

[blackdogdeek]

The term is Asian.

lol

 

[MisterJackson]

don't forget to chock his wheels. now you control the situation.

Doh! Forgot the most important part of the greeting! Thanks!

 

[dave_the_nerd]

What would you do if the person were a small or little person? I forget what the politically correct term is.

Damn... didn't think of that... I have no idea. Probably remain standing...?

 

[Rakehellion]

Get up from your chair, walk over to them, and squat to their level. Then offer your hand and a cold beverage. Standard protocol.

Absolutely do not squat. You're not greeting a dog.

 

[dabuddha]

don't forget to chock his wheels. now you control the situation.

bwhahahah :thumbsup:

 

[BurnItDwn]

I would greet them standing. When I shake their hand, I will use a strong grip and shake firmly. Then, I would sit down over by my desk to discuss whatever they want to discuss.

 

[TheFamilyMan]

Ask him what his avg mpg is in that thing.

Seriously though...just stand and shake his hand. His expectation isn't to be treated any differently so why treat him any differently. Standing and shaking his hand is a show of respect indicating you see him as an equal. Staying seated while reaching out to shake his hand shows that you're seeing him as disabled first and an equal second.

 

[darkewaffle]

Get a car horn for the ones that roll slow so that you can honk at them while they enter.

 

[Krazy4Real]

sit on his lap and shake his hand.

 

[MisterJackson]

Absolutely do not squat. You're not greeting a dog.

But they're a lesser person than me and you (as clearly evidenced by the OP not knowing how to treat them...obviously that means they're not equals with the bipedaled). So it only makes sense to treat them accordingly.

 

[ISAslot]

push his chair over then stand over him and say 'now what biatch'

 

[Midwayman]

I would squat and offer them a hand to sniff palm first.