Dear CryptoDeaf, I'm considering asking a guy out. I'm 26 years old, American, male, gay, you know the drill I'm sure. But the problem is I'm as you call "hearing" while he's deaf and I don't know a lick of sign language, I'm really interested in him. He's adorable and he seems very friendly and would like to get to know him, I just don't know really how. So what do I do?[Extra prodding by CryptoDeaf] No I haven't had much contact with him personally, I see him signing a lot so I'm not sure if he reads lips or what. And yes I'm willing to learn ASL.
There's others as well. If he can't lip read, just whip out your phone and type a message in Evernote or something and you can communicate back and forth that way.
Here's how that exchange may go.
If he says he can read lips V
You: Can you read lips?Him: Yes, I can lip read ok.
You: Would you care to have dinner?
You: Can't you read lips?Him: No/What? points to his ear
You pull out your phone and type "Sorry, I want to know if you'd like to have dinner? May I have your number to text you until I learn ASL?"
I wish you the best, and please be aware of communication issues. If he does lip read, be sure to keep in mind that it's very tiring and we do zone out after a while, give him breaks, make sure you don't turn away when talking or turn you head, make sure to pay attention to him because he'll be paying attention to you, that sort of thing.
