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From: Elizabeth Gormley
Date: 10/11/03
Time: 9:32:22 PM
Remote Name: 205.188.209.9
Dr. Schwartz,
I truly enjoyed reading your article, as it brought back many memories. I am a second year graduate student at Minnesota State University, Mankato, where I also completed my undergraduate work. As an undergraduate, I was in Judy Kuster’s stuttering course and I had to pseudo-stutter in eight different situations in the community. I received a variety of reactions, some very positive and some negative, especially one in particular. I went through a drive-through at a fast food restaurant. As I stuttered ordering my meal, my partner was inside the restaurant viewing the reactions of the workers. A man took my order and he waited very patiently for me to complete my order. However, when I pulled up to the window, a woman with a very nasty glare shoved my food at me and closed the window without a “Thank you” or “Have a nice day.” I was very upset when I went into the restaurant to meet my partner. She told me the woman was the manager and after the man took my order she yelled at him, saying they have to keep things moving and that my order took too long. I became even more upset when my partner told me this and I wanted to confront the manager, but our assignment stated that we could not.
I believe this is a very important assignment. It was probably one of the best learning experiences I have ever had. I think it is great that your students also educate the public. Awareness is so important and every little bit helps. To this day, I wish that I had been able to talk to the manger of that restaurant.
Thanks! Elizabeth Gormley