CHAPTER 22:

"I understand it is bad manners to watch people signing without their knowing that you also sign. But it is bad manners to interrupt people who are signing and telling them that you are taking courses in ASL even if you sign in English?"

Sign language obviously isnt "private". In fact, a sign conversation can be read across the room. Deaf people may feel protected around hearing people however because they know that statistics and know that many hearing people who are not native ASL users would have a hard time understanding a conversation of two deaf people. Deaf people use a jacket or something to create a "sign-sheild" this would be like a hearing person telling another hearing person a secret in their ear with their hands around their mouth while speaking. In public signing environments its okay to watch others signing and join in. It would be the same as a hearing person over hearing a conversation at the bus stop and adding a comment to what was already said. Although, you may be fascinated with ASL (like  myself) think about a situation as if you were deaf.. would you want someone to constantly interupting your conversation just to tell you that they are in ASL class? It could possibly get old.

I agree that it all depends on the situation and whom you are with. It is important to remember that people react differently to every situation, for example one deaf person you talk to may be thrilled that you know sign language while the next may look at you like youre crazy.