Kananperse

the dude’s name was su dongpo (also known as su shi). his original poem went like this:

稽首天中天，

毫光照大千，

八風吹不動，

端坐紫金蓮

(Humbly bowed my head below all skies Minutest lights shine through my deepest bounds Immovable by strong winds from eight sides Upon purplish gold lotus I seated straightly by the low mound) (x)

on which his friend wrote “放屁” (fart, literally), and you know the rest.

So, as someone who is selectively mute/prone to shutdowns, people don’t often know what to do when I go nonverbal, and it’s not like they can ask, so I’ll give some tips!

Ask them what you should do while they’re nonverbal before they go nonverbal.

Keep in mind that for some people, nonverbal means they simply can’t talk but can still communicate through writing, texting, nodding, etc. But, for some, it means they cannot communicate at all (and this can change based on the type of episode as well). If this happens, just be patient, and be somewhat still. If you talk, try to talk softly.

Some people like to listen to others talk when they’re nonverbal, and some don’t. Talk to you’re friend when they’re verbal so you can find out which is best for them.

If you’re out and about, make sure that you make it obvious that if you have to talk for them (i.e. order food for them, thank the bus driver, tell someone they can’t speak, etc.), that it really isn’t a bother.

DO NOT RIDICULE THEM. Do not make fun of them, do not get visibly frustrated, do not get angry, do not try to force them to talk. This will only make things worse.