[Blindtlk] Buffet Lines

[Kelby Carlson]

These are all great suggestions.  I think I miscommunicated, 
though, as I'm much more comfortable in straight buffet lines.  
My college cafeterias have huge cafeteria-style buffets with 
multiple drink fountains, as many as six or seven counters, and a 
constant traffic flow.  To add to that, nothing is straight.  I 
find I usually need help through them, even if I carry my own 
tray.  But if I was at, say, Old Country Buffet, where you can go 
through a straight line, it would almost definitely be much more 
manageable.

Kelby



 ----- Original Message -----
From: "Julie J." <julielj at neb.rr.com
To: "Blind Talk Mailing List" <blindtlk at nfbnet.org
Date sent: Mon, 1 Apr 2013 09:50:33 -0500
Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] Buffet Lines

Kelby,

I've found that if I have a choice I prefer to go through a 
buffet on the
side that puts my guide dog furthest from the buffet.  I'm not 
worried about
him being inappropriate, sniffing or snatching food, but if he is 
in between
me and the food, it means that I have to reach over and it's 
awkward.   He
always positions himself parallel to the buffet, so as I'm facing 
the buffet
he's at a 90 degree angle to me, standing behind me.  When I'm 
ready to move
I turn to line up correctly with the direction of travel, tell 
him to "step
up" which is something I taught him which means that he should 
proceed only
a step or two.

At buffets with regular plates I have filled and carried them 
myself.   Put
small items like napkins, utensils and straws in a pocket if you 
can, it
saves valuable hand real estate!  I make multiple trips to get a 
drink,
soup, dessert etc., rather than trying to make one mega trip.

The only place I've encountered the tray type of buffet was on a 
college
cafeteria last summer when I was attending a leadership training 
thing.  I
found it best for me to ask for assistance in that situation to 
carry my
tray.  There were lots of little islands, some self service, some 
with staff
behind the counter who would take your order.  I think if I were 
a regular
college student I would have figured out what was what and been 
able to do
more myself, but for the three days I was there it worked out 
fine.

Oh, almost all of the time I find a sighted person to let me know 
what the
food choices are, but generally I fill my own plate.  Working my 
guide dog
with food in my other hand hasn't been a problem.  Of course I 
can't use
hand signals so I have to be mindful to be clear with verbal 
directions.  He
knows both, but responds a bit better with hand signals.  Still 
it hasn't
been a problem.  As much as is possible I try to keep my plate 
held in front
of my body, not off to the side, because the guide dog isn't 
going to factor
in the additional width.  Of course a dog can be taught to 
account for
something  additional on your right side, like a large bag or a 
baby
stroller you are pulling, but this requires training and 
practice.

Anyhow that's how I manage.  I hope others will share some ideas.  
Buffets
are not one of my favorite things.  Some more ideas would be 
great!
Julie



-----Original Message-----
From: Kelby Carlson
Sent: Monday, April 01, 2013 7:26 AM
To: blindtlk at nfbnet.org
Subject: [Blindtlk] Buffet Lines

(This may have already been sent; e-mail is glitching.)

I wish I could come to Maryland, as I'd love to know how y'all do
buffet lines.  (Especially when their are trays and guide dogs
involved.)

Kelby S.  Carlson

Vanderbilt University


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