[Blindtlk] Buffet Lines

Tue Apr 2 02:16:50 UTC 2013

Very well said.

Judy

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Julie J." <julielj at neb.rr.com>
To: "Blind Talk Mailing List" <blindtlk at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Monday, April 01, 2013 9:27 AM
Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] Buffet Lines

> Justin,
>
> If it is at all possible I find an employee or someone I'm with to tell me 
> what's what on the buffet.  I'll wing it alone, if I can't find anyone, 
> but I don't like doing that.
>
> I did receive blindness training at the Nebraska Commission for the Blind. 
> I learned a lot of stuff there, but I also learned how to learn.  I mean I 
> learned how to ask for the information I need, how to advocate for myself, 
> how to problem solve and how to have dignity left when what I tried 
> flopped miserably!  *smile*  I had most of those skills to one degree or 
> another before training, but daily intense practice sharpened, refined and 
> enhanced them in rapid fashion.
>
> I learn by trial and error and necessity.  I have failed at many things 
> I've tried.  Some I tried again and had better luck.  Others I decided 
> weren't for me.  There are still things I can't do, but would like to 
> master.
>
> I read Braille at a miserable 30 words per minute.  I cannot cook fried 
> chicken to save my life.  I am freaked out by airports.  I have worn 
> mismatched socks! *smile*  I still use and practice Braille.  I still try 
> cooking fried chicken every now and then.  I still travel through 
> airports, even though I don't like it.  I have learned better methods of 
> matching socks, so I think that is pretty much solved.
>
> You have to just keep putting yourself out there.  It's a process and 
> nobody is perfect, sighted or blind.  We are all learning.
>
> all my best to you,
> Julie
>
>
> -----Original Message----- 
> From: justin williams
> Sent: Sunday, March 31, 2013 9:58 AM
> To: 'Blind Talk Mailing List'
> Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] Buffet Lines
>
> Sometimes, I see you guys on here and feel like I missed out on some
> valuable  skill training somewhere.  I'm not under these illusions that 
> I'm
> the best because there aren't very many blind people with my skillset n
> columbia.  If you listen to the sighted, as they heap praise that you 
> don't
> really deserve  upon you you may think that.  I hope you folks have 
> learned
> as much from me as I have you.
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: blindtlk [mailto:blindtlk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Julie J.
> Sent: Monday, April 01, 2013 10:51 AM
> To: Blind Talk Mailing List
> 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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