[Blindtlk] Thank you very much!

Fri Mar 7 23:50:38 UTC 2014

Hi.

I think you're missing one take-away from this thread: it's quite possible
with a bit of practice to carry a fully-loaded tray and use a cane; you just
hold the tray with two hands and manipulate the cane with some of the
fingers of your cane-hand from underneath. You only need the palm and ring-
and pinky-fingers to hold the tray; the rest can handle the cane.

I agree that using a buffet alone -- that is, without anyone else around --
can be daunting unless you know the buffet well. I also agree that holding
the tray with one hand while dishing out food takes practice. But it seldom
gets that far. Just ask those around you for a bit of assistance
ascertaining what's on the buffet and where and perhaps for a bit of help
dishing the food out although if you know the buffet well, this isn't always
a problem, either. And cafeteria lines where someone puts the stuff on your
tray isn't a problem.

I just hate to see you limiting yourself unnecessarily. Certainly, a bag of
burgers is easier but if, say, you're at Pancho's All-you-can-eat Mexican
Buffet, you don't want to miss it for lack of intestinal fortitude! (big
grin) fortunately, though, that's one where you go down the line and people
put stuff on your tray.

And often at a breakfast buffet, you can find someone to walk through with
you.

So don't set your goal too low! Go where you want and be a bit inventive and
you usually can find a way. Using a bit of assistance isn't a dirty word!

Mike

-----Original Message-----
From: blindtlk [mailto:blindtlk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Tom Cramer
Sent: Friday, March 07, 2014 2:49 PM
To: 'Blind Talk Mailing List'
Subject: [Blindtlk] Thank you very much!

Hello everybody,

I just wanted to say thank you for your posts and suggestions.  I think you
all basically were right on with what my family and people said about it
being too challenging and a big hassle and not really worth trying on my
own.  This would be difficult for a blind person without any sight, and
someone sighted also reminded me that carrying a tray with food would not be
very wise of me because I'd easily have the chance of spilling or accidents.
Not really wise to try and use a cane and carry a lot of food.
Believe me, I have no problem asking for any kind of help.  It might just be
easier to go grab a burger somewhere.
Thanks again for your thoughts.  It's always good to get ideas.

Tom

-----Original Message-----
From: blindtlk [mailto:blindtlk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Arielle
Silverman
Sent: Friday, March 07, 2014 11:00 AM
To: Blind Talk Mailing List
Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] Handling a big buffet

And I think it goes without saying that if you get extra help from wait
staff, be sure to tip generously. That makes it a partnership and makes it
more likely they will want to help you in the future.

Arielle

On 3/7/14, Hyde, David W. (ESC) <david.hyde at wcbvi.k12.wi.us> wrote:
> First, there are no dumb questions. Secondly, given a choice, I don't 
> do buffets. Not given a choice, it depends upon the situation.
> Preferably, I ask someone for help. If it is at a conference, 
> particularly for parents of blind children, I do as much as I can of 
> it for myself. If I need to locate the utensil, I work around the 
> outside
of the container to find the handle.
> I will generally take too little on to the plate, rather than too 
> much. I can always come back. I ask what is in the container. I find 
> tongs a bother since there does not seem to be enough tactility to 
> tell what is being grasped in them, and sometimes how much is in them.
> I find building a salad to be the most difficult.
>
> I always make a second trip for the beverage, since I have the plate 
> in one hand, and the utensils and napkin in my pocket. Again, I may 
> ask someone to grab me a deink when they go to get one. The absolutely 
> worst buffets are those where you build your own sandwich. Those I 
> always
ask for help.
>
> The bottom line, If you need help, or if it will make you feel more 
> confident about what you're doing, get it. There are very few 
> situations where you need to use a buffet to send a message.
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: blindtlk [mailto:blindtlk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Tom 
> Cramer
> Sent: Thursday, March 06, 2014 11:46 PM
> To: 'Blind Talk Mailing List'
> Subject: [Blindtlk] Handling a big buffet
>
> Hello,
>
>
>
> I hope this isn't a dumb question.
>
> I'd like to know from other blind people, especially those who are 
> totally blind, how they handle big buffet type of restaurants when 
> they're not with sighted people.  I'd like to be able to go to a 
> couple of places that are close to where I live but don't really know 
> how
to best handle them.
>
> How much do you do independently and how much do you ask of the wait
staff?
> How do I best know what's on the buffet line and how do I best get it 
> on my plate without slowing others down?  Is it easier for the wait 
> staff to get my food and carry it for me or is that something I need 
> to do
as well?
>
> This place has wonderful food and I'd like to go this weekend but 
> haven't done it without sighted family who isn't around right now.
>
>
>
> All tips are appreciated.
>
> Thanks.
>
> Tom
>
>
>
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