[Blindtlk] Thank you very much!

Sat Mar 8 00:06:54 UTC 2014

Yes. I think there's a lot of choices between not going to the buffet
at all, and doing everything completely unassisted. I think we're
saying it's probably a good idea to get help with identifying where
things are and maybe with serving/carrying, maybe not depending on
your comfort level and the type of food. But you can still go and
enjoy it. I carry my own trays using the methods described, unless my
tray has multiple plates on it or a bowl with soup in it along with a
cup. For those situations I will usually request help so I don't run
the risk of spilling from the bowl while trying to hold everything
with one hand. But most of the time I just put all my food on a single
plate.
Best,
Arielle

On 3/7/14, justin williams <justin.williams2 at gmail.com> wrote:
> One more method I use in lines sometimes if I can is to get a to go box,
> and
> carrying the drink in one hand.
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: blindtlk [mailto:blindtlk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Mike
> Freeman
> Sent: Friday, March 07, 2014 6:51 PM
> To: 'Blind Talk Mailing List'
> Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] Thank you very much!
>
> 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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>
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