[Blindtlk] Thank you very much!

Sat Mar 8 00:40:53 UTC 2014

Baby steps is good; maybe even go there one day when you are not that hungry
or  something and orient yourself to the place.

-----Original Message-----
From: blindtlk [mailto:blindtlk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Judy Jones
Sent: Friday, March 07, 2014 7:39 PM
To: Blind Talk Mailing List
Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] Thank you very much!

Hi, Tom,

Heartily disagree with your conclusion.  My entire college life I spent
going through the cafeteria and carrying my own tray, and that experience
has stood me in good stead with the confidence to go through a buffet.

Of course there were always lots of people in a cafeteria to direct you to
the dish you want when you were in the general direction.  Going through the
line, servers would put the entrees on everyone's trays.  Then I would build
my own salad at the salad bar.  Whoever was around, I would ask where there
might be an empty seat, and had no problems there.

I carried the tray on one arm making sure the tray didn't stick out too much
on my left side while using my cane with the right, very doable.  Once I set
my tray down I would go for the drink.

Granted all buffets are different, and unless you go to one frequently, if
you're like me, you might not always remember the layout.

Since my college cafeteria days, I've had the confidence to maneuver a
buffet, and doesn't matter to me if I do a buffet or not.  I have also had
situations where servers have brought the food, where I've gone with someone
to get my food, or again, gotten it myself.  But I know I can do it.

The thing you should NOT do is to miss out on a good restaurant you like,
just because it's a buffet and you either believe or have been told it's not
doable for you.  Take it on as a challenge.  You should have the freedom to
go where you want to go and when you want to go and do what you want to do
without imposed limitations by either other people or oneself.

Go to the buffet, start out by getting some server help.  Ask where things
are located, as you plan to go there more often in future and like the food.

Then, next time, maybe, get your own drink while a server gets your food. 
Take baby steps until you have mastered the buffet, just so you can have the
freedom to maneuver one or not.  It's very empowering to know you can do
something and have the choice of whether or not to do it, not the
limitation.  It's all about freedom of choice.  It's too easy to buckle and
compromise, especially if you like this restaurant.  It's your choice.

Also, people are right, there are buffets I would not go to as they can be
not as sanitary as they should, but others are also closely monitored.  But
if you choose not to go, do it because of other reasons than fear of the
unknown.

The one thing that is great about this list for me is that if I'm hesitant
about doing a thing I haven't done before, I've received help and
encouragement to try, I can testify to that.

Happy dining.

Judy

-----Original Message-----
From: Tom Cramer
Sent: Friday, March 7, 2014 3:49 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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