[nabs-l] food courts and counter restaurants

[Arielle Silverman]

If someone offers to take my trash for me, I will accept their offer,
unless I am at a place I think I am likely to come back to (i.e.
coffee shop). If this is the case, I will politely ask if I can follow
the person to the trash so that I can learn where it is and hopefully
be able to toss my own trash in the future.
Best,
Arielle

On 8/12/12, Arielle Silverman <arielle71 at gmail.com> wrote:
> Hi all,
> While I don't see anything wrong with requesting help when it is truly
> necessary, I do think there are ways to get help that are less
> burdensome to fellow customers and staff. For example, at a drink
> fountain, we can do the actual cup-filling ourselves; the only thing
> we need help with is finding the dispenser we want. If I need to fill
> my drink, I will find the fountain myself, get a cup, ask a passer-by
> which dispenser the drink I want is coming from, then fill the cup
> myself. I think this is much less burdensome on a stranger who is
> already by the fountain anyway to read the dispenser for me than it is
> for them to get my drink. Same with finding a table; I don't ask
> someone to "take me to a seat". Instead I walk up to a table that has
> people already at it, ask "Is there room at this table?" or "Is there
> an empty table next to you?" Oftentimes the seated customers can give
> me verbal directions to an empty table without getting up themselves.
> There is a technique for holding a tray with one hand against your
> hip. It's a little clunky to learn, but it works. Another strategy is
> to order your food "to go" in a paper bag that can be easily carried
> in your hand or backpack. You can put silverware in your pocket or
> under your plate or on your tray.
> If I go to a restaurant where you sit down and then get called up to
> get your food, and I am by myself, I will often stand off to the side
> so that I can find my table after getting my food. If I am with other
> people (blind or sighted) I will sit with them, get up and grab my
> food when it is ready, then call out to them to find my table again.
> Some blind people are good enough travelers to keep track of where
> their table is but I'm not quite good enough to be able to do it
> reliably.
> Food courts and cafeterias can be a little intimidating but they are
> definitely something we can manage independently.
> Best,
> Arielle
>
> On 8/12/12, Beth <thebluesisloose at gmail.com> wrote:
>> Have you checked out Panda Express?  Man, they are so good, and I
>> want to say their customer service is excellent, the ones in
>> Colorado that is.  They speak English fluently and are really
>> happy to help you any time.
>> Beth
>>
>>  ----- Original Message -----
>> From: Carly Mihalakis <carlymih at comcast.net
>> To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
>> <nabs-l at nfbnet.org
>> Date sent: Sun, 12 Aug 2012 16:02:06 -0700
>> Subject: Re: [nabs-l] food courts and counter restaurants
>>
>> Hi, Ashley,
>>
>> If I know I will be visiting a particular
>> restaurant who has their menu Online, I
>> definitely read it, selecting what sounds good
>> ahead of time. If such a menu is not available I
>> just ask the folks behind the counter, or on the floor to read
>> it.
>> As for the food court, the host personnel who
>> seat me, are usually more than happy to help out
>> by carrying, even getting the drink. After all,
>> that's what there there for right?
>> CarHi all, Food courts are crowded noisy places.
>> They hand you the food on a tray. But often the
>> customer has to get their own drink from a row of
>> drink spickits. I am talking about the row of
>> them where the cups are at the end and the drinks
>> are gotten by pressing something to release the
>> liquid. So any tips on them?  How do you deal
>> with these drink areas? Does someone help you? I
>> suppose you could memorize it if you went there
>> before. How do you find an empty table since your
>> hands are full with the tray, unless you ask
>> someone to carry it for you. Then, how do you
>> find the trashcan? Do you explore where the
>> trashcans are before you get your food? Do you
>> ask someone to read the menu to you while in
>> line, or do it beforehand? Some venues have their
>> menu online which I use if possible; other times
>> they don’t. Next, how do you deal with
>> restaurants requiring you to order at the counter
>> and pick it up at the counter? A fast food place
>> usually gives you the food right there at the
>> counter. You do not  sit and wait. So that
>> isn’t an issue. If I have to say, wait for
>> fries, I do so right at the counter, as anyone
>> else would. Restaurants where you do this
>> include: Johnny Rockets in some locations deli
>> places such as Philadelphia mikes Fudruckers
>> Corner Bakery How do you find the counter and
>> locate your seat? For me, I’m not good at
>> reversing routes, and all tables look the same!
>> I’m asking since I may order at such a
>> restaurant with a blind friend and could use some
>> tips on this. Thanks. Ashley
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