[nabs-l] food courts and counter restaurants

Mon Aug 13 01:53:34 UTC 2012

Hi everyone,
I agree with Arielle. There is nothing wrong with asking for
assistance if it is truely needed but we should try to make ourselves
as least of a burden as possible. If it is possible that you will
return to a restaurant, try to remember as much about it as possible
(I.E. the layout, menu, and order of drinks).
Danielle

On 8/12/12, Arielle Silverman <arielle71 at gmail.com> wrote:
> 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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>>
>
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