[nabs-l] food courts and counter restaurants

Mon Aug 13 02:43:12 UTC 2012

Carly,
  What?  I'm being honest with you when I say I totally, completely
and utterly disagree; incidentally, that doesn't happen very often.
I've had fun at movies with blind friends.  I've gone out to eat with
blind friends, I've gone out to eat with sighted friends and, yes, I
sometimes enjoy a meal at a food court by myself when I'm really
hungry, just passing through, or need some alone time.  To be fair,
I've had to learn some alternative techniques to become comfortable in
places like airports, food courts, totally unfamiliar cities (I'm just
on the plane flying back from New York City and did a lot of traveling
by myself because my dad, who I came with, was in meetings all day),
huge hotels, gigantic shopping malls, etc.  I'm not the world's
greatest traveler (far from it), I'm not that great at mentally
mapping places out (better than I used to be, but still terrible),
basically my skills are maybe just a little above average when it
comes to things like this.  But, with training, I've become
comfortable and confident with lots of these things; that doesn't mean
it's always a breez, but it's not all that difficult either.  And this
is coming from a guy who can get lost easily, this is coming from a
guy who can get absolutely confused by huge parking lots with lots of
buildings.  I know what it's like to feel awkward and helpless in a
food court or crowded building; that used to be me, all the time!  My
mobility skills are nothing to brag about, I'm a terrible traveler in
lots of ways...and I can deal with a food court just fine.  Of course
a big part of movies is visual; but, with audio description becoming
more and more common, this is more accessible than ever.  I feel like
I'm able to enjoy whatever I want to, however I chose to (provided I
have the ability and means to do so), just as much as anybody else.  I
say this with the utmost civility, but I emphatically reject your
suggestion that sight is a necessary component of a complete life.  I
can say it isn't because I routinely participate in every activity
which you say requires "old sightie" in order to be enjoyed fully.  I
didn't need "old sightie" to enjoy the most recent Batman movie that
was audio described.  (well, I guess you could say that I needed a
sighted person to describe the dang thing, but I don't think that's
relevant to this particular conversation)  I didn't need "old sightie"
to enjoy my lunch at the mall I was checking out a couple days ago in
New York city; incidentally, I didn't need "old sightie" to get me
there or guide me where I wanted to go, and I found everything I
wanted to find without too much effort.  Of course, I asked for
directions from people where appropriate, sometimes people refused to
stop following me, but I certainly didn't need them there in order to
enjoy my experience...in fact, in this particular instant, it would've
been far more enjoyable had some of those people just gotten out of my
hair!  I believe, with my whole being, that "old blindie" can enjoy
the same activities, do the same work, and gain as much meaning from
life as "old sightie."  I believe that sight does not make a person
more able to experience life; I believe with my whole heart that sight
does not give life extra meaning and, most importantly, I believe that
blind people can participate in the same life, to the same extent, and
with a level of difficulty comparable to that faced by "old sightie."
Sight is nice, sight is a good thing to have, but it's not critical;
people can experience everything life has to offer, with or without
sight.  The way I see it, that's just the way it is.
  Warmest regards,
Kirt

On 8/12/12, Ashley Bramlett <bookwormahb at earthlink.net> wrote:
> Panda express is too fancy for me though; but yes they do speak english.
> Beth, I know the frustration of the language barrier at fast food places;
> that occurs even without a food court; any fast food place has foreigners
> who may or may not understand you well. This is when I'm thankful for other
>
> customers reading the menu to me. Around my area, many spanish immigrants
> work these fast food places; nothing agains them working there, but the
> language issue is a problem. I'd pick a place with understable people if I
> can.
>
> Ashley
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Beth
> Sent: Sunday, August 12, 2012 8:52 PM
> To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
> Subject: Re: [nabs-l] food courts and counter restaurants
>
> 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?셳. 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?셳 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?셫 not good at
> reversing routes, and all tables look the same!
> I?셫 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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