[Nfbk] Interesting discussion

[Cathy Jackson]

Cindy this just goes to show that people have many different reasons for needing some sort of assistance. Being a waiter is a tough job, so let's hope they get some sensitivity training that will help them understand people in general.
Cathy

Sent from my iPhone

On Jan 19, 2014, at 6:58 PM, "slery" <slerythema at gmail.com> wrote:

> Just to add a nice twist to this, I eat out with my parents a lot and my
> father has trouble hearing and speaking up, and my mother has trouble
> remembering how she wants to order something or sometimes gets her words
> mixed up. Most meals, I have to do the ordering for my mother and prompt my
> father to answer the waiter/waitress or to speak up.
> 
> Cindy Sheets
> 
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Nfbk [mailto:nfbk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of April Brown
>> Sent: Sunday, January 19, 2014 11:04 AM
>> To: nfbk at nfbnet.org
>> Subject: Re: [Nfbk] Interesting discussion
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> My thoughts are a bit different.
>> 
>> First, as a woman, I know it was once common practice for the 
>> man to order for both, so if my husband is with me, and the 
>> waiter or waitress is older than us, I would assume that to 
>> be the case.  I would have already discussed with him what I want.
>> 
>> Second, being more than a little deaf, I can't hear the 
>> waiter or waitress most times anyway.  It's better if my 
>> husband who is aware of my food allergies can do the 
>> communicating for me, my life is at stake otherwise.  Also, 
>> being more than a little deaf, I can't hear myself speak, so 
>> I tend to talk too quiet for them to hear, or comprehend me.
>> 
>> While I agree blind people shouldn't be slighted, I'd far 
>> rather have the waitress or waiter ask my husband for my 
>> order than to have them call me "honey," babe," "sugar", or 
>> other derogatory term.  Even if I had hearing, I think I'd 
>> still feel the same.  Though, I'd be more outspoken and speak 
>> up with my order.
>> 
>> It's likely the waitress or waiter doesn't know how to 
>> address a blind person, or let them know they are ready for 
>> their order.  I'm thinking, most people's stereotype of a 
>> blind person from the only media they know, is that the blind 
>> person is more like me - both blind and at least partially 
>> deaf.  While most blind people are not partially deaf like 
>> me, that is the prevailing stereotype among adults, probably 
>> 30 and older.
>> 
>> It would be great to know how to better educate those we meet 
>> without being rude.  I'd be afraid of being rude to them, and 
>> honestly, a restaurant is not somewhere you want to take that chance.
>> 
>> April Brown
>> 
>> Writing dramatic adventure novels uncovering the myths we hide behind.
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> Hello!
>>    I just wanted to let everyone in on the discussion we had 
>> at last nights NFBGL meeting. We listened to a story from a 
>> Kernel book entitled;  Remembered to Feed the Kittens, by Dr. 
>> Marc Maurer.   Our discussion revolved around personal advocacy. 
>> Here's an example. You are out to dinner with your best 
>> friend who is sighted.  You guys enter the restaurant , the 
>> hostess greets the two of you & you ask for a Braille menu.  
>> You & your friend are escorted to the table. A few minutes 
>> later your waiter comes by to take your drink orders. Instead 
>> of the waiter asking you what you'd like, she asks your 
>> friend what you'd like to drink. 
>> 
>>    How would you politely & affectively let the waiter know, 
>> your blindness has nothing to do with speaking for yourself?
>> 
>>    Many of us in attendance at last nights meeting have had 
>> situations like this. Although there may be different 
>> situations & circumstances, we would do well to remember 
>> there is always an opportunity to educate & advocate.  
>> 
>>    Melanie has indicated that we will continue to have these 
>> discussions from a Kernel story, so please try to attend the 
>> next meeting. 
>> 
>> Have a great day!
>> Nickie
>> 
>> 
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> 
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