mags0528
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Post by mags0528 on Apr 18, 2015 1:43:29 GMT -5
See what I did there! You'd think this was going to be a kinky thread...and it very well could be, depending on how we play along... No but seriously, I am literally talking about going out to eat at restaurants. I wait tables and I have worked in hospitality for about ten years. I really want to gain some perspective on what some common challenges are, how PWD guests in a restaraunt are treated...etc...etc...what are some pervasive issues that come up? What are things that you do to prep for going out to a restaurant? What are things servers/hostess/management should/should not do? Any shining examples? Horror stories? I've had some PWD guests and even a regular once who was a para (yes I crushed on her bc dev and bi), and as much as I like to think I winged it and gave good service, I strive for better and want to learn more so people have a good time. Do you think there are some things waitstaff should know/keep in mind? Perspective, I need it! Please and thanks.
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Post by matisse on Apr 18, 2015 3:16:37 GMT -5
My experiences in DC have been pretty good. From pizza (Bertucci's, it's a Boston college nostalgia thing) to foodie Zatinya, and Legal Sea Food (dicey barely in DC, but great in Boston). I have also done the usual Del Frisco's, Joe's (Chicago too) and Old Ebbit (door on the side), among others....do you work anywhere these?
I'll be there a couple times in the next 60 days for work.....
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Post by darthoso on Apr 18, 2015 6:00:02 GMT -5
Most of the issues I've found work arounds for. An annoying issue I had was if the restaurant or bar didn't have any glasses that were light enough for me to hold onto, they either didn't have anything or I would get a weird kids up. So I now keep a pack of small plastic cups in my bag, works great. I guess another issue is if the restaurant has outdoor seating on the sidewalk and the table I got was on a hill, that makes things, interesting....
I'd say things you could do are let the wheeler decide which chair you take away from the table, I'm sure we all have different factors that go into it, so guessing could be hit or miss. Avoid giving tables where there is high foot traffic, wait staff have tripped over the back of my chair a dozen times rushing around. If the restaurant has the kind of accessibility that requires a back door be opened, try to be quick about getting it open, I've had to wait 20 minutes while they tracked down the key (which in itself was a fire hazard for being locked).
If your restaurant has any 1 step entrances (say to the outdoor area), try to get management to put a simply 45 or 30 degree threshold ramp in. Hell even a flat 2x4 to "step it down" would work. One step isn't always a deal breaker and depending on the height I can sometimes jump it/roll down slowly. Even then having to jump a single step is annoying since I have to hit it just right, which is easy when sober, 3 drinks in, not so much.
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Post by darthoso on Apr 18, 2015 8:17:42 GMT -5
This has only happened to me once at a family owned rural Chinese restaurant. The manager (who said) it was fresh off the boat so I wasn't offended or outraged, but I haven't been back (food sucked).
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mags0528
Junior Member
Posts: 59
Gender: Female
Dev Status: Devotee
Relationship Status: Single
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Eating Out
Apr 18, 2015 10:36:12 GMT -5
via mobile
Post by mags0528 on Apr 18, 2015 10:36:12 GMT -5
Omg these are great reposnses, I will respond in its entirety in a few hours, I have an idea!
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hungryquad
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Post by hungryquad on Apr 18, 2015 10:58:42 GMT -5
I have had issues with The cutlery being too thick for my use and having to bring my own utensils.I have also experienced the whole "what will he have" thing
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Apr 18, 2015 11:53:18 GMT -5
The biggest issue my SO and I have had is being led through a crowded restaurant, when there are accessible tables without navigating a maze. It's also a bit of a pain when we've gone to restaurants that have a small foyer/entry way that is filled with random things, like potted plants, tables, etc. It makes it hard to navigate when there's barely enough room to open the doors. As far as the moving of chairs that has been mentioned, I'll either move the chair to the side, or he'll move it to the side. We've rarely had waitstaff move it for us, but when we have, they've asked first, which is preferable. My biggest pet peeve is when we're asked if we'd like a booth. It annoys the shit outta me, but he just laughs.
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mags0528
Junior Member
Posts: 59
Gender: Female
Dev Status: Devotee
Relationship Status: Single
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Eating Out
Apr 18, 2015 12:32:43 GMT -5
via mobile
Post by mags0528 on Apr 18, 2015 12:32:43 GMT -5
I'm sorry but that made me laugh at loud. Hosts are generally...out of touch and/or run on auto pilot and haven't had enough experience in customer service. Which is sad bc as a server, literally our fate is in the hands of these dimwits.
But this could be easily eliminated by some frickin decent training!
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mags0528
Junior Member
Posts: 59
Gender: Female
Dev Status: Devotee
Relationship Status: Single
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Post by mags0528 on Apr 18, 2015 12:37:46 GMT -5
I have had issues with The cutlery being too thick for my use and having to bring my own utensils.I have also experienced the whole "what will he have" thing I think that whole "what will he have" thing is bullshit. That's really sad that if it's your job to interact with the general public and you can't interact with someone in a chair, you must be really terrible at your job. Question: Plastic utensils as an alterbative. Would that work?
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mags0528
Junior Member
Posts: 59
Gender: Female
Dev Status: Devotee
Relationship Status: Single
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Eating Out
Apr 18, 2015 12:40:11 GMT -5
via mobile
Post by mags0528 on Apr 18, 2015 12:40:11 GMT -5
This has only happened to me once at a family owned rural Chinese restaurant. The manager (who said) it was fresh off the boat so I wasn't offended or outraged, but I haven't been back (food sucked). You're so amazingly damn gracious.
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hungryquad
Junior Member
Taken by: bowlergrl0524
Posts: 64
Gender: Male
Dev Status: Disabled Male
Relationship Status: In a relationship
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Post by hungryquad on Apr 18, 2015 12:48:27 GMT -5
I have had issues with The cutlery being too thick for my use and having to bring my own utensils.I have also experienced the whole "what will he have" thing I think that whole "what will he have" thing is bullshit. That's really sad that if it's your job to interact with the general public and you can't interact with someone in a chair, you must be really terrible at your job. Question: Plastic utensils as an alterbative. Would that work? Plastic utensils could work, although it depends upon what type of food it is, One other problem I have noticed is that even if the restaurant has accessible tables, The host either do not know how to operate adjustable tables, ordo not give me the accessible table even if it is available.
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Post by Mets on Apr 18, 2015 14:32:28 GMT -5
I always bring my own plastic cups, and plastic utensils, as the weight of heavy objects is difficult. I agree with letting them choose which chair to pull, it is much more comfortable for me to have someone on my left than on my right, for a few reasons. Also, if I'm without a nurse/relative I may ask for the food to be cut differently, although that really depends on the person and food. I think the overall idea is to try and support the customer's request, even if you do not understand the logic behind it. Also, don't assume anything, if you have questions simply ask!
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Kalmah
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Post by Kalmah on Apr 18, 2015 15:32:44 GMT -5
so this isn´t kinky at all?! jaja well i think that the most annoying thing is when ask to others what i want to order, doesn´t happend all the time but still, that and the chair thing above
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Post by rebel6842 on Apr 18, 2015 15:50:31 GMT -5
Generally speaking, I've had great experiences in restaurants. The majority of the time, I'm with family/friends, so it takes the pressure off of the waitstaff. But, the times that I've been alone, the waitstaffs have been nothing but curteous/helpful. I was a semi-regular at one restaurant where several years ago during a cold and rainy Easter Sunday where I'd been outside for work purposes, my body just WOULD NOT cooperate with me, so the waitress (who told me she had relatives that were PWD's) sat with me as much as she could to make sure things were going well-I tipped her VERY well!
My best advice to you is to just keep your eyes and ears open, and to use common sense.
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Post by spurs2000 on Apr 18, 2015 17:01:44 GMT -5
as a wheelchair user In England, I often find the restaurants to have ridiculous weaving between tables required to get seated, the accessible toilets/restrooms are nearly always utilised as a broom cupboard.
My most big gripe which only happens occasionally is when I have a soft drink, i.e. Coke or lemonade as do others on my table the only difference being I get given a straw which is somewhat presumptuous when I don't really want one!
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