Any Allergies at all?
Discussion
Any Allergies at all?
Why am I getting asked this every time I dine out?
Where has this come from? It’s not a legal requirement is it?
What has happened in the industry to cause every single Waiter/Waitress to ask every single customer this question?
I understand the importance of the subject and am glad it is taken seriously by restaurants. I understand the concerns of those with allergies and believe it is right that efforts are made to cater for them.
If you have an allergy, inform staff. Surely that is enough. I feel it is a giant leap across an un-necessary line to have staff ask every patron that comes through the door. It’s the wrong way round.
Ok it’s a small thing, but it’s the concept that worries me more. Where does this end? Will bus drivers have to ask every passenger if they suffer with travel sickness before they board?
This seems a very clear example of Nanny-state spoon feeding that should just be stopped right now before it becomes normal behavior and creeps into all avenues of social interaction.
We already live in a world that is saturated with warnings and disclaimers, constant unwanted PA announcements on public transport etc. This sort of behavior adds another layer of unwanted unnecessary noise and stress to one’s peace, and doesn’t even have a tangible purpose. It’s like somebody somewhere thought they’d come up with a brilliant (dreadful) idea and somehow forced the whole industry to conform to it.
I stayed in a Premier Inn for a week recently. I had to answer the question every time I went for breakfast and dinner. I began to reply with silly answers in the end to stop myself going mad. “I guess we’ll soon find out”.
It’s not the staff’s fault, so I don’t want to antagonise them. I’m looking for a neat reply that politely explains that I do not wish to be asked the question nor answer the question and would like this protocol to be scrapped. If everybody replied like this, voting with our feet so to speak, the needless pestering would soon stop.
Why am I getting asked this every time I dine out?
Where has this come from? It’s not a legal requirement is it?
What has happened in the industry to cause every single Waiter/Waitress to ask every single customer this question?
I understand the importance of the subject and am glad it is taken seriously by restaurants. I understand the concerns of those with allergies and believe it is right that efforts are made to cater for them.
If you have an allergy, inform staff. Surely that is enough. I feel it is a giant leap across an un-necessary line to have staff ask every patron that comes through the door. It’s the wrong way round.
Ok it’s a small thing, but it’s the concept that worries me more. Where does this end? Will bus drivers have to ask every passenger if they suffer with travel sickness before they board?
This seems a very clear example of Nanny-state spoon feeding that should just be stopped right now before it becomes normal behavior and creeps into all avenues of social interaction.
We already live in a world that is saturated with warnings and disclaimers, constant unwanted PA announcements on public transport etc. This sort of behavior adds another layer of unwanted unnecessary noise and stress to one’s peace, and doesn’t even have a tangible purpose. It’s like somebody somewhere thought they’d come up with a brilliant (dreadful) idea and somehow forced the whole industry to conform to it.
I stayed in a Premier Inn for a week recently. I had to answer the question every time I went for breakfast and dinner. I began to reply with silly answers in the end to stop myself going mad. “I guess we’ll soon find out”.
It’s not the staff’s fault, so I don’t want to antagonise them. I’m looking for a neat reply that politely explains that I do not wish to be asked the question nor answer the question and would like this protocol to be scrapped. If everybody replied like this, voting with our feet so to speak, the needless pestering would soon stop.
colinbloom said:
Why am I getting asked this every time I dine out?
Because people like my son could die nearly instantly if the question isn’t asked and answered either by the establishment or us, and then acted upon carefully. It’s great to see restaurants being proactive about it.
Just answer ‘no’ politely and get on with your life.
EmailAddress said:
CheesecakeRunner said:
colinbloom said:
Why am I getting asked this every time I dine out?
Because people like my son could die nearly instantly if the question isn’t asked and answered either by the establishment or us, and then acted upon carefully. It’s great to see restaurants being proactive about it.
Just answer ‘no’ politely and get on with your life.
Or should we ask if anybody has a petrol allergy everytime we fill up...
/devil'sadvocate
, and actually read what I wrote in my post. colinbloom said:
I’m looking for a neat reply that politely explains that I do not wish to be asked the question nor answer the question and would like this protocol to be scrapped. If everybody replied like this, voting with our feet so to speak, the needless pestering would soon stop.
"No I don't".Easy way and hard way.
colinbloom said:
I’m looking for a neat reply that politely explains that I do not wish to be asked the question nor answer the question and would like this protocol to be scrapped. If everybody replied like this, voting with our feet so to speak, the needless pestering would soon stop.
Maybe you need to write to the person who decided this was their policy, rather than trying to come up with a witty reply to the waitress?By asking everyone they are covering their arse. If they've asked someone if they have an allergy which they then fail to declare, and they then end up in anaphylaxis, the liability is on the customer, not the restaurant. There isn't much more the restaurant can do at that point to avoid an incident.
If the restaurant doesn't ask, and someone dies, they will be blamed to some extent for not having duty of care. What if the customer had a few drinks and forgets to mention in? What if they are in the early stages of dementia and a simple prompt will remind them they can't go near nuts? I'd bet a load of money the policy started because of an incident like this and will save them some expensive legal battles later down the line.
Food allergies can be life threatening so, if anything, I'm surprised it hasn't started earlier.
And going back to voting with your feet: you can do this yourself by not eating at a Premier Inn.
Imagine being this pissy over having to say "no" to something.
Edited by Brainpox on Monday 22 May 17:44
CheesecakeRunner said:
Because people like my son could die nearly instantly if the question isn’t asked and answered either by the establishment or us, and then acted upon carefully.
It’s great to see restaurants being proactive about it.
Just answer ‘no’ politely and get on with your life.
That must be such a difficult situation to manage. My wife runs restaurants, and I have previously worked in them (many years ago), and I’m not sure I would put my faith in their response if the outcome could have fatal consequences. If I had a an allergy that could prove fatal, a restaurant would be the last place I would visit.It’s great to see restaurants being proactive about it.
Just answer ‘no’ politely and get on with your life.
EmailAddress said:
ETA. I wholeheartedly am on the side of expanded allergen information being available, and packaging being correct and detailed.
But that is not the point the OP made.
Minor inconvenience though it is, it should be completely unnecessary. Anyone with a brain and a food allergy would ask for themself in a restaurant. Self-preservation surely. But that is not the point the OP made.
I recall recently the woman who treated her peanut allergen daughter to a long haul flight and expected everyone else on the flight not to eat nuts.
colinbloom said:
Any Allergies at all?
Why am I getting asked this every time I dine out?
It's as bizarre as TV news full of death, destruction and sexual offences and they say, "warning, flash photography" as if it's the only thing that matters.Why am I getting asked this every time I dine out?
My special favourite is airlines who won't serve peanuts.
The convoy of life shouldn't be forced to travel at the pace of the slowest ship.
thebraketester said:
It's a waiver. No issue with being asked... just say yes or not it's not a problem.
So why ask 99% of customers for whom the question is irrelevant when the 1% with allergies could have the sense to speak up and say, "I've got an xyz allergy, will these menu choices be suitable for me?"Panamax said:
thebraketester said:
It's a waiver. No issue with being asked... just say yes or not it's not a problem.
So why ask 99% of customers for whom the question is irrelevant when the 1% with allergies could have the sense to speak up and say, "I've got an xyz allergy, will these menu choices be suitable for me?"Panamax said:
thebraketester said:
"Could"..... you have answered your own question
You think someone with a significant allergy shouldn't have the sense to speak up about it? Welcome to the insane world of 2023 where nobody is able to take responsibility for their own wellbeing.Gassing Station | Health Matters | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff