[bct] Re: Eating Out

I have to admit that after first losing my sight, I often did things
which I found embarrasing when eating in public - trying to put too
big a piece in my mouth, ending up with food hanging out of my mouth
and pushing food off the edge of the plate when trying to cut it or
get it on my fork. I was brought up in a family in which good table
manners was demanded and it took me a while to accept that achieving
the goal of a perfectly executed dining experience with impecable
manners was now different. 

My skills have improved. I never allow anyone to cut up my food for
me, but I also select meals which I know I can handle reasonably
well. I will sometimes ask someone to describe how the food is laid
out on the plate and I use my knife and fork to survey the plate and
work out whats on it. I always ensure I have a napkin prior to
starting to eat so that I can use it to wipe my mouth or discretely
recover from a mistake in judgement i.e. too much or food dangling
down out of my mouth. I've also accepted that bieng blind just simply
means some things are more difficult and normal table manners have
been designed for people with sight. I have no hesitation in
re-defining normal to better suit my situation and if others don't
like that, tough. 

Tim


Jamie Pauls writes:
 > Eric,
 > 
 > I realize it was a while since you were five (grin) but do you recall how
 > you learned to cut meat proficiently? Do you have any tried and true
 > techniques? One thing I have noticed over the years is that a task can seem
 > really daunting until you discover what you are doing wrong. After that, you
 > almost wonder why it was ever a problem in the first place. For example, I
 > had not thought of touching my meat lightly until Larry suggested it. I
 > think I have been so concerned not to do something that would look
 > inappropriate that I have probably made the task much more difficult for
 > myself. Give us your strategy. I am really pleased that we are able to have
 > this discussion so candidly. 
 > 
 > -----Original Message-----
 > From: blindcooltech-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
 > [mailto:blindcooltech-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Eric StevenS
 > Sent: Tuesday, November 01, 2005 1:30 PM
 > To: blindcooltech@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
 > Subject: [bct] Re: Eating Out
 > 
 > Here is one disadvantage of not associating with many blind people.
 > 
 > I just cannot imagine some of the difficulties you all describe.  I haven't
 > had any one cut anything or butter anything for me since I was 5 and I have
 > been totally blind since 3.  I don't think that I slop or spill any more
 > than any sighted person and I have never asked a wait person for
 > accommodation.
 > 
 > I don't mean to sound like some sort of super blink, but I just can't
 > imagine the difficulty described.  I am sorry for them, for sure.
 > 
 > Maybe people should have a steak party at their house and be the one to cut
 > everyone's meat for them as a learning and practice experience.  I imagine
 > it can't feel comfortable being in the position of having to ask for help
 > with such common tasks, so maybe a crash course in them will free people to
 > just enjoy themselves more and when they might not previously.
 > 
 > I hope not to sound like I am being critical.  I just think it is important
 > to know that mere blindness is not an issue in many of these situations. 
 > Now, if people have other difficulties with their coordination or
 > musculature, etc., of course that is different.
 > 
 > Eric SS
 > 
 > 
 > 
 > 
 >

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