Beautiful things begin over meals

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We’ve found dining know-how to be an essential networking and job-seeking tool. When sharing meals with new friends and acquaintances, remember, it’s not about the food, it’s about the fellowship.

Some blindness nuances

Plan ahead and save time for conversation

Since Braille and large-print menus are scarce, we recommend reviewing restaurant menus online before dining out. Sometimes it’s helpful to call ahead with questions about specials, prices, and dietary concerns.

Request cane corners

Request a table near a corner in order to park your cane and keep it from breaking, getting dirty, or tripping others. Booths work nicely as well.

Connect with the server

Make them smile. Ask (and remember) their name so that requests can be made respectfully.

Sit up straight

Good posture helps keeps faces and hair out of your plate. Sitting up also allows you to face your dining partners and promotes the all-important conversation.

Use utensils skillfully

Holding your knife in your dominant hand allows you to gracefully locate and cut the food. It also helps you take reasonably-sized bites and promotes connections with others at the table.

Never touch the food on your plate with your fingers

Unless you are eating finger foods like sandwiches or chips, use your fork and knife to explore. While it’s tempting to use bread as a pusher, it’s nicer to secure food onto your fork with the side of your knife.

Dining with strangers

If there is no assigned host at business luncheons and banquets, take the lead. Help put others at ease about blindness by cheerfully introducing yourself and encouraging others to do the same.

Pay the bill

When you invite someone to lunch, pick up the check. When eating with a group, split the check rather than wasting time calculating bills to the nearest decimal.

Thank the server by name and tip generously

Do the math for a tip of 15—25 percent. Then, tell your server how much to write on the tip line. Before signing, ask your server to line up the edge of your credit card or cell phone with the signature line, then sign.

Conclusion

Of course, Blind Savvy diners do what everyone who is sighted should do:

• Place napkin on your lap
• Chew with mouth closed
• Keep elbows off the table
• Avoid slurping, burping, and smacking lips
• No coughing, sneezing, or blowing nose at the table
• Eat quietly and do not scrape utensils loudly across our plate

Finally, never ever forget… savvy dining is not about the food but the fellowship!