Allergies are no laughing matter

Posted: June 24th, 2010 - 6:56pm by Sol Erdozain

I have food allergies but they are not life-threatening, I just get hives like Woogie from “There’s Something About Mary.”

However, some people get serious allergic reactions and a waiter shouldn't ignore that or make fun of it. Makes me wonder what else they don’t know about the industry they work in.

In response to a reader's dining experience, FloFab replied  “Obviously that wait person has been badly trained and the restaurant could use a wake-up call.”

It's important for restaurants to properly train their staff members to keep people from getting sick; be it from foodborne pathogens or allergies.
 

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Categories: Allergies
Tags: allergies, food safety

Comments

Doc says:

This doesn't excuse bad manners, but I suspect a portion of this kind of thing is caused by too many customers misusing the word "allergy". Many people will use the word in reference to a food intolerance or even just an aversion. I watched one person I know state that they were "deathly allergic to carrots", and then when they were presented with a tempting dish they decided to "just pick them out". After enough people cry "wolf", it's not surprising that waiters might forget that allergies can be very real and very fatal.

Posted on June 25th, 2010 - 9:50am

Bob says:

I agree that wait staff should be sensitive and responsive to their customers' needs. Since these workers are often very busy and working under less than ideal circumstances at their respective restaurants I will often ask to speak with a manager. After explaining that I've had a serious allergy/immune condition which involves certain foods, I usually find that managers do attempt to be helpful. Some will go back and verify information with a chef, others have suggested menu items that would be safe for me. The point is, I feel that dealing with management has brought me a more sensitive, helpful response from the restaurants I've frequented.

Posted on November 30th, 2010 - 10:37pm

Andy says:

I am very well familiar with hard allergies. My grandson is allergic to many items. dust, animal hair, peanut butter. He is 3 years old and has to carry his medication with him at all times. I feel hopeless as I watch this young man battle thru this aweful disorder. Will there ever be a cure. I pray to God some day.

Posted on March 29th, 2011 - 6:10pm

Andy says:

I am very well familiar with hard allergies. My grandson is allergic to many items. dust, animal hair, peanut butter. He is 3 years old and has to carry his medication with him at all times. I feel hopeless as I watch this young man battle thru this aweful disorder. Will there ever be a cure. I pray to God some day.

Posted on March 29th, 2011 - 6:11pm

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