Did YOU know about Red Lobster's Policy!

Ginger, I did receive one of those WLS cards at the surgery prep seminar at OHSU.  However, I have never used mine because number one, it's several sizes too big to fit into my wallet.  Another thing is that my health info is considered private and clearly none of the restaurant staff's business.  Plus, I can order items from the seniors menu (which have smaller portions) at most restaurants.  Or, I can order from a low-carb menu at the Village Inn.  Or, I can order from the regular menu and take home whatever I am unable to eat as long as the food is protein and fat and not full of carbs.

One time I went to Shari's and ordered a senior's egg omelet with hash browns smothered in cheddar cheese for 50 cents more and whole wheat toast.  I was able to eat the entire egg omelet but was able to eat only about 1/4 or 1/2 of the hash browns before I got full.  The toast was left untouched, altho it was very buttery.  I chose not to box up the hash browns or toast to take home.

I don't even know where my WLS card is right now and don't care.

Thanks for this post girlfriend...I promised I wouldn't say any more.  Trying to behave.  But I must comment on some of the rather 'rude' comments posted.  I realize they may not have meant them to be rude.  Perhaps I am being sensitive or the fact they are text makes them sound harsher...but here goes....

I believe that we, as consumers, should always expect special consideration.  They want our dollars.  This request is no different than accommodating a child by having a child's menu or a senior by having a senior menu.  Also, remember how many joined the band wagon to add weigh****cher items, or such, to their menus.  These were all motivated by consumer demand.

No...we are not handicapped, but our request can still be taken into consideration.  We are not being asked for special treatment.  We aren't asking them to recreate the wheel.  Only asking them to create an item that is already on the menu.  Same as they would for a child or senior.

I admit to being a simple minded person, but I don't see how 'asking' if we can order off the children's or Seniors menu is any different than YOU folks that go some where (let's say McD's) and say, "hey...no ice" or "hold the pickles" or "extra...."

I can and do see both sides, but this is my two cents.  Now, if you were one that shared a "strong opinion," I encourage you to dig deep and share the same amount of compassion.

Even if this was a totally insane post (and I think it is a fairly reasonable one), keep in mind...we aren't all at the same place in our journey, growth or maturity.  Show kindness...even when there is a difference of opinion.

Sorry so long...

<---getting off soap box :)

Leslie

For me it's not about asking for accomodations. That is a *given* in customer service IMO. For me it's about feeling it's necessary to use a card to announce one's special needs to the customer service entity. It's none of their business WHY I, the customer, want something a certain way. The fact that I want it that way is all they need to know.

Ginger YOU AND I ARE THE SAME GENERATION and mindset...you are so right on...

The card is from my hospital and is given to everyone in their pre op class by the Nuts who tell folks to use it and eat the smaller portions early out they also urge that if a business doesn't honor it complain and don't go there.

I now wish I had not posted about it--not worth it...I just would have wanted to know if it had happened to someone else ---so thought others would want to know.

I wasn't mad at her nor did I get upset with her-- guess something's don't come across in a short posting...

I just made a "quiet" NOT LOUD comment about letting others know their policy. I would have just left quietly without doing business --BUT she did allow me to get the children's portion ---with her warning that "it would only be that "one time"--don't expect it again".

I told her thank you and left her a great tip $4.00 tip for a 5 dollar meal...to thank her for her effort and help.

I will not be going back there--Due to their policy even if I could eat ALL the food...It is the principle of the thing...

I had a perfect portion (child size of broiled fish and veg. about 4 oz total perfect for me for now.) left overs was not an option nor was sharing at this meal...

I appreciate everyones time to write and respond.

OMG she LECTURED you about it too?!?!?! *rant rant rant* I REALLY would have had the manager down her throat at that point, would have been satisfied with NOTHING less than seeing her sorry ass fired INSTANTLY, etc. And I for darned sure would not have tipped her a PENNY!!!

ETA: I hope you understand that I'm empathizing with you here, not grousing at you. And I also hope that the message I've wanted to communicate has come through, which is: You should not have to use a card to get an acceptable meal in ANY restaurant. Everyone deserves as much accomodation as a restaurant can give, with no explanations of medical procedures, etc., required. It's okay for you to just ask for what you want and to expect the restaurant to do whatever it can to accomodate you. And if a server gives you any lip whatsoever, it's your good right to leave or pitch whatever kind of protest you deem appropriate.

Sorry you were treated so badly. I've only had Red Lobster once post op and my hubby and I agreed on something to split. :)

I LOVE TGI Fridays up there in Carmel though! Yummy. The portions are sooo big but thats fine because DH and I can share usually.

Thanks for the posts and your time to give helpful input. We all live and learn.

Le Peeps is super for sharing food, the staffs is very helpful and everyone gives friendly service at all the locations we have been too...There are plenty of choices out there so will try TGIF and others when I can have someone to share with...

Won't pull the card out anymore taking everyones advice to heart. Thanks everyone had a great holiday weekend. p

As a former waitress, I think the server was a little cuckoo bananas to get on a power trip about a kid's meal.  I always let adults order kid's meals if they wanted because happy customers are usually better tippers.  Plus I do believe the customer is always right (within reason, and I think a kid's meal is well within reason.)

At any rate I probably wouldn't tell a stranger I had WLS but I don't think it's terrible to share with a server either.  It's like having a food sensitivity.  You can say "without milk" or you can say, "I have lactose intolerance."  Either one gets the point across.  Same with "I have a small appetite" or "I had WLS."