Food to Go Without Asking
August 4, 2007 by Kristina Chew, PhD
Filed under Health
From the August 5th New York Times, an article entitled www.FriesWithThat?.com:
Small and large chains, even individual restaurants, are now enabling customers to order without speaking: They can order online before pulling into a drive-through; they can text-message an order, and soon, they will be able to experience one-click ordering on their cellphones, for pickup or delivery. Push a button, and a hoagie is on the way. [my emphasis]
I’m not sure if the NY Times realizes the full meaning of that statement, of customers being able to “order without speaking.” My son Charlie has gone on many a field trip with his class to a restaurant (of the fast food sort) and, try as we practice, the response after he gives his “hamburger and French fries” order is most often, “huh, what did he say?” Not everyone can talk and being able to order by number, or point to what he wants while speaking as he does, are some ways that Charlie might be able to order his food all on his own.
Not that I am advocating for him to eat too much fast food!
Photo courtesy of Esther17 via Flickr.
On a related note, we’re finding that national or larger regional chains are more likely to have Braille menus. I am proud of my 15-yr-old for being a self-advocate and asking for Braille menus wherever we go.
I remember seeing one at the local McD’s last time—-good for Amigo!
The problem with Braille menus is that they may not be updated as frequently as the usual menus. (I have a friend who has encountered this before, and I read him however much of the menu he wants me to when we go out to eat together.)
My husband can order pizza online now, and since he has problems with understanding people on the phone sometimes, that’s a much better way to get the pizza he wants where he wants it when he wants it.
(And the last thing I need is to be able to order McDonald’s or Sonic online, or I’ll be eating even more fast-food meals!)