VIP Coaching In The Dark

When Dining In and Out

Things to Think About

Minimalist cream-colored silhouette illustration of three people seated at a table sharing a meal. Plates, glasses, and a central serving bowl are visible, with each person holding a fork or mug. The scene suggests everyday dining, conversation, and shared connection around a meal.

Dining In

Present to your dining venue with clean clothes and good hygiene

Use your manners (don’t talk with food in your mouth, sit up straight, elbows off table, say please and thank you, cough into sleeve or napkin, asked to be excused if you need to step away, etc.)

Use high contrast place settings whenever possible (placemats, silverware, dishes, etc.)

Consider a portable task light to enhance your ability to see meal, menus, or table space 

Minimalist cream-colored silhouette illustration of a butterknife. A suggested tool to help scoop food onto a fork.

Sliding your hand on table to locate items will help minimize bumping or spilling items 

Use the clock method when describing object placement on your plate, table, vicinity

Don’t use your finger to shovel your food; consider using a piece of bread, a butter knife, or a food bumper to assist getting food onto your fork. Something to practice at home before going out to eat.

If you are not proficient at cutting your food, at home is the perfect place to practice before dining out.

Dining Out

Present to your dining venue with clean clothes and good hygiene

No canes on the table (place on the floor, in a bag, or under your leg)

Consider using phone applications to enhance your experience (i.e., Be My Eyes, digital menus, or reading the menu with a magnifier)

Use your manners (don’t talk with food in your mouth, sit up straight, elbows off table, say please and thank you, cough into sleeve or napkin, asked to be excused if you need to step away, etc.)

Light Cream silhouette of a place setting including a knife, fork, spoon, plate and glass; there is a clock face layer over the plate in a dark espresso brown. A knife sits to the left of the plate (around 9 o’clock), and a fork sits to the right (around 3 o’clock). A glass appears above the plate between 1 and 2 o’clock. The image demonstrates how clock positions can be used to describe the location of food and objects relative to the center of the plate for accessibility.

Use the clock method when describing object placement on your plate, table, vicinity

Sliding your hand on table to locate items will help minimize bumping or spilling items 

If you are not proficient at cutting your food, don’t be afraid to ask wait staff to cut your meat 

Don’t use your finger to shovel your food; consider using a piece of bread or a food bumper to assist getting food onto your fork.

Take in the dining experience with all 5 of your senses 

Redirect wait staff to speak to the guest whose order they are taking instead of sighted persons in the dinner party 

Remember, eating Can Be a pleasure and the company is probably worth their time, enjoy!

Todd Fahlstrom

Todd Fahlstrom

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