I usually don’t eat out.

It’s too much hassle, and I know that I can make better food at home anyhow.

But sometimes, sometimes, something happens and I choose to eat out.

Maybe we are traveling (which happens a lot), we have visitors (which happens a lot too), or we are at a specific place that really makes you want to eat there (doesn’t happen much).

The way I do it - if possible, ideally - I first look up the place online, but that doesn’t always happen, as we might decide to go somewhere on the spare of the moment.

So, here we go.

We go into the restaurant, and before we sit down, I ask to look at the menu.

The waitress looks at me, with a puzzled look on her face, and asks if she can help me.

I say: Yes, I’m Gluten Free, Dairy Free and I can’t eat Tomatoes - is there anything on the menu that I can have?

By the way, I love eating out in the US as they are so accommodating and always happy to make you anything you want from scratch.

That was my experience anyhow.

But here in New Zealand, the first response is “Ohhhh, poor you” and I may even get a soft, warm palm placed on my shoulder to say “we feel for you” or “We are so sorry to hear that”…. grrrrrrr

The second possible reaction here is “Sorry, everything is precooked and pre-seasoned”.

Meaning, they don’t cook food from fresh, which I think is disgusting but also, that means that they can’t accommodate me at all.

Ohhhh, poor me lol :-)

I rather not eat in a place that doesn’t cook fresh food!

I usually take a big breathe when the “Ohhh, poor you” comes out.

I don’t like it.

No, I actually hate it!

It makes me feel like I’m at the hospital or someone just died.

“Let me see what I can do for you” with a smile would do a better job.

When will people get a grip, and learn that we are not poor things, but really happy to be able to eat good food that doesn’t harm us?

I am very proud of my latest response last weekend to the “Ohhhh poor you”….

We went out for lunch.

The place was full with Gluten and Dairy options, but there were a few dishes that I can have, and that’s all I ask for really.

When the “Ohhhh poor you” came out, and followed by “It must be hard”

I said calmly, with confidence while looking at my husband…

“No, we’re kind of used to it. It’s normal for us” and shrugged my shoulders at the same time, like there is nothing to it.

That was it.

She said nothing more, and from that moment she treated me like a person, not like someone to feel sorry for.

What a win! :-)

I’m really curious to hear what’s working for you and how you are handling it.