"Do you have any allergies?"

[GriseldaMolestrangler]

We're all getting asked this aren't we? I get asked it daily by the same person in the same coffee takeaway that I go to and get the same things every day. I know they can't be expected to remember everyone. Some places though don't ask at all.

Does it get on your nerves?
Are you happy that food places are taking responsibility?

It's a millisecond out of your day to answer and could save someone's life.

This!!

You remember that thing where a young girl died because of an allergic reaction to a Pret baguette that didn't have allergen labelling? And how that triggered a change in the law?

They're managing their risk and protecting their customers at the same time. If you really don't have time to say "No" every day, you can always stop going.

But surely if someone has life threating allergies, they will be very careful about where they eat/drink and question what they are being served?

Yet the 99% not affected by this have to go through the conversation.

No it doesn't get on my nerves. Companies not taking allergies seriously gets on my nerves.

To be fair, they mostly don't even take responsibility when you tell them you / your child does have an allergy. It's just their get out clause and say they can't guarantee their food or drink will definitely be allergy free.

I've never been asked this in a coffee shop! Restaurants yes.

It's something like 1 in 12 children that have allergies now. Some allergies can kill within a few minutes of ingestion. Living with that anxiety is horrible and I personally think it's very reassuring that food places take it seriously (my DD has loads of allergies).

As someone with allergies, it's good to have an opening in the conversation to actually tell them about this without having to butt in in the middle of a conversation largely controlled by the other person under pressure of time. How hard is it to just say no?

It does seem odd to ask everyone, the relutivly small proportion of people with the allergies can just make it known. Is there anything about you or the location of the cafe that might make them think you need this prompt? I can see it might become habit if the cafe is next to a school or something and use to serving children who might forget to say.

In many places their policy is that managers must process orders for tables with allergies - so they ask to see if they can continue or if they need to get their manager. Obviously if you don't need it you'd never see that or know it happens to be aware it's an actual purposeful part of the process.

Personally I find it a weight off when asked as we're being seated if we need an allergen menu etc rather than having to find chance in their spiel to interrupt and make requests. Isn't it good that we make people feel included and not like their an inconvenience? It's no skin off your nose.

I have a daughter who carries epipens. It cheers my heart every single time I'm asked.

Boring processes carried out as second nature because they're used on every transaction save lives.

I have a non celiac gluten allergy and I am very careful where I eat. I’m very grateful for being asked the question because with each exposure the reaction is stronger.

It’s a shame that it’s annoying to others, it royally pisses me off but at least I’m not in anaphylactic shock. I particularly like it when a restaurant clarifies with me that it’s not a lifestyle choice. I’m then reassured that they’re going to treat it seriously.

I don't mind being asked, it only takes a couple of seconds and at least shows some awareness of how life-threatening it could be. However, I get that it might feel slightly irritating if it's your daily cafe and you'd think they would recognise you by now, sort of thing.

It's more irritating when you end up with poorer service because you do have an allergy. My son is allergic to cashews and pistachios. We went to Wagamama's and they asked about allergies. When told my son had one the waitress said that in that case only the manager could come and take our order 🫤 But she'd only be a minute so not a problem. 45 minutes later and after chasing it up Manager finally arrives. She asks what his allergy is to which she replies 'oh it'll be fine. We're a nut free kitchen'!!!

Usually we are given a menu with allergens highlighted which is much more sensible.

So no being asked if we have any allergies is not irritating in the slightest even when no one has.

Would you really trust a fast food joint worker to know enough to keep her safe?!

They’ll ask because it’s policy, not because they have any actual knowledge of what’s safe or not.

It doesn’t get on my nerves - it takes me 1 second to answer and it protects the cafe/ restaurant owner and (if I did have allergies) it protects me too!

I think great people ask! I expect them too!

„Go through“ it’s a question , two minutes to ask and say no.

OP you missed the patronising, special kneel down by the allergy sufferer's side with a clip board and head tilt.

Before anyone jumps on me, I do understand that businesses are doing their best to comply with legislation and keep their customers safe. But DS and DH don't love being treated like small children.

I work in a local coffee type place.

i have to ask about nut allergies every time. The till prompts me, and I have to confirm I have asked the customer. It is what it is. Some people get arsey- of course I don’t have nut allergies if I’m ordering a lab almond croissant!! Which I can sort of get… but very very occasionally we’ve had people say yes.

Oh and we are explicitly told we have to ask EVERYTIME, even if it’s a regular customer and they always say no.

We have to print out the ingredients list if anyone mentions allergies at all, eg eggs/legumes etc. Then they can read it and judge whether the product is suitable themselves.

Only asking about nut allergies is really bad practice. Any allergen can be fatal.

Wagamamas are awful with allergies. They only list the most common ones.

I appreciate being asked otherwise I always have to raise it myself, which makes me feel a bit of a nuisance, especially when I'm with other people it makes me feel like an attention-seeker bringing up my allergy everywhere I go, even though I have to

P.S. I've never had anyone kneel down by my side with a clipboard! I don't think this is normal in the UK at least

I work alongside a woman with a severe peanut allergy. We all have to be careful so careful around her, even someone else eating a Snickers bar in the same room can be dangerous.