Why guests fail to mention allergies

Had some insight into why guests don't mention allergies or restrictions. I asked about allergies and got that hesitation that usually presages a long list of problems. Guest then gave me a few things but then said, 'But don't worry about me, I'll just pick. I'll have a bagel and some yogurt and granola.'
I told her this is not a buffet. We are going to plate up a breakfast that's why I need to know what she can't eat.
She then explained she would never have mentioned anything if I hadn't asked as she assumed there would be a buffet for breakfast.
So there you go.

You know what they say about the word assume and what it makes u and me.

Perhaps it is from all the Bet ter Way videos that show big fancy buffets? Time they started featuring the small normal plated/family-style "here is a breakfast you do to have to get up and get for yourself" a la motel w/free breakfast. It may be a better breakfast but is is still get up and serve yourself. I want to sit there and BE SERVED! Even if I am serving myself from a family-style, I am not having to move my lazy butt to get it - it is THERE, on the table.

gillumhouse said:

Perhaps it is from all the Bet ter Way videos that show big fancy buffets? Time they started featuring the small normal plated/family-style "here is a breakfast you do to have to get up and get for yourself" a la motel w/free breakfast. It may be a better breakfast but is is still get up and serve yourself. I want to sit there and BE SERVED! Even if I am serving myself from a family-style, I am not having to move my lazy butt to get it - it is THERE, on the table..

Click to expand...

I think it's just a hotel mindset. Rather than having seen any BWTS advertising. Or, possibly they have stayed at a lot of B&B's that put out a spread of 'help yourself' along with the plated meal. Like seashanty used to do.

My first thought - same as Arkie
So do we need to state "NO grazing troff (aka boophy) here, we provide table service to our guests."
The more we put on our sites the more they don't read.

Some people are just very private and don't want attention drawn to themselves. I think that is more than anything, or they don't think you will be serving something on their list. Many of late who have had - again - private info - "scopes" are saying "no seeds" ie strawberries.
Then we also have the opposite it is all about drawing attention to themselves.
If it is their first B&B stay they have no idea what to expect.

copperhead said:

My first thought - same as Arkie

So do we need to state "NO grazing troff (aka boophy) here, we provide table service to our guests."
The more we put on our sites the more they don't read..

Click to expand...

copperhead said:

The more we put on our sites the more they don't read.

Click to expand...

Put up a PHOTO of you setting a filled plate in front of a hungry guest, as you refill another guest's orange juice glass with the other hand, and they'll get the message.

Arkansawyer said:

copperhead said:

My first thought - same as Arkie

So do we need to state "NO grazing troff (aka boophy) here, we provide table service to our guests."
The more we put on our sites the more they don't read..

Click to expand...

copperhead said:

The more we put on our sites the more they don't read.

Click to expand...

Put up a PHOTO of you setting a filled plate in front of a hungry guest, as you refill another guest's orange juice glass with the other hand, and they'll get the message.
.

Click to expand...

Arkansawyer said:

copperhead said:

The more we put on our sites the more they don't read.

Click to expand...

Put up a PHOTO of you setting a filled plate in front of a hungry guest, as you refill another guest's orange juice glass with the other hand, and they'll get the message.

Click to expand...

There is! Well not of me but DH with plate & coffee in hand wearing his Copperhead B&B apron.

Arkansawyer said:

copperhead said:

My first thought - same as Arkie

So do we need to state "NO grazing troff (aka boophy) here, we provide table service to our guests."
The more we put on our sites the more they don't read..

Click to expand...

copperhead said:

The more we put on our sites the more they don't read.

Click to expand...

Put up a PHOTO of you setting a filled plate in front of a hungry guest, as you refill another guest's orange juice glass with the other hand, and they'll get the message.
.

Click to expand...

Arkansawyer said:

copperhead said:

The more we put on our sites the more they don't read.

Click to expand...

Put up a PHOTO of you setting a filled plate in front of a hungry guest, as you refill another guest's orange juice glass with the other hand, and they'll get the message.

Click to expand...

Hip Hip Hurray! Table service in a photo.

copperhead said:

Arkansawyer said:

copperhead said:

My first thought - same as Arkie

So do we need to state "NO grazing troff (aka boophy) here, we provide table service to our guests."
The more we put on our sites the more they don't read..

Click to expand...

copperhead said:

The more we put on our sites the more they don't read.

Click to expand...

Put up a PHOTO of you setting a filled plate in front of a hungry guest, as you refill another guest's orange juice glass with the other hand, and they'll get the message.
.

Click to expand...

Arkansawyer said:

copperhead said:

The more we put on our sites the more they don't read.

Click to expand...

Put up a PHOTO of you setting a filled plate in front of a hungry guest, as you refill another guest's orange juice glass with the other hand, and they'll get the message.

Click to expand...

There is! Well not of me but DH with plate & coffee in hand wearing his Copperhead B&B apron.
.

Click to expand...

copperhead said:

Arkansawyer said:

copperhead said:

The more we put on our sites the more they don't read.

Click to expand...

Put up a PHOTO of you setting a filled plate in front of a hungry guest, as you refill another guest's orange juice glass with the other hand, and they'll get the message.

Click to expand...

There is! Well not of me but DH with plate & coffee in hand wearing his Copperhead B&B apron.

Click to expand...

Okay now that made me chuckle, a Copperhead B&B apron! haha

By the way I discovered the ENTIRE ISSUE right here:
[h3]
"Breakfast is served daily 8:30-9:30 am" Copperhead[/h3]
[h3]
"Breakfast is served from 8 AM to 9:30 AM in the sun room." Maddie[/h3]

Joey Bloggs said:

By the way I discovered the ENTIRE ISSUE right here:
[h3]
"Breakfast is served daily 8:30-9:30 am" Copperhead[/h3]
[h3]
"Breakfast is served from 8 AM to 9:30 AM in the sun room." Maddie[/h3].

Click to expand...

Joey Bloggs said:

. . .
[h3]
"Breakfast is served daily 8:30-9:30 am" Copperhead[/h3]
[h3]
. . . [/h3]

Click to expand...

The mobile site actually says, "Table service . . . " but doesn't have a picture of it being served.

IronGate said:

Joey Bloggs said:

By the way I discovered the ENTIRE ISSUE right here:
[h3]
"Breakfast is served daily 8:30-9:30 am" Copperhead[/h3]
[h3]
"Breakfast is served from 8 AM to 9:30 AM in the sun room." Maddie[/h3].

Click to expand...

Joey Bloggs said:

. . .
[h3]
"Breakfast is served daily 8:30-9:30 am" Copperhead[/h3]
[h3]
. . . [/h3]

Click to expand...

The mobile site actually says, "Table service . . . " but doesn't have a picture of it being served.
.

Click to expand...

IronGate said:

Joey Bloggs said:

. . .
[h3]
"Breakfast is served daily 8:30-9:30 am" Copperhead[/h3]
[h3]
. . . [/h3]

Click to expand...

The mobile site actually says, "Table service . . . " but doesn't have a picture of it being served.

Click to expand...

There are a lot of things SAID.
But when you scan something you see the breakfast times. Span of times. They can say it til they are blue in the face, I realize all over if you read, you will know what is going on, but people don't read. A photo of the cook holding the food may not be the same image as someone SERVING the food. I am thinking about this as well...I just don't want to put ANYONE on the website, that we serve. It is kinda tricky...

Joey Bloggs said:

By the way I discovered the ENTIRE ISSUE right here:
[h3]
"Breakfast is served daily 8:30-9:30 am" Copperhead[/h3]
[h3]
"Breakfast is served from 8 AM to 9:30 AM in the sun room." Maddie[/h3].

Click to expand...

Not sure what the issue is...

Joey Bloggs said:

By the way I discovered the ENTIRE ISSUE right here:
[h3]
"Breakfast is served daily 8:30-9:30 am" Copperhead[/h3]
[h3]
"Breakfast is served from 8 AM to 9:30 AM in the sun room." Maddie[/h3].

Click to expand...

Joey Bloggs said:

By the way I discovered the ENTIRE ISSUE right here:
[h3]
"Breakfast is served daily 8:30-9:30 am" Copperhead[/h3]
[h3]
"Breakfast is served from 8 AM to 9:30 AM in the sun room." Maddie[/h3]

Click to expand...

Are you suggesting that a span of times implies a buffet? We also have a span of times on our website, and I rarely get a guest who expects a buffet (although I still have the undisclosed food issue problem). IMO, it is partly a regional thing, and what people have seen at other B&Bs. Given the low percentage of the public that have even been to B&Bs, ever - I'm surprised we don't all see more of it. Most people who travel have stayed in hotels and most hotels have buffets. Maybe our guests read more than we give them credit for!

muirford said:

Joey Bloggs said:

By the way I discovered the ENTIRE ISSUE right here:
[h3]
"Breakfast is served daily 8:30-9:30 am" Copperhead[/h3]
[h3]
"Breakfast is served from 8 AM to 9:30 AM in the sun room." Maddie[/h3].

Click to expand...

Joey Bloggs said:

By the way I discovered the ENTIRE ISSUE right here:
[h3]
"Breakfast is served daily 8:30-9:30 am" Copperhead[/h3]
[h3]
"Breakfast is served from 8 AM to 9:30 AM in the sun room." Maddie[/h3]

Click to expand...

Are you suggesting that a span of times implies a buffet? We also have a span of times on our website, and I rarely get a guest who expects a buffet (although I still have the undisclosed food issue problem). IMO, it is partly a regional thing, and what people have seen at other B&Bs. Given the low percentage of the public that have even been to B&Bs, ever - I'm surprised we don't all see more of it. Most people who travel have stayed in hotels and most hotels have buffets. Maybe our guests read more than we give them credit for!

.

Click to expand...

Actually, a span like that MAY imply it to some guests. Maybe instead...
Breakfast table service from 8:00AM to 9:30AM or even
Breakfast service is from 8:30 to 9:30 by reservation.
We introduce it at the door as breakfast is served at either X or Y, which would you prefer? We don't offer a span, because we want guests to have up to 50 minutes for breakfast and we don't have the room in which to have them a different tables.

Eric Arthur Blair said:

muirford said:

Joey Bloggs said:

By the way I discovered the ENTIRE ISSUE right here:
[h3]
"Breakfast is served daily 8:30-9:30 am" Copperhead[/h3]
[h3]
"Breakfast is served from 8 AM to 9:30 AM in the sun room." Maddie[/h3].

Click to expand...

Joey Bloggs said:

By the way I discovered the ENTIRE ISSUE right here:
[h3]
"Breakfast is served daily 8:30-9:30 am" Copperhead[/h3]
[h3]
"Breakfast is served from 8 AM to 9:30 AM in the sun room." Maddie[/h3]

Click to expand...

Are you suggesting that a span of times implies a buffet? We also have a span of times on our website, and I rarely get a guest who expects a buffet (although I still have the undisclosed food issue problem). IMO, it is partly a regional thing, and what people have seen at other B&Bs. Given the low percentage of the public that have even been to B&Bs, ever - I'm surprised we don't all see more of it. Most people who travel have stayed in hotels and most hotels have buffets. Maybe our guests read more than we give them credit for!

.

Click to expand...

Actually, a span like that MAY imply it to some guests. Maybe instead...
Breakfast table service from 8:00AM to 9:30AM or even
Breakfast service is from 8:30 to 9:30 by reservation.
We introduce it at the door as breakfast is served at either X or Y, which would you prefer? We don't offer a span, because we want guests to have up to 50 minutes for breakfast and we don't have the room in which to have them a different tables.
.

Click to expand...

Eric Arthur Blair said:

Actually, a span like that MAY imply it to some guests. Maybe instead...

Click to expand...

What I get from most guests is that they think we make everyone sit down at 8:30 and leave at 9:30. We don't, so we explain that. The buffet question comes up occasionally, but it is usually from someone who really wants to know what food we make.
I might assume from your first sentence that there is an option outside that window for breakfast, but not with table service (like a continental). The second statement doesn't apply to me - I don't need a specific time.

Joey Bloggs said:

By the way I discovered the ENTIRE ISSUE right here:
[h3]
"Breakfast is served daily 8:30-9:30 am" Copperhead[/h3]
[h3]
"Breakfast is served from 8 AM to 9:30 AM in the sun room." Maddie[/h3].

Click to expand...

We have a similar time range but state it as "Breakfast seatings available at 8:00, 8:30 or 9:00"
It helps us to coordinate use of the griddle and oven to have discrete seating times. And I think it subtly implies that it's not a self-serve buffet.

tedwin said:

Joey Bloggs said:

By the way I discovered the ENTIRE ISSUE right here:
[h3]
"Breakfast is served daily 8:30-9:30 am" Copperhead[/h3]
[h3]
"Breakfast is served from 8 AM to 9:30 AM in the sun room." Maddie[/h3].

Click to expand...

We have a similar time range but state it as "Breakfast seatings available at 8:00, 8:30 or 9:00"
It helps us to coordinate use of the griddle and oven to have discrete seating times. And I think it subtly implies that it's not a self-serve buffet.
.

Click to expand...

tedwin said:

We have a similar time range but state it as "Breakfast seatings available at 8:00, 8:30 or 9:00"
It helps us to coordinate use of the griddle and oven to have discrete seating times. And I think it subtly implies that it's not a self-serve buffet.

Click to expand...

I'm not as fancy a chef as you are, tedwin . Maybe something like 'you may be seated for breakfast service between 8:30 and 9:30 a.m'. It's the seating that implies it's not a buffet, as well as the service.

Perhaps the breakfast tables is another reason. Smaller tables vs a larger one. Or the way you say it to them, or not say it. There are so many variables. And then the "they aren't THAT allergic" to whatever it is. Like my Gluten Free gal who sat down and dove into an obv GLUTEN starter. Oh, is there gluten in this? she said.
a real allergy wouldn't dare touch anything without asking or telling