New Job -- Being Invited To Lunch

[eleep]

I'm two months into a new job -- I might add that I'm not only new at this job, I'm new to not being a graduate student, so there are all sorts of professional-world niceties with which I am unfamiliar.

My department has sent out a message about wanting to do something for the non-faculty administrative staff for "Administrative Professionals Day" (what is this, btw? i'm an editor, so i fall into a weird category for an academic department). They're getting each of us a gift cert. to a restaurant of our choice (easy enough for me) and throwing a lunch for us -- they want feedback on what restaurant to pick -- the actual request is pasted below. What should I say?

Forth, would you like to suggest a restaurant for your hosted lunch? In

the last few years we've been to Macaroni Grill, Harry's, Albert's

Restaurant at the Hilton/UF Conference Center. Would you prefer going

back to one of those, or maybe try something new? The advantage of

lunching on May 9th is that we won't be fighting the crowds also out

celebrating Administrative Professionals Day, but we've also found that

many restaurants in Gainesville just can't seem to figure out how to

accommodate a group of 15 to 20 (witness the bizarre arrangement last

years at the Macaroni Grill...). I'll be happy to check out your

suggestions and let you know what the restaurant thinks it can arrange.

[Fiddle-Faddle]

I would call each restaurant and find out what (if any) gluten-free options they have, and then get back to your department, saying something positive like, "Wow, this sounds like fun! BTW, I have a major food allergy, and these are the restaurants (hopefully there'll be at least one!) where I can safely eat. Here are some suggestions on some other restaurants where I can eat, in case people are wanting to try someplace different."

Hope that's helpful.

[kbtoyssni]

Although this may be ackward for you to explain, you can always bring your own food to the restaurant. Or maybe you could suggest an alternate event like happy hour or bowling.

[CarlaB]

They said they'd check out your suggestions, so why not send them?

Once they decide on a place, then call the place and see if they can make arrangements for you. If not, then bring your own food.

[gfp]

They said they'd check out your suggestions, so why not send them?

Once they decide on a place, then call the place and see if they can make arrangements for you. If not, then bring your own food.

I'd cover my bases.....

Got one of these once in my last job .... any dietry needs etc. so sent the organiser everything they needed ... then the actual day before we are leaving me and about 4 others get an email basically saying when you get there its up to you to talk to the catering manager.... not even the name of the manager???

To add insult to injury ..... they then gave away free beer ... BUT only beer.. no option for a soft drink or anything safe....I know two of the others on the list were Muslims and requested something Halal ... and they of course got prawns.... and of course no beer either... and the only other one I knew (we were on the same email) was diabetic and yep.. same thing...

To make matters worse the conference centre/hotel was in the middle of nowhere ... basically just a turn off from a highway.

[zansu]

being assertive means gently, kindly, clearly and firmly letting your NEEDs be known -- not being pushy, nasty or rude, just "This is what I need to be safe". Most people respect this if it is put clearly (those that don't, don't deserve the notice of Miss Manners!) If you're too wimpy, they don't figure it's really important; and if you're too pushy, they don't figure you're worth the effort.

I would agree wholeheartedly with Fiddle-Faddle... Suggest a restaurant or two you have found to be safe and tell the organizer why you are suggesting those. If they choose somewhere else, ask them to give you enough notice to call ahead and coordinate. If you're not comfortable, bring your own (or get takeout from Sonny's, I miss Sonny's). BTW, some folks have posted decent results at a Macaroni Grill, and a Hilton should be able to accomodate if given advance notice.

One last note: How 'bout them Gators!