A spinoff of sorts - Are you always sensitive to people with allergies??

I was once on the LIRR eating strawberries for breakfast. We stop at Jamaica and some dude gets on the train and decides to sit next to me. He leans over and tells me that he's allergic to strawberries and I need to put them away....

Why would this moron come sit next to me when he saw I was eating strawberries if he was allergic to them? Why should I give up my breakfast cause this dude chose to sit next to me instead of somewhere else on the train? (yes there were plenty of seats for him to choose from).

I leaned back and told him I was allergic to cheap cologne, so either he picks a new seat so he doesn't puff up like a blow fish, or I go to work with a headache from the sench of his aftershave...

Do you walk around worrying about other people's allergies or do you think that's for them to worry about?

Re: A spinoff of sorts - Are you always sensitive to people with allergies??

Within reason, I don't worry about other people's allergies. I'm diabetic, and I don't get in people's face if they don't have diet soda at their house.
If I'm aware of an allergy, I'll try and accommodate that person, but I don't go out of my way wondering who is allergic to what. Almost everyone has some sort of issue, either an allergy, headaches, medical restrictions, etc.

Re: A spinoff of sorts - Are you always sensitive to people with allergies??

I think it's for them to worry about.

I mean if I KNOW of friends or family with allergies, I will make sure there is something available for them to eat, or I will not make something with something they might have an adverse reaction too... or put the cat in the basement, etc.

But walking down the street and doing my own thing, no i do not worry about other people's allergies.

Re: A spinoff of sorts - Are you always sensitive to people with allergies??

Honestly No. I have to many other things going on at one time in my head to worry about it.

If I know that you(anybody I know personally) are allergic to peanuts, I would NEVER have them around them.

But Joe Schmoe stranger I dont have the time.

Re: A spinoff of sorts - Are you always sensitive to people with allergies??

Re: A spinoff of sorts - Are you always sensitive to people with allergies??

If i know I am going to be in a confined space (meetings, airplanes, car pooling) I don't wear any perfume. My mom is very sensitive to smells so I know while the smell might not annoy me it is annoying to others.

I am sometimes sensitive to smells too. The smell of other people can make me sick. Besides the pounding headache I get the pleasure of everything I eat for the rest of the day tasting like cologne.

Someone I worked with was allergic to peanuts. I know with this allergy even a faint smell can trigger a reaction so I would avoid eating peanut butter for lunch.

Re: A spinoff of sorts - Are you always sensitive to people with allergies??

To a point. I don't apply makeup or perfume or eat nuts in public enclosed spaces. I also would never bring any animal on public transportation or into any store.

If someone were to ask me to put food away, I'd do it in an instant.

Re: A spinoff of sorts - Are you always sensitive to people with allergies??

Re: A spinoff of sorts - Are you always sensitive to people with allergies??

depends on the situation...

If Im having a dinner party and Im having someone over that is allergic to shellfish then I am...To me it would be disrespectful to make something that they couldnt eat...(I still might serve shrimp cocktail as an appetizer but I would make sure that I have plenty of others too and the main course would not have shellfish in it)

If Ive invited someone over who is allergic to animals I would make sure that I cleaned extrememly well and make sure the cat was confined to the basement from the night before..(I no longer have a cat so this isnt an issue now any way)

in your situation I would of been offended by his request...had the situation been reversed and had you had the allergy and he had sat down next to you and opened a thing of strawberries then you would of had the right to say something...but he was out of line to expect you to put them away. He should of found another seat since there were others available.

Re: A spinoff of sorts - Are you always sensitive to people with allergies??

Re: A spinoff of sorts - Are you always sensitive to people with allergies??

I try to be but my mom was extrememly sensitive to a lot of things, so it became habit for me. I couldn't put perfume or hairspray on until after I left the house. I don't know if you have to change your whole life for strangers, but if someone you know has a problem, you should be more sensitive to it. I had an aunt that always had some kind of scent going in her house - candles, potpourri burner (when those were popluar) and my mom had a VERY hard time going there for holidays. My aunt either didn't remember or didn't care about it, which I found to be very inconsiderate.

I think perfume and cologne are the worst offenders. I don't have bad allergies and I wish many people would tone it down. I also think things like applying nail polish on a plane or public transportation is kind of obnoxious. You don't have to be allergic to feel overwhelmed by that odor.

Re: A spinoff of sorts - Are you always sensitive to people with allergies??

Re: A spinoff of sorts - Are you always sensitive to people with allergies??

I have allergies such that I am allergic to beer; I'm at the point that I cannot even smell it.

People drink it on the LIRR.

So I don't sit by them. It's pretty simple. When you have allergies, you do what you can to take care of yourself. He shouldn't have sat next to you.

I like your come back, btw.

Re: A spinoff of sorts - Are you always sensitive to people with allergies??

I am to an extent...to family and friends - of course...to "strangers" - like your example on the train, the person has the option to sit somewhere else.

Now, what I do think is VERY SAD are food vendors/restaurants. Servers should be completely aware of the ingredients of the items on the menu - if they don't - then the cooks/chefs and specifically the manager should be.

I once had a BRAWL with a pizzeria b/c I asked him if eggplant is in the veggie stromboli - he said "um...I dunno." I said, okay, well I'll have the pepperoni. He called me a "picky bit*h" and it's because I'm severely allergic to eggplant. I told him "Hey listen, I'm willing to eat the veggie stromboli and die right here in front of your customers b/c I'm severely allergic to it." He of course apologized....but I never went back there again.

Food allergies (and allergies) in general should be taken seriously. It's one thing to "dislike" something, but another thing when someone is fatally effected by it.

Re: A spinoff of sorts - Are you always sensitive to people with allergies??

In obvious circumstances, such as animals, smoking (when I was a smoker) and perfume- yes.

The guy with the strawberries was a moron- you can't have a reaction to strwberries by sitting next to someone eating them- only by ingesting/coming into contact with them.

Re: A spinoff of sorts - Are you always sensitive to people with allergies??

Re: A spinoff of sorts - Are you always sensitive to people with allergies??

I'd say it's the responsibility of the person with the allergy rather than a complete stranger in a public place. Granted if it's a packed place, then I'll try to be accomodating. It's situational.

Re: A spinoff of sorts - Are you always sensitive to people with allergies??

Re: A spinoff of sorts - Are you always sensitive to people with allergies??

how about this?

MY trash MIL has a dog my HUSBAND HER SON is allergic to..

she still has it.. SO WE DONT GO THERE
WOOHHOOO

now having a child who will 99% have the same allergies the DR said,

she is bugging we won't come there..

She said we can lock the dog up..

I said SURE ...


People are NOT sensative :(

she can lock herself in the room if it was my choice!

Re: A spinoff of sorts - Are you always sensitive to people with allergies??

I try to remain contientous when I invite people over, especially to my Mom's (where the pet population is HIGH). As it is, we don't have pets at our apartment, so it's never an issue if someone has a pet allergy.

I do not tend to think of those issues when it comes to food though. If you are a guest and you are allergic, you need to speak up and ask me if there is a potential ingredient that might cause you an issue. I'm not going to 'John Edwards' this info out of thin air. I always try to offer everyone a broad spectrum of foods to avoid those issues.

In interaction with the general population, I do not tend to worry if my perfume is going to cause a flare up, if my hair color will create hives, etc. Everyone needs to take care of themselves and take extra measures to keep themselves well.

Re: A spinoff of sorts - Are you always sensitive to people with allergies??

Re: A spinoff of sorts - Are you always sensitive to people with allergies??

If I am aware of them then yes. If I am not aware of them and someone makes mention to me then I do my best to accommodate them.

Re: A spinoff of sorts - Are you always sensitive to people with allergies??

For the most part, yes, but I have several family members with severe allergies.

That guy on the train is just a tool though.

Re: A spinoff of sorts - Are you always sensitive to people with allergies??

If we have people over for dinner, I specifically make sure that they can eat everything that is made. We have a friend with multiple severe food allergies and I want to make sure she enjoys herself.

If we have people over who we have never had over before, I always ask if they have allergies - same thing if we are going to someone's house and I'm bringing food.