Horoscopes are great… for picking up chicks at a bar. But if you’re seeking a better predictor of personal attributes, offer that person some food.
This isn’t some long winded post about if they are polite to the servers and what it means. Rather this is about what you can instantly know when you find out this new colleague is part of the elite 4% of the American population who suffer from food allergies.
Congratulations! You found a real catch and now know this person is:
Self-Advocating. Every single meal out we need to communicate to chefs the importance of avoiding cross contamination. It’s tough to balance the urgency of our life-threatening message while not having every restaurant turn you down because you are overbearingly obnoxious and make them fear a lawsuit.
Self-Reliant. From a young age we needed to make our lunch every day because the hot lunch at school could have been deadly if cross-contaminated. Most kids just have to worry about finding the lunch lady’s hair in the oddly colored mashed potatoes splattered on the tray.
Empathetic. Experiencing the pain of exile during the most joyous celebrations helped us become more empathetic to others. This empathy helps us meet and connect with people from all walks of life on an emotional level.
Situationally Aware. Reading the vibe of any place can be difficult. But when your life is at stake from workers behind closed doors, it is essential you read the situation and sum up the integrity of the establishment through just a few seconds of interactions with the staff.
So, the next time you find out your new potential mate has food allergies, think twice about grabbing that fist full of nuts at the bar. (At least not without consent)
“Is that an Epipen In your pocket, or are you just happy to see me?”
Brandon A Carlson 