industrial Posted March 19, 2012 Share Posted March 19, 2012 Do members think it will be a good idea if it is possible for decaffeinated tea and coffee to be served at shows as I normally have the decaffeinated forms at home and have the withdrawn symptoms today after the tea I had at the Nottingham show at the weekend. I don't really want to have to take my own tea bags to the shows as this will be a lot more hassle. Now with improved title. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold The Stationmaster Posted March 19, 2012 RMweb Gold Share Posted March 19, 2012 It is an interesting point - just how much choice should we get or look for? Many places now seem to offer a choice of several teas so for them it would presumably be no more than a commercial decision? But those which only offer one might be put in the invidious position of deciding which market to satisfy which would then lead to others demanding 'real' tea or whatever (personally i wish they would all do Yorkshire Gold but that really is attempting to spray water into the face of a hurricane! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Galtee More Posted March 19, 2012 Share Posted March 19, 2012 Industrial, Are you asking your question as an exhibitor or as a visiting member of the public ? Ian Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xerces Fobe2 Posted March 19, 2012 Share Posted March 19, 2012 I think that Earl Gray Tea and Java Coffee is more in keeping for many of us! What ho! Xerces Fobe of the Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
robertcwp Posted March 20, 2012 Share Posted March 20, 2012 A very good question! I don't have caffeine at all and when helping to exhibit Harton Gill at shows I take my own supply of decaffeinated teabags (Tetley - very good - virtually indistinguishable in taste from the normal ones). In general I think catering outlets at show venues and elsewhere need to pay more attention to the demand for decaf coffee and tea. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy Y Posted March 20, 2012 Share Posted March 20, 2012 I shall bear this in mind for Members' Day. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
PLD Posted March 20, 2012 Share Posted March 20, 2012 With regard to catering for exhibitors, after several requests one year for decafinated coffee, a small jar was purchased the following year... and sat there unopened all weekend! A similar story with thined white emulsion paint skimmed milk - If you don't have it people complain, if you do have it, it's unused and goes to waste... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardS Posted March 20, 2012 Share Posted March 20, 2012 Actually this is a very good point. Bearing in mind that many modellers and those attending exhibitions are 'older' (I am a 54 teenager in case I come in for criticism here) they can suffer from heart beat abnormalities and are advised to avoid caffeine. My father, for example, had Atrial Fibrillation which is not uncommon in older men. Really, the provision of de-caffeinated drinks at any outlet should be the norm. None of us really need caffeine. RichardS. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardS Posted March 20, 2012 Share Posted March 20, 2012 With regard to catering for exhibitors, after several requests one year for decafinated coffee, a small jar was purchased the following year... and sat there unopened all weekend! A similar story with thined white emulsion paint skimmed milk - If you don't have it people complain, if you do have it, it's unused and goes to waste... You could only supply decaf and skimmed - nobody would notice. RichardS Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium kevinlms Posted March 20, 2012 RMweb Premium Share Posted March 20, 2012 Really, the provision of de-caffeinated drinks at any outlet should be the norm. None of us really need caffeine. RichardS. The same applies to sugar substitutes. Increasingly the Western World is becoming diabetic and so need alternatives. I'm not diabetic myself, but my wife is, so I almost always buy diet soft drinks, its easier than buying both types. So I've gotten used to the different taste. Not wishing to turn this into a special needs debate, but I think the most common ailments ought to be considered at what is presumably going to be a larger exhibition. Kevin Martin Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavidB-AU Posted March 20, 2012 Share Posted March 20, 2012 You could only supply decaf and skimmed - nobody would notice. Speaking from personal experience, I couldn't survive an exhibition without caffeine. Cheers David Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium DLT Posted March 20, 2012 RMweb Premium Share Posted March 20, 2012 You could only supply decaf and skimmed - nobody would notice. RichardS Only skimmed-milk? I would complain at that, personally I think its disgusting in drinks! You're right about the tea and coffee though, all decaf would be fine and nobody would notice. Cheers, Dave. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
North Eastern Posted March 20, 2012 Share Posted March 20, 2012 As an exhibition manager I would only provide it should an exhibitor request it when we book their layout/demo. We currently provide a vegetarian option for exhibitors and state on the booking form that they should note all 'special requirements' before returning the form. As for the catering for the general public, if we receive feedback on our comment forms we will inform the caterer that there has been a request for a certain type of tea/coffee etc. As at most exhibitions the catering has nothing to do with the club it is ultimately up to the caterer as to wether they think it is worthwhile providing a certain item, which may be perishable and ultimately not sell. As at most clubs money is tight so we are constantly looking at ways of saving money. We would not automatically provide specialist items as a matter of course. So if exhibitors or members of the public want these items at exhibitions, ask for them. If enough of you ask for them it will be viable for the club or caterer to provide them. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
clecklewyke Posted March 20, 2012 Share Posted March 20, 2012 You're right about the tea and coffee though, all decaf would be fine and nobody would notice. Oh yes we would! I once bought decaff tea by accident and the caffeine withdrawal symptoms were horrendous. Made me realise what an addiction it was... There is a real problem for caterers in deciding how to deal with minority tastes. We run a B&B and when we bought a supply of different types of tea (lemon, herbal, Earl Grey etc.) only the Earl Grey was touched and the rest had to be thrown out when we noticed they were well past their use-by date. Given the "basic" nature of catering at shows (or have I missed those where moules followed by boeuf bourguignon are served?) and the number of possible speciality needs (decaff, gluten-free, lactose intolerant etc., etc.) either we must all pay more and allow the caterers to offer a broader selection or expect those with, shall we say, more refined tastes to do their own thing. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
iak Posted March 20, 2012 Share Posted March 20, 2012 As someone who is badly caffeine intolerant it would be a huge help. Mind if I do have some, the layout goes away quicker...... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium kevinlms Posted March 20, 2012 RMweb Premium Share Posted March 20, 2012 Oh yes we would! I once bought decaff tea by accident and the caffeine withdrawal symptoms were horrendous. Made me realise what an addiction it was... There is a real problem for caterers in deciding how to deal with minority tastes. We run a B&B and when we bought a supply of different types of tea (lemon, herbal, Earl Grey etc.) only the Earl Grey was touched and the rest had to be thrown out when we noticed they were well past their use-by date. Given the "basic" nature of catering at shows (or have I missed those where moules followed by boeuf bourguignon are served?) and the number of possible speciality needs (decaff, gluten-free, lactose intolerant etc., etc.) either we must all pay more and allow the caterers to offer a broader selection or expect those with, shall we say, more refined tastes to do their own thing. It shouldn't be a problem for exhibitors, because they could be asked in advance, but more difficult for the public. If the caterers are professionals, then its probably worthwhile for them, because they have other locations to sell at. So a small box ought to sell over a month or so. Those diehards who really want something exoctic, are almost certainly going to bring their own, complaining won't stop the hunger pains. What exhibition hosts really shouldn't do, is to buy the cheapest tea/coffee they can find. Yuch!!!!! Kevin Martin Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold roundhouse Posted March 20, 2012 RMweb Gold Share Posted March 20, 2012 I remember having a friend regularly stay who used toonly drink Earl Grey tea, so we used to keep a small box in the kitchen just incase. On his next trip we had the Earl Grey ready but hehad changed to only drinking Decaffinated Earl Grey due to a medical condition!! Its hard to cater for every ones needs otherwise wastage would rise sharply and still you wouldnt be able to think of and have every option available. Ian Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
clecklewyke Posted March 20, 2012 Share Posted March 20, 2012 Speaking of caterers with limited horizons, there is a pub near here, the Victoria Arms in Worton, Wensleydale, whose landlord is in his eighties and the pub is just as it was when he took over fifty years ago - a fascinating piece of social history. Anyway, I took a rather refined lady friend of mine there (for the "experience") and she asked for "herbal tea". The landlord's response, which I thought was perfect, was "All tea's 'erbal missus." Ian Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
great central Posted March 20, 2012 Share Posted March 20, 2012 As an exhibition manager I would only provide it should an exhibitor request it when we book their layout/demo. We currently provide a vegetarian option for exhibitors and state on the booking form that they should note all 'special requirements' before returning the form. As for the catering for the general public, if we receive feedback on our comment forms we will inform the caterer that there has been a request for a certain type of tea/coffee etc. As at most exhibitions the catering has nothing to do with the club it is ultimately up to the caterer as to wether they think it is worthwhile providing a certain item, which may be perishable and ultimately not sell. As at most clubs money is tight so we are constantly looking at ways of saving money. We would not automatically provide specialist items as a matter of course. So if exhibitors or members of the public want these items at exhibitions, ask for them. If enough of you ask for them it will be viable for the club or caterer to provide them. Not much more to say really, I drink De-caff coffee at home and at work, but I was quite happy on normal tea at the show (Nottingham). I don't drink coffee at shows as I find it dries me out, so I have tea. If I felt the need to have de-caff I'd bring my own. When I visit friends or relatives I don't expect them to keep special stock for me, but then again perhaps I'm unusual in not expecting special treatment for anything much? Nottingham certainly has such a section on the exhibitor forms Edit; To add last sentance Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium DLT Posted March 20, 2012 RMweb Premium Share Posted March 20, 2012 What exhibition hosts really shouldn't do, is to buy the cheapest tea/coffee they can find. Yuch!!!!! Kevin Martin I absolutely agree Kevin; the relative cost of supplying better quality is pretty minimal in the scheme of things, and is good for exhibitors moral. Shows get a reputation for their catering, whether its good or bad! The bad ones are very rare nowadays though. Dave. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold RedgateModels Posted March 20, 2012 RMweb Gold Share Posted March 20, 2012 As a sugar user, I find it quite surprising how many times at shows (generally at set-up times mind) where I am greeted with absolute horror when I ask for sugar, it seems that it's optional for some I feel that I am expected to put up with a bitter brown sludge with a splash of whitewash - an expectation too far sir! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kenton Posted March 20, 2012 Share Posted March 20, 2012 You could only supply decaf and skimmed - nobody would notice. RichardS Some would! Being a double shot ++ caffeine addict I'm sure how I could survive. But then I find all show coffee that I have had in the past so much like dirty dishwater that I now always bring my own in a flask. If I have been at work on the Friday night I will have been awake for well over 16hr by the time I get to a show, without the punch of a caffeine shot I would be nodding off standing in front of a layout (even if there was something running). I have to say I have never quite understood the concept of decaffeinated coffee or skimmed milk for that matter. It is just adulterating a natural product. Why not just do without altogether and drink water? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
great central Posted March 20, 2012 Share Posted March 20, 2012 As a sugar user, I find it quite surprising how many times at shows (generally at set-up times mind) where I am greeted with absolute horror when I ask for sugar, it seems that it's optional for some I feel that I am expected to put up with a bitter brown sludge with a splash of whitewash - an expectation too far sir! That's why I keep away from the coffee! I don't have sugar in coffee so really taste poor quality stuff, however sugar in tea can cover all sorts of horrors Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jamie Posted March 20, 2012 Share Posted March 20, 2012 I don't expect to find decaff tea anywhere I go really, but it's a nice surprise when I do - the Nottingham exhibitors' accomodation provided it and a couple of cups allowed me to become that bit more human before encountering the exhibition visitors. I had some of my own with me behind the layout, because caffeine just adds to my usual difficulties sleeping. As it happens I did my usual and stuck to bottled water instead, so they went unused. Decaff coffee is a bit more widespread though. I'd probably expect to see that in most places. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold RedgateModels Posted March 20, 2012 RMweb Gold Share Posted March 20, 2012 That's why I keep away from the coffee! I don't have sugar in coffee so really taste poor quality stuff, however sugar in tea can cover all sorts of horrors I don't generally drink coffee, as it gives me a headache after a while, but if there's no tea in the offing, then it's acceptable, as long as there's sugar in it Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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