In a society ruled by common sense, asking a restraunt employee point blank, "does this dish contain (x) ? , where (x) is a poison to the person asking the question, you’d expect this to be a pretty straightforward request. It’s not, "what are the chances it’s been accidentally contimanted by a neighboring ingredient, it’s Did you put this ingredient in my food?
In the case cited above, and with my friend, both times the question had to do with the recipe, not the chances of accidental contamination.
It would of course be safest of all for people with food sensitivities to stay away from all food served in public. Limiting their social and career opportunies drastically. Here in the real world, we look both ways before crossing the street, and we ask the server what’s in the food, and if they’re not sure, or they say “it’s safe” in that tone of voice that means, “I’m telling you what I think you want to hear so I can tip out and make it home in time for the late show” then we get up and find a place with a more specific menu.
The same “safety” argument can beade against serving anyone with a physical handicap. The wheelchair could get stuck on the stairs. The blind guest might touch something hot. The deaf guest might misunderstand the waiter. Safest just to deny them service, but the ADA has something to say about that. I think it should apply here too.
