THIS IS DISCUSSION AND IN NO WAY MEANT TO CAUSE OFFENCE TO ANYONE
they have two menus in here, a green one for "european white folk" and a yellow one entitled "ethnic menu". believe it or not patients are not asked what they would like, they are given a menu based on their colour.
when i asked "can i please see the yellow menu" they had to get permission from catering. when i asked why they needed permission it transpires that the "yellow" menu costs a lot more than the "green one" and the staff are supposed to dissuade "europeans" from eating the more expensive food . The yellow food was superb and I have eaten it ever since but I did feel a little aggrieved at the segregation.
As a generalism, Asians eat chips, pies, veg etc just like everyone else (well all my Asian friends do anyway) and white europeans eat curry just like the Asian community - we are an eclectic multi cultural mish mash. I have over the last few days eaten my first "halal" food which was very very good indeed.
bearing in mind the delicate and maybe even precarious situation regarding terrorism and the fact that the vast majority of both asians and europeans abhor the violence, i was incredibly disappointed to see noticeable segregation. Would have been nice to see one big menu with everything on it for everyone.
Stupid segregation like menus is not healthy. I am no "Do-Gooder" but hospital is a great leveller that has no regard for colour, religion, wealth etc.
we are all in the terrorism boat together- by all means we should hunt and kill the guilty but segregating folk my menu is both dangerous and stupid, reinforcing barriers that we need to break down not strengthen.
The hospital has been superb, the staff wonderful and I intend to write to the chairman of the health trust to convey my thanks and admiration for the people who have looked after me........ but..... the menu thing has got up my nose and I will have to mention it.
As I said, this is meant to be inclusive and positive and in no way racist. I wonder how one of my Asian friends would feel being told he / she has to have curry when they want veg and potatoes ? I bet they would notice and feel the ridicuolus segregation too.
Anyway, rant over, my most humble apologies if anyone is offended as that was not my intention. my intention was merely to point out something that i feel is unhelpful, insensitive and frankly stupid.
PS try halal lamb and potatoes with rice - it is seriously good
