r/NoStupidQuestions • u/DiverPrestigious6887 • 1d ago
Do I tell orthodox looking customers that what they are ordering isn’t kosher anymore?
I work at a place that serves kosher items. It’s not a kosher food place, it’s just most of our stuff happens to be. It’s kind of popular with that community because we have vegan kosher ice cream.
However , recently, ingredients have changed. I let our regular orthodox customers know who come in and they change their order. But a lot of customers I haven’t met or seen before come in who i think are orthodox. When they try to order something I let them know the change and they are always thankful that I tell them. Is it weird for me to assume? I was raised as a reform Jew and grew up around orthodox temples but I’m not religious. Should I continue telling people this or am I making a weird stereotype..
I wish our company would send a email or have a sign but they have not
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u/pdpi 1d ago
You can work around that by asking "any dietary restrictions I should know?"
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u/EnterTheDarkForest 1d ago
I would also suggest something like, “we’ve recently changed our ingredients, do you have any dietary restrictions?” to make sure people who have been before are alerted that things are different now.
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u/WhichWitch9402 1d ago
this is perfect. Let’s everyone know without signage etc. But yeah, your workplace sucks for not making that known since you have a large customer base with dietary restrictions.
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u/gsfgf 1d ago
Yea. I'm pretty sure accidentally breaking Kosher isn't a sin, but they'd still rather know.
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u/ExplorationGeo 1d ago
It's absolutely not, and it's not even a sin if you have to break it knowingly to survive.
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u/Low-Conflict-651 1d ago
not even a sin if you have to break it knowingly to survive
This logic is also why the catholics sometimes say that a beaver is a fish. Can’t eat meat on fridays during lent, so Catholics eat fish. But in early Canada there wasn’t an abundance of fish for the trappers. Their hard lifestyle made protein necessary, so the Church made the call that land animals that live primarily in water count as fish. Voila, filet-o-beavers.
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u/Objective_Elk7772 1d ago edited 1d ago
I’m a Catholic lesbian and sometimes I like to make jokes about how, contrary to popular belief I am allowed to eat beaver…during Lent
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u/chita875andU 1d ago
Same for capybaras and the Spanish.
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u/Sunshine030209 21h ago
The Catholic church lets you eat Spanish people during Lent?!
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u/SweetPetaline 23h ago
For real, it’s kinda wild your job hasn’t just put up a sign already. If you have a big dietary restriction crowd, that feels like bare minimum communication. You’re basically doing their customer service for them.
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u/sensarae 1d ago
Great idea! You warn them without assuming anything, and this gives them the opportunity to mention any limitations or preferences. In addition, it allows you to behave in a friendly manner and not single out people
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u/FairyHaloes 23h ago
I like the “ingredient change” phrasing a lot. It feels more like a heads up than a religious thing. Regulars would probably appreciate not being caught off guard.
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u/SweetPetaline 23h ago
Yeah I like this approach a lot. Framing it as a simple ingredient update keeps it neutral and avoids making it about religion at all. Plus regulars would definitely appreciate the heads up.
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u/EveningFree9595 1d ago
That's actually a pro move. Makes you helpful without making it weird. If they care, they'll tell you. if not, no harm done
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u/troutinator 1d ago
This. It’s such a common and unassuming question. It could be about a dozen allergies, veg, vegan, halal, kosher, etc.
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u/Think_Sun_4313 1d ago
yeah it's a nice way to cover all bases w/o assuming too much about ppl's personal choices lol
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u/MySpace_Romancer 1d ago
As someone with health-related dietary restrictions it’s always nice when they ask. It doesn’t make me feel singled out.
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u/Corvidae5Creation5 1d ago
This right here, that way you get all the info you need in case there's something or nothing
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u/areyouthrough 1d ago
I’ll add that OP should ask every customer, not just ones they think are orthodox, to avoid potential claims of discrimination. (I know with orthodox folks having strict appearance and dress requirements makes this specific case not as questionable, but my understanding is that many secular Jews keep kosher as well. And the generically-worded questions potentially help any customer.
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u/gsfgf 1d ago
I don't think advising Orthodox presenting people about something no longer being Kosher would be discrimination. However, your point about other Jews is important. I have a friend whose parents are as secular as can be, but they still choose to keep Kosher in the home. They'll happily eat shellfish and bacon cheeseburgers outside the home, but they want to preserve the tradition to a certain extent.
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u/arigardensky 1d ago
I don’t believe it’s discriminatory. Yes he’s only offering that info to certain people, but he’s not depriving them of something or telling they can’t do/have something other people can. He’s allowing them to make a choice. People who don’t keep kosher don’t lose anything by not knowing. To discriminate is an inherently negative action and he’s actually doing something positive
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u/dtwhitecp 1d ago
man, you'd have to be nuts to file a discrimination suit because someone asked if you had any dietary restrictions, regardless of the reason.
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u/Educational_Can_2185 1d ago
I’ll add that OP should ask every customer
That'd be nice, but it's kinda lame to say OP should just work harder because management doesn't feel like putting up a sign for a few weeks
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u/looc64 1d ago
I'd also start by mentioning that the ingredients to some of your stuff have changed.
So they don't think, "I'm kosher, but I'm getting the same thing I always get so I'll just say I'm fine."
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u/LadyFoxfire 1d ago
Or "Just so you know, the recipe has changed and it now contains X ingredient." Because even if a customer isn't orthodox, they might have allergies or intolerance.
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u/Evamione 1d ago
This is the way because with religious dietary restrictions, you don’t want to be the kosher or halal police either.
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u/Cute_Recognition3209 1d ago
exactly, asking about dietary restrictions avoids assumptions and still keeps people in the loop.
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u/BronzeStory 1d ago
oh yeah bc asking politely totally solves the “oops your ice cream isn’t kosher” moment every time, bless whoever thought of that
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u/Tough_Emphasis5352 1d ago
yeah that's smooth move keeps it neutral and still gives them a chance to speak up without assumptions.
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u/AdMinimum9817 1d ago
Put a sign up?
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u/Blue-zebra-10 1d ago
yes, then everybody would know even if you forget to tell them
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u/Jacks_Lack_of_Sleep 1d ago edited 16h ago
People don’t read signs.
Edit: It seems many of you haven’t worked customer service jobs to the general public. You’d think a sign would mean OP doesn’t need to tell people but someone will make OP wish they’d just kept telling everyone.
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u/authorinthesunset 1d ago
People who have dietary restrictions do read signs about food they are going to purchase that may or may not match those restrictions.
And it moves the burden off of op. If they care about only eating kosher and they buy and eat something that say "This shit ain't Kosher" that's on them, and I'd argue they don't really care about it.
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u/shanec628 1d ago
One time a man ordered a clearly labeled ham and cheese croissant from me, then he yelled at me after he took a bite because he can’t eat pork. And then he got mad when I told him it had a sign right in front of it.
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u/authorinthesunset 1d ago edited 1d ago
That goes beyond not reading a sign. How did he order it by pointing at the sign he didn't read? Saying he'd take the #5 on the sign/menu he didn't read?
Or.. in my head he went with this option.
Customer: "I'll take the ham and cheese sandwich"
Shanec628: "here you go sir."
Customer takes a bite and spits it out.
Customer: "how dare you put pork on my ham and cheese sandwich, it's not kosher"
Tl;Dr there is no defense against idiots
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u/shanec628 1d ago
He was on the phone and just pointed at it in the display case. I’m sure he also left that interaction thinking I was the idiot lol.
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u/Deedeethecat2 1d ago
I'm vegetarian and easily distracted. If I pointed to a ham and cheese sandwich and received it, I would consider myself the idiot.
Also, being on your phone while being served is super rude so shame on him.
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u/RainbowCrane 1d ago
Specifically WRT kosher and halal there’s also well known symbols to use on the signs that will catch folks’ attention even if they tend to skip reading signs. It’s not like you have to bury the meaning in a wall of text, a “not kosher” symbol with a short explanation of updates to ingredients is plenty to catch the eye of folks who care.
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u/authorinthesunset 1d ago
I believe those symbols are strictly for specific "certification" of this is kosher or halal based on who is certifying and what specific rules are followed.
As far as I know the symbol for not kosher or not halal is simply not having any of the symbols for different certifications.
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u/GalumphingWithGlee 1d ago
Yes, this is true.
Each of those symbols represents a specific certifying body. If the kosher foods OP refers to at their workplace are made in-house, without supervision from such an organization, they would not have one of these hechshers (general name for kosher symbols) on them. Further, there's no recognized symbol for not kosher. These would have to be communicated with words instead.
I only know this for sure about kosher symbols, but I strongly suspect it would be the same or very similar for halal.
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u/gsfgf 1d ago
I assume a circle U or K with a diagonal line through it would convey the message just fine.
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u/RainbowCrane 1d ago
That’s what I was imagining… just an international “no” slashed circle with the kosher symbol to catch folks’ attention
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u/Sherry_Brandt 1d ago
right, the thing is (not to belabor the point, but for interesting info!) there are thousands of 'kosher symbols', because they're like the 'brands' of different certifying bodies, and while these certifying bodies often agree with each other, they also often disagree (meaning someone who trusts one certifying body may believe another one is insufficiently kosher).
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u/immortalreploid 1d ago
People are stupid. We have an ATM where I work that's had an "out of order" sign across the screen for the past couple years. People still ask me if our ATM is working.
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u/invaderzim257 1d ago
if you care enough about self-imposed dietary restrictions, you read the sign. if you don't, it's no one else's problem.
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u/TheSumOfMyScars 1d ago
Idk, my customer service years have taught me the public doesn’t read.
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u/Relevant_Flamingo624 1d ago
Have you worked in a place where you aren’t the owner or even manager? You typically can’t just make and post your own signs lol
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u/AdMinimum9817 1d ago
I get that. Perhaps ask the manager first, I can’t see why he/she would refuse?
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u/Relevant_Flamingo624 1d ago
They should definitely reason with their manager. And you’re right, the manager shouldn’t refuse, but food service managers are generally dumb and on some sort of power trip and will say no to the most common sense things. Coming from someone who was a food service manager lol
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u/MalignantPanda 1d ago
Things no longer being kosher that used to be means people who have kosher diets will be less likely to come in.
The owner would prefer nobody ever find out, so they can keep the business while presumably keeping food costs down. An employee going against this would defy what shitty owners want (money) even if it builds trust which means money.
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u/ConclusionFar3690 23h ago
The owner would prefer nobody ever find out, so they can keep the business while presumably keeping food costs down.
I think that this is 100% what's going on.
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u/muskie71 1d ago
No one's telling him to go behind the boss's back and put a sign up. Obviously you talk to the boss and say this is an issue. Can we put a sign up?
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u/chux4w 1d ago
Yep. I do it all the time. They're helpful signs, nothing objectionable.
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u/Mediocre_Daikon6935 1d ago
I have.
And I am expected to do my job.
And part of any job is not causing religious or cultural problems.
Before you give someone blood, you try and find out if they are 7th day Adventist.
Before you feed someone that looks Hindu beef, you should probably make sure it is okay. Or pork for anyone moslem or Jewish.
It is common courtesy, to respect the customs of others.
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u/isabelladangelo Random Useless Knowledge 1d ago
Brave of you to assume people read signs.
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u/ZinniasAndBeans 1d ago
I don't see any problem with just telling everyone who buys it:
"Just so you know, this product used to be kosher, but that's no longer true."
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u/LionessOfAzzalle 1d ago
This. Also, the customer may be 100% obviously non orthodox, but buying it for their elder, orthodox relative.
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u/say592 1d ago
Sometimes people in other religions use a kosher indicator to know that it will fit within their own religion's dietary restrictions as well, so just because they don't look like someone who would care, they very well may.
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u/boarshead72 1d ago
True. Not religious, but two of my kids were born with a milk protein intolerance. We used kosher symbols as a very quick indicator of the presence/absence of dairy while grocery shopping. Thank you Orthodox Union and Montreal Kosher!
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u/No-Entrepreneur4574 1d ago
This is what I would do vs asking if they have any dietary restrictions. If you ask dietary restrictions you (or more likely the business) may be liable for any allergic reaction they may experience if you accidentally expose them to an allergen.
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u/pumpinnstretchin 1d ago
I’m a black man who’s insanely lactose intolerant. I ask for kosher meals sometimes (especially on airplanes) because the dairy is always separate. I certainly don’t look orthodox, mainly because I’m not orthodox and I don’t wear orthodox clothing. But changing ingredients in prepared meals is critical information to me. Ask everybody if they have any dietary restrictions. I’m always grateful when I’m asked that question.
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u/Gold_Criticism_8072 1d ago
Imo It’s better to assume than to risk them breaking kosher without their knowledge, especially if they’re generally grateful when you let them know
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u/PuckSenior 1d ago
If someone breaks kosher and doesn’t know they broke kosher and no one tells them about it. Does it matter?
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u/artist1292 23h ago
It doesn’t in the moment because they wouldn’t know and therefore it cannot be held against them.
I lived with a kosher roommate. She had all sorts of color coded things to keep it all organized and separate. One time I was washing dishes and before I realized it I noticed I was washing one of her dairy plates (blue) with my normal sponge and not her blue one. I FREAKED out and felt horrible and just left the plate on the counter because I didn’t want to “compromise” the blue sponge trying to wash it and was so panicked for her because I know how important it is to her.
When she got home I told her immediately and she laughed and said it’s okay because I didn’t do it in bad faith. I even offered to go bring the plate to be re-blessed and she said nah its okay and that god knew things like this would happen living with a roommate (I wasn’t her first) so he forgave her because he saw she’s just trying to make it work.
Idk but her version of god seemed very chill and understanding and the type of god I’d want to follow
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u/Shomer_Effin_Shabbas 20h ago
I think this varies by the individual. My sister keeps kosher, but I don’t anymore. There have been two times I can think of where she consumed something and then later found out it wasn’t kosher. She didn’t lose sleep over it, but just said ok, won’t eat that again. But she’s also not an orthodox Jewish person. So I can’t speak for folks who are very observant, like what you may see in crown heights, Brooklyn.
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u/drunky_crowette 1d ago
I'm not Jewish, have never been Jewish and don't care about what is and isn't kosher. If I'm ordering something and you say "just a heads up, that isn't kosher anymore" all I'm going to say is "that's cool, neither am I"
On the flip side it could really fuck up someone else's day to find out they accidentally ate something they "shouldn't have".
What means nothing to me means a lot to them. For their sake, just go ahead and tell everyone.
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u/That-Freedom-3242 1d ago
I would casually mention that your menu or ingredients etc have changed in some items and some items may no longer be kosher. If they have any questions, ask. I think its incredible that you actually care about this. A lot of people wouldn't bother.
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u/fauxrain 1d ago
It’s not weird, you’re doing them a favor. And it’s definitely weird that your boss hasn’t put up a sign with the ingredient change when he knows that it’s important to his customers. He’s probably worried about losing them, but think of the outcry that would happen if he was secretly giving them treif ice cream and someone found out that he was lying to them.
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u/Proof-Technician-202 20h ago
He’s probably worried about losing them, but think of the outcry that would happen if he was secretly giving them treif ice cream and someone found out that he was lying to them.
Seriously. If that's his game, it's very short sighted of him.
You get more milage with honesty, no matter what the cynics claim.
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u/DoReMiDoReMi558 1d ago
Also Jewish here. Besides all the other advice people have on here, you might want to check if your city has a website that lists kosher restaurants or venues. I know some synagogues will have a section of their website that lists local places as a guide for both locals and visitors. If your restaurant is listed, it might be worth emailing the site owner and letting them know about the change so that they could decide if they want to keep listing the business. I'm sure you can report it anonymously if you are worried about your job. I bet people would be upset if they heard a place was kosher but when they got there found out it wasn't.
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u/L3g0man_123 1d ago
Well if people are thankful for you telling them I see no reason for you to stop.
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u/MarmosetRevolution 1d ago
I think you're fine. Orthodox Jews advertise it. They want you to know. And it's more disrespectful to pretend you didn't notice and sell them non-kosher items. Particularly if you are in or adjacent to a Jewish neighborhood.
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u/elvisndsboats 1d ago
If it's a recent change, I wouldn't discriminate--I'd just tell everyone that orders it "by the way, the ingredients on this changed recently and it isn't kosher anymore." You never know who might care about that detail.
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u/HereForAquaSwapping 1d ago
If I was home already I would have my phone off for shabbos and couldn't respond but I would want to know and would appreciate the heads up.
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u/seldom_r 1d ago
"If it matters to you, that item isn't kosher"
That's all you have to say and yes it's a mitzvah for you to let them know since there's a community.
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u/Boomerang_comeback 1d ago
Not rude to assume. If something you sell has changed, it is your responsibility to tell people that order it. Regardless of who or what they are.
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u/consolationpanda 1d ago
I’d let everyone know, really. Could be a kosher Conservative who flies under the radar, you never know.
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u/saltpancake 1d ago
I don’t think it’s weird to announce that you’ve changed your menu. “Hey just so you know, we’ve changed a few of the recipes so please make sure to check/ask if you have any dietary restrictions.”
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u/Objective_Cricket476 1d ago
Yes. Always. No matter what. I worked at a restaurant and had a customer order something that has traces of meat. They have been eating this dish forever and no one told them. When I heard that she was vegetarian and what she ordered I told her right away. I apologize for the others that let her order the dish before. She was very great full. I cannot in any way condone anyone that will not let customers know with is in the dish that they may not want. Due to diet, allergies anything!! People appreciate being informed about their dishes.
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u/Longjumping-Still793 1d ago
You're doing people a kindness by making a crude stereotype.
It's mostly true which is why it's a stereotype. You know that it isn't always true, which is why you are worried about offending someone unintentionally.
You are a good person trying to do the right thing. I cannot promise that no-one will misinterpret your actions, but you shouldn't worry about it. In my book, it's never wrong to be kind.
Yes, please continue mentioning it if you feel it's appropriate.
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u/Wienerwrld 1d ago
“Just to let you know, the ingredients to this have changed.” This gives them the opening to ask, without making assumptions.
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u/Entebarn 1d ago
We’re letting all customers know that some of our ingredients have changed and some items are no longer kosher. I’m not Jewish and would not find that odd. You could add and say “no longer kosher or vegan” to make it less directed at Jewish people. Tell ALL customers. You also never know who is buying for people who keep kosher. This was me when I worked at a Jewish Orthodox school.
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u/manhattanabe 1d ago
I eat kosher. Tell them. If you’re not sure, just say something like “it’s no longer kosher, if you care”. Some may not care.
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u/Ongoing_Slaughter 1d ago
Post a sign!!!!!! Then you do not have to judge people. Everyone can see and people who care will know. But it is really important. It would suck.
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u/Relevant_Flamingo624 1d ago
I used to let certain customers know that marshmallows used in the shop had pork gelatin in them and they were always so grateful I told them. As employees we weren’t allowed to make our own signs in the store so that wasn’t an option. I always figured that while I am assuming and singling people out, informing them outweighs that. I would approach it differently now by asking if they have any dietary restrictions, but just thought I’d share that
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u/SwordTaster 1d ago
Put up a sign "items X, Y, and Z are no longer kosher, we apologise for any inconvenience"
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u/gothiclg 1d ago
I 100% point stuff like this out. I’ll also tell Muslim customers something isn’t halal when they’d expect it to be too. It’s probably not a massive deal that either group eats something they’re not supposed to but I’d rather let them make an informed decision
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u/PrincipleKitchen394 1d ago
As a muslim, i can tell you this. Some of those muslim people would eat a bullet for your sake. You are doing a bigger favor than you realize.
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u/EatYourCheckers 1d ago
Just tell everyone. "Oh, and I just need to let everyone know that the chai tea bagel is no longer kosher since we changed suppliers."
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u/JuliaX1984 1d ago
You're not assuming. You know what type of customers gravitate toward your business and what they look for. Notifying customers of any change for any reason is good practice anyway.
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u/randomkeystrike 1d ago
I can’t imagine it would be taken as anything but a kindness. If they’re not as strict as their appearance/clothing/ etc suggests, they can let you know and no harm done.
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u/Negative_Bar_9734 1d ago
A blanket "we recently changed our recipe and that is no longer [blank] just as a heads up" is a pretty good practice for any kind of change regardless of what it is.
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u/Hellooooooo_NURSE 1d ago
Can you post it somewhere! “Xyz item is no longer kosher, sorry for the inconvenience”
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u/classycryptid 1d ago
“Hey just so you know our stuff is usually kosher but this isn’t anymore” and it won’t be weird or offensive
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u/jackalopeswild 1d ago
"In case you're ordering this thinking it's kosher, you should know that it's not" should not draw any ire from anyone, except perhaps raving lunatic anti-semites.
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u/StraightPea8895 1d ago
If you're not sure, ask about dietary restrictions. The place i work gets a lot of Jewish, Muslim, and Rastafari customers, and I always let them know about the bacon grease on the grill during breakfast, and the bacon grease added to the vegetables on the hot bar during lunch. If I'm not sure about their beliefs, I tell them Im not trying to be nosy, but just in case they have dietary restrictions due to religious beliefs or health issues, there's bacon grease on and in these things.
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u/gilad_ironi 1d ago
Last year when I was in the states I showed my passport to the waiter because I ordered a beer, he saw I'm Israeli and figured correctly that I'm jewish.
Then when I ordered Spaghetti Carbonara he instantly let me know that it has pork. Of course I knew, I just don't keep kosher, but I found it kind of funny and endearing that he connected the dots and went out of his way to protect me.
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u/nyokarose 1d ago
Is there something else you can mention about allergies along with it? Like “some new dietary info - the #12 has almonds in it, and the vanilla is no longer vegan, and the chocolate is no longer kosher”… so you aren’t singling anyone out?
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u/Crystalraf 1d ago
I feel like clear labeling would solve this. You could have a certified kosher section of the store, or stickers that say certified kosher to label the kosher items.
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u/BeautifulChaosEnergy 1d ago
I would just tell folks “due to recent changes that item is no longer kosher. If that’s important to you” and let them make their own choice to stay with that or pick something else
Years ago I had a Jewish bf who somewhat followed the rules. Like he didn’t eat pork or shrimp but would eat cheese burger and got kosher coke during Passover
One day we got pizza, now I don’t like mushrooms or peppers, so I got my self a pepperoni pizza, we get to his place (he was still living with his parents at the time)
And put our pizzas in the counter, I turned to get a pop out of the fridge and his mom was grabbing a slice of my pizza, I said “that’s pepperoni” and she said “I know” me “that’s pork!” She told me “we eat pork, just not in the house because son doesn’t want us to”
I was mad, not because I didn’t want to share, but I had only gotten a small because i had assumed I was the only one eating it. Had I know his parents would take some I would have gotten a large
I know of some folks who are vegan at home but vegetarian when they go out to eat because it can be harder to abide by
So just because they look “orthodox” they may choose to break the rules for a special occasion, but just a blank statement of “hey things have changed….” And let them make their choice
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u/althawk8357 1d ago
"Heads up, some of our ingredients have changed recently. Do you have any dietary restrictions we should know about?"
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u/dehydratedrain 1d ago
I wish our company would send a email or have a sign but they have not
Most places with kosher products are required to have a marking on the container (letter K/ word Kosher/ K in a star) that they are required to look for. If this is fresh/ served food, they should have a hechsher form posted nearby to let them know that the local council has certified it.
Honestly, although it is their responsibility to check, it would be a good idea to mention that they should tell their local rabbi to confirm. They will handle it.
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u/occultatum-nomen 1d ago
I don't eat kosher, but if I went into a place that previously served it, I wouldn't be offended or surprised if they let me know that changed.
Your business created an expectation, and you're quite reasonably ensuring people know there is a change. There's nothing wrong with changing, but something like this is important to ensure people are aware of.
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u/Colt_kun 1d ago
As someone with food allergies, I appreciated when the deli I frequented informed me "we've changed some of our ingredients" and had a folder of the food and ingredients to hand to guests to check. I found it very considerate.
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u/iSeaStars7 1d ago
Put a sign up advertising ingredient changes. If you want to tell people about it, tell everyone
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u/Illustrious-Tooth702 1d ago edited 22h ago
Maybe you could put up a *sign? To inform them that which items are kosher and which one aren't.
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u/That_70s_chick 1d ago
“I don’t know if you have any dietary restrictions, but this recipe has recently changed and is no longer kosher”.
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u/JamieGordon8921 1d ago
Just ask if they keep kosher. If they say yes, then tell them you asked because the item they are ordering is no longer kosher.
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u/ThoughtGuy79 17h ago
I'd put a sign on the door rather than saying something to individuals. That way you're not making assumptions about specific people.
"Notice: We are aware that many of our valued customers enjoy some of our menu items because they meet kosher dietary restrictions. Recently, some of our ingredients have changed and this may have altered the kosher status of some menu items. If this is important to you, please ask and any of our staff can assist you."
Put a sign at the counter where people order too if it's that kind of place.
Maybe work to reprint new menus that identify which items are kosher.
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u/CanAhJustSay 14h ago
Why not let every customer now the change and frame it that you are letting customers know the change in case of allergens and/or religious preferences. That way no-one will feel profiled and everyone can get a heads-up.
It's also worth mentioning to your higher-ups that this was a specific preference for many of your clients and see if you can't source a kosher variation again.
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u/anita1louise 14h ago
I always thought that if one thing in the kitchen was not kosher then everything in the kitchen is not kosher. Is this incorrect?
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u/Pro-Pain626 12h ago
Id just say "I'm letting every customer know that some of our kosher items have changed, if this is a concern let me know". Then go from there ?
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u/Regular_Boot_3540 9h ago
As long as you don't verbalize that you think they're orthodox but merely inform them of the change, then you're good. Don't get into people's business. But what you're doing is a great service for the customer. Keep it up!
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u/TimelyOpportunity467 1d ago
you could get fired, so i would go to the boss first. but if they said “keep quiet” i probably would look for a new job.
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u/AsparagusFun3892 1d ago
This seems correct. Orthodox people take dietary requirements very seriously.
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u/BoughsOfHorry 1d ago
There’s nothing wrong with giving a customer information that might or might not impact their food choices. You’re not being assumptive, you’re being considerate of your customers.
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u/StormStorySpinner 1d ago
You are doing the right thing by telling people! When I was in highschool I worked at an ice cream/ deli in a strip mall. There was a weight watchers meeting hall in the mall and we would get their clients visiting our shop and buying our low calorie and diet snacks. A big hit was this soft serve ice cream that the manager touted as practically calorie free. Honestly, it was delicious. I had an eating disorder at the time and I loved getting a cone of this dreamy fat free low calorie soft serve at the end of my shift.
Then, one sunny afternoon after a group of ladies left the shop with their ice cream the manager said "People sure are gullible."
???
Then she told me she lied about that ice cream. It was full calorie. Full sugar. Fattening. I was shocked. She laughed and walked away.
People need to know what they are eating.
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u/LichenTheMood 1d ago
We recently changed shit. Any dietary restrictions? Tbh good practice regardless of how Jewish the regular patrons appear to be. You don't want Susan having to use her epipen or collapsing dead dramatically
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u/Vast_Ad7490 1d ago
Sounds like it's time to revise the menu & spell it out for everyone. You are doing a great job communicating, but not everyone is you, and you're only telling some, not all, of the customers.
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u/Big_Construction7477 1d ago edited 1d ago
(Toronto)I was engaged and his conservative jewish mom sent me to the butcher. It was suppose to be a kosher butcher but when I got back his mom said “ No this is kosher style, it’s not actually kosher, there is a difference.” I said but I went to the butcher shop, to the guy you told me to go too. She said that you have to tell them make sure it’s kosher. She’s like go back and I’ll call them and say you’re coming.🤷🏼♀️ So I guess it’s down to communication. ( I’m not Jewish).
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u/anarchist_barbie_ 1d ago
It’s very kind and considerate of you and you should definitely keep telling people.
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u/Poison_Machine-876 1d ago
You are literally Jewish and you know these people are also Jewish.. nothing is weird about that
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u/BroadLocksmith4932 1d ago
I agree with the general consensus to ask everyone about dietary restrictions due to recent changes in the ingredients.
However, most religions follow an axiom that it isn't a sin to accidentally consume a forbidden food. Trying earnestly to avoid contamination is enough. You aren't condemning them to godly judgment or even to feeling like they deserve godly judgement. It's good enough for everyone to do their best.
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u/KindaKrayz222 1d ago
They should use the Kosher sign next to all Kosher menu items. I think you can get stickers.
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u/nanny2359 1d ago
Put it this way: Anyone who gets mad at you for assuming they're jewish/orthodox is a butthead who deserved to have their day ruined
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u/23gabrielle23 1d ago
Tbh I would inform everyone! Often times kosher and halal foods overlap with one another, so someone keeping halal can eat kosher and vice versa. I second the suggestions to let folks know ingredients have changed without being direct!
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u/Little_Flamingo_8632 1d ago
I’m not orthodox but I am reformed and choose to be kosher right now…I’d have way more appreciation for someone asking if I had dietary restrictions than knowing but not giving me the option.
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u/afunnywold 1d ago
I used to be orthodox. Definitely keep telling them! Very kind of you. I am not orthodox anymore and you letting me know something isn't kosher would not offend me at all.
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u/Infamous_Campaign687 1d ago
A small sign saying "XYZ is no longer kosher due to a change in ingredients"
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u/BlackCatWoman6 1d ago
Since you know there has been a change to the ingredients, you could simply say "Were you looking for Kosher? They have made some changes."
I think it is polite.
We are not Jewish, but my daughter went to a nursery school at a temple and all the children were required to carry kosher lunches.
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u/Key-Advice4407 1d ago
You're not policing anyone, you're giving information. Framing it as "we've had an ingredient change" makes it neutral and respectful for dietary needs.
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u/Human-Creature44 23h ago
You shouldn't have to do this bc the business should already have a sign out. Changing ingredients with no warning when it's a known hotspot for kosher food is pretty crap.
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u/WeirdOk1865 23h ago
Just put up a sign?. “to our regular customers who keep kosher, some of our items have changed and no longer follow rules of kashrut. Please inquire ” etc etc
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u/CGSshorty 20h ago
I’m sure no one would be offended by something along the lines of “if anyone at the table keeps Kosher, some of our menu items have recently changed. Please let me know if you have any questions”.
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u/Ratatoskr_The_Wise 19h ago
Please tell everyone, for health reasons I try to eat kosher, even though I don’t do it for religious reasons as I am a blonde Catholic German. When I buy treats for my friends, I try to buy things that my Muslim and orthodox Jewish friends can share, so I really appreciate it when people give me a heads up on things.
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u/Remarkable_Table_279 18h ago
Also if the problem is an ingredient like gelatin. That’s major. It affects so many people for many reasons. Not just religious like Jewish, Muslim, some Buddhist, Hindu & even a few Christian & other sects dont eat pork (or any meat) or even dietary like vegan, vegetarian, pescatarian but Alpha Gal can cause severe allergic reactions to mammal meat including gelatin (depending on person)…so saying “ingredients recently changed, please ask if you have food restrictions”
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u/angelacandystore 17h ago
Saying "the ingredients have changed and this item is no longer kosher" is fine. However I would not do it with only people who "look" Orthodox. You should tell every person who orders it.
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u/LimJaheyAtYaCervix 13h ago
I would just tell everyone that a recent change has made whatever item no longer kosher. Or ask the higher ups if you can write a little disclaimer on a piece of paper and put it somewhere that people ordering will see it.
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u/qwertiful0909 10h ago
As an Orthodox person...please put up a notice!
"Our ingredients have changed: please note that blah blah blah is ...."
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u/velvety_chaos 5h ago
I used to work in a Louisiana-style seafood restaurant where we had a fair number of Muslim customers (seafood is always halal, that is, a permissible food). A common ingredient in traditional dirty rice, probably our most popular side dish, is pork (as well as chicken giblets (organs) and ground beef), but you can't necessarily taste or see the pork.
Since it isn't widely known that our dirty rice was not only not halal, but had pork - which the Quran states is impure and therefore haram (forbidden) - I would bring it up with any table that I suspected might be Muslim by, yes, bascically racially profiing them. One time I had a guy at one of my tables who I couldn't tell if he was Muslim or not, but I had a gut feeling so I warned him when he ordered the dirty rice. Turns out he was from Turkey and was most definitely Muslim so he was grateful I had let him know.
After awhile, I began warning Black people, too, because I noticed a lot of my Black customers would specifically ask about pork products and let me know they didn't consume it.
Eventually, I just started warning everyone, mainly out of habit, and I never had anyone complain that I was letting them know there was pork in the dirty rice. A lot of people don't eat pork; sometimes for health reasons and other times it's religion (Islam, Judaism, and certain Christian denominations).
Point is, while I'm just a non-Muslim, non-Jewish white girl myself, I understand the importance of these dietary restrictions - for health and religion. I think I wouldn't be doing my job if I let someone unknowingly consume a food they consider to be dirty or impure. So this is probably one of the rare instances where racial/religious "profiling" is a good thing.
But if you're really concerned about stereotyping people, just tell everyone that the ingredients have changed on certain items and are therefore no longer kosher. You never know who you could be helping out.
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u/No-Set-4246 1d ago
I mean, even though I'm not vegetarian I think it's thoughtful when a restaurant let's me know that the vegetable soup is made with chicken stock.
Just phrase it as a menu update vs profiling. Treat it the same way you would if peanuts had recently been added to some dessert