In Praise of Blindness

Next to dying, going blind is probably the most terrifying possibility one can think of. That’s because being sightless is not like sleep or anaesthesia since there’s a finality about it. One way to experience the world of the visually impaired — to walk a mile in their shoes as it were — is to close your eyes. Another way is to take in a meal at this restaurant in London where patrons are seated and served in total darkness throughout. Is it a gimmick? Maybe. But it’s been so successful that they’ve now opened several branches across Europe. Their pitch is that it allows you to completely re-evaluate the notion of eating as darkness leads to truthfulness about taste, kills presumption and lets you face the realities of ingredients and cuisine.

Also, dining in darkness represents a very unusual social situation. How many times do we get the chance to talk to people without the preconceptions that sight implies such as the exchange of non-verbal cues? As one reviewer wrote, “There was nothing to tear my attention away from the food and the conversation — no fast movements out of the corner of my eye, no tasty food on the opposite table — I just felt really focused the entire time.” The most overwhelming part, however, is that the waiters are all blind. Experienced as they are to a world without light, they take your hand and guide you unerringly through the crowded restaurant, past a maze of other diners to your table and seat you comfortably before bringing the food and teaching you how to eat and drink without the use of eyes. How humbling is that?