Vegetarians who entertain?!
Now then, if you, the vegetarian then returned the favour and invited them to your house for dinner, would you respect their diet and cook them something meat based? Or would you simply give them the same vegetarian meal as you would be eating.
This is an honest question based on curiosity, not malice. If you are going to give me a lecture about how meat is murder etc then please dont waste your time typing
Answers: If you are a vegetarian and are invited around to someones house for a dinner party (the someone happens to eat meat). You would expect that they cook you something to suit your vegetarian diet wouldnt you?
Now then, if you, the vegetarian then returned the favour and invited them to your house for dinner, would you respect their diet and cook them something meat based? Or would you simply give them the same vegetarian meal as you would be eating.
This is an honest question based on curiosity, not malice. If you are going to give me a lecture about how meat is murder etc then please dont waste your time typing
When you are entertaining guests, you should focus on the guests' comfort and enjoyment, not your own personal lifestyle decisions.
I would expect a good host to prepare a vegetarian dish IF THEY are made aware that the guest is vegetarian. You should give prior request to the host, and not just show up and complain at the last minute that you don't eat meat.
If you are a vegetarian entertaining meat-eaters, the same goes for you, however, don't expect your guests to call you up and announce that they eat meat, and would like some meat. Meat eating is customary in this country, whether you agree with it or not, and most people who eat meat aren't going to a.) assume you are a vegetarian and don't prepare meat for guests, and then b.) call you up to ask if they can have meat.
You could let your guests know that you are vegetarian, and generally prepare vegetarian meals for guests. Then if they want to request meat, you can discuss it from there.
Most of this depends on what information you already have about your guest. If you know that your guest is vegetarian, or you know your guest eats meat, and you know that person well, then the onus is on you to cater to their preferences. If it is too difficult for you to provide a pleasant atmosphere for your guests, you shouldn't be hosting.
Bringing your own food to a dinner is extremely rude.
Oh, and for the lady who argued that meat-eaters "can" eat vegetarian- my lifestyle choice is just as valid as yours. You "can" eat meat, too. I've formulated my diet for the sport I train in, and that includes my eating meat. Don't force your choices on other people. You're being ignorant.
If I went to a dinner party, most likely they would know that I'm vegan and they would either make something suitable for me and if that wasn't possible I would bring my own food. However, if I were to entertain I would not buy or cook meat, dairy, or egg products. Everything would be vegan.
The thing is, is that omnivores can and do eat vegan things all the time without even knowing it, and it's not like they are morally opposed to rice or a Tofurky, but I am opposed to meat/dairy/etc.
Edit: Big Kid, why would you think that would be rude? You are too traditional and caught up in the formality of it. Loosen up, I'm just bringing a dish. Besides to me a dinner party is more about friends than the food.
Not vegan but I love vegetables.
Soya meat is very nice.
i was veggie for 10 years, i never imposed my diet onto others, i cooked for everyone not just for me...
by the way i started eating meat again 'cos i got bored of the veggie diet.. also i've lived in italy for two years and there isn't a great deal of veggie choice i'm afraid, no veggie labelling and the like..
beware veggies when in italy... ragu sauce has had meat cooked in it and parmesan cheese has been made with baby lamb's stomachs...
When I attend dinner parties I bring a vegitarian product with me such as meatless riblets that I can just pop in their microwave quickly and eat everything they cooked besides the meat. When I entertain I put my father in charge of the cooking and he prepares meat products. I will not handle the meat so he does that for me.
My decision not to eat meat is an ethical one for me and I would go with vegananimal in that I wouldn't expect to be served meat at someone else's home but I wouldn't expect to have to serve meat if I was entertaining, in light of this decision.
I would also add, however, if I am going to a meal that might cause someone else a problem due to my & my family's vegan diet, I always offer to bring something with me - or come early & help cook.
Addition: I might add that other family members & friends do, on occasion, bring non-vegan products to my house to eat. I don't lecture them about it & they feel able to do this if they really want to (I live somewhere where one of the local specialities is meat based & friends and family like to buy them whilst they're holidaying with me).
I would make them the same thing as me, because that is part of their diet. there is nothing about a meat eating diet that requires one to eat meat every meal, so it really isnt the same thing at all. Generally, most of the meat eaters i know appreciate the opportunity to expand their horizons a little anyway.
further, i really have no expectations when other people are hosting. i've had to make do with carrots and celery sticks before and i likely will again and i take no offense to it.
I also do understand the "if someone wants steak" response from Adam T. what if i want cavier. is there an obligation for a host to get me cavier?
I would do whatever I am comfortable with. Personally I prefer cooking a vegetarian meal for everyone using realistic meat substitute i.e. lasagne-it is so nice and indulgently cheesy and no one can notice that it's veggie and everyone clears their plate! You can use soya mince to do loads of different meals and it's just as nice as minced beef. I do sometimes cook my boyfriend meat for a treat (he's a meateater). It doesn't bother me as that's what he chooses to eat-I can't choose for him!
o.k.. i have had this happen to me... so I'm only speaking from experience.. I was invited to a BBQ party over at a friends house.. i was the ONLY one who didn't eat meat.. I brought my own little "no-meat" dinner.. i told the host of the whole thing ahead of time so she wouldn't be upset with me. Told her i would bring my own food so she wouldn't have to worry about what i was going to eat.. NOW when i have dinner parties, there are veggie and non veggie food for all to have and enjoy. A lot of people actually will try the veggie meals just to have something different.. i do NOT put any tags on things that say "meat or non-meat" on them however you can really tell if there is meat in something.. The only thing i would really be concerned about is if i had a vegan over.. then i would more then likely tell that person in private away from everyone else which dishes were vegan and which were not..
I did Gazpacho and goat-cheese as starter, followed by a vegetarian Paella
On another occasion I did Minestrone and Spinach-Ricotta-Lasagne
Everybody seemed to be very happy with that. I would not expect my guests to eat vegan.
Just like an allergy or religious belief, I would tell the host that I don't eat meat (or animal by-products) but I am happy with sides and some bread or something.
If I am going to someones house who is Jewish, I wouldn't expect them to make me non-kosher foods, so when people come to my house, they shouldn't expect to get meat. Thankfully, my friends and I are all very respectful of each other...
When i go to someones house, i don't expect them to cater to my diet, it's nice when they do but just eat everything they have but the meat.
When i have ppl over i like to ask if there is something they don't like or are allergic to. But one way to go around something is make a general meal. have pasta or bean burritos maybe soup & salad. if they don't mind eating veggie products make those.
i have both veggies and meat eaters in my family and we usually get together for big barbques/picnics, and we just have 2 grills going and we divide up the food buying and cook it and eat it together. kinda like a potluck (these are big in my family)
When I go to dinner parties and events, I'll just eat whatever non-meat items are offered. If I'm still hungry, I eat when I get home. I don't expect the host to cook something extra for me when they are already spending time and $ on the meal. But chances are, there will be a vegetable side dish or salad, and hopefully dessert is meat-free!
When I have people over, I don't cook meat. I'm not comfortable cooking meat. But I always get compliments on my cooking - these people can eat meat any old time, so they like having something different, like chickpea pomegranate stew or seitan stir-fry.
I am a vegetarian and personally I would try to make them a meat or fish dish if they would like it. However this is not a straightforward comparison. A vegetarian DOES NOT eat meat fish ir poultry for WHATEVER their reason. On the otherhand a meat eater does, can and in most cases would happily eat a meal cooked for them that was vegetarian . Hey they are your friends..If they object invite somebody else instead lol!
I usually try to accommodate all my guests (and some are strictly Kosher). It is always difficult but if you are the host you should know your guests dietary requirements and try to accommodate. I expect the same when I visit there home and the most important ingredient to any dinner party is mutual respect. If I am eating at a friends house and they are strictly kosher I will bring uncut fruit or fresh flowers so as not to offend. With the world being so diverse life is to short for conflict at the dinner table. Respect your guests and respect your hosts and things will go smoother. Chin-chin!
Even though I eat meat, I can eat a meal without it. Besides I can always have a burger or a chili dog after if I am still hungry (or sober) after a party which is what many people do anyway when the food at a dinner party sucks. .It's really not a big deal.
Usually I will cook ratatouille, eggplant parmesan or spinach lasagna and serve that with crusty garlic bread and lots of wine. No one has ever commented on the lack of meat.
I usually prepare a smaller dish for myself with uncheese.
And yes, when I go to someone's house for dinner, I let them know that I will be bringing my own food. It isn't rude- it's showing your host the courtesy of not expecting them to prepare something special just for you. THAT would be rude.
Yes, if someone invited me to their home for a meal I would expect them to cook me a vegan meal.
If a meat-eater comes to eat at my house, I don't cook a meal that includes meat. There is nothing in the meal that I would provide that any meat-eater would be unable to eat because of an ethical choice.
That's the difference - I'm a vegan, I can't eat a meat-based meal. My meat-eating guest is not a carnivore, s/he can and probably often does eat vegetarian food.
If someone expected me to bring along my own food, I would politely decline the invitation.
I would not cook a meat-based meal. Some people do not eat meat. But just about everyone eats vegan food. So it's no big deal for an omnivore to eat a vegan meal at a vegan's home.
I agree with you that just bringing over food implies that you don't trust people to cook for you... however, it is polite if you have a specific diet (whether it's vegetarian or something like low-sodium, or something very complicated) to OFFER to bring something for yourself so that your host isn't put to trouble. As someone who entertains a lot, it is difficult to cook 2 or 3 different meals at the same time for large groups of people.
I think it's only polite to give people a head's up in advance and offer a solution so they're not suddenly burdened with coming up with a whole new menu just for you.
I agree with a previous poster too however: being vegetarian for ethical reasons, I do not cook or buy meat because I believe it encourages/supports suffering. I do not serve meat in my house for these reasons... I have never once had a complaint from a guest because there wasn't a steak on the table... I think it's incredibly rude to 'expect' that someone provide meat - not purely because it's my lifestyle, but because I don't think it's alright to expect anything be served to you. As someone else said, what if I 'expect' caviar? People serve what they can serve... if someone invited you over and served you a fantastic meal that adhered to their cultural standards, perhaps Hindu for instance that would not include beef, would you take offense to that?
I think we all need to be a little more accepting of each other... when I invite meat-eaters over for dinner, I put a lot of thought into making a delicious, multi-course, nutritious meal that doesn't leave anyone hungry or disappointed - no hemp sandwiches here ;) When I go somewhere else, I offer the person the option of letting me take care of at least a dish... if they'd like the chance to try cooking veggie, I'm delighted! If not, I'm in no way put out that I have to do it myself. My choice, my responsibility!
I am a vegan most of the time but occasionally I eat fish because it is sometimes put on the menu for vegetarians and if there is no other dish I'll eat it. The same goes for cheese and other dairy prooducts. I visited a friend one day and she cooked me rashers, sausages and eggs and I ate the lot rather than embarrass her.
If the someone knew that I was a vegetarian then yes I would expect to be given a veggie meal because of my beliefs (otherwise what would be the point in asking me to dinner).
When I returned the favour i would offer the someone a choice of a veggie meal or a meat meal (lots of meat eaters do like veggie meals). I would get someone else to handle the raw meat though as I find that revolting.
When I go to my friends' homes for dinner, I let them know well in advance what my dietary freedoms are, and I offer to bring my own food. Usually they accomodate me, which is really awesome. To return the favor, I'll bring a great vegan dessert.
When I have omnivores over for dinner, I serve vegan food. First, because I simply don't have any non-vegan food in my house. Second, because my vegan cooking is freaking delicious. Third, because I will not compromise my values just to feed my friends a "traditional" meal.
I'd have to give them the same food because I don't know how to cook meat and if someone came to my house to eat, I'd want to serve them something I could make well. I'd go for something crowd pleasing and not controversial. I know that some non-veggies find "fake" meat or tofu either pointless or intimidating. I make something familiar like a veg curry, mushroom pasta bake or nachos. I also try to make a nice dessert like crumble or ginger cake.
If they absolutely insisted they wanted meat, I'd suggest we all have a takeaway as a compromise or go out for a meal and let them choose.
Thanks for asking an intelligent question. It makes a change from the usual trolls who hang out here.
i would probly not expect them to cook me a meal i would just eat the vegan things but if they did that then they shouldn't expect me to ^_^
i feel sorry for vegetarians
god gave us canine teeth to eat meat with not tofu
i suppose some might be offended...if you look at it this way..what if one of your guests wanted a steak....u wudnt cook it for them purely cuz ur agaisnt it but wudnt demand they cook u sumthing like veggie or vegan burgers instead of just giving you sum salad....theres no harm in putting it under the grill and asking them to take care of it as u wud rather not...they wud like it alot more than having to eat veggie stuff at ur regardless if they want to...not every1 likes veggie food.......i just think its a little immature to want them to go out their way to cater for you..but u ignore them and expect to eat what your eating since its their house...they dont make u eat meat cuz its their house...so grow up and stop acting selfish
well what about those meat eaters who simply dont like vegtarian dishes like vege burgers or vege lasagne shud they go hungry? no just as you wudnt expect them to say well u aint allergic to meat so u can physically eat it...and then just give u bread and a side salad..no u want them to cater for you but wudnt return the favour.