People get offended that I'm vegetarian?

Question

now I'm not a preachy vegetarian, but nonetheless I am one, and whenever I'm going to somebody's house for dinner and they call me up and I say I'm vegetarian, I'm telling them as a courtesy so that I don't have to be sitting at their dinner table and have a steak put in front of me and say "erm, I'm not going to eat this", yet they always seem to act offended or something and say like "Well it's not like I'm going to put a plate of red meat in front of you", but if you don't tell them, guess what, that sometimes happens. Any solutions? anything work for your guys?

Answer 1

Some people are just rude about this kind of stuff. If they say something like that about red meat, just tell them that you wanted to make sure that you wouldn't have to turn down any of their "lovely" cooking. Or instead of saying you are a vegetarian, use the phrase: "Meat makes my farts loud and smelly."

Answer 2

Say you're on an Oprah "cleanse" and that you feel amazing.  No one ever argues with people who are on "diets."  They just hate vegetarians.

Answer 3

I would ABSOLUTELY let your host know ahead of time.  If you don't, and they find out, it would make them feel bad because they didn't provide anything for a guest.  Also, it avoids the "Why aren't you eating?" questions which can lead to inappropriate discussions for mealtimes.

Upon accepting an invitation, mention that you're a vegetarian and that you will be bringing a dish, so that the host need not go to any trouble.  (If the host responds that there will be vegetarian food, no harm done.)

Answer 4

hmm thats tricky. i just say, "so i wont offend u at all while im over, im a vegetarian." then they most likely wont come up with a smart remark like that since u said "so i wont offend u".

Answer 5

I turn down red meat by saying it bloats me.  I eat practically none of it.  Used to love it.  Or you could say that you will have veg only as your on a diet or trying to get you cholesterol down.

I don't know why but whenever I hear someone say, "I a vegetarian" it comes off like a brag.

Answer 6

When someon invites you for supper, don't mention you are a vegetarian. Most times a host/hostess would not just plop down a big steak in front of you. They serve all the dishes on serving platters and you pick from what they have made. For you, just serve yourself dishes that you know don't have meat products in them, such as garlic toast, roasted veggies, mashed potatoes, noodles with a tomato sauce etc.....I bet you could load up your plate and no one would be the wiser

Answer 7

Yes its so strange, I used to get that alot, If you rang up and said you didnt eat fish or maybe carrots or cows milk people dont mind, why do they get so heated about someone not wanting to eat meat ?

I think its because they feel guilty and FEEL that you are judging them even when you are not,

Try telling people its for medical reasons/or you are allergic and the reaction you get is TOTALLY different.!!

Answer 8

It's not what you say, it's how you say it.  If someone calls you with an invite to dinner, you can politely ask what is on the menu.  That will be an indication as to whether or not you actually have to state that you are a vegetarian.  Or you can ask if there will be any vegetarian dishes.  Either way, consider the person.

If you invited me for dinner and served tofu, I would not say "Eww, do you have any real meat?" (Although I do enjoy tofu)

All in all, when it comes to food, most people think they are being polite just inviting you in the first place.  Don't assume your host's degree of hospitality.