Sharing cutlery and plates with meat eaters!

Question

I am a vegetarian, living with a family of carnivores. I dont like to make a big deal about vegetarianism, or force my ideas on other people.

But it totally grosses me out when people use cutlery on meat and then use it on my food. Anyone else have the same problem? Do I just have to deal with it?

Answer 1

Most people would ask them to wipe the cutlery, or you should just do it yourself.

Answer 2

Deal with it.

Answer 3

You should politely speak up about it and tell them how you feel, you maybe living with meat eaters and it sounds like you respect there choice, and there way of life , but by the same token they should also respect your choice and your way of life.

Answer 4

Keep your own set of tools. I have my own chopsticks.

Answer 5

I have this problem also.  When I go to a family dinner or to my mom's to eat..then I have to remind her that I don't want her utensils touching my food.  For instance...she will grill something for her and then say a soy burger for me...I make sure she has 2 different sets of tongs/spatula etc...so she won't touch her meat then my stuff with the same thing..I do allow her to cook my stuff on the same grill b/c the heat of it will burn any meat product off the grill, even though she cleans it very well after each use.  I do NOT allow her meat to touch my food however..she did use the same tongs on her hamburger one time while standing there talking to me and I had to throw my food out..yuk...I completely understand where you are coming from...maybe just give them time and they will catch on...my mom and family are getting much better about considering the fact that I want nothing to do with meat or anything that touches it.  And I read someone elses answer about maybe wiping the silverware..uhm..no, that won't cut it with me..washed and sterilized will work though.  good luck.  I feel ya on this one!

Answer 6

The cutlery and dishes should be washed between uses. If that's not good enough for you, buy your own place setting.

Answer 7

I won't eat something if it had a meat fork in it or my mom used a meat knife on my food.

I've been vegetarian and like that  for 7 years, she rarely does it now but still.

And when we have barbecues its either on tin foil or on a nonmeat part of the grill and w/ a seperate spatula.

It grosses me out too!

Answer 8

No.  You shouldn't just deal with it.  It only takes a second to change cutlery for a vegetarian.  I know you don't want to force your beliefs on other people, but you still have your beliefs.  Perhaps they don't think of it.  Try talking to the person about it.  If they don't know what they are doing or just don't think of it, they can't improve the problem.

That would disgust me as well!  You are not alone.  Meat causes more food poisoning in the US than any other thing.  Vegetarians can still get food poisoning from meat through cross contamination.  You'll be safer and less grossed out if you speak up!!!

Good luck and I hope your issue gets solved.  :)

Answer 9

I have a similar issue with that too, I guess the only thing to do is just grab your cutlery before anyone else starts preparing other food with it. I don't think it's unreasonable to ask them not to do it, you're respecting their food choices and they should respect yours.

Go veggies! =]

and by the way "buhjones", I'd say you're the one that smells while you're eating dead flesh.

Answer 10

Yes I think it's gross too.  I think about that when I go to restaurants.  Yes, I know they get washed and cleaned but just thinking about where they have been is gross.

One day, you will have your own place, and you can enforce a "no meat in the house" rule.  It's awesome!

cheers

Answer 11

For goodness' sake, ask whoever is serving up to do yours first and then remove it. But don't be too precious about it - I can assure you that many things happen like this in cafes and restaurants!

Answer 12

I find this a bit extreme especially as you're not on your own yet. Wash the cutlery and it's fine. When you have your own place you can make your own rules. This kind of radicalism won't do your chosen path any favours as your family will interpret it as you consider yourself "special" or "superior" to them.

My husband isn't veggie either but we get along. I respect him, he respects me. He doesn't try to "hide" meat in my food and I don't hassle him about meat. He was an adult when we got married; he makes his own choices.

Treat others with the respect and compassion you'd like to recieve.

Answer 13

Well, since you do have to share the house with meat eaters, I would suggest buying your own cutlery.

That way you can control what comes into contact with it and you won't have to deal with meat touching your food. I am sure that your family will respect your things because as you said, you do not force your ideas on them. I would hope they appreciate that respect.