If you invited a vegetarian to a dinner party would you provide meatless options?

[Anonymous]

I am a vegetarian and I often get invited to dinner parties where the main dish is made of meat. There is usually bread, a salad, and a meatless side dish which is more than enough for me.

Last night I was invited to a dinner party with no meatless dishes. All the appetizers, sides, and entrees had meat and there was no bread or salad. I didn't want to complain or sound whiny, but the host knew I was a vegetarian when he invited me, and he seemed offended that I didn't eat anything.

[zombiefood]

I keep going back and forth on this one-

On the one hand, if you get invited and you tell them that you're a vegetarian so you're not sure about going, or if he already know's your vegetarian, and you confirm that he knows then he should be expected to put out at least on meatless dish. I mean there are over thousands of meatless dishes that everyone loves. It's not like you're vegan. Hell even meatless lasagna, or (like I do when I host parties) half meatless/half meat is a great choice.

Now, on the other hand- YOU are the one with the food limitations so you can't expect people to cater only to you. But I don't really believe this in full.

The way I settle it usually is I talk to host and tell them if they can make one or two meatless side dishes I'll bring one of my own so that it's less stress on him and I'm contributing something that I can eat, but that everyone else will enjoy as well.

[Darkfairie17]

I would definitely have some non-meat options for you. My bf's sister is a vegetarian, and I like vegetarian food too. So it wouldn't be a problem for me. I'm not a huge meat eater myself, but I am not a vegetarian.

I would probably make several side dishes with no meat, and then just have meat as the main thing. Maybe have some appetizers as well to make sure you had enough to eat. But there would only be one meat thing.

I think the person who invited you was a bit insensitive. I mean he could have at least made something for you that was no meat. Especially an appetizer, like maybe spinach dip with pumpernickel bread. That is a pretty easy thing to make and then you could have at least had something. Even putting out a veggie tray. If he invited you he should have been courteous to prepare stuff that you could have eaten also.

[palek]

I always make it a point to invite a vegetarian guest when I have a dinner party, and I prepare for them at least two vegetarian dishes for their enjoyment. Of course, what they don't know is that I infuse each dish with a variety of meat-tainted ingedients (beef broth is a favorite, and I also have a past that I make from the ground torsos of insects I kill around the house). The rest of my guests are "in" on the ruse, and we often laugh until we cry as the unsuspecting Vegger gobbles up the goodies. Hahaha! Acres of fun!

[Stallion76]

No, I would not.
and Vice Versa, If I were invited to a vegans house for Dinner, I would not want them to go out of the way to fix me something just because I am not vegan.
I say that because when you expect people to accommodate you, like that, you might be missing out on something new.

[rachiee]

If I knew that the person is a vegetarian, of course. I'd probably keep the meat in a separate dish than the rest of the main dish depending on what I made. Or I would cook something special just for them because they're my guest. I did invite them, so it would be my responsibility as the host to provide a dish for them since its a dinner party. You're suppose to be a good host and make sure your guests are happy. Him being offended is a little immature. He shouldn't ask you to change your ways just because he didn't feel like being a good host.

[xzinax2]

he's being a bit retarded,it's like being offended by a snake saying ''no thank you'' to gloves. I'm a vegetarian,so,yes,i would,duuh,and I would take friends who really love meat out to eat,cause I wouldn't prepare it for them of course. and you don't know veggie pain till you've been to an eid al-adha celebration.

[Chris_52]

I would at least make a special something for a vegetarian if I knew they were coming. If you are the host, your goal is to make everyone's stay pleasant.

[electromagnetic]

If he knew you were a vegetarian, he would of at least tried and make you something that's wasn't packed with meat. I think it was selfish of him to even get upset.

His a host he should of known better.

[Triathlete]

This "host" does not sound like a friend.

If he knew you're a vegetarian, then that was plain inconsiderate. I wouldn't plan on attending anymore of his functions. That's unfortunate.

[spoonman2014]

I read an article explaining this issue, food brings people together and when someone doesn't want your food it is like saying "I don't want be apart of the social dynamic". And people get that mixed up when it comes to vegetarian/vegan people

[sixstring]

If I were to invite people I'd probably make pasta. I usually use bacon lards or seafood in my sauce, so I'd make a version of the sauce without that.

Easy solution.

[Anonymous]

I am vegetarian so yes I would offer both meat and meatless things. That must of sucked to go where you could not eat much, but I think it is your responsibility to let them know that you don't eat meat. If they already know well shame on them.

[InquisitiveJoe]

You're host was an idiot. I think he was more ignorant than ill intentioned.

[Red_Arrow]

Of course!