Should vegetarians provide a meat alternative?

Question

I had some guests around recently, and one of my friends girlfriends made a big deal about the fact I hadn't made a vegeterian alternative (To be fair, I didnt know she was one), now despite the fact she made me sound like a monster for eating emat in the first place, not to mention the amount of noise she made about it I thought she might sue me for violating her human rights. I wondered if the situation had been reversed, could I have got away the same mock outrage?

If I, as a meat eater, am obliged to provide a vegeterian alternative and cater for their diet choices, should vegetarians not provide a meat alternative for my own when they have guests?

(oh and my friend has since broke up with the pretentious cow, so this tale has a happy ending)

Answer 1

I think she deserved a right telling off quite frankly. I've been a vegetarian since I was 11 and I have NEVER expected anyone to have something for me to eat (even the ppl who knew I was a vegetarian). I wouldn't have trusted them anyway, so it was never any bother to me!

As far as your reversal analogy, you should realise that many vegetarians are so b/c of a deep spiritual commitment much like a religion. Meat is offensive to their senses b/c it involves murder in their eyes, not b/c they don't like the taste or prefer vegetables. Now, I don't think you could honestly say that your consumption of meat is based on a spiritual conviction, could you? I know you were venting over her unnecessary rudeness, but I hardly think you could be offended that animals weren't killed in your honour if the situation were reversed LOL In the case of your friend's gf, I have a feeling she's one of those vegetarians who is just giving it a go for attention only. Please don't think all vegetarians are like this. Yes, it's nice to extend the hospitality of having another option (esp. if you know a vegetarian will be there), but I don't think many would expect it or be offended if you didn't.

Answer 2

Well, if your friend didn't inform you in advance that his girlfriend was a vegetarian then she should have just been polite and eaten whatever side dishes there were that were veggie then had it out with him in private afterwards. Sorry you had a bad experience with one of us. We aren't all the same - another veggie may have said "oh I'm not hungry I ate just before we came over, I'll just have some of the carrots or a cheese sandwich or something. Enjoy your meal, it looks interesting"

onto the next question which crops up all the time. I will be blunt and to the point:

Does making a vegetarian meal make you feel physically sick and full of self hatred? If so then, sure, I'll make you a meat based meal.

Hope that clarifies what is going on, all the best.

Answer 3

Oh my goodness! How ignorant some of these replies are!! Generally vegetarians are so because of a deep and passionate belief that murdering animals unnecessarily for the sake of your taste buds is just plain WRONG. Not, I repeat NOT because they don't like the taste of meat!!!

And unless one feels just as strongly that something dead should be on the plate at EVERY meal then why should you expect a meat alternative?! Meat eaters eat everything vegetarians do (which btw is not just vegetables) but vegetarians don't eat everything meat eaters do.

However this woman does sound very rude as if I ever eat out (at restaurants or peoples houses) I always ring ahead to find out if a veggie alternative is possible. In not doing so she has no right to complain that ur not a mind reader! Its people like her that preach and kick off in public that give veggies a bad name.

Answer 4

I understand your point, she acted like a complete cow, even more so if you didn't know she was a vegetarian. She had no right to talk to you like that in your own home. She was rude and personally I'd have felt inclined to ask her to leave.

But back to your point, no, I don't think you should ask for a meat alternative, it would be done purely for controversys sake, in a way, much like she acted. If you are happy eating vegetarian food, then that should be ok, rise above it.

If people have a special dietry need, either through choice or illness, then it is polite to try and provide for it, but if you are ingnorant of that need it is seriously impolite to kick up a fuss about it and use it as some political sopbox.

Answer 5

Jeez, what a drama..
When I'm invited for dinner, I let the host know I'm a vegetarian. They usually decide to cook something that remains a decent dish when they just leave a little bit aside before they add the meat. I'm always grateful for the effort.

When I invite people for dinner, they typically already know it'll be meatless. When I'm aware of inviting an orthodox meat eater, I usually prepare a meat alternative (with a warning - I don't taste, so it's kind of a hazard) or I ask my boyfriend to do it.

I just try to be civilized..

Answer 6

Hmmm Me thinks you will get some flack for this one.

I would hide in a dark corner if I were you!!

If you wanna put an arguement forward ask if they drink milk. Because at least if you eat meat the animal has only gone through a short period of pain and abuse, where as a dairy cow will suffer from over milking for the productive life span, a cow can be sucked dry.

See Milksucks.com!!

Answer 7

If I was you I wouldn't have that particular friend over for dinner again, she sounds self centered and rude. If she is a vegetarian she can eat other things at the table and take care of any other needs she has when she gets home. My daughter is a vegetarian and the rest of us eat meat. She eats the vegies at the table and usually will make herself eggs or eat peanuts with our meals to sub for the protein. I don't think your friend is very thought ful of your feelings and really shouldn't have made such a fuss. To each his own.

Answer 8

She sounds awful and what a way to behave glad you have got rid of her.
Why make an issue out of the fact, if she did not tell you she was vegetarian then that is her fault not yours.
I am a vegetarian and if I go out to friends then I make sure they know without making a song and dance about it.

My friends are all meat eaters and if they come over to me then I will make sure they have a meat dish,must confess though my mum prepares it then hands it over the fence for me heat up and they all know this trick, so i do get teased about it.

Answer 9

Now a days the number of vegetarians are increasing.In offcial and private parites it has become customary to provide separate vegetarian food/alternatve to them.It is better to follow the new trend.On part of the invitees it is very bad to behave in that fashion and if they are vegetarians they can be polite and take what they like only or on some excuse leave..

Answer 10

Funny, people like that seriously need to take into account that this was their choice to not eat a certain food.

I hate mushrooms, but definitely don't raise a big issue if they are being served when I am at a friends. Likewise, I really enjoy chocolate and if its not served, I def don't raise the roof about it.

You make a very valid point and if you were going to hers for dinner, I think you would def be in a position to give her the same hassle she provided you.