How do i get out of this lunch?

Question

My boss is taking us to lunch to celebrate Chinese New Year (1 employee is Chinese). I cannot eat meat tomorrow due to Lent and I have a seafood allergy. I dislike most Chinese food. I am not sure how to get out of this. They told me to eat California rolls or Tofu-both which I greatly dislike. I just started this job a few months ago. They could tell from my reaction that I was not thrilled to go, but didn't offer to let me out of going. Should I eat before I go and just socialize with them. I feel like I'm going to just end up eating a bowl of rice. Also, I have a heart condition which doesnt allow me to eat spicy foods. Please help! Lunch is tomorrow (Friday)!

There is no salads, chow mein, lo mein, or American on the menu. Mostly chicken, seafood, beef, and tofu. Very small, simple, Chinese restaurant.

Answer 1

An allergy to seafood is not a small deal and I would be more than a little concerned about cross contamination (using same cutting board, etc, for seafood, veg,).

I would eat before I went and enjoy some tea. Decline any prodding to eat politely. Letting them know you ate earlier - on a special diet, which is really the truth!

Sad that these lunches are really "duty" disguised as voluntary socialization. If you don't go, you are not part of the "team" - really stupid.

Answer 2

Wow, it sounds like you are stuck between a rock and a hard place. Maybe you could go and talk to your boss about how your religious stand point and your health problems would make you and the others around you uncomfortable during this lunch. You might need to inform him that you are not prejudice against the chinese, just unable to eat their food for various reasons. Tell him that you appreciate the offer, but you won't be able to participate in the event.

~OR~

You can eat beforehand and just get a drink and soup (egg drop okay? Can you eat chicken broth during lent? [I am Lutheran and while some traditionally follow the giving up meat on Friday, I never did.]) or something on the menu that maybe you would like. If people ask why you aren't eating anything, casually inform them that you don't eat meat on Friday's during Lent, and have various allergies that prohibit you from eating other foods on the menu. I have allergies, and while none are severe, I still understand the difficulties of eating out.

~OR~

See if they will make a vegetarian dish with just vegetables and no tofu. They might.

I recommend the second and last suggestion. If you don't go to this, it could create tension between you and your coworkers. Good luck!

Answer 3

You should go....that way you won't be singled out from the crowd at work and it could cause some unwanted issues in the future on this job.
If it were me and yes, I'm Catholic, I'd force myself to go and order maybe some egg-drop soup and also some stir fried vegetable over rice. Most all of the Chinese menus include vegetable dishes (without spices) for those that can't have meats. Don't let your preferences be hindered by what the others are going to eat. They're going to be eating what they want, you could do the same...good luck!

Answer 4

No, don't back out because of the menu. Eat before you go, and do just what you said, have a bowl of rice and a drink. If anyone asks, you could go through the trouble of explaining, or you could just shirk it off and say " This is all I want today.". Be social, have rice and a beverage, it'll only be for a couple of hours, you'll live.

Answer 5

You have three options.
1Tell your boss that you can't go for the reasons you specified. (they sound valid to me)
2You can eat before you go and just socialize.
3 you can make up an excuse that something came up.
Is is a corprate job where shmusing with management can mean perks for you, Then you have to go. But if it wont help you and you don't like the people then tell him is is against your religion to eat meat on that day and you don't want to tempt yourself by going to a restaurant. Tell him you have a nice big Olive Gardin salad at home that your girl brought for you. LOL. If you put it like that you can not be held accountable.Good luck let me know how it went :)

Answer 6

ask for the rice and chicken noodle soup or hot sour soup. They do accept a food allergy as excuse not to eat, you can also just be honest with them and tell them what you do and don't like to eat. The chinese also have very good vegetable dishes that do not have meat (I eat meat but I love those chinese vegetable dishes). Also, If you divert their attention with games such as seeing who can pick up the most peanuts with chopsticks there will be no attention to the food.

Answer 7

You can get a vegetable stir-fry or lo mein which is not spicy and very good. No meat at all. Just about anything on the menu can be vegetable instead of meat based. Plus, they usually have american food there as well.

Answer 8

I think you should go to be polite. Eat first so you're not hungry, then get something to pick at. Veggie dumplings may be good. They're mild flavored. And many Chinese restaurants have some American food too.

Answer 9

Being that you are new, I would go, since it is a Chinese restaurant you can order what ever you like since they cook it to order. Try steamed rice with steamed vegetables, they will also do vegetarian dishes for you. You might be surprised what they can come up with.

Answer 10

There's your out - the heart condition. Say you'd love to go, but for medical reasons you're not allowed to eat that type of food. What's wrong with the truth?