As a Vegan/Vegetarian, have you ever made a meat dish for your meat eating friends?

Question

You see, I have.
My friends will often do such things as keep the meat separate or make a few of whatever without meat in it etc. for me since they know I don't eat the sort of thing. So, I have returned the favour just to show that I appreciate it.

As a vegan/vegetarian, would this be going too far against your principles?

What about perhaps keeping your friend's favourite ice-cream in your freezer for when they visit, even though you'd never touch the stuff? Something to this affect.

I think some of you are missing the most important point -- your meat eating friends go out of THEIR way to have something for you when you visit them, so how do you return the gesture? They make a great vegan meal for you, and you return the gesture by making them a great vegan meal when they visit you... doesn't that seems a little... how should I say... what's the word I'm looking for... "bad manners"

I suppose a vegan could go out of their way to use fake meat products so that the meat eaters wouldn't "miss out" in that regard.

You see, in other countries, people regularly have meals without any animal products, but in N. America, if one does not have a meal (especially dinner) that includes some animal products, they feel that they have not eaten a real meal. Many many meat eaters have told me this. Of course they are ignorant, and don't realize that they just had a vegan pasta lunch the other day... but... it's the way they are.

Another way to look at it could be if... say... you are a Devil worshipper and your friend is a Christian. Would you make Devil's Pie or Angel Cake when they visit and vice versa. And would this going too far against their/your principles to make something for the other, even though it would be considered general 'good manners' to do so. Honor thy guests, and all that.

Answer 1

I wouldn't prepare anything with meat. I think you're just contributing to the meat industry if you do. In fact, sometime after me and my boyfriend got together is when I became vegan. Whenever he came over, he could only ever eat vegan food since that's all I kept. Actually, he ended up not missing meat after a while since he had dinner with me so often and now he's vegan too.

When my friend's come over, it's the same way. We'll only have snacks that are vegan like some chips or So Delicious ice cream. They don't complain, just like when I go over there house I don't complain if they mostly have food with meat or dairy and I know to bring something extra if I want something vegan.

Edit:
Well that's nice of them to go out of their way for you to get you vegan things, but it's not actually going against their moral values to do that. They don't think eating soy ice cream or meat-less meals is cruel so it doesn't bother them mentally to provide it for you. You, however, know that it's wrong to buy dairy and meat so it is going against your principles. That's why there's a difference between them getting you vegan things and you getting them meat/dairy filled things.

I don't think it would be rude or bad manners to offer them vegan alternatives while at your house. In fact, I think it would be rude of them to expect you to go against your ethical/moral values while in your home. But the decision is still yours, so do whatever you want to do. However, if it makes you feel bad, don't do it. It's not right of you to do something or not do something if you feel bad about.

Answer 2

Once. I was married at the time and my father-in-law was coming for a short visit. I was planning on making cheese and chilie enchiladas, but my ex insisted that his father wouldn't be satisfied with them and that I make chicken enchiladas as well. I managed to cook chicken and roll up the enchiladas without ever touching the meat. My father-in-law loved the cheese enchiladas and took my ex to task for even suggesting that he'd be rude enough to shun my dinner and for making me do something that grossed me out. That was a decade or so ago. Not a single one of my friends would ever expect me to cook meat for them; I can show my appreciation by cooking them good, tasty food that doesn't violate my principles. Cooking for someone is a caring and sharing act and there's no reason why you have to cook a particular food to "appreciate" someone (it's not like meat eaters ONLY eat meat, after all!)

Answer 3

I still make meat dishes for my husband. And when friends are over I will make a meat dish that is similar to what I am eating but has meat thrown in! One time I made a veggie pot pie, told the girl what it was and explained it had beans to replace the meat protien and she barely touched it! Maybe if I hadn't said anything and let her do the asking then she would have eaten more before realizing!! At my daughter's 3rd birthday party, all the food I prepared was vegan and no one said anything-espeically since only key people knew and they didn't say a word. They enjoyed the cake too without ever knowing anything was different! However, at my husband's upcoming birthday (hopefully a party or just a few friends), I will definitely be making meat dishes as he is not veg and neither are his friends. For my kids and myself (and if hubby happens to like what I am making) I will make seperate appetizers and dishes.
I found most people are not so considerate of seperating the meat, but I do onto others as I would like done onto me.

Answer 4

I love having the opportunity to cook something vegetarian for my meat-eating friends. I make fantastic, interesting, gourmet foods that they have never tried before. I expose them to things they never would have tried on their own, and show them how easy it was to make, not to mention how filling and enjoyable a meat-free meal can be.

Perhaps this is why, since I became a vegetarian 12 years ago, I have seen my mother, 3 brothers, and over 10 of my friends become vegetarian.

Answer 5

If someone is coming to your house for dinner.. Why not expose them to something new? The Vegetarian meals my wife prepares are amazing... Why prepare meat? When we can offer the best... Why keep a gallon of Ice Cream in your freezer on the off chance a friend might like some? "Oh Yes I'll have some of your Ice Cream that is all freezer burnt. Ahh You say you don't remember buying it,, I'm sure its still fresh..." Yuck..

Answer 6

Since my boyfriend is really supportive of my vegan choice, and I became vegan well after we got together, I will cook him animal product dishes. Granted, since I cook for him often, I don't cook meat/cheese stuff EVERY night. Because then I would have to cook something totally separate for me every night. I ask him first if he would like what I'm cooking for the both of us, and I try to make it something he would enjoy. If not, I'll usually still cook what I want, and he can have some, and throw a couple pieces of chicken in the oven, or some cheesy garlic bread. He always makes sure there is something I can if we go to a restaurant, and he doesn't think I'm crazy. So, I don't make him cook for himself ... he hates it.

If it was anyone besides my boyfriend or his mom (who is really supportive as well), I would probably just cook what I would usually eat. His step-dad doesn't really respect my choice, and acts like a jerk while preparing the meat everyone else is eating, while making snide comments about how Jesus wasn't a vegan, and am I trying to be more moral than Jesus? Stuff like that. *sigh* I also like to try to expose people to the food I eat so they know I'm not a freak!

I would definitely consider keeping stuff for friends in my freezer ... so they don't have to eat my vegan 'ice cream'! ;)

Answer 7

I do not. I frequently have friends over for meals, vegan meals. The list of people who wish to be invited over has grown from three who were "willing to try" vegan food, to at least fifteen eager to join the crowd.

The difference is that we do not want to eat/serve meat, our non-vegetarian friends do not avoid vegetables. In accepting an invitation to dinner at a vegetarian household your friends should expect nothing but vegetarian food. And, when inviting a known vegetarian for dinner, should expect to serve some vegetarian foods.

I have good friends who do not invite me to dinner, that is fine and I understand why. It does not get in the way of our friendship.

If I invited a kosher person to dinner, a person with candida syndrome, or with other dietary concerns, I would do all that was possible to modify my meals to not put them out.

It is about respecting the concerns of all involved, not just you or your friends wishes.

Answer 8

I've never made a meat dish for anyone but I don't think it is against ethics too much. Personally I would get grossed out handling all of it, but if you feel like making sloppy joe for your friends, it wouldn't bother me.

Answer 9

No..why would I? Cooking meat goes against the principle of an ethical vegetarian. None of my friends have a problem with a tasty vegetarian dish. It's not like they NEED to eat meat.

Answer 10

I'd never cook or even order a meat dish for anyone who came over my house. They'll learn to live for that one night without eating meat and there are plenty of "normal" recipes that can be cooked that don't require meat.