How can I tell a guy I'm vegetarian without sounding high-maintenance or demanding?

Question

When a guy is setting up the first date, what's the best way to make sure we go somewhere with vegetarian food? I don't want to sound demanding but I also don't want to end up at a steak house!

Answer 1

just go where he takes you, then when ordering you can just order non meat dish. that way he knows you are not one of those people who make a big deal out of it and you can a have a great dinner together, even if he likes meat & you don't.

Answer 2

Although you will see that I've asked questions about how long meat stays good in a refrigerator and stuff ( new roommates are meat eaters), I too am vegetarian and have been for oh, my goodness, my age is surely showing now, 13 years, since I was 14 years of age. I don't believe that being vegetarian is high maintenance at all, it is just an alternative, healthy lifestyle. You know guys are usually wondering where to take their date too and stressing over it, wanting to go some place that will leave their date feeling like she has choices. Maybe, if you know of a good restaurant that serves both meat and meatless dishes, one where you've ate before and received a good meal and pleasant dining atmosphere, you could simply suggest that place to your date. What I consider high maintenance is if you told your date, I will not eat at any restaurant where a dress code is not required- hence, you will not date me for less than 100 dollars tonight, by the time you pay for both of our meals and my flowers. There are some ladies out there that pull this. You sound pretty reasonable. Honesty, it is the key to a good relationship. Be honest with your date from day one!

Answer 3

My boyfriend and I have been together almost 3 years now and he's a meat eater and I'm not. I don't think he ever found me demanding at all. Just let him know about your diet. It wouldn't hurt to suggest a few places where you know there is something on the menu for you. He might not know what to look for.
Some people worry that vegetarians will criticize them for eating meat. He might be weary at first. Just let him know that you made a personal decision and you respect his right to eat what he chooses. I find that it's best not to talk about your opinions on the subject until he asks about it. The last thing he would want is to feel like you're passing judgement on his food.
As a joke my best friend took me to a steak house for my birthday. The wait staff were very accommodating when I asked for sugesstions so you shouldn't really worry.

Answer 4

Presumably he'll ask for some kind of input from you and just say "well, I don't eat meat so I'd like to go somewhere that serves other things too" because for some reason the word "vegetarian" sounds restrictive to some people and he'll just draw a blank, and for some reason some people think vegetarians still eat chicken. discuss it more in depth over dinner. Usually anywhere you go you can find something meatless, such as pasta, salad, stir fry, etc.

Answer 5

That's easy, just avoid American food. Go to an ethnic restaurant, they always have all sort of vegetarian meals, from Indonesian, to Russian, to Japanese, to Chinese, to Indian, to Iranian, ... basically every culture on the planet eats a lot of so-called vegetarian stuff, except for N. America where junk food rules. Any Chinese restaurant will have a good 30 dishes that are vegan. I just went to a Korean restaurant and the menu was half vegan -- so, it's pretty easy to eat out if you avoid American 'food'.

Answer 6

Well this is one of those mmoments in which you are going to sound high maintenance. Sorry. Just tell him you want eat somewhere where you can get vegetarian food. Or you could sugest a place for him to take you too, that way you can get the food you want while still being with him. Other than that you cant really break it easily. Just try and be nice about it.

Answer 7

Try just telling him point blank. Men are not mind readers. Don't beat around the bush. No guy, especially a first date, likes finding out after the meal, your a vegitarian. Had he known, he would have never taken you to a steak house in the first place.

Don't feel demanding, it's your personal preference. As long as he knows in advance, he should have no problems with it, unless you don't tell him.

Having a salad for dinner while he devours a meaty dinner will raise flags and make him start guessing. Just tell him.

Answer 8

I don't know why that would sound demanding.
When he's discussing restaurants with you, just simply say "I don't eat meat". I'm sure that will start a different discussion, so just simply tell him your reasons why and don't make a big deal out of it. But do make sure you don't go to a restaurant simply to suit you. He needs to enjoy the food too. Most restaurants now a days have several vegetarian meals on their menues anyway.
Good luck and have fun dating.

Answer 9

Just don't be high maintenance or demanding about it. What if you suggest a whole bunch of restaurants that have vegetarian food so he doesn't have to do the extra work of phoning around and checking menus? If you suggest 10 restaurants, there's likely to be one on the list that appeals to him.

Answer 10

Like I tell anyone: Honesty and open communication is the key to any relationship. So just tell the guy your a vegetarian and would like him to consider this when he is choosing a restaurant. If he gets annoyed now its a great way to realize you don't want to waste your time on him anyways. You can always trying picking the place yourself so you know that both yours and his tastes will be covered.

Answer 11

Simply ask if you guys can go somewhere that offers some vegetarian dishes.