I'm going over to my family freinds house to sleep over! And i kno for a fact they LOVE meat! How can i tell them i'm a vegitarian? I dont want them to have to make something special for me! And should i bring some of my own stuff? I need help what do i do?!?!
And how do i get my family to stop ratting on me for my decion?
2007-08-06 04:00:01 · 15 answers · asked by pugglelover1207 3 in Food & Drink ➔ Vegetarian & Vegan
Don't bother saying the V word, just let them know that you don't eat meat but you appreciate their kind hospitality and good company and don't expect them to go to too much trouble for you. Take a bag of mixed dried fruit and nuts to tide you over, though!
Your family will just have to get used to it, it's their problem, not yours.
2007-08-06 04:07:12 · answer #1 · answered by Camperdown T 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I have been a vegetarian for over 25 years, so I have been in this situation countless times. I don't make any kind of deal about it. The first time I am a guest I just mention, while dinner is being made, that I am a vegetarian but that they should not worry about it I will just be eating everything else but the meat portion. If they are cooking vegetables in with the meat I tell them in enough time so they can segregate some veg for me. People want to do the right thing, make you comfortable. I assure people that I will be having enough to eat, but I always make sure I take a cereal bar or some such thing in my bag in case the hungries visit me.
Families always make a deal over every life decision we make, we just need to ride it out. My family thinks nothing of my eating habits now, nor do my friends. Good luck and remind your family your abstaining from meat means there is more for them!
2007-08-06 11:13:19 · answer #2 · answered by Leslie 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I recommend that you just politely tell them in advance that you're vegetarian, but urge them not to go out of their way to make anything special for you to eat (in most cases, people make something with meat, and then a few vegetable/starch sides anyway, so I always find that if I just skip the meat and eat salad, veggies, and potatoes or whatever, I'm fine -- just make sure you eat something with protein earlier in the day, since there probably won't be anything protein-rich for you to eat).
Also, it's always nice to offer to bring something to dinner -- you can offer to bring a covered (vegetarian) dish of some kind, which will ensure that you have something to eat and also introduce others to vegetarian foods.
I think that the key to "not coming off as rude" in these situations is to try to avoid the situation by giving people notice in advance of your vegetarianism and, if that's not possible, then to just be polite when you're served meat and decline to eat it. Most people are very cool about it, as long as you're not going to give them a lecture on meat or complain about it throughout the meal. Hope that helps!
As far as your family goes, as the other answers have said, just have patience with them and stick to your guns. In time, they'll lay off.
2007-08-06 12:48:09 · answer #3 · answered by Sara M 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Inform them before you arrive. Even if they tell you that they have stuff you can eat, pack some stuff anyway. By vegetarian food, they could mean fish, chicken, or just salad. And your family may stop ratting you after you've been veg for awhile and they realize youre serious. They may never stop bothering you, but they will probably lighten up a bit. Just stay motivated and try not to let nonveggies stop you.
2007-08-06 12:02:58 · answer #4 · answered by Misty 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
About you going to your freinds family house, for dinner.
You can either be honest and let them know that you are vegetarian, but I am sure that they will serve some sorts of vegetables, so you will probably choose to only eat vegetables, and that should be just fine =)
When it comes to your parrents openoin about your decetion.
Explain to them how it makes you feel to eat a ded animal-that someone killed... just explain them what is does to you and thats why you have choosen to become an vegetarian =) and that they should shutt up about it from now on and let you eat whatever you whant. =) besides, you are more healthy than many other people and you probably stay more healthy than many others as well..
2007-08-06 11:09:40 · answer #5 · answered by rebecka d 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well I'm a vegetarian and when I used to go over to my best friends house (before she moved), she told her family I was a veg and they would make me something. Like, if they had pasta with meat in it, they would save some of the sauce and not add the meat to it, so I could eat. It worked fine. Don't worry. It'll work out for you. :)
2007-08-06 11:09:48 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You have to be frank and upfront with the family. You can bring some of your food, or bring the ingredients and cook there to have some for the family, too. As for your household, expose them to material on the merits of vegetarianism. Soon they will let you be.
Hope this helps.
2007-08-06 11:09:46 · answer #7 · answered by Zujiya 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Oh, hey, you've GOT to tell them.
Also, chances are even if they do make you something, it will be improperly cooked and... well, you wouldn't want to eat it... made in the same pan they just cooked bacon in or whatever... right? So, yeah, just tell your friend that you'll take your own food. It's just a sleep over... it's not about food, it's about hanging out and having fun.
2007-08-07 03:14:38 · answer #8 · answered by Scocasso ! 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes, tell them before you get there...Also, ask them if it would be alright if you brought some of your own food - or don't ask. That is up to you. get a small insulated cooler and put some of your favorite things in it. Make sure it doesn't look like your missing out or starving. Put a bean burrito in there or something - not just fruits or veggies.
I told my family about why I became vegan and you know my mom who is 57 just became vegan and so did my sister who is 32 and her whole family. I didn't push it on them, I just said read this book and see for yourself...
Or show them the meet your meat video. Just say, I just want you to know this is why I am this way and please let me be who I am. And I will let you be who you are.
http://www.meat.org/
or this book:
http://www.amazon.com/Vegan-Ethics-Eating-Erik-Marcus/dp/0935526358
or
http://www.amazon.com/Slaughterhouse-Shocking-Inhumane-Treatment-Industry/dp/1573921661
and my favorite:
http://www.amazon.com/Skinny-*****-Kim-Barnouin/dp/0762424931/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/102-9962304-1812902?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1186413217&sr=1-1
2007-08-06 11:14:11 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Before you arrive, let them know of your preference. There's nothing wrong with that. It's better they be prepared than surprised. You also could bring a few things you like, and share. Have fun. Your family will eventually come around...patience.
2007-08-06 11:04:43 · answer #10 · answered by kick it 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋