How do you politely say you don't like the food your served?

Question

What should you do if you are served food that you don't like...or food that is not cooked to your liking (ie: rare/well-done), when you are a guest in someones home?

Answer 1

You don't. If you are served certain foods that are not to your liking and there is no real allergy or religious reason not to eat it, you eat enough of it not to be rude. If there is some left on your plate, hopefully the host is polite enough not to mention it.

Answer 2

You don't. At least TRY something you don't care for. I was horrified at a dinner party I attended a few months ago when the hostess proudly served brussel sprouts. Now, I DESPISE brussel sprouts. Even the smell makes me ill! But I just took a VERY small helping when the dish went around. Then you can cut it up, you can push it around the plate, you nudge it in different shapes while you're talking, and at the end, if someone is rude enough to say, "But you didn't eat anything!", just politely murmer something about getting over a stomach bug. But you NEVER criticize the food you are being served if you are a guest!

Answer 3

Be polite and have a few bites at least. If you can't, politely refuse the plate and say "oh I should have told you x food doesn't agree with me." Just make it known that it's not the person's cooking that you don't like, but the food itself. Sometimes I say "I'm really sorry, but I can't eat pasta." Or whatever food it is. If something isn't cooked completely, you can let that person know that it will bother you stomach. I'm sure they'd cook it a bit longer for you rather than let it go to waste.

Answer 4

There really is no polite way. You're a guest in their home, and you should be thankful and appreciative for whatever they serve you.

My suggestion would be to sort of "pick" at your food, and at least choke down a few bites. If they ask if everything is OK, find a nice (non-disgusting, lol) way to tell them that you have a bit of an upset stomach. If the meal is well balanced (bread, salad, plus the meat/main course) just nibble at the bread and salad (or whatever it is that's offered that you do like). Certainly there should be at least one item on the menu that suits your taste. :)

Stop at McDonald's on the way home. :D

Answer 5

If I don't like something, then I will have very little or pass. I might say, "I'm watching my weight. I'll just have a little salad and some veggies."

Or, if it's seafood....I might say, "I'm not a seafood eater. But, the salad looks greats and so do the mash potatoes."

There is polite ways to decline food. But, remember to eat at least something.

Answer 6

Receive it with a smile. Thank them and do you best to eat the parts you can tolerate and disguise that you are ignoring the rest. If asked just tell them your stomache isn't feeling quite right and you are sorry you can't enjoy the meal more.

Answer 7

eat a small bit of it . if meat is too rare you can ask to have it cooked more as that is not hard to do for the host. Never complain in a private home.

Answer 8

you don't, you just eat, smile and pay your host a compliment. that is politeness, if you are not polite then just say your food is crap, dont be offended though if you get a sock in the mouth.

Answer 9

Well, if it's only one item - like one of the vegetables or something - then you can just skip it. However, generally, you eat what you are served, and grin and bear it.

Answer 10

i tell them I am allergic or I can't eat a certain food due to acid reflux