Question for vegetarians: Would you eat meat if it is served at a family gathering?

Question

In order to fully participate in the family activities?

Or are there other circumstances where you would eat meat?

Thanks.

Actually I do eat all the food at most family gatherings, because we don't usually have a lot of different dishes. I'm vegitarian in daily life, but I make exceptions when I am a guest in someone's home and at family gatherings. It's a question of priority for me--the hospitality of my host is more important to me than not eating meat. I am just checking to see if anyone else on there feels the same way.

Rose:
I envy you :)

Tristan:
I've heard before that the Japanese have allowed fish into a vegitarian diet mainly due to the fact that they don't have a lot of land to grow other types of food. It's different now, with imported food and all, but it's still made it into their custom.

Answer 1

Their is nothing wrong with eating a limited amount of meat. Most of the vegetarians around the world eat a limited amount of seafood, fish and poultry. The only people that seem to have a problem with it is the V&V regular fanatics.

Eat what you want, call yourself anything you want.

Answer 2

Yes, it is rude. You should decline an invitation when circumstances do not allow you to state that you have dietary restrictions. You do not show up at someone's home, who went to the trouble to prepare a meal, and refuse to eat it. There are rules in etiquette that generally state you eat everything you are served. Where food allergies are concerned, people can say, "I'd love to come, but I want to make sure nothing will contain peanuts, because I'm allergic." That's understandable. But a host you do not know well enough that they would not know you're a vegetarian, you should DECLINE. You would never say "Yes, and I need you to do something special for me" (or something similar). You should decline, but could possibly get away with saying, "I appreciate the invitation, but I'm a vegetarian and don't want you to go to any trouble." In the event they insist, you can offer to bring a vegetarian dish that you will share with anyone else who would like to try it. Also, if you have a friend who wants to take you somewhere, you tell HIM no, or you tell him to make sure the host knows. It's all about preparation and information. People will, and should, become offended when they've opened their home, did the work, and have things sprung on them. ADDED: You might not like Larry's answer, but it doesn't make him any less correct.

Answer 3

I don't eat meat, even at family gatherings. Even without eating meat, I have never felt left out or not able to fully participate in family activities. When there are family gatherings I simply bring my own main dish, with enough for everyone to have as well(usually as a side).

There is no circumstance where I would ignore my morals, especially for the sake of someone else.

Answer 4

I personally don't eat meat or animal products in any occasion.
A family gathering or event doesn't get some special right because I'm around a special group of people. I don't make a deal out of it, I just bring my own food, or make my own food there, and make due with what I can.
I am vegan for so many reasons, one event won't change all those feelings.

Answer 5

People still don't get the veg choice. When you go to a gathering and openly eat no meat, you find out fast just how ignorant people can be. It's one of those litmus tests of the intelligence of the common person. Automatically, ten dumb comments or questions float your way. ---Well why? ----What DO you eat instead? ---Don't you know the bible says we are SUPPOSED to eat meat? (Have actually heard this) --Animal welfare is fine, but I like people more than animals. (Again, actually heard this) -- I couldn't live on rabbit food. -- Vegetarians are never healthy. -- Ya know, Hitler was a vegetarian too...

Honestly, I try to fly in under the radar by heaping mashed potatoes, mac and cheese, rolls, green vegetables, etc on my plate. Say you're trying to cut down, that meat has more fat and calories than vegs, and your diet is carb based. Tell 'em you're a Pritikin dieter.

Bottomline, you can't fight ignorance. Or actually you CAN, but it is not conducive to a nice, relaxing dinner with the family.

Answer 6

No.
Plus, I live in argentina where the typical gathering food is bbq! Just perfect LOL.
But I just eat the side dish (say salad)
My mother actually made this suggestion to me the other day:
why don't you make a bbq for ur bday(2 weeks from now) I couldn't believe my ears. I mean, I have to stand not to eat at every ffing social gathering, but my birthday? MY bday? that was just too much. I just gave her a speech on how I should be able to eat AT LEAST that day LOL.

Answer 7

No.

My family may live 3000 miles away, but just because it's 3000 miles and 6 months to a year between times where I see them doesn't make the pot roast my mom's cooking any less a dead animal.

It did become an issue with an ex who was Japanese; her mom cooked fish for me despite knowing I didn't eat meat (some people don't think of fish as meat for some dumb reason) and I couldn't eat it, which her mom took offense to :/ But I made a commitment and I don't want to break it.

Plus after seven years, the things it would do to my stomach... ugh.

Answer 8

Nope, I eat what I want and don't eat what I don't want. If I wanted meat I would eat it, but since I don't- I don't. :) I had dinner at my sister's yesterday, and I think I fully participated in the family activities despite not eating the turkey. No one cares- one less person fighting for the white meat.

Answer 9

Nope. Never. The only circumstance I can logically seeing myself eating the stuff is if someone told me food was vegan and it wasn't--i.e., through someone's deception.

Answer 10

there is a saying in Hindi " wear according to the other, but eat according to your own"
Family understands! that's why they are family!
well sometimes they dont understand, but even if you dont care, they will stay with you.
So live by your beliefs, and choose to say no to meat!
for me, it was difficult at first with my in-laws, but now i feel rather pampered when something vegan is cooked esp for me at a gathering :)

Answer 11

This is food for thought.
I don't but I might. It's eaier said than done sometimes, but mostly everyone knows I rather not. My biggie is my serious food allegies I never wavier from not eatting things that will harm me.

Slainté(to your health)