How to Deal, Parts 3 and 4
This is where my mini series comes to a close, because honestly, there's not much left to say. The previous segments covered all the most demanding factors of Eating with People Who Don't Eat Exactly What You Eat. Now I'll simply address two slightly less hazardous positions to be in: the omnivore guest, and the herbivore host.
Please excuse my obsessive need for closure, I promise I'll get back to posting more interesting topics after this!
Part 3 - The Omnivore Guest
How to Eat with a Party of Mainly Herbivores
(These tips are all numbered 1, because they are all equally important.)
1. If you know that the company you will be in is predominantly vegetarian/vegan/fruitarian/raw-foodist, brace yourself for some unusual cuisine. This is not the time to be picky, be open to trying new things. (If you don't know the dietary preferences of the people you'll be eating with until you actually arrive, then you'll have to adopt this attitude rather quickly.)
1. Don't enter the situation with a chip on your shoulder, just because you're the only one in the room who eats animal products.
1. Be aware that the herbivores may occasionally drop derogatory remarks about the things you eat, weather they're aware of your diet or not. Just keep in mind that they shouldn't be criticizing you specifically, and constantly jumping to the defense of an omnivorous diet will not make you very popular. If possible, let them know that you do eat animal products and if they're polite they'll avoid denouncing meat in your presence.
1. In return, don't denounce their diet either. It may be hard to take the anti-meat mood (if there is one), but don't get hyper-defensive. Note: This is part of being a minority. You may not be used to it (but your hosts probably are). You have to remain calm and respectful no matter what.
1. Don't bring meat to a vegetarian/vegan pot luck. No one will laugh, trust me.
Part 4 - The Herbivore Host
How to Accommodate Omnivores
1. If you invite someone who eats animal products to eat with you, let them know beforehand that the food will be all vegetarian/vegan/fruitarian/raw. (And make sure they don't have a soy allergy!)
1. If you're inviting other herbivores, let them know that they'll be in "mixed company" so they won't be unintentionally rude to the omnivore(s).
1. Try to offer plenty of familiar, traditionally animal-free dishes, in case your guest is resistant to trying new foods.
1. At the table, keep the conversation away from food and/or food politics.
1. Don't criticize or tease your guest for their diet, it will make them severely uncomfortable, especially if they're outnumbered.
Well, that's all folks. If I left anything out, please let me know so I can add it to the lists. And if you ever need help with this sort of thing, just check the lists again, that's what they're for!
peace.
Please excuse my obsessive need for closure, I promise I'll get back to posting more interesting topics after this!
Part 3 - The Omnivore Guest
How to Eat with a Party of Mainly Herbivores
(These tips are all numbered 1, because they are all equally important.)
1. If you know that the company you will be in is predominantly vegetarian/vegan/fruitarian/raw-foodist, brace yourself for some unusual cuisine. This is not the time to be picky, be open to trying new things. (If you don't know the dietary preferences of the people you'll be eating with until you actually arrive, then you'll have to adopt this attitude rather quickly.)
1. Don't enter the situation with a chip on your shoulder, just because you're the only one in the room who eats animal products.
1. Be aware that the herbivores may occasionally drop derogatory remarks about the things you eat, weather they're aware of your diet or not. Just keep in mind that they shouldn't be criticizing you specifically, and constantly jumping to the defense of an omnivorous diet will not make you very popular. If possible, let them know that you do eat animal products and if they're polite they'll avoid denouncing meat in your presence.
1. In return, don't denounce their diet either. It may be hard to take the anti-meat mood (if there is one), but don't get hyper-defensive. Note: This is part of being a minority. You may not be used to it (but your hosts probably are). You have to remain calm and respectful no matter what.
1. Don't bring meat to a vegetarian/vegan pot luck. No one will laugh, trust me.
Part 4 - The Herbivore Host
How to Accommodate Omnivores
1. If you invite someone who eats animal products to eat with you, let them know beforehand that the food will be all vegetarian/vegan/fruitarian/raw. (And make sure they don't have a soy allergy!)
1. If you're inviting other herbivores, let them know that they'll be in "mixed company" so they won't be unintentionally rude to the omnivore(s).
1. Try to offer plenty of familiar, traditionally animal-free dishes, in case your guest is resistant to trying new foods.
1. At the table, keep the conversation away from food and/or food politics.
1. Don't criticize or tease your guest for their diet, it will make them severely uncomfortable, especially if they're outnumbered.
Well, that's all folks. If I left anything out, please let me know so I can add it to the lists. And if you ever need help with this sort of thing, just check the lists again, that's what they're for!
peace.
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