BellaOnline Forums Food and Wine Vegetarian Going to Restaurants

Does anyone else notice this? - When dining out at restaurants others feel compelled to help me order and point out vegetarian options. I'm sure they're just trying to be nice or something, but seriously, I'm not 5! I don't point out low sodium, low calorie, or low carb stuff to others (nor do I say "hey look - plenty of meat for you!). I figure they are capable of ordering their own meal, and I'm busy figuring mine out. Maybe I'm being oversensitive, but it's really annoying! I'd like to dine out w/o everyone focusing on my meal.

That is funny, isn't it. They do the same with me. I have been known to be perverse and not order what they pointed out on purpose, or say something like, "Oh well, everyone else eat, I'll just sit and take up space."
Worse yet is when someone invites you over for dinner, proudly announces they have cooked everything vegan and you can see them pouring canned chicken broth in the gravy or putting cheese in the polenta. Then what to do?
I once again, get unhungry immediately.

Yeah, I bristle when they assist me w/my ordering and I try to ignore it like I don't even hear anything.

And the broth issue!!! Like it's ok 'cause it's liquid???? Duh. People don't get the broth or lard thing.

My parents are 92 years old. My mother is now and has ever been a terrible cook. But she does want to feed everyone. When I visit, about once a decade, I cook. If my mother gets hold of the food, inevitably she will put butter or somesuch on it. Then says, "It's not enough to hurt you." How many times have you heard THAT? Luckily, I pack peanut butter and bread in my van when I make the trip up to Southwestern Michigan.

That is so funny - the small quantity thing, also a classic. "It's only a little bit"! I've heard that SO many times. Some even delight in the idea that you wouldn't notice it - like if you don't notice it it doesn't matter. Jesus how freaky!

This is not about being vegetarian, but along the lines of if you don't notice it, it doesn't matter. My parents had a neighbor allergic to mushrooms. I was about 12ish or so when the subject came up. My mother did not believe the neighbor and put mushrooms in the dinner served to the neighbors. The woman nearly died.
People are so strange about food. I'm surprised we don't get bibles thrown at us in here. Must be something wrong with being vegetarian. There sure is plenty wrong with killing animals to eat them.
My stomach is not a graveyard for dead animals.

The mushroom story is a good example of people having to insert themselves into other's business. Why do they feel they have to prove anything about someon ELSE'S food/sex/lifestyle/politics, etc.? Do they just have to be right about something that doesn't even involve or affect them?

Why do they enjoy tricking vegetarians (like when they sneak some beef broth in and you don't notice)? The only thing it proves it that who ever would do that is a jerk.

It's worth mentioning that an awful lot of restaurants who claim to specialise in Vegetarian dishes are also guilty of using butter, and cream in their sauces...

Our local pub advertises fish dishes as vegetarian on the premise that if it doesn't have legs or offspring in minature form to the adult version, they don't count.....! OMG!! You just have to laugh sometimes....

And as for helping others to choose their meat dishes - I figure this might actually be a very good idea to try!

It's weird - It doesn't matter enough to the people it should matter to (those preparing our food)and matters too much to those who shouldn't be involved at all in our choices (our dinner companions). The chef & server should be worried about what we eat, our dinner companion should be worried about their own meal.

The hospitality & food industry owes it to the public to get better educated about veg issues. How annoying is it to read a label that says "natural flavoring" - what the hell is that??!!!

How often have you heard, "I'm vegetarian, but I eat chicken and fish." I laugh and laugh.