Nah. It’s not rude at all. Why should it be? My devout Jewish friends don’t complain when I eat pork in front of them. When I was a practicing Catholic (way back yonder), people may have found it funny when I didn’t eat meat (except for fish) on Fridays during Lent, but I never expected them to do the same. All the vegans and ovo-lactovegetarians I’ve been friends with, dated, or otherwise known have never complained about my meat-eating ways. I’ve never heard of it being an issue with anyone.
That said, if you want to be extra nice, you can always go to a vegetarian restaurant. One day out of a year woudn’t kill you, and even I enjoy going to vegetarian restaurants once in a while just for the change of pace. You may be surprised at how good they can be. (In fact, my favorite Italian dish penne arrabiata happens to be veggie.)
Well, I’m about to say exactly what everybody else seems to have said: Not rude. I have a lot of friends who don’t eat meat (of various kinds), for one reason or another. None of them has ever expressed any discomfort at being around others who were eating meat.
However, it would be thoroughly horrible to take her to a place that did not offer any vegetarian options, or that seriously marginalized their vegetarian menu (sis: “What are your vegetarin options?” waiter: “Well, you can pick the chicken out of the grilled chicken salad.”). But I don’t think there are that many restaurants (aside from the obvious fast food joints) that don’t cater to non-meat eaters.
If it worries you, autz, you might just ask her if it would make her uncomfortable if you order steak. It may sound a little silly, and you’ll both probably feel foolish, but it’s open, honest, and nobody will be offended. Plus, chances are, you’ll get to eat your steak with no guilt attached.
I do like pulykamell’s idea of going to a veg restaurant, though - It’s a very thoughtful gesture, and your sister in law would probably be really touched. 'Course, you wouldn’t get your steak…
When I’m out with my vegetarian firends I try to stay away from any meat. An occasional tuna sub (hoagie, sandwich) or egg salad won’t be the end of the world. Even some of the veggie imitation meats aren’t that bad. They aren’t militant or overty-pushy with me, I’m just trying to be considerate. If they feel for whatever reason that eating meat is wrong I don’t want to subject them to a display of carnivorism.
I am a vegetarian and I want to say thank you for asking. You’ll do fine.
All the vegetarians I know acept the fact that their friends aren’t, and they can cope with watching eating meat. OTOH, if there’s a vegetarian restaurant near, you might want to give it a go. Some are seriously good, and your sister in law will love you forever.
Conversationwise, I’m always spoiling for a good argument, but a lot of people aren’t so basically don’t mention the whole issue beyond ‘what’s the food like,’ or ‘how about this retaurant.’
If you want to know more a good question ‘How did you become vegetarian?’ Most people enjoy telling you, and won’t be militant.
Also remember lots of different people call themselves vegetarian. Some eat honey but not eggs. Some eat eggs and milk but not pork, fish, chicken, etc. Some eat fish. Some eat fowl. Some DO have an occasional burger. Some don’t seem vegetarian at all.
More importantly people are vegetarians for different reasons. If it’s for health reasons, there won’t be any problems with your choice of food beyond jealously. Most vegetarians seem to say ‘moral reasons, I suppose.’ A lot think killing an animal for food is like (though not as bad as) killing a person. Rememebr this if you’re trying to understand how a person gets offended.
Finally, watch Fawlty Towers’ ‘don’t mention the war’ sketch and don’t get paranoid about mentioning meat. If you’re trying to be polite, that’s plenty.
I went on a bit so here’s the summary.
Short answer: No.
Long answer: It can be, but we don’t notice any more.
PS:
Do make sure there’s a good vegetarian option, and hopefully a choice. Check it with your sister in law if you want to be sure.
You can probably assume she won’t eat anything that was alive, but will eat cheese and eggs, etc, but it’s probably best to check.
when at a restuarant, i generally ask the vegetarian whether it’s ok with him/her if i order for non-veg food for myself. unless the person is a friend with whom i dine out often, in which case i already know it’s ok.
there are a lot of veggies in this country, so the situation comes up rather frequently. the reply has almost always been that it’s ok if i order non-veg for myself.
i think it’s common courtesy to ask.
These stories remind me of the time I worked in a restaurant. We had a vegan waitress, and it was her luck one day to serve a customer who wanted the prime rib, very rare, with a straw.
The prime rib was no big deal, it was one of our most popular dishes. But the straw?
“Why, to suck the blood up off the plate.”
Even I, a confirmed omnivore, got a little sickened over that one.
Ex-vegetarian here. Like almost everybody else here, I say it’s no big deal.
Unless you have some reason to believe that she is particularly over-sensitive, it shouldn’t be a problem.
Do you think she is concerned about eating a certain vegetable that normally would make you vomit? I wouldn’t think so.
Eat meat if you want quiltlessly!
Raw vegetarians and Raw carnivores are metabolically rare; most of us are omnivores (with a scale for ‘moderate’ inclining towards an almost completely omnivorous human) in terms of how nutrients are metabolized for efficiency. Basically, refined sugar = no for any and everyone; that includes alchohol (fermented sugar).
A true metabolic raw carnavore will drown in the blood of hyperalkalinity (eating a raw vegetarian diet); assuming they don’t die from malnutrition first.
It is one of the worst deaths known to humans… the last phases are schizophrenia and dementia…
Metabolic raw vegetarians will drown in the blood of hyper-acidic mania, or manic depression (eating a raw carnivore diet); assuming they don’t die from malnitrition first…
Raw Carnivores metabolize fat and protien efficiently for nutrients; a relatively pH balanced sprig of root vegatable or nightshade will give them more vitamin C than eating 100 oranges a day… Vitamins have different qualities depending upon their source; and are metabolized differently depending on the genetic adaptations passed down. The basic split is 20% carnivore, 80%, herbivore; with the basic middle 60% being omni-vore for all practical purposes. Killing all the carnivores will not stop the genetic selection of them in the future; that must be done before birth… Veggies will have to be patient to save the animals… (hmm… is it abortion to kill a metabolic type?)
Obviously, the answer to your question is NO. Like all the great advice offered, make choices available; as a parent, DO NOT assume that your child has the same metabolic type as you. This has nothing to do with ‘blood type’; measurement is a variation of a basic pH balance test…
The reason you never heard this before is (even though most medical doctors learn it) is that it effects the economy too harshly… Processed grains and sugar really screw up pH balancing; the greatest indicator of general health that can be measured… Hyper, hypo-alkalinity or Hyper, hypo-acidity are all states that decrease vitamin absorbtion and send toxic hormones to the brain (ever see those ‘new agers’ working in the health food stores who really look like they could use a slab of meat?!); your adrenals are the first to blow, then your hypothalymus… horrible, horrible life; stress centers shot before the ‘fun’ even begins…
Welcome to America, where the truth is too boring to be aired…
“And at 6:00, cancer linked to eating meat! Meet the astonishing researchers in an interview about their new findings in a book that could change your life…” (duh, 80 percent of the population has the susceptability… sigh)
-Justhink
Making pH testing readily available will create a public awareness of chemical effects on acidity and alkalinity and also a public awareness of the damage done to lower class citizens who are subsisting on processed grains (basically is sugar) and processed sugars. Vegetarians slip by better, as sugar is for the most part an alkalinizing agent and their biochemistry is situated to metabolize carbohydrates for nutrients. It’s the FAT that kills them. Raw carniviores recieved their carbohydrates in the form of seasonal berries and root vegetables and nightshades and the collections of carbohydrates found in the stomachs of slaughtered birds and animals (think tundra). These people literally lived off of whale blubber; and as a result they metabolize cholestoral and fat; to such a degree that heart disease has to literally be a life-long labor of love to end up being a cause of death.
-Justhink
Non-drinking vegetarian here. If you want to booze and flesh it up in front of me, I don’t care. Just don’t ask me to.
Now, if you were in a restaurant with someone you knew and you’d seen them eat meat, and they ordered the veggie lasagna or the three cheese omelet or another non-meat item, would you even think about it? I don’t think so.
Xash’s presence in this thread made me think of something:
Autz, your sister-in-law’s visit is a great time to sample some of the more veggie-friendly ethnic cuisines in your area. Tuscon is a college town, so I’m thinking there is at least one or two good Indian restaurants catering to U of Arizona’s Indian faculty and students. Indian cuisine (esp. Southern Indian) features a blinding variety of flavorful vegetarian dishes.
Another good option, if available, is a Vietnamese restaurant, where you can go to town on bean curd and tofu dishes (sorry Coldfire!). Even an ambitious and creative Italian restaurant should have plenty of delicious vegetarian fare (mushrooms … mmmm).
Oh… you said “eat”.
Whew.
a thoughtful but completely unnecessary question. Of COURSE it’s okay to eat meat in front of a vegetarian. I can only speak for myself, but as a vegan, I prefer attention not be put on me and my diet at a meal. It starts to bug me when everytime I go out with anyone to eat I have to reassure them that where ever we go is okay for me (after everyone in the group turns to stare at me when the questions asked) like many others have said, unless it’s a steakhouse or BBQ place, it’s usually vegetarian safe.
wooosh…right over their heads, No pudding for you! :smack: well I guess I’ll just beat it then
um, at the risk of sounding flip about the issue: why not just ask her?
My brother and LOTS of my friends over the years have been veggie/vegans, and there is about as much concensus about the politics and manners of vegitarianism as there is about campaign finance reform in congress.
I know veggies who could care less what i eat, i know veggies who get downright pissed and militant about it (either becasue of a political agenda or the afforementioned gross out factor some of them feel towards flesh eating).
The only way to find out is ask. I dont actually think there is a good general answer to this question. Just say: “hey, is it gonna bug you if i have the steak?” and if she saysd no, order it, and if she says yes, then there may be a need for a discussion about tolerance, or depending on how much you care, you might just have to eat a nice tasty soy burger once.
Chris (who still regret baiting my vegan college ex girlfriend by petting the jello, left side of my face still smarts)
Does anyone reading this post believe as I do that some people with eating disorders and control issues use their vegetarian label to control conversations etc?
As a vegetarian it wouldn’t bother me that you ate meat in front of me, other than something like ribs or gnawing on chicken bones. But I think that bothered me before I stopped eating meat, just a texture/sound thing. I excuse myself from the table at home if my family bothers me too much doing this, like my 3 year old chewing chicken gristle, yuck!
Otherwise, I would appreciate restaurants being chosen with a reasonable selection for a vegetarian or if dinner is being hosted, something I can eat. If this is only sides, that’s fine, I don’t expect people to cook something special, but if meat’s in everything it can feel a little tough. I’ll always confirm, and will offer to bring something.
Nope, don’t do it to control conversations, would prefer not to discuss it actually! Just don’t like the killing, that’s all.
I was a vegetarian during the days when there were almost no restaurants had vegetarian options, and the few vegetarian restaurants around served cardboard. No problem. I’d have a salad and baked potato. I never thought it was rude of people to eat whatever they wanted around me. It was nice of them, if they accomodated my eating preference, but it would have been extremely rude of me to ask them to do so.
Unless there is a serious health issue involved, asking other people to modify what they eat to accord with someone else’s eating plan is rude. The OP is very, very polite to think about this, and should probably ask SIL. Eat what you like; if SIL is an adult, she will cope.