# Vegetarians and meat dishes **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [July 27, 2003, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vegetarians-and-meat-dishes/191297 "2003-07-27T19:44:23Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Quartz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quartz/32/267_2.png) [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2003, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vegetarians-and-meat-dishes/191297/1 "2003-07-27T19:44:23Z")
I’m sure this has been asked umpteen times before, but I evidently haven’t entered the correct keywords. This is aimed at those who **won’t** eat meat as opposed to those who **can’t**. No flames, please. You’re having a party: do you prepare meat dishes for the meat-eaters? If not, why not? Isn’t not providing a meat dish hypocritical? Just as you expect others to show consideration to you, shouldn’t you show consideration to them? When you’re invited to dinner, you expect to be served a vegetarian dish, right? What if you’re served a meat dish? If you’re inviting non-vegetarians to dinner, do you cook a meat dish for them? If not, why not? Again, isn’t not providing a meat dish hypocritical? FWIW I have a friend who **can’t** consume milk; she has no problem providing non-milk-free food to others. ---
**Author:** ![ITR\_champion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/c67d28/32.png) [@ITR\_champion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ITR_champion)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2003, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vegetarians-and-meat-dishes/191297/2 "2003-07-27T19:53:31Z")
The terms aren’t clearly defined. Specifically, what sort of party? If I was arranging a large reception for many people, I would provide meat of some sort. If it was a small private party at my house, I probably would not have the time to make two separate main courses. I’ve never met a non-vegetarian who wasn’t willing (and in most cases, eager) to eat a vegetarian dish, so I fail to see how it qualifies as hypocricy. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2003, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vegetarians-and-meat-dishes/191297/3 "2003-07-27T19:56:23Z")
> [@](#): > > You’re having a party: do you prepare meat dishes for the meat-eaters? If not, why not? Isn’t not providing a meat dish hypocritical? Why not? A vegetarian may not have meat dishes on hand, for one. Or they may feel that buying meat and making the food is the wrong thing to do whether they eat it or their guests do. I think hypocritical is a stretch. A non-vegetarian eats both meat and vegetables, and as such I don’t think you’re committing any kind of ethical violation if you don’t serve meat. ---
**Author:** ![ruadh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/d2c977/32.png) [@ruadh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ruadh)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2003, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vegetarians-and-meat-dishes/191297/4 "2003-07-27T19:59:14Z")
Would you think it inconsiderate for practising Jews not to provide non-kosher meals at their parties? What about Muslims and pork? ---
**Author:** ![candida](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f14d63/32.png) [@candida](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/candida)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2003, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vegetarians-and-meat-dishes/191297/5 "2003-07-27T19:59:37Z")
I serve only veggie because, well, I’m an excellent cook and, over the years, I’ve acquired a repertoire of meals (in a number of food traditions) that no meat-eater we’ve had to dinner (or to stay) has ever done anything other than turned up for another eating experience. Most meat-eaters I’ve come across are more interested in good food than they are about craving meat for a few days. Of course, if everybody exists in a culture of fries v’s burgers as against fries v’s veggieburgers . . . . ---
**Author:** ![candida](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f14d63/32.png) [@candida](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/candida)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2003, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vegetarians-and-meat-dishes/191297/6 "2003-07-27T20:01:49Z")
| Would you think it inconsiderate for practising Jews not to | provide non-kosher meals at their parties? EXACTLY - mind you, raising a veggie family has enormous advantages for this Jewish mother 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Fretful\_Porpentine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fretful_porpentine/32/2873_2.png) [@Fretful\_Porpentine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fretful_Porpentine)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2003, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vegetarians-and-meat-dishes/191297/7 "2003-07-27T20:06:10Z")
I’m not a vegetarian, but if a vegetarian invited me over for dinner I certainly wouldn’t expect them to serve meat, nor would I particularly want them to. I don’t know too many non-vegetarians who insist on – or even prefer – meat at _every_ meal. (The ones who do are mostly picky eaters who tend not to accept many dinner invitations anyhow.) ---
**Author:** ![Quartz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quartz/32/267_2.png) [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2003, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vegetarians-and-meat-dishes/191297/8 "2003-07-27T20:12:53Z")
**ITR champion** Assume the type of party is irrelevant. ITR and Marly, are you not not showing the same consideration that you would expect a non-vegetarian to show to you? ---
**Author:** ![Quartz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quartz/32/267_2.png) [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2003, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vegetarians-and-meat-dishes/191297/9 "2003-07-27T20:20:07Z")
**Ruadh** I lump those under **can’t** rather than **won’t** **Candida** Again, religion comes under **can’t** rather than \*\*won’t. Hqaving said that, I have a Jewish friend who has no trouble cooking bacon for guests. I suppose I should have made the distinction clearer. **Fretful Porpentine** If you cooked a meat dish for yourvegetarian friends, would you expect them to eat it? If not, why not and why should you not give similar treatment when you are presented with a vegetarian dish? ---
**Author:** ![elfbabe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b782af/32.png) [@elfbabe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfbabe)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2003, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vegetarians-and-meat-dishes/191297/10 "2003-07-27T20:29:37Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by qts \* > \*\*ITR and Marly, are you not not showing the same consideration that you would expect a non-vegetarian to show to you? \*\* Uh, I still don’t get it. The point of providing a vegetarian dish when you have a vegetarian over for dinner is that you’re providing something that they CAN EAT, given their moral/religious/whatever convictions. If someone is lactose intolerant or allergic to peanuts, should they be expected to provide dishes that have milk products or peanuts in them to their guests because when they visit, they expect meals without those things? I don’t eat mammals, and I warn people about this if I’m eating over. Is it rude if I have someone who DOES eat mammals over and serve chicken instead of making a special beef dish for them? ---
**Author:** ![ruadh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/d2c977/32.png) [@ruadh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ruadh)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2003, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vegetarians-and-meat-dishes/191297/11 "2003-07-27T20:35:52Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by qts \* > **Ruadh I lump those under can’t rather than won’t** And therein lies the problem. For many vegetarians the refusal to eat meat is based on a sincere belief that it is morally wrong to do so. This belief is no less deeply felt just because it is not inspired by some millenia-old book (although saying that, for some vegetarians it is religious as well) - shouldn’t you respect their beliefs as you would Jews’ or Muslims’? ---
**Author:** ![candida](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f14d63/32.png) [@candida](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/candida)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2003, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vegetarians-and-meat-dishes/191297/12 "2003-07-27T20:37:08Z")
My point about kosher was an aside, not a point in terms of the OP. My point, in terms of the OP, was that I can’t see what the problem is. Well cooked and exciting dishes tend to be universal in their appeal. Perhaps I should serve several courses of serious and seriously presented food for most people and provide fries and burgers for the meat-obsessed? ---
**Author:** ![Quartz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quartz/32/267_2.png) [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2003, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vegetarians-and-meat-dishes/191297/13 "2003-07-27T20:39:22Z")
**elfbabe** As stated in the OP, I’m differentiating between those who **can’t** from those who **won’t**. Your reply does not clarify the matter. ---
**Author:** ![Monty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/monty/32/47_2.png) [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2003, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vegetarians-and-meat-dishes/191297/14 "2003-07-27T20:39:57Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by qts \* > I’m sure this has been asked umpteen times before, but I evidently haven’t entered the correct keywords. Now you’ve done it! You’ve upset the Hamsters by telling their secret! 😃 > [@](#): > > This is aimed at those who **won’t** eat meat as opposed to those who **can’t**. No flames, please. I’m one of those who won’t eat meat (unless, of course, you consider the nonfertilized chicken eggs I do consume to be meat). No flames from me. > [@](#): > > You’re having a party: do you prepare meat dishes for the meat-eaters? Nope. > [@](#): > > If not, why not? I never have any in my apartment. If my guests feel the need to consume “charred mammal flesh,” there’s a Circle-K (which a number of us, since the shoot-out there a couple of months ago, have started to refer to as “the O-K Corral”) across the street. > [@](#): > > Isn’t not providing a meat dish hypocritical? Just as you expect others to show consideration to you, shouldn’t you show consideration to them? I don’t see anything hypocritical about it. When I go to someone else’s house, there’s both vegetable/fruit dishes and meat dishes because humans are naturally _omni_vorous. I just go ahead and take a pass on the meat dishes. When someone visits my place, they can either eat or not eat. I also ensure, when I have a Muslim or Jewish friend over, that there’s something they’ll be able to eat. I don’t drink either; however, I do use that “dealcoholed” wine for parties. So far, only one person’s not liked it & that had nothing to do with the taste (I used to drink so I know the taste is very similar to the boozy stuff)–he just wanted the booze. > [@](#): > > When you’re invited to dinner, you expect to be served a vegetarian dish, right? Well, all of my friends are aware of my peculiar eating habits (Ovolctovegetarian LDS) and warn me beforehand what’s likely to be out of bounds for me. OTOH, I don’t expect them to go out of their way. If it’s something I won’t or can’t (I’m allergic to shellfish, which apparently really means I’m allergic to the iodine in them) eat, I just take a pass on it. > [@](#): > > What if you’re served a meat dish? If you’re inviting non-vegetarians to dinner, do you cook a meat dish for them? If not, why not? Again, isn’t not providing a meat dish hypocritical? I believe this is merely a repetition of your earlier questions which I’ve answered above. > [@](#): > > FWIW I have a friend who **can’t** consume milk; she has no problem providing non-milk-free food to others. “To each his own.” ---
**Author:** ![Monty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/monty/32/47_2.png) [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2003, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vegetarians-and-meat-dishes/191297/15 "2003-07-27T20:42:23Z")
Okay, I have absolutely no idea either what “Ovolctovegetarian LDS” is so let’s just go ahead and pretend what I wrote there was really “Ovo-lacto-vegetarian LDS.” ---
**Author:** ![black\_rabbit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/f19dbf/32.png) [@black\_rabbit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/black_rabbit)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2003, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vegetarians-and-meat-dishes/191297/16 "2003-07-27T20:46:16Z")
So, **qts** , is there a huge, undiscovered population of people who **won’t** eat vegetables out there that I haven’t heard about? Do you really know anbody who subsists _entirely_ on meat, by choice? Wait, I think I know a few of those people. FWIW, a vegetarian friend of mine had a party last night, and served entirely vegetarian dishes. Of the thirty people there, probably twenty were ominvores, including me. I didn’t see anybody complaining. The chili was some of the best I’ve ever had, too. And given that it was a vegetarian who invited everybody over to his house for the party, I don’t think anybody expected anything different. As a side note: how are deeply held ethical conclusions a matter of choice, but religious beliefs a matter of compulsion? Sounds more like a lame attempt to tweak the herbivores, to me. ---
**Author:** ![Quartz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quartz/32/267_2.png) [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2003, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vegetarians-and-meat-dishes/191297/17 "2003-07-27T20:46:45Z")
**Ruadh** We’re sguing somewhat, but the point is still that do vegetarians expect non-vegetarians to respect their dietary preferences but not vice versa? Does noone remember Aesop’s **The Fox and the Stork**? ---
**Author:** ![BrightNShiny](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7bcc69/32.png) [@BrightNShiny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrightNShiny)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2003, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vegetarians-and-meat-dishes/191297/18 "2003-07-27T20:47:22Z")
> [@](#): > > Ruadh I lump those under can’t rather than won’t How is this any different than someone who believes they shouldn’t eat meat because for ethical and/or moral reasons? They still can’t eat it because of their belief system. And how is somebody who doesn’t eat meat supposed to taste the food they’re cooking? A non-veg can taste a vegetarian dish he is preparing with no problem. And if one believes that eating meat is wrong, then it would be wrong to contribute financially (by purchasing meat) to that industry. I don’t see anything hypocritical here. I think the OP has drawn an arbitrary distinction between _can’t_ and _won’t_. ---
**Author:** ![Electronic\_Chaos](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Electronic\_Chaos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Electronic_Chaos)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2003, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vegetarians-and-meat-dishes/191297/19 "2003-07-27T20:47:24Z")
> [@](#): > > \*\*If you cooked a meat dish for yourvegetarian friends, would you expect them to eat it? If not, why not and why should you not give similar treatment when you are presented with a vegetarian dish? \*\* No I wouldn’t expect them to eat it, because they are against eating meat for whatever reason. I, on the other hand, have nothing against eating vegetables. If I was a carnivore and only ate meat, then it would be a different story. ---
**Author:** ![ruadh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/d2c977/32.png) [@ruadh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ruadh)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2003, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vegetarians-and-meat-dishes/191297/20 "2003-07-27T20:48:09Z")
That point has been addressed numerous times. Why did you ask the question if you refuse to consider the answer? [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vegetarians-and-meat-dishes/191297.md?page=2)