As a dinner guest, would you be offended if you were served a meal that didn't include meat?  Would you want to know this in advance?

I'm having two dinner parties over the next couple of weeks.  The first is good friends who know I'm a vegetarian, so they will be expecting a vegetarian meal.  The second will include a couple of people who are probably not aware of this.  I do plan to inquire about any food allergies or restrictions (religious, stuff they just hate, and whatever).  I'm wondering if I should also mention they will be served a vegetarian meal.

I dont think you have to tell anyone anything. You are inviting them to your house, so its your decision what to make.  But if people are going to bring something (other than drinks or dessert) I would mention it then.

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if you have good food, they won't even think about it.  They are omnivores, i don't know any modern human carnivores :)  I am very close to it, but even I've had great meals without meat.  I just can't do it for a week :)

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"Я это понимаю на рациональном уровне, но не могу принять на эмоциональном" --Бизнесмен Борис Березовский

Egor:

They are omnivores, i don't know any modern human carnivores :) 

lol... true ...except maybe Atkins dieters?

If I ever have you as a houseguest, I promise not to let you stay more than six days so you don't starve.

Innochka:

I dont think you have to tell anyone anything. You are inviting them to your house, so its your decision what to make.  But if people are going to bring something (other than drinks or dessert) I would mention it then.

Good points.  I've told people there is no need to bring anything, so all should be fine.  Thank you for the input.  :)  I've only been a vegetarian for about a year, and have mostly entertained close friends in that time, so I really wasn't sure how it would go over.

 

yeah, but if they are on atkins, you can't be expected to anticipate that.

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"Я это понимаю на рациональном уровне, но не могу принять на эмоциональном" --Бизнесмен Борис Березовский

Egor:

yeah, but if they are on atkins, you can't be expected to anticipate that.

True.  I was just teasing that perhaps they could be considered true carnivores.  :)

Leah, i think that depends on the person:-)

for example, to me, going to someone's house is all about having a good time. Not only do i expect plenty of meat on the menu, but also alot of alcohol, women, the game of poker, and a belly dance by the hostess.

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pomidorchik:

Leah, i think that depends on the person:-)

for example, to me, going to someone's house is all about having a good time. Not only do i expect plenty of meat on the menu, but also alot of alcohol, women, the game of poker, and a belly dance by the hostess.

Well, I am planning all of that, except for the meat.  :)

So what's on the menu, Leah?

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Sweater, n.: garment worn by child when her mother is feeling chilly. ~Ambrose Bierce

Leah,

its very nice of you to ask people about their allergies and restrictions...I don't think I've ever bothered to ask when I invite people over.

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kind of wrong place to ask this question - as russians we never ask our guests what they want or don't really care ;)

If we're doing a dinner party, it's what we make, as much as we make or don't show up.

Personaly, if I go to the russians for a dinner and they serve no meat - I think they are weirdos and need therapy, going to dinner party in american home - I expect anything and prepared to anything.

 
however, when I invite americans - I do ask them if they have any special weird needs and if they are OK with the choice of meat I will be making ;)
 

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- Независимость - это когда в 20-й раз наступаешь на одни и те же грабли, а русские уже ни при чем....

Leah, you care too much what others think or might think, learn some quantum mechanics, it's awesome)

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music of meah

I totally understand where you are coming from.  I've been a vegetarian for about 17 years now, and I love to throw dinner parties.  I do have quite a few friends on the low carb diets, which make it challenging to accommodate them with a vegetarian meal.  I always make sure I have at least one meat dish on the table.  If you have concerns with cooking meat, I would definitely mention it when calling your friends to inquire about allergies or dietary restrictions.  I don't think anyone would ever tell you that they are not ok with a vegetarian meal, but they would at least be prepared and maybe have a protein-heavy lunch.  I also like the suggestion of having people bring a dish if they want.

 

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It's all fun and games until someone loses an eye

I am with Innochka on this one- you invite people to your house, you plan the menu, to make sure dishes go with each other. 

You plan the evening- and you invite people to have a good time, socialize- and if absence of meat will ruin their night-then hell with them...If you go this route, it is endless- if meat, then what kind- may be beef is too tough for them, and you should serve lamb or veal only...may be they should just fax you the menu they wish you to prepare.  There is an element of surprise, or at least I feel it, that goes with them dinner party- you wonder and anticipate what the host has planned and I always learn something new...

Not sure if fish counts as meat or vegetarian food- what if you are grilling sword fish- should you reveal it (in the absence of any allergies communicated)?

I accommodate the religious preferences, if I know of them, but never thought of asking.  Dietary- if you do not eat meat, then eat veggies from the grill, if you eat meat you will have it tomorrow. Do support the idea to inquire about religious and dietary restrictions regardless.

If it is a small dinner party, and not a clear potluck gathering, or a huge BBQ- I would  not ask to bring anything- it will screw up the flavors, people may show up with a rubber container and you have to find a dish to serve what ever they brought (should you they clear whatever they are bringing with the host too? and ask for allergies?- it is a never ending story) if it is a BBQ- it is ok to ask and put whatever container on the table...

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