How to tell my boss I'm a vegetarian

[Anonymous]

My new boss very graciously invited my husband and and I to her home for dinner.
We are both Vegetarians. She sent an email asking if pork tenderloin is ok.
How do I tactfully tell her that we don't eat meat?

Thank you so much ladies!

[Anonymous]

"Thanks so much for asking. I appreciate it, since Fred and I are actually vegetarian. Sorry for any trouble."

[Anonymous]

Try bacon it will change your mind

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:"Thanks so much for asking. I appreciate it, since Fred and I are actually vegetarian. Sorry for any trouble."

This...and then offer to bring a veg alternative.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:"Thanks so much for asking. I appreciate it, since Fred and I are actually vegetarian. Sorry for any trouble."

This...and then offer to bring a veg alternative.

I wouldn't offer to bring a vegetarian alternative. The boss is inviting the OP for dinner.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:"Thanks so much for asking. I appreciate it, since Fred and I are actually vegetarian. Sorry for any trouble."

This...and then offer to bring a veg alternative.

I am not vegetarian but I host a TON of dinner parties and I eat fish only myself (though to make things easier I just eat whatever when we go to someone's house). The invitees who are vegetarian almost always respond like this:

"Thanks for asking! Actually, Fred and I are vegetarian but as long as there are plenty of vegetable side based dishes, we'll be fine."

I don't think you should have to be apologetic or conciliatory about being a vegetarian, but this is just what I see most people do. As the host, I would NEVER make them resort to eating side dishes for dinner. If I'm having a party, I'll make two complementary main dishes (some people are unsatisfied by a veggie main dish) with one being vegetarian. If I have them over to dinner solo I'll just make a vegetarian dish (and then have something meaty on the side for my carnivorous husband).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:"Thanks so much for asking. I appreciate it, since Fred and I are actually vegetarian. Sorry for any trouble."

This...and then offer to bring a veg alternative.

I am not vegetarian but I host a TON of dinner parties and I eat fish only myself (though to make things easier I just eat whatever when we go to someone's house). The invitees who are vegetarian almost always respond like this:

"Thanks for asking! Actually, Fred and I are vegetarian but as long as there are plenty of vegetable side based dishes, we'll be fine."

I don't think you should have to be apologetic or conciliatory about being a vegetarian, but this is just what I see most people do. As the host, I would NEVER make them resort to eating side dishes for dinner. If I'm having a party, I'll make two complementary main dishes (some people are unsatisfied by a veggie main dish) with one being vegetarian. If I have them over to dinner solo I'll just make a vegetarian dish (and then have something meaty on the side for my carnivorous husband).

Thank you PP! This is absolutely perfect!
I appreciate you taking the time!

[Anonymous]

A PP here who is both vegetarian and a frequent dinner party host. I think it's slightly disingenuous to indicate that if there are veg side dishes, then all is well. The boss invited OP, and it's clear the boss will tailor the main dish to OP's requirements. In OP's shoes, I would not want to convey even a whiff of disingenuousness but instead would just be straightforward with the info. Just my two cents.

[Anonymous]

Hopefully the boss isn't like my mom, who, when informed that one of her guests was a vegetarian, replied, "That's ok, I'll just make chicken instead of beef, then!"

[Anonymous]

Unless you are allergic I would just eat the meat. Very rude otherwise

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Unless you are allergic I would just eat the meat. Very rude otherwise

Not really. Would you say the same thing if the person's "food preference" was a religious one?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hopefully the boss isn't like my mom, who, when informed that one of her guests was a vegetarian, replied, "That's ok, I'll just make chicken instead of beef, then!"

Is ok I make lamb.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Unless you are allergic I would just eat the meat. Very rude otherwise

Which principles of yours do you routinely violate in order to be polite?

[Anonymous]

be sure to request a specific type of mineral water and wine from certain years

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:be sure to request a specific type of mineral water and wine from certain years

1. The OP's boss asked.
2. In what way is "Actually, we don't eat meat" similar to "We only drink 1986 Chateau Lafite Rothschild Bordeaux Blend"?

(Would you also advise people who don't drink alcohol to shut up and drink the wine?)