How to RSVP to an event and (politely) mention that I am a vegetarian?

[Anonymous]

I am a vegetarian, I don't eat any meat chicken or fish. I am not in your face about it. I am invited to a luncheon (Baby Shower) at a country club in a few weeks. How do I politely mention that I'm a vegetarian to the hostess? Or do I wait and mention it to the wait staff? I can always find things to eat at a restaurant. I should mention, however, that this event is in the south where they tend to understand less about why people don't eat meat

[Anonymous]

I don't think you do, There will be something for you to eat there im sure. I would eat something before you go too, so youre not starving when you get there but have room to eat something when everyone else does.

[Anonymous]

You don't

Once the shower starts and if it's a sit down meal, you can discreetly ask your server if there's a veg option.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am a vegetarian, I don't eat any meat chicken or fish. I am not in your face about it. I am invited to a luncheon (Baby Shower) at a country club in a few weeks. How do I politely mention that I'm a vegetarian to the hostess? Or do I wait and mention it to the wait staff? I can always find things to eat at a restaurant. I should mention, however, that this event is in the south where they tend to understand less about why people don't eat meat

First, ridiculous. I'm from the south and half my friends are vegetarian. And I'm talking Mississippi here. That's about as southern as you get. So you original premise is completely ignorant.

Second, of course you don't tell the host. Just eat what you want to eat off the plate. If you get a chance, you might quietly ask the wait staff if there is a vegetarian option. There almost always will be.

Third, this is exactly the reason people from the south believe that Yankees have no manners.

[Anonymous]

Don't do this for a shower. For a sit-down dinner where you would only have limited options, and it's meant to be a whole meal, it would be OK. But for a shower, surely there will be cheese and crackers and crudite. It's not meant to be a meal. Bring a granola bar just in case. Don't burden your hosts or the waitstaff with this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am a vegetarian, I don't eat any meat chicken or fish. I am not in your face about it. I am invited to a luncheon (Baby Shower) at a country club in a few weeks. How do I politely mention that I'm a vegetarian to the hostess? Or do I wait and mention it to the wait staff? I can always find things to eat at a restaurant. I should mention, however, that this event is in the south where they tend to understand less about why people don't eat meat

First, ridiculous. I'm from the south and half my friends are vegetarian. And I'm talking Mississippi here. That's about as southern as you get. So you original premise is completely ignorant.

Second, of course you don't tell the host. Just eat what you want to eat off the plate. If you get a chance, you might quietly ask the wait staff if there is a vegetarian option. There almost always will be.

Third, this is exactly the reason people from the south believe that Yankees have no manners.

Totally agree. This is not something to bother the host with.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't think you do, There will be something for you to eat there im sure. I would eat something before you go too, so youre not starving when you get there but have room to eat something when everyone else does.

OP here - thanks, this is how i was leaning then I started second-guessing myself. If it was at someone's home I would offer to bring something that I could eat to share with everyone, but you are probably right so i'll just skip mentioning it. And yes, I will eat before hand. I am less worried about not having something to eat than drawing attention to myself at the event....this is why i love buffets

[Anonymous]

Are people truly this socially ignorant?

You don't mention it. It's at a country club- not a wilderness lodge. There will be plenty for you to eat and if you hate everything and have to eat lunch 2 hours later that day is it really a big deal?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am a vegetarian, I don't eat any meat chicken or fish. I am not in your face about it. I am invited to a luncheon (Baby Shower) at a country club in a few weeks. How do I politely mention that I'm a vegetarian to the hostess? Or do I wait and mention it to the wait staff? I can always find things to eat at a restaurant. I should mention, however, that this event is in the south where they tend to understand less about why people don't eat meat

First, ridiculous. I'm from the south and half my friends are vegetarian. And I'm talking Mississippi here. That's about as southern as you get. So you original premise is completely ignorant.

Second, of course you don't tell the host. Just eat what you want to eat off the plate. If you get a chance, you might quietly ask the wait staff if there is a vegetarian option. There almost always will be.

Third, this is exactly the reason people from the south believe that Yankees have no manners.

OK, now who is rude and speaking in generalities as if they are truths? I'm from the north, I live in the north, and I was JUST replying to say that you don't bother you host with this, and that I know a ton of southern vegetarians. So yes, SOME "Yankees" have no manners, but you need to stop with the sweeping and rude generalities.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't think you do, There will be something for you to eat there im sure. I would eat something before you go too, so youre not starving when you get there but have room to eat something when everyone else does.

OP here - thanks, this is how i was leaning then I started second-guessing myself. If it was at someone's home I would offer to bring something that I could eat to share with everyone, but you are probably right so i'll just skip mentioning it. And yes, I will eat before hand. I am less worried about not having something to eat than drawing attention to myself at the event....this is why i love buffets

You'll be fine, just eat what you want. It's rude to comment on what others are not eating, so hopefully no one will say anything to you.

[Anonymous]

Eat before you go just in case.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't think you do, There will be something for you to eat there im sure. I would eat something before you go too, so youre not starving when you get there but have room to eat something when everyone else does.

This. Keep a granola bar in your purse in case of emergency.

--a fellow vegetarian

[Anonymous]

I get your concern op. If it is a sit down meal, you are trying to avoid being stuck sitting there with a plate full of chicken and having everyone ask why you are not eating.

It will either be a buffet or you will have a choice. Just ask the waitstaff if they have a vegetarian option or just to not include the meat.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am a vegetarian, I don't eat any meat chicken or fish. I am not in your face about it. I am invited to a luncheon (Baby Shower) at a country club in a few weeks. How do I politely mention that I'm a vegetarian to the hostess? Or do I wait and mention it to the wait staff? I can always find things to eat at a restaurant. I should mention, however, that this event is in the south where they tend to understand less about why people don't eat meat

I'm so sick of this self-important crap. If you make a choice not to eat meat, that's not my problem. Good grief, when someone has a dinner party now they have to have a meat option, veggie option, gluten-free option, peanut-free option... Get over yourselves. Pack a granola bar.

[Anonymous]

I'm a vegetarian and I'm also allergic to a few ingredients frequently used in vegetarian dishes (nuts, seeds etc) and I never mention it unless I'm asked. I eat a snack before I leave and pack a protein bar in my bag.