So, we had a dinner party with some friends last night (we do that a lot in our circles). My wife and I had invited 2 other couples, and as it was my turn to cook, I decided to make what I like best: Entrecôtes in oregano and tomato sauce, with oven-cooked potatoes and a mushroom/onion salad cooked in red-wine.
My good friend, Jorgen, is recently divorced, and he brought his new girlfriend. As I served the food, he and the new girlfriend grew suddenly very silent. Naturally, I asked if something was wrong, and he said: "Didn't you know that Tina is a vegetarian?"
I didn't, really I didn't. Perhaps he had mentioned it, perhaps he hadn't. I honestly can't remember. And as I hadn't prepared any vegetarian food, she had to eat only potatoes and the small side-dish of mushrooms and onions.
Afterwards, I got to thinking. So what if she is a vegetarian? Why should I care?? Where I come from, you eat what's on the table. Period. Naturally, I tried to smooth things over, and apologize, but I really felt that I shouldn't be. Apologizing, that is.
I happen to hate musles and calamari, and most other kinds of sea-food, except fish, but if I were at a party, and I was served sea-food, I would eat it, because that's what you do. Why is it, that vegetarians are different? I know people who cook vegetarian food, if they know that a guest is vegetarian, or at least cook something for that person only, but I just don't agree with that idea. You eat what is served. If you don't happen to like it, you eat only a little. But to deny eating something at a dinner-party, for what-ever reason...now that's just plain impolite.
Am I wrong here, guys? Should I relent, and cook something special for her, the next time they come over. It's not that I have anything against vegetarians or for that matter against her. It's just that I don't get it. Does the fact that vegetarians don't eat meat as a matter of principle give them special priviledges, that the rest of us don't enjoy. Please give me your opinion.
Asmodean
My good friend, Jorgen, is recently divorced, and he brought his new girlfriend. As I served the food, he and the new girlfriend grew suddenly very silent. Naturally, I asked if something was wrong, and he said: "Didn't you know that Tina is a vegetarian?"
I didn't, really I didn't. Perhaps he had mentioned it, perhaps he hadn't. I honestly can't remember. And as I hadn't prepared any vegetarian food, she had to eat only potatoes and the small side-dish of mushrooms and onions.
Afterwards, I got to thinking. So what if she is a vegetarian? Why should I care?? Where I come from, you eat what's on the table. Period. Naturally, I tried to smooth things over, and apologize, but I really felt that I shouldn't be. Apologizing, that is.
I happen to hate musles and calamari, and most other kinds of sea-food, except fish, but if I were at a party, and I was served sea-food, I would eat it, because that's what you do. Why is it, that vegetarians are different? I know people who cook vegetarian food, if they know that a guest is vegetarian, or at least cook something for that person only, but I just don't agree with that idea. You eat what is served. If you don't happen to like it, you eat only a little. But to deny eating something at a dinner-party, for what-ever reason...now that's just plain impolite.
Am I wrong here, guys? Should I relent, and cook something special for her, the next time they come over. It's not that I have anything against vegetarians or for that matter against her. It's just that I don't get it. Does the fact that vegetarians don't eat meat as a matter of principle give them special priviledges, that the rest of us don't enjoy. Please give me your opinion.
Asmodean
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