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Vegan "coming out"..how to handle dinner invites
Started
by Sydney
on March 14, 2011
my "sign other" knows i am vegan..my close friends, family, office friends..sort of know by observation...but now need help and support "coming out"..invited to dinner by someone hosting a party for a mutual friend ...i don't know the host....do i confront her directly anyway and offer to bring a "vegan opion to compliment the meal"....i don't want to be rude in advance but know it will be really uncomfortable for all if i don't prepare in advance and then just not eat what she prepares...any advice from those that have been there before? words to say or not to say to her? help....critical milestone here...how did you "Come out" vegan ????
I just kind of told everyone :) I always bring a vegan dish with me whenever I go somewhere for dinner, but I always make enough for everyone to enjoy. It is a great way to make sure that you have something to eat, to take pressure off of the host, and to share yummy vegan food with the other guests!
Hey Sydney - I show up at the door with a yummy grain/veggie dish. I don't tell them ahead of time because they will worry about it. Once in the door, I say quietly to the hostess that I know she didn't ask us to bring anything but I am vegan so I brought a vegan dish for everyone to share. Everytime, it has been met with positive responses. I assure her that I am sure she has made things that I can eat too (there is usually something). It makes for good conversation and people like the dish I brought. At some point in the evening I thank the hostess for letting me bring a dish etc. Good luck - hope you find a way that makes you feel comfortable.
I would definitely tell her ahead of time myself. I would also offer to bring along a dish as Vicky suggested. That way if she makes veggies or salad she can make sure that she leaves the non-vegan stuff on the side. Otherwise she might feel bad that she made nothing that you can eat. Most things can be easily veganized without too much worry. Then I would bring a vegan main dish.
Good suggestions here! I find that if the occassion is a potluck I just bring my own dish, but there are usually veggie dishes that are appropriate. I happen to have a group of folks who always offer a vegetarian option....like soy sausages or garden burgers at bbq's. I don't get invited to events much from strangers, but if I did I would just eat before hand and not make a fuss. Especially if I may never meet this hostess ever again. I doubt she would care about my dietary choices. But ti seems folks are always happy if you offer to bring a dish so that seems to work too.
thank you all so much for ur support and ideas...i blended all this above and...it worked beautifully...with no resistance from anyone....thanks!!!!
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