'Inconsiderate' man refuses to change dinner plans to cater to vegetarian family
If you're planning a large get-together for members of your family who haven't seen each other in some time, then meeting up for dinner at a restaurant seems like a fairly solid choice. People can have something to eat and chat in smaller groups around the table, and it's a relaxed environment.
However, you'll need to be aware of different people's dietary requirements before you find a suitable place to eat so that everyone in your party can enjoy themselves. But one man has split opinion online after he said he's refusing to cater to one vegetarian member of his family, as he went ahead with booking a restaurant that doesn't have any suitable meals for them.
The man explained he booked a restaurant for 13 members of his family, and only found out after he had booked that one of the people attending the meal is vegetarian and also doesn't eat gluten. However, because the other 12 attendees are all happy with the restaurant choice, the man has refused to find somewhere else - and instead thinks the veggie should "eat before" the get-together.
In a post on Reddit, he said: "Our family of 13 that haven't seen each other in awhile are planning to meet up for lunch. Half the family decided on a specific restaurant to meet at. The half that decided are from out of town and are driving over an hour to meet up. After scheduling the meet-up, it turns out one out of the 13 people (a local) is vegetarian and gluten-free and there is nothing she can eat on the menu. The other 12 have no problem eating at this restaurant.
"My wife thinks we are being a**holes because we say we should NOT have to change our plans for one person. We think the vegetarian should eat before or after and just sit for an hour enjoying the family's company if there isn't something on the menu they want. We do not think 12 people should change their plans to cater to one person. My wife thinks we should pick a restaurant with more vegetarian options."
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The man later updated his post to say there are salads on the menu at the restaurant, and although they come with meat by default, diners can ask for the meat not to be included. However, he claimed the vegetarian family member "didn't want to do that".
Commenters on the post were split over whether the man was in the wrong, though, as while some people agreed that he should cater to the majority instead of just one person, others said he was "inconsiderate" and should make more of an effort to ensure everyone is happy.
One person said: "This is a really inconsiderate thing to do to a family member. I'm a vegetarian with a few food allergies. It feels so crappy to have to get the side salad with no dressing while everyone else gets to enjoy a nice, complete meal. And you have to watch everyone else eat, adding insult to injury. How hard would it be to pick a restaurant where everyone can eat?," while another added: "Expecting someone to sit and watch everyone else eat is downright ridiculous."
But some commenters who are vegetarian themselves or have other dietary requirements defended the man, with one stating: "Given that there actually are options (salad) for her to eat, I fully agree. I am saying this as a coeliac, sometimes you have to suck it up and eat the lettuce salad," and another posted: "As a vegetarian, I never tell people where to eat. I can always find something to eat. The only request (not demand) I may make is not to eat at a seafood place because I can't take the smell. But if the majority wants to go to one, I suck it up and go."
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