Mother wants to bring a chicken to my vegetarian Christmas dinner

[queenofthepirates]

That's kind of it in a nutshell. We've invited 10 people over for Christmas dinner including my mother. We're veggies and I've put together a lovely Scandi veggie menu. She's told me she's bringing a chicken and I've said please don't. Firstly because we're veggie and I don't really want a dead bird on the table and secondly I can't see why she can't last a few hours without meat.

My relationship with her is very strained this year, she's been pretty horrible to me and I'm getting to the end of my tether.

AIBU to tell her not to bring meat or stay at home? She could always come over after lunch if she's going to insist.

I suppose the danger is that if the OP presents that squash dish for Christmas lunch, then her mum might jump on the table and wee all over the damn thing.
Might even improve it if you pickle it afterwards.

I lke Anika. Doesn't she sing Without Ewe? Boom boom!

Welcome to the sisterhood U2 - quality street?

mavis

Can I join too? I'm a veggie though. But i don't make people convert. I may even make wee-infused ram testicles for my next dinner party

Some meat eaters are very squeamish about the bits of the animal that really look like animals. There was apparently a mini furore the other night about this dish on Masterchef. It's pigeon and it includes a bit of the pigeon that most of us would immediately associate with filthy pavements.

I may even make wee-infused ram testicles for my next dinner party

Ooh, now you've got my tastebuds going. Slurp!

Absolutely mavis - help yourself to a quality street! Please leave your rams testicles at home though - I like meat, but I draw the line...

But that was pigeon. They are manky. Seagul feet would be been more attractive.

If you want to see a meaty squirm ask if they have ever had rabbit (not even dog). I used to like it as a child but so many people are horrified at the thought of eating flopsy these days. I just don't get it. Chicken - ugly and thick, so ok, bambi - cute so not OK.

My Mum used to cook rabbit a lot when we were young. I don't mind the taste, but I'm not keen on the smell when it is cooking. Smells like fishy meat. I have tried several times in recent years, as it is an ethical meat, but haven't quite got there yet.

Very true, Gasp0 but it wouldn't worry me, I have to say. I like to suck prawns' heads. Very flavoursome. especially if they've been cooked in garlic and chili. Eating crispy feet is just like eating pork crackling.

As a non veggie there is no way I would ever take meat to a veggie persons house that is just so rude! But then if I have a veggie coming for dinner I make us all a veggie dish, I don't make two different meals.

I read that menu to my husband who has been vegetarian for 30 years. He said even he'd probably sneak out for a kebab.

Why is it rude? It's a Christmas meal, you like chicken, you're not asking the vegetarian to cook it or eat it...

I'm very surprised and pleased so many posters think this is unreasonable.
We are hosting two Christmas dinners for family this year and we will only make vegetarian food. To both dinners my Dad and step dad are bringing meat to eat with their dinner. I never even thought to question it as I know most people expect to have their favourite foods/traditional foods with their Christmas dinner so for many that's having meat. TBH I have people do this to us for other meals too. I think no one needs meat at all and am very anti meat but meat eaters I know think they have to eat it. I do refuse to cook it and clean up/wash up meat dishes though. I won't wash up plates and dishes used for meat!

Hardly inconceivable that people who eat meat as part of their diet might not eat all meats is it? It's all about choice isn't it, choosing to not eat meat at all is a choice too.

I don't think though that the op is refusing to allow her mum to bring a chicken because of being repulsed by meat it reads more as if she upset het mum (and vies versa) or a control issue.

I won't wash up plates and dishes used for meat!

I could absolutely understand that if you are allergic to meat.
Do you have meat allergies?
What are your shoes made from? Plastic, or leather? Would you refuse to touch a leather shoe? (For instance)

meat eaters I know think they have to eat it

I'd think more that it is a personal choice, rather than a command. People don't have to eat meat, some choose to.

I think i's just 1 meal and if you CHOOSE to spend xmas day at someone else's house you eat what they provide. you can do a chicken dinner with stuffing etc on a different day

It is an invitation to Christmas dinner though. Like going to a birthday party and there being no cake. And the menu sounds a bit challenging.

'I won't wash up meat plates'
Why not?
What difference does that make to the animals welfare?

I think if it's just one meal and you're inviting non-veggies to spend xmas day at your house especially when the veggie meal is so dull and uninspiring despite its Scandi tag, and they've asked if they could have a bit of chicken, then you're being an ungracious host by turning down a perfectly reasonable request.

Of course, it's all about how much you value your guests though.

It is totally pathetic that some people can't eat one meal that doesn't include meat! Unless you ONLY eat meat and nothing else, then it is downright rude to bring a chicken to a vegetarian's house when they objected to it.

I'm not a veggie and I love meat - surely at Christmas it's the company that matters.

On the flip side Rebecca if you CHOOSE to have someone over for Christmas dinner don't you think you should accommodate them?

I can eat lots of meals that don't contain meat.

Just not stuffed squash. On Xmas day.

And yes, it is the company that matters. Mum gets her chicken, OP gets her squash thing.

As a veggie I'd be sneaking some of tbe ops mums chicken at that meal. And the last time I had meat was in 1986.