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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To give a family run Hotel a Poor Review

568 replies

MistressMia · 30/04/2016 09:55

I stayed at a family run hotel earlier this week in the Midlands and while on the whole it was a nice place a few things bugged me, notably the vegetarian / vegan option or lack off.

It was only 1 night with breakfast included.

Perhaps I'm just too used to London standards, but it really amazes me that things like soya milk / soya yoghurt are not available as standard.

I'm not fully vegan, but haven't drunk milk for ages now, so couldn't have the breakfast cereals.

The hot breakfast consisted of bacon / eggs / beans / mushrooms & grilled tomato. I don't eat eggs. Don't usually have a problem as used to having the option of hash browns. and other veggie alternatives.

AIBU unreasonable to expect establishments to fully cater for those with different diets ? It really peeves me off, considering the charge is the same and veg options don't cost more.

OP posts:
Originalfoogirl · 01/05/2016 23:32

I stayed at a large, fairly expensive chain hotel in London a couple of weeks ago. They didn't have soya milk or yoghurts at breakfast. Most places we stay don't. In fact, Tesco had no soya milk last time we were in, but then we do live in Scotland, what chance do we stand so far away from London.

WyldChyld · 01/05/2016 23:40

Haha, Lweji, I got a little bit wound up - OP has been asked so many times and, let's face it, it's about as stupid as pooing yourself if she just sat there with her po-face on and didn't even bloody ask...

If someone tried to give me non-dairy spread, I think I'd karate chop them.

Loutwotwo · 01/05/2016 23:51

Yes, tight margins in a small hotel maybe

sykadelic · 02/05/2016 00:20

I think years of having to put up with limited options or the same options in restaurants etc have got me exasperated.

I don't eat most salad ingredients, yoghurt, beans... I could go on. I've also got a sensitivity to alcohol (even in cooking), chili and cigarette smoke (they trigger a medical condition).

So... in my mind you being vegetarian is much easier than dealing with my issues (which I fully appreciate are my own to deal with). So I would go and get something to satisfy me if they don't have it. I can usually find something edible.

Whathaveilost · 02/05/2016 23:07

OP if you think what you had to put up with is bad don't go to Coniston on a May Day Bank holiday evening as a vegetarian for an evening meal.

Just saying!!!

BoffinMum · 03/05/2016 09:07

A few years ago I developed a potentially life-threatening allergy to something and after ending up in A and E, was fast-tracked through the NHS allergy clinic at the local teaching hospital. No waiting list for me, fantastic and very prompt treatment with a top guy, great care generally.

The waiting room was absolutely rammed with women banging on about wheat and dairy allergies and problems with this food and that food, who had been waiting ages for appointments. I was quite shocked because a) What has this to do with the rest of us? Why announce this publicly? and b) I assumed some dreadful thing had happened like peanuts where there was a massive increase in dramatic allergies generally (hence what had suddenly happened to me, which was not food-related, by the way).

I mentioned this to the consultant and he smiled and said the number of actual cases of anaphylaxis they came across were really comparatively small, which was why I had been fast-tracked, and most of the women in the waiting room were likely to have nothing wrong with them. Peanut allergies were apparently more serious and on the rise so they had developed treatments for that. I inferred from this that intolerances and pseudo-allergies have become fashionable conditions and people fuss about food too much. Believe me, from my experience, if you have one you would really know about it as it is so frightening (you would get seriously massive hives and swellings and/or stop being able to breathe properly, etc). Hollywood films do not do life-threatening allergies justice IMVHO.

I think this then translates across to quasi-veganism and quasi-vegetarianism, and people thinking it is OK to fuss publicly about not eating this food, and that food, and the other food, and everyone has to accommodate it because they say so and they are special. So it's gone well beyond, say, not eating animal products as a religious or lifestyle decision or biological necessity. You end up seeing people announcing this, and expecting special treatment, then when they fancy a bit of something that breaks their food code, they do what they want when it suits them. In other words, for an increasing number of people, none of this is about the food itself, it is in fact a kind of power play.

You can tell the real vegans and vegetarians, etc, or people with a serious allergy or concern, because they don't want a fuss made and they organise themselves behind the scenes to ensure a problem doesn't arise. They don't catastrophise things like soya milk not being there, because they have a few of the portion packs ready in their hand luggage. Just like I always have my allergy medicine in my purse at all times. Other people who routinely have to do formal dinners and visits away from home that cannot be avoided, and have horrific allergies or major intolerances, usually have a pre-prepared side of A4 that lists the things they can eat that can be easily supplied, and they send this out whenever they are making an eating arrangement. In other words, they are focused on the 'can' and not the 'can't'.

So OP, next time, either pack what you need or be a better guest and give proper advance warning of your particular requirements.

bruffin · 03/05/2016 09:21

Boffin
Unfortunately, that has been going on since ds was little and he is 20 now. I think internet has made it worse. Posters post needing validation and all convince themselves that they really have allergies.
Food has become an enemy these days you can see it on mumsnet.
There was a woman i knewwho always announced she was a vegetarian , then happily tucked into the salmon quiche, have come across many people like that.

BoffinMum · 03/05/2016 17:40

Exactly, and it's ridiculous. And makes it hard when someone really does have a medical problem or needs to stick closely to a specialised diet for other reasons, noting random one they made up to apply just when they feel like it.

TheEmmaDilemma · 03/05/2016 20:26

scarednoob

"called itself all-inclusive when all you get is breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner."

Err yes, I'd be pissed off with that too. All inclusive means, any drinks (alcohol as well) and any snacks/food from any set menu in from any place at the set times. Bar food, snacks, etc.

Look up what Sandals etc. offer for all inclusive.

TheEmmaDilemma · 03/05/2016 20:39

That said the OP is still a massive arse. Tell them prior. They may have been able to accommodate you and you've not put yourself across well here...

Osmiornica · 03/05/2016 21:05

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Lweji · 04/05/2016 08:18

I'm always disappointed to find they actually have no hashish in the ingredients.

Lweji · 04/05/2016 08:20

They also sound like Portuguese cod cakes. Without the cod. Or the parsley. So, meh.

SheHasAWildHeart · 04/05/2016 08:56

Seems like being part-time vegan is really a thing

angelos02 · 04/05/2016 09:24

This reminds me of the Frankie Boyle joke: 'Yes madam, we do have a vegetarian option...you can fuck off'.

123lekl · 05/05/2016 17:30

Fabulous thread- I'm not vegan but am a real vegetarian and I would still mention this on booking, especially if the website didn't have specific menus etc.
My favourite op comment is 'Perhaps I'm just too used to London standards!!' Haha! (Pmsl) What precisely are london standards?! London is a very diverse place and I can think of many areas in and around London where they wouldn't have soya milk!! This fakeop is just having a dig at anywhere/anyone north of the m25 (and all those posters who are north of the m25 please be reassured that not everyone from London is such an horrific snob!)

avamiah · 06/05/2016 00:15

123lekl,
Awesome comment, that made me laugh out loud.

Falling270 · 06/05/2016 12:10

Leave a review based on your opinions. As a vegan you are a small minority so a review saying there weren't enough vegan options will be ignored by 99% of people anyway.

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