to hope that my friends won't eat meat?

[gabbyfemale]

hi there we are vegetarians - our friends are coming for a few days does anyone think I should ask them not to bring meat, or should I not say anything and just hope that they realise we don't want meat in the house?

do they normally bring own food?

I think you need to tell them you don't want meat in the house, and I'm sure they will be fine with it. We don't eat beef and I've had to explain to people before that we can't have it indoors.

if they are coming to your house as house guests I shouldn't think they will bring meat so it's unlikely to be a problem.

However I really don't think it's your right to dictate what your friends can and can't eat, IMHO.

I think you would have to tell them if you don't even want it in the house - vegetarian friends of mine are quite happy to have chilli/bolognese whatever in their house for everyone else so I would need to be told if I was thinking of bringing a ham sandwich in with me!

Er, but won't you be doing the cooking and therefore it will all be meat-free?

Do you have visions of them unpacking a rib of beef from their overnight bag?

Tell them you're a no-meat household .. am assuming if you go out they can order what they want

I disagree Weegle. You can definately dictate what your friends can and can't eat in your own house.

Just tell them, Gabby. It doesn't have to be done in a confrontational way. And surely they can live without meat for a few days!

I'm sure they wouldn't be expecting to bring their own food anyway!

you house, your rules. Wouldn't you be doing all the cooking anyhow? I don't think anyone has ever arrived at my house with a sack of meat!

Are you expecting them to bring food? If so you should perhaps clarify it with them. Or is your anxiety because they are really dedicated meat eaters who may feel that they can't survive a weekend without any meat. There are some people with dietary problems or allergies who do need meat to get enough protein, but such people usually either avoid staying with anyone it's going to be a problem for or explain it well in advance.

But I do think you're being a bit precious. LIfe's a bit short to get your underwear in a bundle over other people's dietary habits, which are not really any of your business. Do you whine at meat eaters in restaurants as well?

they said they would bring some food with them and I'm wondering if they might bring it for their children. we all chip in and prepare lunches etc for our own families.

we-ell I don't usually take a pork loin with me when going to stay with friends...

And they can't bring meat for themselves or their children? Hmm, that's a bit harsh.

Why would your friends bring meat to your house?

Unless you've specifically asked them to bring food, in which case you have every right to say 'by the way, we don't have any meat at all in the house, I hope you're ok with that'.

I wouldn't expect them to just know you don't have meat in the house at all though. My vegetarian friend is happy for others to eat meat in her house.

If you feel strongly then it's your home and you have every right to say so. Don't expect them to be mind readers though

I think yes, you might need to tell them, particularly if it is for the kids (I know lots of vegetarian parents who allow their kids to eat meat). I also think it is a bit much not to allow a slice of ham or tin of tuna over the threshold, but hey its your house (and can quite see htat you wouldn't want bacon or chicken being cooked up...)

x posts

if you feel strongly then you do have a right to say so, especially as they're bringing food along

although I know if it were me, ds being a fussy eater at the moment, I would struggle if I couldn't give him meat at all. do you think your friends will be ok with this? or is that why you're worrying?

if they are cooking and providing some of the food then think yabu. Very hard for non veggie people to think of balanced meals that their children will eat.
Why don't you sort out the menu and get them to help and prehaps chip in with the costs. This will give you more control.

we had a friend over while ago who tried giving ham to be ds2.myself and ds2 are veggie.dh,dd and ds1 eat eat(although ds1 says he is sometimes veggie.

i think yanbu,your house,your kitchen,your oven,your fridge,your worktops!if my dh didnt eat meat wed have a no meat house.
do they know you are veggie?

meant to say balanced veggie meals

I don't think this is any less reasonable than, say, a Muslim or Jewish family asking their friends not to bring any pork into the house, even for their children.

I was once in a situation where dh and I, before we were married, stayed with some very Christian friends, who asked us to sleep in separate rooms because we weren't married. I think when you are a guest in someone's house, you abide by their principles, whatever you might think of them.

Just ask your friends politely and if they are a bit just say you feel as strongly about it as Jews / pork etc.

I wouldn't want meat on my plates or in my pans - might seem odd but it's just me!

Presumably your mates know you're veggie though? My friends are always really apologetic about eating meat in front of me (!! I really don't care what they eat, so long as I don't have to!) so I can't imagine they would bring it to my house...

Your house your rules so just explain your wishes. However, if you go out with them for the day and they wish to buy a ham sandwich, I hope you would not expect them not to just to please you.

Out of interest, if you stayed at their house, would ask them not to prepare meat dishes as it would offend your sensibilities?

You need to talk it through with them. And if they do have DCs who it will be a struggle to feed without meat, and you are too up yourself sensitive to let them feed their DC a slice of ham in your presence, then you might need to rethink the visit.

never realised some veggies didn't allow meat to enter their home.

well you learn something everyday

As an avid meat-eater I wouldn't dream of bringing any meat to a veggie's house. Keep it light and un-nagging. I wouldn't mind at all if a friend said this to me.

It's ok!