[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ fullwidth=”on” admin_label=”Post Title Header” _builder_version=”4.9.4″ background_color=”#f7f7f7″ use_background_color_gradient=”on” background_color_gradient_start=”rgba(255,255,255,0.3)” background_color_gradient_end=”rgba(33,51,101,0)” parallax=”on” custom_margin=”0px||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”0px|0px|0px|0px|false|false” box_shadow_style=”preset3″ global_module=”767″ saved_tabs=”all” locked=”on” collapsed=”on”][et_pb_fullwidth_post_title author=”off” date=”off” comments=”off” featured_placement=”background” text_background=”on” text_bg_color=”rgba(255,255,255,0.5)” admin_label=”Fullwidth Post Title” _builder_version=”4.9.4″ title_font=”Playfair Display|900|||on||||” title_text_align=”center” title_text_color=”#213365″ title_font_size=”55px” meta_font=”Poppins|500|on||||||” meta_text_align=”center” meta_font_size=”14px” meta_letter_spacing=”2px” meta_line_height=”1.8em” background_color=”#f7f7f7″ background_color_gradient_direction=”245deg” custom_padding=”130px||250px|||” custom_padding_tablet=”150px||150px” custom_padding_phone=”50px||50px” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|desktop” title_font_size_tablet=”45px” title_font_size_phone=”40px” title_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” border_radii=”on|5px|5px|5px|5px” border_width_all=”1px” border_color_all=”RGBA(0,0,0,0)” box_shadow_style=”preset3″ locked=”on”][\/et_pb_fullwidth_post_title][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Post Content” _builder_version=”4.9.0″][et_pb_row column_structure=”3_4,1_4″ admin_label=”Post Content” _builder_version=”4.9.0″][et_pb_column type=”3_4″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Introduction” _builder_version=”4.0.7″ text_font=”Poppins||||||||” locked=”on”]<\/p>\n
If you’re a vegan anxious about attending a dinner event, you wouldn’t be the first. No one wants to be\u00a0that<\/em>\u00a0difficult and seemingly ingrateful person who makes everyone else feel guilty. <\/strong><\/p>\n
You don’t want to offend the hosts or the other guests, but you also can’t compromise your own beliefs and relationship with food to please others. And nor should you.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n
You do, however, wish to be sensitive to your hosts by not messing up or being seen as criticizing their plans. With that said, you’re wondering what you’ll eat and how you’re going to handle the awkward conversation that’s about to come up.<\/span><\/p>\n
First, take a moment. Both you and the host will want everyone at the party to be comfortable. If you’re unsure how to approach this dinner party dilemma, we’ve got a few things you can say to get everything out in the open and make the evening an enjoyable experience for everyone.<\/span><\/p>\n
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\nHey! Thanks for inviting me to your dinner party, I\u2019m really looking forward to it. I just thought I\u2019d let you know that I\u2019ve recently become vegan – I\u2019d still love to attend, just let me know if there\u2019s anything I can do to help out!<\/strong><\/h5>\n<\/blockquote>\n
One of the best ways that you can let your dinner host know that you\u2019re now a vegan is by telling them well in advance; this will allow them to prepare you an alternative meal, taking into consideration any dietary requirements.<\/p>\n
This is a great way to introduce your host to your new eating habits. It allows you to notify them ahead of time, saving any potentially embarrassing slip-ups or awkwardness at the dinner table.<\/p>\n
By using this response, you\u2019re letting the host know that you\u2019re genuinely excited to be attending their party and that you\u2019re looking forward to catching up with them and their other guests.<\/p>\n
You\u2019re not trying to alienate yourself or anyone else, as you\u2019re recognising that your diet might not be in line with everyone else\u2019s.<\/p>\n
By offering your host some help as well, you\u2019re reaffirming the idea that you really do want to go, without making them reconsider your invitation!<\/p>\n
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Rule 2 | Just Be Honest<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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Sometimes, slip-ups do happen. If your host happens to forget that you\u2019re vegan, or you\u2019ve forgotten to let them know, then the best thing to do is just be honest. Pull your host to the side, away from everyone else:<\/p>\n
\nThanks again for the invite, it\u2019s really nice to see you. I thought I\u2019d let you know that I\u2019m now vegan – if it\u2019s a problem, please let me know. I\u2019m happy to go out and grab something for myself, or even sit dinner out!<\/strong><\/h5>\n<\/blockquote>\n
This is a polite response that doesn\u2019t put the blame on anyone, allowing both you and the dinner host to consider what options are available.<\/p>\n
You\u2019re not implying that you expect the host to cook something completely separate just for you, and you\u2019re actively trying to find a mutually beneficial solution.<\/p>\n
By offering to go out to get something for yourself, you\u2019re showing the host that you\u2019re eager to attend the party, and that you\u2019re willing to compromise so that nobody feels uncomfortable.<\/p>\n
As you also suggest that you\u2019re happy to sit dinner out, the host should completely understand that you\u2019re not trying to be awkward and that you genuinely are happy to see them.<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/www.nevertherightword.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/co-friendly-never-right-word.jpg” admin_label=”Single Image” _builder_version=”4.4.8″ custom_css_main_element=”}||.wrapper {||position: relative;||height: 0;||\/* Formula is: (height \/ width * 100%) *\/||padding-top: calc(560 \/ 800 * 100%);||}||||.wrapper__img {||position: absolute;||top: 0;||left: 0;||max-width: 100%;||height: auto;” border_radii=”on|5px|5px|5px|5px” box_shadow_style=”preset3″ locked=”on”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text admin_label=”Copyright and Affiliate Links Notice” _builder_version=”4.9.4″ text_font_size=”16px” text_line_height=”1.8em” global_module=”10507″ locked=”on”]<\/p>\n
Illustrations courtesy of <\/i>Shutterstock<\/strong>.<\/i><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n
This article was originally published on <\/i>https:\/\/www.nevertherightword.com<\/i><\/span><\/a><\/strong>. If this article appears on any other site other than <\/i>https:\/\/www.nevertherightword.com<\/i><\/span><\/a><\/strong> without clear referencing it is a violation of the copyright owned by <\/i>https:\/\/www.nevertherightword.com<\/i><\/span><\/a><\/strong>.<\/i><\/p>\n
This article may contain affiliate links. That means if you click and buy a product, we may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. <\/span><\/em>Never the Right Word is a participant in the Awin Affiliates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to participating merchants.<\/span><\/em>\u00a0For more information, please view our <\/span><\/em>Privacy Policy and Earnings Disclosure page.<\/em><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n
Rule 3 | Offer to Bring Your Own (to Share!)<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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One of the best ways to introduce a dinner host to your new diet is to include them in it! Dinner parties tend to be communal affairs; people generally bring an assortment of food or gifts for the host. Take advantage of this and offer to bring your own vegan platter:<\/p>\n
\nI hope you\u2019ve been well. I\u2019ve recently become vegan – I know you\u2019ve been working hard on the dinner party, and I don\u2019t expect you to cater just to me, so I really don\u2019t mind preparing my own dish to bring?<\/strong><\/h5>\n<\/blockquote>\n
This is a great, inclusive way to introduce your host to the idea that you\u2019re now a vegan. You\u2019re directly acknowledging the fact that your diet might be different from everyone else\u2019s, making it more difficult for the host to cater to everyone.<\/p>\n
You\u2019re politely recognising that you don\u2019t expect the host to make an entirely separate dish exclusively for you, as they\u2019ve already put in a lot of work to prepare or cook everything else.<\/p>\n
You also reaffirm to them that you understand your own requirements are different, so you wouldn\u2019t expect them to go out of their way to make one meal.<\/p>\n
The great thing about this template is that you can also introduce the other guests to vegan food – by bringing a platter rather than one dish, you\u2019ll encourage everyone to share and you won\u2019t appear rude in any way.<\/p>\n
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Rule 4 |\u200b Focus on Healthy Eating<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n
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Some people might find it irritating if you tell them you\u2019re a vegan; certain communities especially have made it harder for individuals to embrace a vegan diet, painting it as somewhat annoying or condescending. In order to avoid conflict, you should focus on health benefits:<\/p>\n
\nSo I\u2019ve been on a health kick recently! I\u2019ve gone vegan as part of my new routine, and it really seems to be helping. I\u2019m happy to bring my own food!<\/strong><\/h5>\n<\/blockquote>\n
This is an excellent conversational template, as it completely avoids any difficult topics (such as animals or meat-eaters) whilst highlighting how a vegan diet is helping you.<\/p>\n
Your dinner host should understand that your health is very important to you, and if they know that being a vegan is making you happier and healthier, they will be more willing to help accommodate your new diet.<\/p>\n
This response also suggests bringing your own food to the party, which will show the host that you don\u2019t expect them to cater exclusively to you, as well as that you\u2019re willing to compromise so that you can still be in attendance.<\/p>\n
Another great reason to use this template is that it\u2019s incredibly conversational; it doesn\u2019t bring unnecessary attention to you or the host, and works just as well in person, through text or over the phone.<\/p>\n
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Rule 5 | No Moralising (Unless Asked!)<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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There are countless reasons why someone might choose to become a vegan, all of which are valid, reasonable concerns. The only problem is that not everyone will share your viewpoint, so you do need to be careful about what you say.<\/p>\n
\nI\u2019ve recently become vegan due to personal reasons. I\u2019d still love to attend the dinner party though, I\u2019m looking forward to seeing everyone!<\/strong><\/h5>\n<\/blockquote>\n
\u2018Personal Reasons\u2019 is one of the best ways to tell your dinner host (or anyone, really) that you\u2019re now a vegan. You\u2019re not highlighting any specific areas or reasons as to why you became a vegan, allowing you to completely avoid any discussions that might make you or the other guests uncomfortable.<\/p>\n
Most people won\u2019t push further if you simply state \u2018personal reasons\u2019 are what inspired you to become vegan; they will respect that you may not wish to talk about it and will make the effort to ensure that you are still included.<\/p>\n
By telling the host that you\u2019re still excited to attend, or that you\u2019re looking forward to seeing everyone, it doesn\u2019t sound like a \u2018cop-out\u2019 or an excuse to just not go.<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/www.nevertherightword.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/old-couple-never-right-word.jpg” admin_label=”Single Image” _builder_version=”4.4.8″ custom_css_main_element=”}||.wrapper {||position: relative;||height: 0;||\/* Formula is: (height \/ width * 100%) *\/||padding-top: calc(560 \/ 800 * 100%);||}||||.wrapper__img {||position: absolute;||top: 0;||left: 0;||max-width: 100%;||height: auto;” border_radii=”on|5px|5px|5px|5px” box_shadow_style=”preset3″ locked=”on”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_divider admin_label=”Divider” _builder_version=”3.21.2″ locked=”on”][\/et_pb_divider][et_pb_text admin_label=”Conclusion” _builder_version=”4.4.7″ text_font=”Poppins||||||||” locked=”on”]<\/p>\n
At Never the Right Word, our aim is to give you practical examples of how to handle life\u2019s difficult conversations. If you have an awkward situation that you\u2019d like example templates for, request a topic here<\/b><\/span><\/a>.\u00a0\u00a0<\/b>\u00a0<\/p>\n
If you\u2019re interested in further reading, we\u2019ve also included links to our trusted resources and related posts below. To find out more\u00a0about NTRW<\/b><\/span><\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0our\u00a0recommended tools<\/b><\/span><\/a>,<\/b> you can do that\u00a0here<\/b>.<\/span><\/a>\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
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