my boyfriend's workplace is having a staff christmas party next saturday. and um, well the "caterers" are a group of older women who wouldn't understand the idea of vegan if they tried and regardless when my bf asked about veg options for dinner he was told "everyone gets the same meal, no substitutions or special orders!"

great.
not only do i have to scramble to eat and get ready at the same time, especially difficult if i have to work beforehand, but when we get there i'll probably be fending off servers all night trying to put carcass bits in front of me. and i'll be the only one not eating meaning 8 zillion people will ask/tease me about it leading to 12 zillion (some people need multiple) explanations followed by 32 zillion questions, comments, jokes, attempts at starting debates and various other demeaning activity.

:help:

and by the time everyone else is done eating i'll be getting hungry again due to eating so early and my fast metabolism.

ergh.

wonder if anyone would notice if i brought my own meal? can't you picture it? dressed up, skirt, heels, hair and makeup done all nice, pulls a giant purse out from under the table, proceeds to serve self a full sized entree out of tupperware from said purse and plastic cutlery. 'pardon me can i borrow a microwave?' :lol:


how insensitive and inconsiderate though, i am NOT the only vegetarian in this town. not only is the meal not vegan it's not vegetarian. i think it's chicken. there are a few east indians living here and quite a lot of japanese, many of whom are vegetarian for religious purposes. sure hope none of them are employed at this place.

i'd refuse to go altogether but they're having draw prizes, very very good draw prizes. very. like, plasma tv's and dvd players just for starters.

i am stuck in a very similar dilemma myself. my b/f's CLIENT's christmas party is next weekend and i have been specifically requested by the client to come to this 8 couple shmancy dinner (with the French Chef at the 3 million dollar wine country property don't ya know). my b/f has told them i am vegan but exactly how do you make "no dairy" clear to a FRENCH TRAINED CHEF while not offending the b/f biggest client??? :juggle:

wish i could help you. maybe we should just run away... :rockon:

That's poo.

We're so lucky here. It's our staff Christmas dinner next week. There are 500 of us at our site but an e-mail was sent out asking for everyone's dietary requirements and meals are being prepared accordingly. I sit next to the girl who's organising the dinner - there is a meat option, a fish option, a regular veggie option, a vegan option, and a meal has even been prepared for someone who is not only vegan but has a whole host of allergies too.

Your stories make me realise how thankful I should be!

Ladyfaile - maybe stick a Clif bar in your bag? And slip into the bathroom and eat it to curb the tumbly rumblings? Not the most dignified way to handle the problem, but it would work.

I had to go to a 100 person formal christmas dinner once for business reasons. I prepared a meal, shrink wrapped it on a plate and got to the hotel half an a hour early. I marched into the kitchens and asked them to microwave it and serve it up to me when they dished up the food. They did, it was all peaceful. Every one sitting around me was making comments - my plate was loaded high and they had mean portions - my veggies were healthy looking - theirs were a tad overcooked. I just said it was "the vegetarian option" and never let on I'd cooked it myself. Sometimes I just can't be bothered to make a fuss.
Last year I went to a huge hotel do in London (my husband's office's solicitors)where they had supposedly arranged a vegan meal for me. It was ghastly - everyone was served and had got half way through their meal before they brought me out a limp salad and two dry bread rolls. I walked into the kitchens and asked where my main meal was as that was presumably the starter?
Eventually I got some indifferent hot veggies, but I felt awkward eating them when everyone else was on their after dinner coffee. So this year we were too busy to be able to attend and sent apologies instead. Grrr.

smaller functions have usually been bearable, but the mass catering ones are risky because the staff seem so harrassed and messages and promises are forgotten in the frenzy.

yeah i don't really trust anything catered, plus you never know if your veg stuff is being cooked with the meat stuff, same utensils etc, since it's done very rush-rush i doubt they're very careful about stuff like that.

the best ever was my friend's wedding in the summer, my vegan meal looked better than the omni meals, and was twice the size! i was still eating when they brought out dessert and ended up not able to finish it. there was salad to start, linguini with chunky vegetable tomato sauce, grilled veggie kabobs with whole mushrooms on it, and various steamed veggies. it was heaped pretty high, and was all yummy. though i was a bit worried about what they put on the veggies cause it was probably margarine but i wasn't about to complain cause i was expecting just salad and maybe a plain baked potato and a couple carrot sticks :p

anywho problem solved cause i ended up scheduled to work til 6 the night of the party, dinner starts at 6 i think, so this way i can come home, eat, change, grab a taxi and meet the bf there in time for the after dinner drinks and speeches. if anyone asks why i skipped dinner, i can just use work as my excuse.

and my b/f's got canceled outright. can't say i'm sorry. :P

here is a good email that's been going around regarding "the dreaded staff party..."

FROM: Patty Lewis, Human Resources Director
TO: All Employees
DATE: December 1, 2004
RE: Christmas Party

I'm happy to inform you that the company Christmas Party will take
place on December 23, starting at noon in the private function room at
the Grill House. There will be a cash bar and plenty of drinks! We'll
have a small band playing traditional carols...feel free to sing
along. And don't be surprised if our CEO shows up dressed as Santa
Claus!

A Christmas tree will be lit at 1:00 p.m. Exchange of gifts among
employees can be done at that time; however, no gift should be over
$10.00 to make the giving of gifts easy for everyone's pockets.

This gathering is for employees only!

Our CEO will make a special announcement at that time!

Merry Christmas to you and your family.

Patty

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ++++++++++

FROM: Patty Lewis, Human Resources Director
TO: All Employees
DATE: December 2, 2004
RE: Holiday Party

In no way was yesterday's memo intended to exclude our Jewish
employees. We recognize that Chanukah is an important holiday, which
often coincides with Christmas, though unfortunately not this year.
However, from now on we're calling it our "Holiday Party."

The same policy applies to any other employees who are not Christians
or those still celebrating Reconciliation Day.

There will be no Christmas tree present. No Christmas carols sung. We
will have other types of music for your enjoyment.

Happy now?

Happy Holidays to you and your family.

Patty

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ++++

FROM: Patty Lewis, Human Resources Director
TO: All Employees
DATE: December 3, 2004
RE: Holiday Party

Regarding the note I received from a member of Alcoholics Anonymous
requesting a non-drinking table..you didn't sign your name. I'm happy
to accommodate this request, but if I put a sign on a table that
reads, "AA Only"; you wouldn't be anonymous anymore. How am I supposed
to handle this? Somebody?

Forget about the gift exchange, no gifts exchange are allowed since
the union members feel that $10.00 is too much money and executives
believe $10.00 is a little chintzy.

NO GIFTS EXCHANGE WILL BE ALLOWED.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ +++++++

FROM: Patty Lewis, Human Resources Director
TO: All Employees
DATE: December 4, 2004
RE: Holiday Party

What a diverse group we are! I had no idea that December 20 begins the
Muslim holy month of Ramadan, which forbids eating and drinking during
daylight hours. There goes the party!

Seriously, we can appreciate how a luncheon at this time of year does
not accommodate our Muslim employees' beliefs. Perhaps the Grill House
can hold off on serving your meal until the end of the party - or else
package everything for you to take it home in a little foil doggy
baggy. Will that work?

Meanwhile, I've arranged for members of Weight Watchers to sit
farthest from the dessert buffet and pregnant women will get the table
closest to the rest-rooms.

Gays are allowed to sit with each other. Lesbians do not have to sit
with Gay men, each will have their own table. Yes, there will be
flower arrangements for the Gay men's table. To the person asking
permission to cross dress, no cross-dressing allowed.

We will have booster seats for short people.

Low-fat food will be available for those on a diet.

We cannot control the salt used in the food. We suggest for those
people with high blood pressure to taste first.

There will be fresh fruits as dessert for Diabetics, the restaurant
cannot supply "No Sugar" desserts. Sorry!

Did I miss anything?!?!?

Patty

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ +++

FROM: Patty Lewis, Human Resources Director
TO: All F*cking Employees
DATE: December 5, 2004
RE: The F*cking Holiday Party

Vegetarian nerds I've had it with you people!!!

We're going to keep this party at the Grill House whether you like it
or not, so you can sit quietly at the table furthest from the "grill
of death," as you so quaintly put it, and you'll get your *****salad
bar, including organic tomatoes. But you know, tomatoes have feelings
too. They scream when you slice them. I've heard their scream. I'm
hearing their scream right NOW!

I hope you all have a rotten holiday!

Drive drunk and die.

The Bitch from HELL!!!!!!!!!!!

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ +

FROM: Joan Bishop, Acting Human Resources Director
TO: All Employees
DATE: December 6, 2004
RE: Patty Lewis and Holiday Party

I'm sure I speak for all of us in wishing Patty Lewis a speedy
recovery and I'll continue to forward your cards to her.

In the meantime, management has decided to cancel our Holiday Party
and give everyone the afternoon of the 23rd off with full pay.

Happy Holidays.

That last post is HILARIOUS!!!! :)
I had my first holiday gathering last night, & unfortunately there was nothing vegan. I hadn't eaten in 5 hours & they had ordered vegetarian pizza (especially for me), so I ate some, & got a stomach ache. Today I can see the acne starting to come out.
I have another party coming up soon, & it looks like the same deal: vegetarian but not vegan option.
I'll probably just eat it, because I'm quite broke & the main reason I go to these events is the free food.
Which makes me a vegetarian again, although this marks I believe the 5th time since June I have had any dairy or egg in my diet. I think I'm doing ok, but my New Years resolution #1 will be to try for an entire year without ANY animal products.
This is hard when I have an extremely limited income & need to eat out/on the run most of the time.

There's also going to be several holiday parties here at my work place. Thank God I work with a lot of vegans and vegetarians who will be bringing some tasty dishes. :hungry:

luckily i don't think either of my jobs is having a party. fine by me. the bf's is stressfull enough thanks.

:lol: Hilarious NewlinArchinal!

That was hilarious! And quite familiar... My boss was *very* happy to hear that I wouldn't be wanting duck at the christmas party. Then he ordered me a 'special vegetarian option' and now it means I have to go... bleugh.

I went to my friend's Christmas party as his escort.

First, he told the person in his office that I was a vegetarian. (I'm vegan, and he left out the part about dairy and eggs.)

So, I called the restaurant early the day of the event and told them about my special needs.

Rather than leave it at that, the moment I arrived at the party I sought out a staff member and identified myself.

They told me that they had planned on preparing a dairy dish for me (Damn my friend for not being more specific). After checking with the kitchen, they informed me I could have grilled vegetables.

It was okay. Nicely presented and a large portion. Grilled nicely, too, not mushy. But not filling, either. I was still hungry at the end.

Still... was relatively hassle-free (at least I didn't need to make a scene at the dinner table), and it was better than average.

i just got back from my work holiday party... they were playing like mel torme's greatest hits or something in the background, which was amusing.
the food was actually pretty good... they had vegetable lasagna, but it wasn't out and there was no sign saying there was a vegetarian entree, so i asked one of the servers and she said they had lasagna. of course i had to stand there like a diseased leper while they went and got it. i dont know why they wouldnt just put it out... i mean, its not like people who eat meat wouldn't have wanted it. maybe they didn't make too much of it. anyways, it was a piece of lasagna like the size of my entire plate! it was good though. everyone else at the table was like "my roast beef sucks... where did you get THAT!" they were clearly jealous.

i have this really annoying coworker who is always a pig at events with free food and drives everyone crazy. she ate three desserts and brought one back with her to the office, including a handful of hershey kisses. before we left, she was like, i'm going to get another dessert to bring back, what kind do you want? and i said i didnt want anymore and she kept demanding that i have something. it's like she won't feel so bad about being a hog if someone else hogs it up with her. so of course she brings me back a piece of carrot cake and says "here, it's carrot cake - it's vegetarian." i said i'm pretty sure all the desserts are vegetarian and she was like "haha!" *blank stare* i dont think she understands. i guess anything with the name of a vegetable in it = vegetarian to her. dumbass.

finally, the only drinks they had were pop, they didnt even have water accessible unless you went to the bathroom and filled up a cup. my annoying coworker was pissed about that because pop gives her heartburn (but apparently 3 desserts doesnt) and she goes, "its almost as bad as bein' a vegetarian! i cant drink no pop, no egg nog, nothin!" (she's a bigtime redneck) meanwhile, every other thing at the buffet was fine for me to eat except for roast beef. argh! at least she provided me with an entertaining story to share. :)

My advice (having lived through many years of the same type of circumstance) is to go to the gatherings not expecting anything. That's where we get into trouble, placing expectations on others. Cram as much food as you can before hand, take some easy to bring along num-nums (clif bar --Rincaro!), and enjoy your company. That's what it's all about anywho -- interacting with the other humaniods.

I find with no expectations, in this kind of event, I am often pleasantly surprised by a kind, sympathetic caterer or wait person. If they sense only kindness and openess, you would be amazed at what they are likely to offer...and you will probably be much more grateful than going in with all that angst.

Have fun...

well i don't expect anything cause i know i'm not getting anything :lol:
the meals are made ahead of time so no amount of pleading will get me a veg option. that's ok.
and actually i'm not sure i'm going now. my friend and her hubby are out of town for a funeral and are coming back tomorrow, i think she wants to get together tomorrow night, and i sorta forgot to tell her i have the party. hmm

Bring something that everyone will be jealous of. Something awesome, like Pad Thai, or Vegetable Stir fry with Udon noodles...

No doubt it will look and smell a lot better than what eveyone else gets stuck with.

My staff party is this weekend. However, I'm the new girl and none of them know I'm a vegetarian, I hope there will be plain cheese pizza or something (I'm ovo-lacto) but I'm not sure what to do in case there isn't...

Mine was today. The city supplied three kinds of meat :sick: but sides & desserts were potluck. I brought two sides just in case but there were plenty that I could eat. It was not bad--although I'm ovo-lacto and I'm sure a vegan would have been pretty miserable.

i missed my staff party last night because my girlfriend was sick. I was so dissapointed. but I'm a geek and I love the people I work with so I'm not the best example

My staff party is this weekend. However, I'm the new girl and none of them know I'm a vegetarian, I hope there will be plain cheese pizza or something (I'm ovo-lacto) but I'm not sure what to do in case there isn't...

Why don't you tell the person organizing it you're a vegetarian?

lucky lucky. Our Xmas "luncheon" is catered by like Boston Market and I can't even eat their veggies becaus they drown them in butter...and of course no one asked about any veggie/vegan options. So great I'm stuck eating a crappy salad yet again! And half the time I can't even eat the dressing!

At least I can go get lunch when it's over.

Our staff party is held at a steakhouse.

So I don't want to go. It's not about not being able to find anything to eat, it's because I find steakhouses particularly offensive, and i don't feel like watching my coworkers eat bloody steak. I work from home and live with a vegetarian husband so I rarely have to witness such carnage.

Last year I tried to bow out without elaborating on my reason and a few of my coworkers threw a fit and said it was selfish of me to deprive them of my company. It's not that I don't like them in general, I just don't like the setting.

Also, they are holding it Dec. 23. Screw that! I don't want to deal with work during the ONLY time of year I am permitted to take holidays.

Our office is having its party today- catered by Rib Crib (that name is nas-tay!). The entire place currently smells like pork and BBQ-d former creatures. I have been asked about 100000 times if I've "gotten me some" yet. As tempting as it is to make an off-color remark, I've politely been saying "I have my apple- I'll be fine. "
Of course, the few folks here that know I'm a veg are making sure to point out that there is a green salad.....:rolleyes:
I like salad just fine, but there's no way I'm venturing into that den of rib-devouring monsters to eat a salad and get questioned about why that's all I'm eating. ;)