Today I had lunch with some new colleagues with whom I need to establish a good working relationship. We ate at a Mexican place. There is no way that I could order veggie - because of the nature of the business I'm in my colleagues tend to be far-right-wingers and any sign of enlightenment would be alienating. So, I tried to order something that wasn't specifically listed as veggie but still wouldn't have meat. This failed - both tacos had ground beef in them. I went ahead and ate them. :spew: Now I'm feeling oddly 'dirty' and need to do something to purify myself. The only thing that comes to mind is to have a raw salad for dinner and make a donation to a favorite charity. Well, tomorrow is a new day. :hamster:

Gosh, I'm glad I'm in a job where I don't feel like I have to compromise myself like that. What is the nature of your business?

Lying about what you were eating if asked would be better IMO than eating the meat. Have you considered saying "doctor's orders" to eat "healthy". In a way it's true, there are plenty of physicians out there who would recommend a vegetarian diet if you were to talk to them.

I think people across the political spectrum are minimally accepting of a vegetarian diet when told that it's for "health reasons". If you had said something like "well, the doctor says I gotta keep the 'ol cholesterol level down, so I hope you don't mind if I skip the meat today", I think even far rightwingers wouldn't think you were "weird" or whatever.

gross. i can't say i would compromise my morals for my colleagues. (or anyone else for that matter)

I could never do what you did. I would just draw the line and do what was right for me no matter what they thought. Trust me, I did this before and got made fun of, but I rather be me and who I am than compromise what I believe in, than lower myself to "what they may think of me."

I could never do it either but that's why I've decided not to go into big business, it's just something you have to do in that world if you want to succeed. Yeah they'd probably be OK with a veggie for whatever reason, but they'll also probably buy from the guy who has a steak with them.

I think I'd brush my teeth until my gums bled, then take several baths and eat nothing but raw fruits and veggies until I stopped feeleing all nasty.

Hhhmph. I am what some consider "to the right", and I order up vegetarian without thinking about it. None of their ****ing business what I eat.

I could never do it either but that's why I've decided not to go into big business, it's just something you have to do in that world if you want to succeed. Yeah they'd probably be OK with a veggie for whatever reason, but they'll also probably buy from the guy who has a steak with them.

Not true.

I eat with right wingers all the time...and own my own company. I eat Vegan, never had a problem, or so much as a side ways glance when I do. I order off the menu all the time, no problem.

Next time ask the waiter for a burrito with beans, cheese, rice, tomatoes, whatever. The cooks could accomodate you, I'm sure. Then again, the bean may be made in meat broth, etc. It's hard to eat out and doing it with clients and co-workers isn't easy.

I agree with the others and say, "the doctor made me do it."

If you're hoping to aim for a safe order, try a bean burrito. Any kind of taco is always going to have meat in it.

Usually mexican places have things like cheese quesadillas and the one in my town has a spinach enchilada which is very good and doesn't seem out of the ordinary. Not sure if the one you went to had those though :sweat: I always go to San Felipe's.

Veganism is too much a part of me, I wouldn't be able to go against my convictions.
That said, I WOULD call ahead if at all possible so I had a game plan. Mexican is reletively easy to order vegan and VERY easy to find vegetarian food choices.

I don't think there'd be as much descrimination as you think - many people are on restricted diets of one sort or another and people are always interested in the latest fad diet - usually someone ordering something "different" at the table isn't that much of a big deal unless you MAKE it a big deal by being unprepared or rude to the staff.

Good luck.

Sounds like a tough situation to be in. What's done is done. Hopefully you will be able to use some of the suggestions here if the situation ever comes up again. And yes, tomorrow is a new day!

There's nothing right or left-wing about bean burritos or quesadillas. It seems as though a Mexican restaurant would have afforded many options without raising eyebrows. And I'm with Tame on this one - order what you want and don't give a d*mn about what anyone else thinks!

Better luck next time!

i read a quote once, i can't quote exactly or tell you who said it, but it went something like this: "there are more important things to worry about in the animal rights movement that whether or not the cake you are being offered has egg in it or not". i think this pertains to this situation. maybe not word for word, but the concept.

you made a decision to eat some food that went against your current diet, but you at least felt bad about it. you did this in order to not cause a major rift in your professional life, which you need to put the veggie food on your plate in every other instance of eating. if you ate the meat, liked it, and didn't feel guilt, then i think you'd have something worry about.

If your colleagues started talking racist stuff at the table, would you join in just to "fit in"?

I would advise you to have the courage of your own convictions.

So what is going to happen next time you have a business lunch? Are you going to eat meat every time because you are afraid of what they will think of you? Sooner or later you will have to tell them you are a vegetarian. You are making assumptions about them by thinking that they will be offended or think less of you for it. They likely won't care at all and if they do, that is their problem. There are more important things in this world than trying to please everyone, especially when it's at the expense of something you believe in.

I am sorry but I think you very very very weak. You have my sympathies for that.
As Diana advises: have the courage to stand up to for your own convictions.
Otherwise shutup & do not look to me or others for forgiveness.
You can get a second chance but I don't think the dead animals on your breath will.

I think based on how eating meat made you feel you should definetly try to look for an alternate solution like some of the ones proposed here. Just take this as a learning opportunity.
No one has ever commented on my food at a buisness meeting other than to say "That looks delicious, may it try some?" and I live in a place nicknamed cowtown. People are often much more accepting than you think they will be!

Please don't beat yourself up about this!

I've never heard of such a thing. I have to take clients out for business meals and have never, ever felt compelled to order something that goes against my beliefs. I agree with Bjorn and Diana. In fact, you must not think very highly of your collegues if you'd think ordering vegetarian would make you lose business.

Hhhmph. I am what some consider "to the right", and I order up vegetarian without thinking about it. None of their ****ing business what I eat.
:wayne: :wayne: :wayne: :up: :tame:
You had me at "None".............*sniff*.....

Some additional facts:
1. My new boss was at the table
2. My new boss has made it clear that he's anti-veg.
3. I'm in Alabama: atherosclerosis and animal cruelty headquarters!

I still think that I did the right thing. First impressions are extremely important. After people get to know you, it's much easier to introduce personal peculiarities without triggering a negative reaction.

I'm aware that I should be doing something other than serving the growth of George Bush's industrial-military complex. However, this is a subject for something other than a veggie board. Thanks for listening. :sunny:

BTW - the tacos were gross. It's been years and years since I've had ground beef. The beef added nothing but a sickening sliminess to the taco.

If YOU'RE comfortable with the way you handled it, then that's (essentially) that.

I just started a new job myself. They hired me for me (or at least I hope!), and with me comes my skill, education, talents, and abilities, as well as my personal beliefs and convictions. I just can't see how my dietary habits would even come up at the table, unless asked directly. It's none of their business, much as it's none of mine should they choose to eat animals. Guess I just don't understand how ordering a veg meal could cause a "negative reaction." Who would notice? What would they say? To question anyone on such a personal choice is rude IMO, and one never knows the behind-the-scenes story (e.g. doctor's orders). It's like asking someone why they're taking antibiotics--you just don't.

If your boss is "anti-veg" (though I'm not sure exactly what that means) it sounds like he's somewhat of a jerk and doesn't respect you. I think it's particularly important in a new job to command (and bestow) respect from colleagues--and that includes superiors.

Here's hoping your work lunch situation gets better! :up: