General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: I am a vegetarian. You've known me as a vegetarian for 20 years. Please do not invite me [View all]laundry_queen
(8,646 posts)I would start by stopping cooking them meat for them. Next time they come over cook them your most bland, boring vegetarian option. Don't say anything. Just be like, "here you go. Enjoy!" If they ask where's the meat, simply say you are vegetarian and have decided that you'd rather not give any money to factory farming anymore.
I will say, though, that while good friends should respect you and your dietary choices, it's also hard for other people who don't have the same restrictions. I'll never forget the time when my now-ex's co-worker came over for dinner with his whole family, where his wife and son had celiacs. I made sure to cook a gluten free meal. The wife mentioned something a few days in advance about other possible allergies in her son, but I forgot about it. The next day she asked me if I had put anything other than meat in the burgers because her son had a tummy ache. "Oh, no! Just meat!" I said confidently. 3 weeks later I was making burgers again, and cracked an egg in as usual. I suddenly gasped in horror at the realization I may have cracked an egg in the burgers without even thinking. And that I had no idea where the spices I used came from and if they possibly had gluten in them. After that, I didn't invite them for dinner anymore...just too worried I'd fuck it up.
So maybe it's just too overwhelming for your friends to think up how to cook something filling that doesn't have meat. Maybe next time bring a 'dish' for the meal for everyone (read: YOU) to enjoy. That way at least you don't have to go hungry. And maybe they'll eventually get the hint.