Anthony Bourdain Is Dead-On About Rude Vegetarians

on October 18, 2011 at 4:07 PM

If you don't think Anthony Bourdain is hilarious, then I pity you, I really do. Sure, he can come off a little snarky and over the top at times. But he's one of the world's most famous celebrity chefs, not to mention an Emmy-winning TV personality; of course, he has a strong point of view! In fact, being an a-hole -- and a really smart and worldly one at that -- is his shtick. So you can put on your whiny pants and complain about how "offensive" he is, or you can lighten up and laugh. It's up to you.

His latest sarcastic diatribe (which appeared in Playboy) was directed against that group of people that carnivores love to hate ... you guessed it: Vegetarians.

Here's why Bourdain is so very annoyed by vegetarians:

They make for bad travelers and bad guests. The notion that before you even set out to go to Thailand, you say, “I’m not interested,” or you’re unwilling to try things that people take so personally and are so proud of and so generous with, I don’t understand that, and I think it’s rude. You’re at Grandma’s house, you eat what Grandma serves you.

We all know that millions of people around the world follow a vegetarian diet for a variety of health, religious, and political reasons. Not only do non-vegetarians need to respect that, but it wouldn't hurt them to go out of their way to accommodate their requests and needs when possible. But Bourdain makes an excellent point about how inconvenient vegetarianism can sometimes be: Namely, it's rude to decline meat or other non-vegetarian items in other people's homes.

In fact, this was the very dilemma that put me over the edge when I attempted to eat a strict vegetarian diet for a little more than a year. I had no problem turning down burgers, bacon, and other meat items I had typically enjoyed in the past; rather, the most difficult part for me was hurting the feelings of the people who had offered me the meat in the first place. Because no matter how politely I articulated my reasons for not eating meat, I was still rejecting their food.

In most cultures, there's no way around the fact that rejecting an offering of food is as rude as it gets. In that sense, Bourdain's rude vegetarian comment is funny precisely because it's true.

Image via lwpkommunikacio/Flickr

About the author Kim Conte

has shoes that make people stop her on the street and ask "Where did you get those?" but it doesn't work for taxi cabs as she was hit by one ... and lived to tell the tale. She has more freckles than Lohan but way less attitude. And she's a fierce cook with tons of recipes to share -- and wishes she could share some with Bourdain.

Filed Under: chefs & cookbooks, vegetarian

Comments (56)

Facebook comment from Rachel Schiller

on Oct 18, 2011 at 4:11 PM

I'm mostly vegetarian and the biggest problem I face is eating at restaurants. I don't like salads all that much and there are only so many pasta dishes that places offer. I generally feel ok about eating meat then because I don't eat out all that often.

My in-laws keep a selection of vegetarian products in the freezer for me and I really appreciate it even though they don't have to (I am always willing to make a pb sandwich or make do with sides). But they love me so they make me awesome fake hamburgers.

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clg1213

on Oct 18, 2011 at 4:15 PM

i think it i all about being considerate. if it is a smaller dinner party, warn the host and i think most will accomodate. if it is a bigger mingle, offer to bring something you can eat. or, if you need to, just plan to eat before or after if it wouldn't be intrusive/awkward.

i will say, i was more than a bit put out by a LONG list on an RSVP card for my wedding (bad marriage, good party). i did make sure i'd have a veggie option, but one guest filled the rsvp card (just a yes r no...not even a menu choice one) with other stuff she won't eat. really inappropriate to make it so much about one guest at a big event, esp when it was all preference and not allergies or such.

Melissa042807

on Oct 18, 2011 at 4:18 PM

I follow a rather weird diet in which I don't eat a lot of things that are pretty much staples in the American diet. My family and close friends are all familiar with what I don't eat and pretty much cook accordingly when they have me over, which I appreciate very much. I never asked them to, they offered. If it's a situation where it's going to be a big group and there's not going to be very much food I can eat, I discretely bring my own food. It's never been a big deal. People are pretty understanding, and I don't expect the world to revolve around me and what I have chosen to not eat.

Mr. Bourdain is totally right about eating in other countries though - they have different etiquette than we do. So if you're going to travel abroad, familiarize yourself with the food customs of your destination. Cultural immersion is part of the experience. :-)

babybirch

I've been a strict vegetarian for six years for religious, moral, and health reasons . I'm really, really kind of hurt by Bourdain's comments, mainly because I always thought he was an open-minded and cool kind of guy .

It's not rude to decline meat, no one's feelings gets hurt if you have a reason not to eat it . I seriously doubt that you, the author, gave up on being a vegetarian because you didn't want to hurt people's feelings, and that's okay, but I really have no problem turning down meat becayse of my personal beliefs . I've known people who've turned down food for no reason other than pure pickyness, and that's much ruder than politely declining to eat meat because you're a vegetarian and it goes against your moral values or health virtues .

Also, plenty of non-vegetarian guests will turn down veggies and fruits they're served, my own family included . Isn't that just as rude as turning down meat ?

Kritika

on Oct 18, 2011 at 4:25 PM

I was vegetarian for 12 years and one summer while overseas I went to visit my Godmother and she put meat in everything. I didn't want to be rude so I ate what had the least in it (stuffed mushrooms with tiny pieces of ham). I had diahrrea the rest of the vacation - it was NOT worth it.

Rude or not, a vegetarian cannot just eat a steak so that the host isn't offended as it will make them physically ill. Their bodies are not used to digesting it.

Lulu_B

on Oct 18, 2011 at 4:29 PM

babybirch--there are some cultures where it is extremely rude to decline the food put in front of you, like there is almost nothing that you could do to offend your host more. Here in the U.S. it's usually not a big deal, but you have to respect other cultures if you are a traveling there. I think that is the point that he is making.

Nonmember comment from Ron

on Oct 18, 2011 at 4:30 PM

Q: How do you find a vegetarian at a party? A: Oh don't worry, they will let you know!

Facebook comment from Anna Martin

on Oct 18, 2011 at 4:32 PM

I do love Anthony Bourdain. His particular brand of humor just rubs me the right way. Anyone who is offended by him needs to loosen up. Of course, I also share his love of meat. I'm an omnivore, I eat everything! Meat, veggies, fruits, carbs, bring it on! The way I see it, life is too short to skip entire food groups that are so enjoyable. But even without my own personal love for all foods, I can see what Anthony is saying about being a guest at someone's house. He often travels to private homes on his show and eats a home-cooked dinner with a family. You can always tell that their food is basically sacred and it is honoring the family to eat it. It's not quite like that in America. @babybirch, yes in some circumstances it would be rude to turn down a veggie/fruit dish as well. It depends on whose house you are dining at and what kind of culture they keep regarding their food.

missnickia

on Oct 18, 2011 at 4:33 PM

He isn't saying don't turn down meat in America. He is saying people from other countries will take offense to a guest during down their food. Just have respect for the county and people who you are visiting.

Facebook comment from Katherine Ngiam

I have a cousin who doesn't eat meat and haven't since she was about four. After she made the animal/hamburger connection she freaked. So in her case if I knew she was coming to visit I would try to make an effort to accommodate her. But for the most part I'm completely unwilling, it's a lifestyle choice in most instances. I once had a vegetarian guest stay with me for about a week and it was a nightmare, she complained about everything. She did things like help herself to my kitchen to cook and didn't clean up after herself. Or stocked my freezer full of food (I would never eat) and then left it behind. For the most part we went out for every meal because I wasn't going to cook an entirely separate meal for someone who would then pick at it when we already had seven people in the house. Needless to say the entire family was glad when my BIL broke up with her.

So I'm completely with Mr. Bourdain. It's the host job to make someone feel welcome in their home. But the guest needs to be gracious as well. If your host makes you a vegetarian meal, shut up and eat it. And even if it isn't completely meat free for whatever reason, if you're not going to die just eat it and say thank you.