Don’t Argue
While many people become vegetarians or vegans for moral reasons, this concept is pretty alien in countries where meat is prized. You might even offend someone if you refuse to eat the meat they try to serve you because you believe eating meat is “wrong”. That’s like saying that their culture is wrong. If someone asks you why you won’t eat meat, don’t argue with them on moral grounds or try to use the question to launch a debate. Instead, simply say that you don’t like meat or that you don’t eat meat for health reasons. Most people will accept these reasons without argument.
Be Specific
In many countries, people will understand that “vegetariano” means you don’t eat meat. However, they may not consider fish or chicken to be “meat”. That’s why it’s best to be specific about what you can and can’t eat. If ordering in a restaurant, don’t just ask for vegetarian food. Instead, ask what vegetable dishes they have, or what dishes have no meat, fish or chicken in them.
Give Warning
If you will be living with a local family, or if you get invited to a local’s home for a meal, be sure to warn them about your food preferences. Tell them what you can’t eat, but also provide some suggestions about what you do like to eat. This will help prevent someone from serving you nothing but rice or lettuce. If you are invited to a big party where there is no sit-down meal, you don’t necessarily have to burden your host with your food preferences. Instead, grab a bite at home or from a street vendor before heading to the party. Then, fill up on vegetarian sides or appetizers. If someone asks why you’re not eating the meaty main course, you can honestly say you’re not hungry.
You can find more tips about sticking to your vegetarian diet while living abroad here: How to Survive as a Travelling Vegetarian by Benny the Irish Polyglot.
For most people, savoring local dishes is half the fun of learning a language abroad. But what if you are a vegetarian? What are you going to do if you’re learning Spanish in Peru and your host family proudly presents you with a crispy golden “cuy” (guinea pig)? What if you’re learning Spanish in Argentina and encounter slabs of beef with chimichurri sauce at every turn? What on earth are you supposed to eat in these meat-loving countries? And how can you turn down the locals politely when they offer you meat? Here are a few tips to help you get by.
Don’t Argue
While many people become vegetarians or vegans for moral reasons, this concept is pretty alien in countries where meat is prized. You might even offend someone if you refuse to eat the meat they try to serve you because you believe eating meat is “wrong”. That’s like saying that their culture is wrong. If someone asks you why you won’t eat meat, don’t argue with them on moral grounds or try to use the question to launch a debate. Instead, simply say that you don’t like meat or that you don’t eat meat for health reasons. Most people will accept these reasons without argument.
Be Specific
In many countries, people will understand that “vegetariano” means you don’t eat meat. However, they may not consider fish or chicken to be “meat”. That’s why it’s best to be specific about what you can and can’t eat. If ordering in a restaurant, don’t just ask for vegetarian food. Instead, ask what vegetable dishes they have, or what dishes have no meat, fish or chicken in them.
Give Warning
If you will be living with a local family, or if you get invited to a local’s home for a meal, be sure to warn them about your food preferences. Tell them what you can’t eat, but also provide some suggestions about what you do like to eat. This will help prevent someone from serving you nothing but rice or lettuce. If you are invited to a big party where there is no sit-down meal, you don’t necessarily have to burden your host with your food preferences. Instead, grab a bite at home or from a street vendor before heading to the party. Then, fill up on vegetarian sides or appetizers. If someone asks why you’re not eating the meaty main course, you can honestly say you’re not hungry.
You can find more tips about sticking to your vegetarian diet while living abroad here: How to Survive as a Travelling Vegetarian by Benny the Irish Polyglot.