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The almost vegetarian and the in-law’s
When I heard this dialogue from My Big Fat Greek Wedding (Remember it? Starring and written by the very funny Nia Vardalos?) I was on the floor:
Soon-to-be-wife about her soon-to-be-husband: Actually, Ian’s a vegetarian. He doesn’t eat meat.
Greek aunt of soon-to-be-wife: He don’t eat no meat? HE DON’T EAT NO MEAT?! Oh, that’s ok. I make lamb.
I roared with laughter. Why was I roaring? Let me tell you about the first time I ate dinner at my Italian soon-to-be-in-law’s.
Telephone conversation between me, my soon-to-be-husband, and his Italian mama
My Italian soon-to-be-mother-in-law on the phone after inviting us to dinner: What does she like to eat?
My soon-to-be-husband: I dunno ma. Lemma ask her. Sweetie, what do you want to eat?
Me, also known as the soon-to-be-wife: No meat. Anything else is fine, but no meat.
My soon-to-be-husband: No meat, ma. Anything else is ok, but no meat.
My Italian soon-to-be-mother-in-law on phone: No meat. Ok. I’ll make veal.
Two weeks later
My kind and generous husband ate a lot of veal that night: His, and when his mother wasn’t looking, mine.
Sweet rewards
It turned out alright, however because it left me a lot of room for desert. A lot of room. After which I couldn’t move for something like three days without emitting a gentle burp and a little dazed smile.
Surprise ending
Of course, now, thinking I have this insane capacity for sweets, whenever they come to visit these kind and generous people bring enough home baked goodies for a a family of 18. Which we are not. By a long shot.
But this has made us very popular with the neighbors with whom we share our largesse. This, in turn, has made them very friendly to my in-law’s whenever they see them. Very friendly, indeed.
My in-law’s have taken to bringing larger bags.
Et tu?
So how do you deal with invitations from meat-eating relatives? Especially well-meaning relatives that just don’t get the concept of vegetarian and never really will?
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6 Responses to “The almost vegetarian and the in-law’s”
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I loved that scene from MBFGW, too. And I can relate, but not through anything nearly as funny as this.
Now that is sweet. It is funny. I am sure that a lot of people do not realize what veal really is, if she did, she would know that is worse than regular beef! Ewwwww~!
Too funny!!! I love that movie as well. I can totally picture this happening.
Thanks for the comment on the Fit Flip Flops @ PNP. They really aren’t too cute! I hate it when husband’s are right!
I went veg after a couple of years knowing my bf’s family. They immediately came up with dishes for me at family functions, which is very sweet. I normally wouldn’t want so many varieties of cheesy broccoli casserole but I’ve learned to eat what they prepare because I appreciate their efforts!
Mostly, though, I take a dish to share that will provide me a decent meal and that is tasty so everyone thinks I’m contributing as well as not too weird.
Hi! Thanks for dropping in on my blog this week.
I had a really good laugh when I watched that movie. Which brings to mind, where is the uber-talented and funny Nia Vardalos?
What do you know, I also have Italian in-laws!!!! It’s a good thing that I am not a vegetarian or almost vegetarian
because there’s always meat entree when we go over for dinner!
Funny inlaws?! Okay–this is my example from my father in law—who eats fast food/chips/soda/bacon/pizza almost exclusively (absolutely NO fresh veggies or whole grains and never a bean).
Him–in shock: “So you don’t eat meat? Do you eat chicken?”
Me–annoyed: “No..”
Him–condesening: “Well, make sure to take your vitamins!”
Me–in shock: “Gasp!”
Then I have to deal with them stuffing me child with meat whenever they can…nice…