Colorado OFF TOPIC thread :) (Aspen: theater, best, pictures)

[ForumUserName]

Unfortunately not going is really not an option. Just mentioning that it conflicts with work brought family to tears. Believe me I would rather not go, it is a long drive from where I live, will mean taking time off of work which I absolutely hate doing, and getting home far later than I would like when I have to work the next day. But such is the reality of dealing with family sometimes.

I do eat meat, but that is about it. I am reassured to hear that most of their steaks are plain meat on a plate and not meat flavored and dressed in all sorts of things. From the menu I really could not tell what goes with what or how a dish comes out. Granted my not eating the sides will get comments, but at least I can order and eat something. I don't really like the wasted food, but such is life. In some of their eyes I would be causing a scene to do something as simple as decline ordering a salad that comes with the meal, let alone not eating it.

I have long since learned (when dining with certain family members) that it is best to order what I can tolerate on the menu without changes, rather than what i really want. I have many times ordered something less appealing so as to not have to make a change to the standard meal. I don't enjoy it, but it is better than the conflict.

And sadly asking the waiter is not likely to be a very good option, if there is a vegetable in it, I guarantee I will be met with eye rolls and “jokes” and lectures and it is just not worth it. And frankly I don't feel like I should have to ask, I personally believe that a menu should be clear enough to tell you want a dish is, without having to ask or be surprised. The lack of the word "side" on their menu is very frustrating to me.

For the record I don't spend time with my family often - we tend to get along better on the phone. And yes I am the youngest, my family tends to have the attitude that they will treat you as a equal when you are as old as them – obviously that never happens.

[McGowdog]

Originally Posted by ForumUserName

For the record I don't spend time with my family often - we tend to get along better on the phone. And yes I am the youngest, my family tends to have the attitude that they will treat you as a equal when you are as old as them – obviously that never happens.

I hear ya. I'm having a hard time figuring a way to respond to this without going into a parenting rant. I've been glancing this over for a couple of days.

I may be wrong about this and you may shoot this idea down entirely, but I'm going to raise the question anyway. Maybe someone will find it useful.

Is it possible that your concerns of going out to a restaurant should be different than your concerns of going to someone's house to eat? What I mean is, when you go to Aunt Gert's house to eat, you're stuck. You gotta eat what she cooks kind of. If she's a great cook, then you're in fat city! If she throws an unscaled fish into batter, deep-fries it and sticks it on your plate, you better hope the dog is near.

When you go to a restaurant, you can order what you want! Be proactive. Drive them nuts! Ask for something that's not even on the menu and order ala carte and see what happens! You are kind of sensitive to other's feelings, am I right? That's wonderful. It's neat to meet people like you because most people these days are so selfish and rude!

But it would be a spiritual exercise for you to BE OBNOXIOUS for a change! Make em' laugh! Have a Food Fight! Put the waiters tip inside of a full glass of wine and use the dessert menu to flip the glass upside down and slide the glass onto the table! Stuff the napkins into the candles! Make loud fart noises! Insult the cook! Laugh loudly! But only in your head.

On the outside, you'll notice that we're never as noticed as we think we are. When we expect them to zoom in on us, we're ignored. When we want to be ingored, they bug us. We can't determine that. We are not victims! If we want respect, we gotta give respect. If we want tolerance we gotta give tolerance.

The only time I can think that they'd smother the meat with something is if you get something gamey like Antelope. They might have to put that next to a side of wild rice.

Oh, if you order Steak Diane, don't ask for ketchup. That would tick me off!

[Katiana]

And sadly asking the waiter is not likely to be a very good option, if there is a vegetable in it, I guarantee I will be met with eye rolls and “jokes” and lectures and it is just not worth it. And frankly I don't feel like I should have to ask, I personally believe that a menu should be clear enough to tell you want a dish is, without having to ask or be surprised. The lack of the word "side" on their menu is very frustrating to me.

I think you're expecting a lot of the restaurant. I mean there are all sorts of items, such as the aforementioned 'Steak Diane' that you might have to ask about. It's my opinion that your family members should back off, too, but I know that's often asking a lot. Perhaps you could say something to one of them you know well such as, "you know, I really hate it when you give me grief about what I choose, could you keep a lid on it tonight so we all have a good time?" Just a thought.

[onthamove]

i am gona be in denver late tommorow yeee hawww!!!

[TropicanaRose]

Originally Posted by Katiana

Perhaps you could say something to one of them you know well such as, "you know, I really hate it when you give me grief about what I choose, could you keep a lid on it tonight so we all have a good time?" Just a thought.

Indeed. You can't control your family, but you can set boundaries and stick by them.

[Bob from down south]

You could call the restaurant ahead of time and explain things to the manager...tell him you'll be wearing a bright pink blouse with a beanie hat or whatever, and pre-coordinate getting a non-meat menu or menu option ahead of time so you don't have to ask when you're seated.

Even better, pre-coordinate to have the entire party given vegetarian menus!!

[sterlinggirl]

I wonder if cannibals ever go on a vegetarian diet....

[Bob from down south]

Originally Posted by sterlinggirl

I wonder if cannibals ever go on a vegetarian diet....

Aha!! An alternate end to the Terry Schiavo saga that the news media failed to consider...and here I thought they spent enough time on it to cover every possible angle within the realm of human imagination...

[nelumbo]

"All I need is more... what... food? Family? Is there a difference?" - Kaarvoc, the _Eat Me_ episode of Farscape.


FYI, for anyone who likes fabrics, the Prosperity Quilt Shoppe in Boulder has now closed. Add it to the list of defunct stores with D'Leas and the Denver Fabrics Annexes (and the DF website, now owned by Fashion Fabrics Club).

[nathan yudnich]

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