Miss Manners: Club member likes ‘outing’ the vegetarian

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I am a vegetarian who has no desire to draw unnecessary attention to this fact. I don’t think that what I eat is anyone’s business, just as what others eat is not my business.

I have an acquaintance, Cheryl, who is a member of a club that I’m part of. The group eats together regularly, either at restaurants or potlucks. I’ve known Cheryl for many years, long enough for her to know that I don’t eat meat, but we are not close.

Cheryl seems to get a thrill out of “outing” me as a vegetarian in front of anyone who is new to our group or doesn’t already know.

If we’re eating out, she’ll find the vegetarian section of the menu (because I need help locating it?) and shriek, “They have meatless options for you, Jane!”

If the group is planning a potluck, Cheryl will always loudly make a point of stating that she will provide a vegetarian option “for Jane.”

I am perfectly capable of ordering my own food, and I enjoy participating seamlessly in potlucks. I would never dream of introducing myself as a vegetarian to a new acquaintance because I don’t feel that what I eat is my defining characteristic. How can I get Cheryl to stop “helping” me?

GENTLE READER: The next time you share a meal with Cheryl, Miss Manners recommends that you take her aside first and tell her that you don’t want to draw attention to yourself – and that you are sure there will be plenty of vegetarian options for you. If that doesn’t stop her from being officious, Miss Manners would allow you to point out the meat options to her. You may do this loudly enough for the others to hear, but good-humoredly, and not sounding as if you were admonishing her food choices or making a political statement.