Food choices at work events can seem minor until they suddenly aren’t. When planning stretches into long hours and outside vendors control the details, a simple question about accommodations can turn unexpectedly tense. Now, one person is left wondering whether they crossed a line by asking, and what their options really are.
The story
In a recent Reddit thread, it was asked, "Am I in the wrong for asking about vegetarian options?" She went on to say that she works as an admin for a local entity and has been working on an upcoming event with some outside consultants. She's a vegetarian, and after she got the event menu, she noticed there were no vegetarian options.
When asked whether they could have a smaller portion of the pasta dish set aside or bring their own food, the consultant made a snide comment about needing more money to add vegetarian options next year.
The poster says that she has to work the entire day at the event, and doesn't understand why it's so hard to have options or a solution for vegetarians. Now she wonders if she's in the wrong for asking about vegetarian options for herself and other guests.
The responses
People had plenty of thoughts about fairness and respect.
One person said, "Having accommodations for allergy and dietary restrictions is customary."
This is true. With so many different dietary preferences these days, it's wild that a company wouldn't have alternatives for people who don't eat meat.
Another comment said, "I haven’t heard of any caterers in the US in this day and age who don’t include a vegetarian option at a non-food-specific event."
It's pretty much standard to have 2-3 options from caterers for different types of foods and meals. It's very unusual to have an event where everyone eats the same thing. You not only have different preferences and tastes to consider, but you also have to factor in allergies. One-and-done doesn't cut it anymore when it comes to catering and food options.
Plain and simple. "Get a better caterer."
This is good advice if the caterer isn't willing to help or offer vegetarian options. While it may cost more, it should still be a discussion so everyone is on the same page. The other thing to consider is that there might not be any other catering options in the town. It's easy to say something like that, but there might not be a way to make that happen.
Someone gave this advice. "Tell your boss that you will NOT be working the event under the conditions set up by the consultant."
It would be an option for her. She can't be expected to work all day without any food. If this event is put on through her work, she needs reasonable accommodations, including access to food. Catering to the majority is fine, but it shouldn't be too difficult to offer a few extra options for those who don't eat meat. Even if she could be approved to bring her own salad, that would be better than nothing.
How to handle feeling dismissed at work
Feeling brushed off at work can be more unsettling than a direct disagreement. It often leaves people second-guessing whether their concern was valid or if they were wrong to speak up at all. In many cases, the issue isn’t the request itself, but how it’s received.
When this happens, it helps to separate tone from substance. A dismissive or sarcastic response reflects communication style, not the legitimacy of the concern. Keeping a record of what was asked and how it was handled can be useful, especially when the situation affects working conditions or basic expectations.
Redirecting the discussion toward logistics rather than emotion can also be effective. Framing the concern in terms of practical needs keeps the focus on solutions rather than personal friction. When an outside vendor or consultant is involved, raising the issue internally can help determine whether their approach aligns with the organization’s standards.
Ultimately, how workplaces respond to fair concerns often leaves a longer impression than the issue that prompted them.
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