How to politely decline meal at business meeting?

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txmom4boys

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I have a meeting tonight for my new company. I offered to bring a snack or drink, but was told that the person who is hosting the meeting will be providing a meal. The menu I was told goes against my medical diet. I don't want to seem rude, so how do I politely decline the meal in a room full of people I don't know (meeting with for first time)?
I should also say that it's a one dish meal, a soup. I do have an email in to the organizer about my dietary restrictions, just wondering what to do if she does not receive it in time. She is making the soup homemade, so I don't want to risk her feelings, ya know...
 
Ah mixing business and pleasure never goes over well, I don't know why bosses do this so often... It's awkward because in a social situation, we would be allowed to decline the meal, but in business it could be bad for our career, so you're not allowed the "out" that social situations allow.

However, if one is at a dinner, then it's an insult to turn down the food offered by one's host, but being forced to attend, you have no option.

Since you are in this predicament and not of your own choosing, you are justified in explaining to the boss that you have a medical condition that prohibits you from joining them for dinner as you wouldn't be able to eat. Ask if he'd mind if you came afterwards for the meeting.

If this isn't an option, then do as any good child would do and take only small portions of food, mess it up for a while on your plate as you talk and take tiny fake bites. Talk a lot and pause with your fork halfway up and then put it down. This gives the impression of partaking without actually doing so. When people are beginning to be done, put your napkin over your plate and lean back, contented.

Polite people will not take notice of your eating, and the impolite ones can be deflected with "Oh, it's quite good, thank you" and a change of topic. Don't answer nosy questions.
 
You should try and tell the organizer in advance. He/she may try to get you a meal that you can eat.

If you don't feel comfortable doing that, then just accept the meal - eat what IS acceptable and just leave the rest.
 
I was going to suggest you "fake" it and pretend to eat some, but with soup that's not really possible, unless you sit next to a potted palm (just kidding). Since you've notified the hostess/organizer, that you have dietary restrictions, I'd just bring a salad, or whatever you can eat, in a Tupperware type dish, and just discretely eat that. More than likely people won't notice.
 
I was going to suggest you "fake" it and pretend to eat some, but with soup that's not really possible, unless you sit next to a potted palm (just kidding). Since you've notified the hostess/organizer, that you have dietary restrictions, I'd just bring a salad, or whatever you can eat, in a Tupperware type dish, and just discretely eat that. More than likely people won't notice.
 
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