Did I do the right thing?

[honfour]

Okay, some background information: I'm completely estranged from my family (not by choice) but my mom's tried to reconcile lately so I thought I'd entertain her request for having lunch together.

In the car, I tell her I don't eat meat, including fish, and she thinks it's because I joined a cult (lul!). Knowing this, at the restaurant, she orders me something she thought was vegetarian. I ate some of it before I saw there was bits of meat at the bottom and I'm sat there completely stunned and tell her, "There's meat in here," and she replies, "Just take it out." At the end of the "meal," the meat-portion of my lunch was left alone.

I know the best solution would've been not to get into that kinda situation in the first place. But, assuming the food was thrown into the trash after we left, did I do the right thing? I feel like I did something wrong by just letting the food go to waste. What would you have done?

[xrodolfox]

I'd have done the same thing.

I'm vegan for mostly for political and animal rights reasons... but I sure would feel horrible letting animal flesh get in my body willingly. Mistakes happen, but eating leaving it for bacteria to consume later would rest better on my conscience. Otherwise, I'd be a "freegan", which is another whole discussion.

I think you did the right thing.

[JohnBarleycorn]

You did the right thing. Without a doubt !

I wouldn't have touched it, after I'd seen meat in it. Don't compromise your principals !

[vegan hal]

I'm curious, why didn't YOU order your meal? it's easy enough to ask the waiter which is vegan or can be made vegan.

[etherspin]

we aren't precious , we are just human, if your mum found some pieces of cat or another domesticated animal in her food she would at least not touch it, at worst , instantaneously vomit and scream at the staff. we just feel the same way in a more consistent fashion

[xrodolfox]

From her message I reading that she didn't eat any of the food that had meat touching...

[honfour]

I'm curious, why didn't YOU order your meal? it's easy enough to ask the waiter which is vegan or can be made vegan.

Ah, that's funny actually. I barely speak her language and she barely speaks English (almost makes conversations a workout in itself). The place she took us falls into the latter category -- the kinda place that doesn't even have menus...

And I really appreciate the personal insights given here, thanks everyone