Thursday, 11 March 2010

• Diet Diplomacy

  
  
  

  Many of us are on diets, for weight loss, allergies, religious/ethical, cultural or medical reasons. This can cause some sticky wickets when we are asked to dine out at a home or restaurant. A little creative diplomacy and a good attitude can usually overcome these social "sticky wickets".
  
  For instance:
  

  • When we are asked to a dinner party instead of promptly refusing we can say this "I'd love to! I'm have some dietary restrictions and wouldn't dream of asking anyone to go out of their way, but I'd love to make the tastiest dish in my cookbook and bring enough to pass."

  • When invited to a restaurant for dinner, here is a diplomatic way to socialize comfortably. "I have some dietary restrictions, but I'd love to join you for drinks/dessert afterward, how about it I join you at 8?"

  • It's not uncomfortable for others if, while they have dessert you have coffee, or if they order drinks and you grab yourself a diet soft drink or tonic water.

  • If you like to join coworkers for lunch from time to time, scope out some nearby restaurants or delis that carry a quick something that fits your diet. When you join them, suggest one of those options.

  • If a coworker brings some home baked treat to work here is a gracious way to compliment them. "Wow, those look amazing, I can't eat those because of my diet, but do you mind if I take one home for my...SO, child, mom etc?" Or simply take one, return to your office and stash it to bring to a friend later. And if the friend likes it, don't hesitate to let the baker know that you shared the treat and the friend loved it. You don't have to lie, they will never know you weren't able to enjoy it yourself, because they'll be beaming from the compliment.

  
  None of these suggestions requires you to divulge or explain your dietary restrictions, which you may not want to get into, with casual or business acquaintances.
  
  If you say these things with a positive attitude, a smile and without apologizing, that is VERY important do NOT apologize, they are nearly always accepted with the same good humor. Apologizing immediately puts the other person in an awkward position of obligation to compromise to meet your needs or invites them to feel sorry for you. By providing the solution along with the situation, you keep a simple situation simple.
  
  When you are easy going, clear and confident you will help others feel the same.
  
  How do you confront awkward dining situations? What are some other tips to avoid "sticky wickets" while dining?
  
  

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