DEAR MISS MANNERS: I attended a dinner party with a friend who claims to be a strict vegetarian. The host served some pre-dinner snacks, and my friend began to eat lots and lots of Parmesan cheese.
I know that this food contains veal rennet, but was unsure if my friend was aware of this. Since she had already started eating the food, I didn’t want to embarrass her in front of everyone else, or make her feel sick by telling her on the drive home. I still feel a twinge of guilt about not sharing my information.
Is it rude to call someone out for breaking their eating practice, or should I mind my own business and leave it to them to know their facts?
GENTLE READER: The term “strict vegetarian” only became necessary when it was discovered that no two people could agree on the definition of “vegetarian.” And Miss Manners suspects that the more restrictive term is also subject to creative interpretation. She therefore considers it a blessing that it is impolite to comment on what someone else does or does not eat -- much less on what has already been eaten.