Non-jewish co-worker , non-jewish company, non-kosher place

I work at non-Jewish company and the women here decided to celebrate one of our co-worker's birthday at the non-kosher restaurant. We are supposed to go out for lunch. How do I handle it ? I never had a situation like this before, we always had a potluck where I just ate fruits or my own food.
Can I go and not eat anything? Or it's not permitted, then how do I politely decline?
Any advice will be greatly appreciated.

Gold Member Joined: Oct 19 2004 Posts: 1121

I would certainly say you can decline. Is there a Kosher place you can go to that is appropriate for the others? It is rude of them to pick a place IF they know you can't go.

Silver Member Joined: May 06 2005 Posts: 698

Don't make a big deal out of it. They weren't trying to be rude, they just are unaware. Simply tell them you can't join because you keep kosher. They will respect you for it.-

Platinum Member Joined: May 22 2005 Posts: 13796

Silver Member Joined: Jun 06 2005 Posts: 624

Can you ask them if you can all go to the kosher place, if there is one, instead ?
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Mandy, aka Tom Riddle

Gold Member Joined: Oct 19 2004 Posts: 1121

I didn't mean that but I didn't know if they knew about kashrut. Lots of people don't understands the details at all. So if they knew she couldn't go and invited her anyway...or if they didn't know that is different. I'd certainly say no problem to pass on the invite and no, they can't go kosher every time, but if it is an option, maybe a good one when fruit and her own food won't suffice?

been in the same sitch all my working life. never bothered me b/c I am stingy and don't like spending $ in restaurants Laughing

. I always smile regretfully and say "Sorry I can't but I only eat in kosher restaurants" totally safe b/c there are none near my work.

O'course I also can't partake when the company orders in for a special occasion. shver tzu zayn a yid.

Original amother here.

They don't know that I can eat only in kosher restaurant and there are none nearby.

Last amother, thank you for your post, I will do just that.

My co-workers have a x-mas night out I never attend because I can't. Now I work in a Jewish place, but some Jewish workers go with them, I am one of the only ones who won't go.
They respect that and no one feels hurt. I think you should just tell them that you can't because you eat only Kosher.
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He who laughs last didn't get the joke the first time [chinese proverb - NOT]

Diamond Member Joined: Oct 24 2005 Posts: 4689

It's almost always better to come straight out in the beginning and say you can't do this or that because your religious practice forbids it. Excuses (I'm vegetarian, I'm allergic, I have a previous commitment) have a way of backfiring sooner or later.