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Anonymous User wrote:So lie about your ethical reasons for not eating meat? I'm not even sure what I would say- some people are vegetarian for religious reasons, but then do I have to fake being religious for the rest of my time at the firm if I get an offer? I typically just say, "I'm a vegetarian. I've just never cared for meat, but understand why others do." Everyone knows I don't eat meat but I'm not judging, and I don't have to pretend to practice Hinduism for the next 20 years.

You could be vegetarian/vegan for health reasons. Or you could say you were raised vegetarian/vegan and never developed tolerance for meat. But I'm skeptical that you need some sort of explanation.

Anonymous User wrote:

Anonymous User wrote:So lie about your ethical reasons for not eating meat? I'm not even sure what I would say- some people are vegetarian for religious reasons, but then do I have to fake being religious for the rest of my time at the firm if I get an offer? I typically just say, "I'm a vegetarian. I've just never cared for meat, but understand why others do." Everyone knows I don't eat meat but I'm not judging, and I don't have to pretend to practice Hinduism for the next 20 years.

You could be vegan for health reasons. Unlike vegetarianism, which has at best dubious health benefits, veganism does have genuine benefits. But I'm skeptical that you need some sort of explanation.

It's doubtful they'll ask. Just don't judge their orders and you'll be fine. It's doubtful the associates will even know you are vegan and the recruitment office will tell them where to go with nothing else. Otherwise just be honest.

Anonymous User wrote:

Anonymous User wrote:So lie about your ethical reasons for not eating meat? I'm not even sure what I would say- some people are vegetarian for religious reasons, but then do I have to fake being religious for the rest of my time at the firm if I get an offer? I typically just say, "I'm a vegetarian. I've just never cared for meat, but understand why others do." Everyone knows I don't eat meat but I'm not judging, and I don't have to pretend to practice Hinduism for the next 20 years.

You could be vegan for health reasons. Unlike vegetarianism, which has at best dubious health benefits, veganism does have genuine benefits. But I'm skeptical that you need some sort of explanation.

MOD EDIT

Anonymous User wrote:

Anonymous User wrote:I'm not sure what the mechanics of choosing a restaurant are, but I have a related piece of advice, which is if you're vegan for ethical reasons, have an alternate cover story for why you are.

So lie about your ethical reasons for not eating meat? I'm not even sure what I would say- some people are vegetarian for religious reasons, but then do I have to fake being religious for the rest of my time at the firm if I get an offer? I typically just say, "I'm a vegetarian. I've just never cared for meat, but understand why others do." Everyone knows I don't eat meat but I'm not judging, and I don't have to pretend to practice Hinduism for the next 20 years.

"I've just never cared for meat" is sort of a lie if your reasons are actually ethical. That's exactly the sort of thing I would aim to say.

And to the person who said it's unlikely they'll ask why, I don't think I've ever had someone find out and not ask why. It's a natural and fairly polite question. But you might be right that it's unlikely they'll find out; again, I don't know the mechanics and I imagine it differs.

if CB is at 2:30, does that mean dinner? or no meal?

Anonymous User wrote:if CB is at 2:30, does that mean dinner? or no meal?

No meal, probably. Maybe coffee.

Anonymous User wrote:

Anonymous User wrote:

Anonymous User wrote:I'm not sure what the mechanics of choosing a restaurant are, but I have a related piece of advice, which is if you're vegan for ethical reasons, have an alternate cover story for why you are.

So lie about your ethical reasons for not eating meat? I'm not even sure what I would say- some people are vegetarian for religious reasons, but then do I have to fake being religious for the rest of my time at the firm if I get an offer? I typically just say, "I'm a vegetarian. I've just never cared for meat, but understand why others do." Everyone knows I don't eat meat but I'm not judging, and I don't have to pretend to practice Hinduism for the next 20 years.

"I've just never cared for meat" is sort of a lie if your reasons are actually ethical. That's exactly the sort of thing I would aim to say.

And to the person who said it's unlikely they'll ask why, I don't think I've ever had someone find out and not ask why. It's a natural and fairly polite question. But you might be right that it's unlikely they'll find out; again, I don't know the mechanics and I imagine it differs.

Delete "just", making the sentence, "I've never cared for meat", and, assuming you've never eaten meat, you have a true, if somewhat evasive, statement if someone asks, "why are you vegetarian?".

Not to mention no one is going to pry that deeply into your personal life.

something in the lower-middle price range that won't make your breathe stink and won't give you horrible gas

Unitas wrote:

Anonymous User wrote:

Anonymous User wrote:So lie about your ethical reasons for not eating meat? I'm not even sure what I would say- some people are vegetarian for religious reasons, but then do I have to fake being religious for the rest of my time at the firm if I get an offer? I typically just say, "I'm a vegetarian. I've just never cared for meat, but understand why others do." Everyone knows I don't eat meat but I'm not judging, and I don't have to pretend to practice Hinduism for the next 20 years.

You could be vegan for health reasons. Unlike vegetarianism, which has at best dubious health benefits, veganism does have genuine benefits. But I'm skeptical that you need some sort of explanation.

It's doubtful they'll ask. Just don't judge their orders and you'll be fine. It's doubtful the associates will even know you are vegan and the recruitment office will tell them where to go with nothing else. Otherwise just be honest.

I have never been to a restaurant with anyone for any reason ever, where they have not asked. On a positive side, it usually leads to 15 minutes of solid conversation, so I guess veganism is a good icebreaker?

Unitas wrote:

Anonymous User wrote:

rayiner wrote:

oneforship wrote:If you're that concerned, ask for another minute to review the menu and let the attorneys order first. Or ask the attorneys what is good there.

Super beta dude. Just order what you want, the firm is picking up the tab and the second-years they sent with you absolutely don't give a shit.

K, just wanted to make sure.

I somewhat disagree. You need to position yourself to go last in ordering. So that way you can order something that matches what they get. Meaning if they get a salad you get a salad and if they get an appetizer you get one too. You do this so that way everyone eats at the same time and you won't be expected to carry 90% of the conversation while they are eating and vice versa.

That's what I have always done in business settings and will do so during my callbacks.

EDIT: by salad I meant salad with their main dish. So if they get two courses you do too.

Looks like this got kind of missed in the fray above - it's key though. Had a 3L classmate in an OCI elevator tell the story of how he was eating the soup and salad that came with his entree while the associates were waiting on their burgers. Super awkward.

I'm a confirmed omnivore who loves his meat, and personally I would have way more respect for a vegan/vegetarian who owns their diet than one who skirts around talking about it in order to not make me uncomfortable. Just don't turn lunch into a lecture on the evils of the meat industry and the benefits of your diet and you are good.

Bosque wrote:I'm a confirmed omnivore who loves his meat, and personally I would have way more respect for a vegan/vegetarian who owns their diet than one who skirts around talking about it in order to not make me uncomfortable. Just don't turn lunch into a lecture on the evils of the meat industry and the benefits of your diet and you are good.

+1

Anyway, do you really want to work someplace that is going to count your dietary choices against you? I know we're all hungry (heh heh) for a job, but the anxiety caused by worrying about issues like this will prove a far bigger handicap than whether or not your dining mates will judge you for not eating cow flesh. Be confident with yourself, explain your diet politely if asked, and move on. If they reject you because of it (which would be insane), consider yourself lucky.

Bosque wrote:I'm a confirmed omnivore who loves his meat, and personally I would have way more respect for a vegan/vegetarian who owns their diet than one who skirts around talking about it in order to not make me uncomfortable. Just don't turn lunch into a lecture on the evils of the meat industry and the benefits of your diet and you are good.

One of my goals in life is to turn a Vegan or two. I wouldn't start with Ortolan, but we'd get there.

Arugula salad and a little cube of Tofu, now that's good eating.

You'd be very safe ordering something in the middle-ish price range. Also, as many people have mentioned, follow their lead in terms of appetizers/soups/salads/number of courses. Also, I'd try to avoid any foods that have the potential to make an awkward situation such as spaghetti. You don't want a stray bead of sauce getting on their clothes or anything.

Generally, I don't think they care what you order or how you eat it, unless you're eating like a toddler. That being said, you never know how any particular attorney is going to view your choices. I think the middle price range, easy to eat, and matching # of courses is a very "safe" way to go.

Throughout all this talk of price, think about the actual food. Nothing with sauce that will drip. Especially no long pasta (i.e. spaghetti, linguine). Making a mess is not a good image.

People say "get what you want, your interviewers don't care."

But I'd think an interviewee who purposely orders an expensive item has already failed the discretion test. Ordering food IS A TEST.

Don't get anything more expensive than anyone else. Don't order an appetizer unless everyone is. And for the love of god, don't order desert (or coffee) unless someone else does. Your interviewers know you are on an interview, and they won't just leave you drifting in the wind - they will take the lead, you follow.

Even more important - TREAT THE WAITER LIKE HE/SHE WAS YOUR MOM.

The lunch interview is about manners - and about what sort of impression you make on new people. The lunch interview is a mock "lets take a client out to lunch, will you embarrass me" test. Treat it as such.

NotMyRealName09 wrote:People say "get what you want, your interviewers don't care."

But I'd think an interviewee who purposely orders an expensive item has already failed the discretion test. Ordering food IS A TEST.

Don't get anything more expensive than anyone else. Don't order an appetizer unless everyone is. And for the love of god, don't order desert (or coffee) unless someone else does. Your interviewers know you are on an interview, and they won't just leave you drifting in the wind - they will take the lead, you follow.

Even more important - TREAT THE WAITER LIKE HE/SHE WAS YOUR MOM.

The lunch interview is about manners - and about what sort of impression you make on new people. The lunch interview is a mock "lets take a client out to lunch, will you embarrass me" test. Treat it as such.

The price of the item is never what will kill you, except in really outlandish extremes. The associates you are eating with really don't care. They really, really don't. Just don't go above, say, $50 and you are solid.

Anyway, while all of your advice is generally correct, your tone is all wrong. Ordering food is not a "test", not any more than being able to cary on a civil conversation, dress yourself, or follow all the instructions the firm gives you. None of these are intended to be tests. If you can't do it, that might be a mark against you, but they are not watching for you to screw up. The point of the callback interview is to see if you fit in with the firm, not test your social skills. Just don't do anything stupid.

This is a real danger for me. I was having lunch with a certain court of appeals judge and his clerks this summer, and out came these Kobe sliders with cheese on them. Well, I'm cheese-phobic, and so I proceeded to (a) act like I'd just been shot, and, then, (b) throw a really huge passive-aggressive staredown-fit that culminated in my getting some cheeseless sliders for free. Then at some point, as our insanely metro clerk started holding forth on the future of his unborn children, I turned to Mr. "I'm going to be the POTUS" clerk and said it would be a disaster if metro clerk had kids. At which point POTUS Wannabe clerk decided to repeat that, in front of the judge, to Insanely Metro Clerk. (I'm actually good friends with POTUS Wannabe clerk; he's just the king of bad judgment calls.) The only other time I saw the judge that shocked was when I told him I planned to apply for a clerkship with his ideological nemesis. Well, somehow it was papered over with a stupid explanation. Then, exhilarated that the judiciary's answer to a putatively straight version of Marc Jacobs was not going to kill me, I texted POTUS Wannabe, "one generation of [insane metro clerk] is enough." But in all seriousness, I think if I were with some lawyers I would lie and blame my cheese issues on lactose intolerance, as opposed to some low-grade psychosis. I also wouldn't opine on their fitfulness for parenting.

This is a real danger for me. I was having lunch with a certain court of appeals judge and his clerks this summer, and out came these Kobe sliders with cheese on them. Well, I'm cheese-phobic, and so I proceeded to (a) act like I'd just been shot, and, then, (b) throw a really huge passive-aggressive staredown-fit that culminated in my getting some cheeseless sliders for free. Then at some point, as our insanely metro clerk started holding forth on the future of his unborn children, I turned to Mr. "I'm going to be the POTUS" clerk and said it would be a disaster if metro clerk had kids. At which point POTUS Wannabe clerk decided to repeat that, in front of the judge, to Insanely Metro Clerk. (I'm actually good friends with POTUS Wannabe clerk; he's just the king of bad judgment calls.) The only other time I saw the judge that shocked was when I told him I planned to apply for a clerkship with his ideological nemesis. Well, somehow it was papered over with a stupid explanation. Then, exhilarated that the judiciary's answer to a putatively straight version of Marc Jacobs was not going to kill me, I texted POTUS Wannabe, "one generation of [insane metro clerk] is enough." But in all seriousness, I think if I were with some lawyers I would lie and blame my cheese issues on lactose intolerance, as opposed to some low-grade psychosis. I also wouldn't opine on their fitfulness for parenting.

Wait, what?

Anonymous User wrote:This is a real danger for me. I was having lunch with a certain court of appeals judge and his clerks this summer, and out came these Kobe sliders with cheese on them. Well, I'm cheese-phobic, and so I proceeded to (a) act like I'd just been shot, and, then, (b) throw a really huge passive-aggressive staredown-fit that culminated in my getting some cheeseless sliders for free. Then at some point, as our insanely metro clerk started holding forth on the future of his unborn children, I turned to Mr. "I'm going to be the POTUS" clerk and said it would be a disaster if metro clerk had kids. At which point POTUS Wannabe clerk decided to repeat that, in front of the judge, to Insanely Metro Clerk. (I'm actually good friends with POTUS Wannabe clerk; he's just the king of bad judgment calls.) The only other time I saw the judge that shocked was when I told him I planned to apply for a clerkship with his ideological nemesis. Well, somehow it was papered over with a stupid explanation. Then, exhilarated that the judiciary's answer to a putatively straight version of Marc Jacobs was not going to kill me, I texted POTUS Wannabe, "one generation of [insane metro clerk] is enough." But in all seriousness, I think if I were with some lawyers I would lie and blame my cheese issues on lactose intolerance, as opposed to some low-grade psychosis. I also wouldn't opine on their fitfulness for parenting.

You might want to rethink that particular fib:


http://www.milkpail.com/lactose.htm

What if I want to pick up the nickname "T-Bone" at the firm?

Order a hooker.

just go balls out on surf and turf. When you finish drink the dipping sauce and dare them to eat more than you.

TTH wrote:What if I want to pick up the nickname "T-Bone" at the firm?