❓How do I handle business dinners where every dish is meat-based?

At business functions, the point is usually the relationship-building and atmosphere, not getting full — a few practical approaches: if you have any say in the ordering, or can talk to the host beforehand, just mention in advance, "I'm vegetarian, could we get one or two vegetarian dishes" — most hosts will happily accommodate that, and it won't come across as odd. If you have zero control over the menu, there's usually something you can eat at the table — rice, other starches, some cold dishes, tofu, mushrooms — just pick at those a bit while joining in on the toasts and conversation, and keep your focus on the social side of things. If you're still hungry afterward, you can always eat more once you're home. Don't feel like being vegetarian makes the situation awkward — more and more people eat this way these days, and most coworkers or clients who see you calmly picking the vegetarian dishes won't think anything negative of it. Staying relaxed about it is what matters most.