If you say something, they can learn. If you don’t say anything, they can’t learn.* Nobody’s saying you have to make a fuss or start an argument. I really don’t understand what’s hard to understand about this.
*besides, it feels condescending to not even try to explain and just assume they can’t understand
Saying nothing ever, may be the wrong decision. But there are better and worse times.
I believe the same day he made it and was excited and probably tired from trying really hard and all that, the validation is probably a lot more important than the lesson.
At a later time, when the situation is more relaxed, mentioning it kindly is a good idea, which can also prompt him to try again, instead of feeling like a “low grade”
I understand where you’re coming from. But this is a deeply held belief that not everyone is comfortable ignoring to be nice to someone. Would you expect the same from someone who keeps kosher or just from a vegan? Both are sincerely held beliefs.
It should be noted, none of this is about “expectation”, because none of this is about us as onlookers, and it’s only about what the person doing the eating feels is right. But, my personal take?
I would (and actually have myself, having been an orthodox Christian when I was growing up, during a yearly religious 2 week fast of meat products and oils) absolutely done the same thing.
It’s not about “suppressing your belief in order to not be rude”. I think that would be bad, and sad.
It’s about “kindness being a more important value than religion”. If you’re with the person in the supermarket, guide them and teach them. If you’re in front of a prepared, emotionally invested meal, from someone you care about, already making their best effort… Be kind.
Telling a kid “your music is not very good” when they’re just starting out and trying their best, is not good. No matter how sincerely one believes in “Good Music”, or “Good Art”, or even “Honesty” or “Truth”.
