avsdT:sharon@avsdS.UUCP (02/17/84)
I've been a vegetarian for almost 7 years now and I've received a *lot* of comments from non-vegetarians. I would like to know what are some of the comments/questions received by other vegetarians. Here are some of the comments I've received: "Well, I *like* to eat meat!" This is said very defensively and usually surprises me because I have no problem with other people eating meat and have *never* tried to convert anybody. "I just can't stand people who won't eat meat because they think it's *wrong*! Why don't you eat meat?" I can't win with this one because, for me, eating meat *is* wrong. "But you don't *look* like a vegetarian!" I find this one particularly amusing. I usually ask what a vegetarian is *supposed* to look like. A carrot I guess. "But I thought you were a vegetarian!?" I've heard this one more than once when about to eat some caloric dessert. I usually assure them that brownies aren't made with any meat. "But don't you feel bad about killing all those plants?!?!" Usually asked with a great amount of sarcasm. "But *what* do you eat!!!" This question surprises me. I mean, even the most meat-loving person I know eats non-meat foods. "I knew a girl once who was a vegetarian for several years who got *real* sick because of all the deficiencies in her diet." The prospect seemed to delight this fellow. "But don't you find vegetarianism limiting?" A good friend of mine jumped in with the reply: "Yeah, just like you find heterosexuality limiting." (Good friends are worth their weight in diamonds.) and, of course: "Why?" Only another vegetarian could understand how tired I am of answering this question. Of course, I take a lot of teasing from my carnivorous friends and I often find myself educating people on the art of combining amino acids to obtain proteins. It can also be a problem when choosing a place to eat lunch with my friends from work. And of course, none of the members of my family understand -- having grown up on a small farm. (My mother's reply when I first told her of my decision to give up meat was: "I wonder how long that will last", which only helped steel my reserve.) But, all in all, I find it a satisfying lifestyle. And I think I'm a slightly better cook than I would be if I never gave up meat. (You're forced to be more inventive.) I would enjoy hearing from other vegetarians about their experiences and the resistence they've encountered. I am NOT a Health Food Nut, sharon