It's not easy being green...

[graculus]

I'm a vegetarian. I have been for well over 10 years now, as far as I can reckon. So you'd think by now I'd have a pat answer to the inevitable question, "So, what do you eat?", wouldn't you?

Maybe it's just that it's kind of dumb. I mean, nobody asks meat eaters if they prefer lamb to pork, unless they're actually sitting down with a menu in their hands. No, I don't eat fish or shellfish. Yes, I do eat (free range) eggs and as much dairy produce as I can manage. I could never be a vegan because I'd die without cheese at least once a day. ;)

Other than that, the world is my (mock) oyster. There's an almost infinite variety of things to eat that doesn't involve something with a face meeting its maker. Not that I go round telling people who do eat meat that they can't, because I think that sucks, but I no longer see the attraction.

I don't miss bacon sandwiches, as I know many vegetarians do, or sausages. If anything, given the opportunity for a guilt-free relapse, my dish of choice would probably be moules mariniere made with a shedload of garlic.

Tonight? Well, tonight was home-made mushroom and courgette risotto, actually. And tomorrow will probably be mock toad with brussel sprouts and peas. Or maybe spinach dhal. Or pasta with home-made garlic and mushroom sauce. Or curried rice and peas. Or vegetable pizza. Get the picture? ;)

Comments

[mer1973.livejournal.com]

Maybe it's just that it's kind of dumb. I mean, nobody asks meat eaters if they prefer lamb to pork, unless they're actually sitting down with a menu in their hands.
I put it down to something between curiousity and rudeness. Curiousity, because they want to know just what you eat and how you eat. People do want to understand things like keeping kosher and being a vegetarian. It often crosses the line to rudeness, because they assume it's any of their business. Unless someone is cooking for you cooking for you, it's really not their concern.

[graculus.livejournal.com]

I think it's the unspoken implication that you're somehow denying yourself something wonderful that you can't actually really live without and haven't you realised that yet?

I wonder whether there's a difference to how they approach people whose diet is dictated by religious or medical issues, rather than good old-fashioned free will...

[mer1973.livejournal.com]

The unspoken implication would piss me the fuck off. People will accept medical and religious reasons due to cultural training, but ethical reasons just haven't hit that point yet. Personally, I think, or at least I hope, that ethical reasons for not eating meat will someday be as accepted as any other reason.

[gategrrl.livejournal.com]

Hmm. I usually wouldn't ask specifics of someone's diet until I knew them a little bit -- but, there are different levels of vegetarianisms (?) like those that will eat fish (?), those that will/will not touch diary or eggs, those who are macrobiotic, and so forth...

When I got turned off beef for a while in the eighties, I usually told folks who asked why I wouldn't eat red meat - well, "it grosses me out."

You have a point about the acceptance of religious/medical reasons -- but I've been to forums in which it didn't matter whether people had medical reasons not to eat certain foods - there are some people who will absolutely never ever "get" that not everyone likes the same things/foods as themselves, and are amazed that there exist people who cannot/will not eat the same foods they eat.

Now, THOSE are the type of people I want to bitchslap. Allergies and so forth shouldn't be up for debate, either. And um, sorry, getting off track here.

But I do agree with you.

[mer1973.livejournal.com]

Hmm. I usually wouldn't ask specifics of someone's diet until I knew them a little bit -- but, there are different levels of vegetarianisms
Neither would I, unless I was feeding them. If I was feeding Graculus, I would make damn sure that I knew what see ate. There are different levels of vegtarians, and I would be terrified to offend one if they were eating in my home. Guests should be made comfortable, and I should eat more vegetables anyway. I don't know how long, or how creative I would be, but I would do my best.

there are some people who will absolutely never ever "get" that not everyone likes the same things/foods as themselves, and are amazed that there exist people who cannot/will not eat the same foods they eat.
I've had that battle. I believe you shouldn't eat what you've stated you dislike. (Unless you're a child, and that's a different issues.)If you don't like, on taste, religious or moral gounds, you shouldn't be badger about eating it. A preference has been stated, and it should be respected.