Disclaimer: I am in no way shaming people who are not vegetarians or who eat meat. It is YOUR choice just like being a vegetarian is mine.
According to Vegetarian Times, 3.2 percent of American Citizens are vegetarians. I have been a vegetarian for seven years and I have loved every minute of it. However, there are some situation which I cannot seem to avoid. If you are with me in this population, you will understand these unavoidable moments.
1. When someone asks you, “So can vegetarians eat animal crackers?”
While you may think that you are being super original and nobody has ever asked me this before, I assure you that nope, you’re not the first. And yes, we can eat animal crackers. We get it, it’s a joke, but after about the 50th time, it gets old.
2. When people find out you’re a vegetarian.
“Oh my gosh, really?!” “I’m sorry! Should I eat this burger in another room?” “So does this bacon bother you?” “I was a vegetarian once, but I couldn’t do it.” “Oh, yeah me too! Well, I don’t eat red meat.”
Whether it is someone trying to seem empathetic or apologetic for your “suffering of not eating meat,” the cliché questions are bound to happen when you reveal that you are a vegetarian. To be honest, it really is not that big of a deal.
3. “So do you miss eating meat?”
For most of us, being a vegetarian is a choice. Unless it is a special dietary restriction, obviously we knew we were giving up meat when we became a vegetarian. So no, we do not miss meat.
4. “Plants have lives too!”
So, do you want us to starve? Yes, we understand that plants, too are living, but what else are we going to eat? This may seem like a confusing argument, but animals and plants are two different things. Besides, you have no reason to judge us eating plants when you are eating meat!
5. When someone relies on you to choose the restaurant.
Thank you for being considerate of our diet, but we promise that we will find something to eat. Unless you plan on taking us to a slaughterhouse for dinner, there will most likely be salad or macaroni and cheese on the menu.
6. When people automatically assume that you are super healthy.
While not eating meat does provide for a healthier lifestyle, we still enjoy our chocolate, ice cream, cookies, candy, and everything in between! There are not many desserts with meat in them so we indulge just like you!
7. When somebody asks why you are a vegetarian.
We appreciate the curiosity and the general interest in our life choices and we will gladly tell you! Although sometimes, telling the story for the fifth time in a row this week can get old after a while.
8. “So, like, what do you eat?” “Doesn’t it get boring eating vegetables all the time?”
As previously mentioned, there is plenty of food for us to eat. Whether that is a black bean burger, yogurt, or even a grilled cheese sandwich, there is a lot of food out there other than vegetables and meat. Honestly, there are many vegetables I don’t even like!
9. “I would totally be vegetarian, but I love bacon too much.”
Bacon, ham, turkey, or anything else. We have all heard our fair share of people attempting to relate, but failing. Thank you for trying, though!
10. When you see somebody preparing meat.
Yes, it is pretty disgusting. Watching your mom stuff the Thanksgiving turkey or seeing somebody across the table scarfing down a t-bone steak is pretty disgusting. While we won’t ask you to leave the room, we do appreciate it if you avoid asking us to cook tonight’s ground beef dinner or showing us the deer that you shot while out hunting yesterday.
