Random mumblings!
“Oh! You are a vegetarian, that’s sad! Not a vegan? Then, it’s not that bad, is it?”
Of all the comments I have got, that was the funniest. I get such comments quite often when you go out with people, meet new living creatures who cannot survive without meat. The worst part is when many don’t understand vegetarianism and pity you! These are a few which I battle out frequently, “Why not eat meat? What about fish, and chicken?”
When I happened to be at Frankfurt, I ordered a vegetarian sandwich. Chicken, supposedly is vegetarian food for human consumption according to the seller. I was quick to correct and asked him for a “no meat” sandwich. He was taken aback and shot me a question “How do you get proteins and nutrition?” From the look I saw on his face, I knew I was a miracle living creature to him. I took my time to reply, “See, we have different kinds of pulses, rice, wheat, greens, vegetables which give what your body wants. I have been a vegetarian right from birth”. He didn’t believe me and thought I was making fun of him. He refused to digest the fact that I have never eaten meat. Later I realized that there were many, who don’t realize that there are other non-meat products which give the required nutrition.
On a slightly related note, you are also making positive contributions to the environment by being a vegetarian. Starting off with manufactured meat in the USA, its pathetic to see the conditions they are grown, treated and manufactured. And with man playing God, its becoming easier to satisfy man’s taste buds.
Some quick stats:
- 16 pounds of grains to manufacture 1 pound of beef – supposedly from USDA, think about how many people 16 pounds of grain can feed.
The table below is from wikipedia
Jeevith Hegde
January 4, 2011
We are Proud Vegetarians \m/
steadygiant
January 27, 2011
Your story reminds me of a friend of mine who I’ve known for two years who STILL can’t grasp how I’m alive if I’m a vegetarian. I don’t know how to deal with him sometimes… Good post and rest assured that not everyone’s an idiot like that guy or my friend.