I became a vegetarian twelve years ago, on July 11, 1991. In this time I’ve noticed a thing or two about vegetarians and their vegetarianism. There seems to be a cycle that many vegetarians go through in their attitudes towards their chosen lifestyle. For those who stick with it over the long haul, it goes something like this:
- Victims of the Totalitarian Regime — Once the vegetarian finally makes the commitment he is immediately repulsed by anyone who eats meat, for they are all part of the fascist machine. Vegetarian forgets he was eating meat just three weeks ago. This is a touchy period where the vegetarian contantly and combatively reassures himself that his decision was worth it.
- Thanks, But No Thanks — Vegetarian grows more comfortable with his choice, but could do without the special treatment, as if he were a down with a case of gout, on a restricted diet fighting for life when family members point out on restaurant menus, with the best of intentions, “Oh, look, here’s something that you can eat. Did you see the Bombay Burrito? It’s vegetarian.” The vegetarian gently reminds all present for the 45th time that he can eat anything he likes, but chooses not to, thank you very much.
- Porq: The Other Fake Meat — Vegetarian misses the old days and acts on sentimental childhood memories of the State Fair. Attend barbecues with fake animal parts. Buys vegetarian quorn dogs. Naysayers point out the hipocrisy; vegetarian eats what he wants, like everyone else.
- Politically Tired — Vegetarian grows tired of engaging in political discussions regarding his choice, regarding it as a personal matter. “But God designed us to eat meat” prodding no longer elicits a two hour argument from the vegetarian [see #1].
- Long Haul — Vegetarian finds peace with his decision. He fine tunes his outlook, somewhere between veganism and meat-eating, no longer a vegetarian to upholding principles or forge an identity by choosing particular foods over others. Vegetarian may be accepting of chicken stock, picking the pepperoni off the pizza, as long as the food doesn’t taste like meat. Other middle ground includes eating seafood (merely insects of the deep, after all) and becoming a Vegequarian or a Catholic Vegetarian. Strict vegans point out the hypocrisy; vegetarian eats what he wants, like everyone else.
by no meato burrito » Jul 12, 2003 6:24 PM
i'd like to add one more step, if i may, that i went through 6 years after giving up animal flesh...
6. Recidivism -- Vegetarian dates and eventually marries an omnivore who entices him with spiced meats -- namely, peppered bacon for breakfast. He justifies this relapse with a distaste for the "perfection" required in the eyes of the public for someone who dare label themselves vegetarian ("You don't eat meat, but yet you wear leather Birkenstocks. How hypocritical!"). While now eating just about every animal that walks, crawls or swims the earth, vegetarian feels guilty for abandoning his better judgement, but does his best to make up for it by eating vegetarian 90% of the time, but occasionally enjoying the entrails of some cute, fuzzy animal. As always, vegetarian eats what he wants -- as it should be.
by Dave S. » Jul 13, 2003 8:57 AM
I've never made the full commitment to vegetarianism, and I never plan to.
But I rarely cook with meat. I am sympathetic to the plight of the vegetarian - I believe modern animal handling techniques are despicable, and it makes me cringe to think of the wasteful American diet and how many animals die needlessly because people's eyes are bigger than their stomach.
I don't believe killing animals for food is wrong. The food chain is just that, a chain - when mankind deigns to remove himself completely from it, he'd better do a damn good job keeping it in check, lest more needless death results from the imbalance. Death is necessary for life.
What I can't stand is people who make their choices only for recognition or identity - a "pollo-pesco vegetarian" is simply someone who gave up red meat, but needs a fancy term to make themself nobler. A militant vegan who can't respect other people's own lifestyle choices doesn't deserve much resepct back. A die-hard beef-at-every-dinner carnivore is often the type who will waste a metric ton of animal flesh a year simply to support their lifestyle, because self-sacrifice is beneath them.
All around, everyone needs better understanding of what they're doing wrong, and what others are doing right, I think.
by ss » Jul 14, 2003 10:35 AM
As for the vegetarian label, when I started eating fish a few years ago I kept calling myself a vegetarian, purely for practical reasons. It's easier to apply that description (before going to a dinner party, for example) rather than explain in detail what I do and do not eat.
In the early 90's when the vegetarian movement was really taking off, there were a lot who did it, as with any grassroots movement, to apply an identity and distinguish themselves from the mainstream (guilty as charged). Now it seems the opposite is true in progressive cliques, where some go out of their way to announce their appetite for animal flesh.
by Paul » Jul 14, 2003 1:54 PM
I think West Coast liberals have imploded into a puritanism built mainly around body issues of diet, exercise and gender identity. "Roommate wanted" ads in the free weekly demonstrate the phenomenon: Apparently the best gauges of personality are 1) sexual orientation 2) relationship status 3) diet and 4) exercise habits. ("long-term gay couple into Kayaking, Hatha, raw foods, seeks professional m/f gay or friendly roommate to share 3BR house in Mt. Tabor neighborhood".) (OK I'm leaving out pet ownership and musical tastes.) Having the labels makes it easy to size up the tribal affilitations and relative social purity of fellow liberals in a glance. I remember being really impressed with a vegan friend's diet once, actually caught myself thinking "wow that is so elegant. I should have a diet like that..."
I just read the fake ad above (which would not be an exaggeration for Portland) and realize how ridiculous it would sound to someone outside the clique.
by Paul » Jul 14, 2003 1:58 PM
p.s. I think the fake meat stuff is ridiculous. I still remember what real meat tastes like and Porq, morningstar etc. is a hideous mockery. It's enough like meat that you realize it's NOTHING like meat. And if you want to eat something that tastes like meat how about meat? Even the pope goes to confession you know. They have organic freerange local beef at Fred Meyers now.
by Jason Tselentis » Jul 15, 2003 7:43 AM
"Number 2: Thanks, But No Thanks" was the main sticking point for me in vegetarianism. To say the least, I quit vegetarianism upon visiting Europe.
This choice was made as a means of respect. I visited and lived with family who dealt with regimes that brought about starvation during the Communist and Nazi eras in Europe. Food was food. And if it was meat, you cooked it and ate it. When they offered me lamb, pork, chicken, beef, or fish I ate it. I ate it because declining their offers would have been an insult. These people starved to near death under the likes of Mussolini, Hitler, and the Ottoman Empire.
It was difficult for me to understand, but the bottom line was that principles---no matter how endearing and righteous---should not come in the way of happiness for myself or others. When Aunt Elpida was serving a slice of lamb and I shook my head, she was not only confused, she was also put out. Vegetarianism was something unheard of for her. Frowning, in her thick Greek accent she proclaimed, "No meat?" So to appease my Aunt, and ensure that my American blood would be welcome in their household---and all 46 of my other relatives, because gossip travels fast---I ate the lamb.
At every other sitting I ate the meat dishes. I even ate lamb eyeballs and tongue. So, 5 years later I'm wondering, "Should I return to vegetarianism? Is it worth it? Can I respect those principles and be true to myself in spite of others?" It's more of a challenge, without any real answer. Overall, I couldn't help feeling selfish during my veggie days. I had a large amount of guilt to deal with each time I went for a meal and had to have something done especially vegetarian, or had to decline a dish somebody worked rather hard to assemble. But then again, I'm Catholic so there's a guilt complex with any and everything.
by Lachman Dave » Nov 25, 2003 2:04 PM
Ain't no disgrace to be poor - but might as well be.
by Lachman Dave » Nov 25, 2003 4:27 PM
Ain't no disgrace to be poor - but might as well be.
by Pedraza Aurora » Nov 28, 2003 6:48 AM
If you would be unloved and forgotten, be reasonable.
by Sierra Sue Patterson » Nov 28, 2003 6:51 AM
Perceptions do not limit reality.
by Zahnarzt » Jan 4, 2004 11:51 AM
Nothing better than a steak
by Madysen Cheyenne » Apr 10, 2004 7:35 AM
I'm only 15 years old and after seeing ads in magazines i have decided to become a pollo-pesco vegetarian. I do in fact feel bad for eating poultry and seafood but for some reason it is not the same as eating pigs or cows, that just disgusts me.....