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You Don't Eat Meat?!
Handling Vegetarian Criticism
By Felicia Hodges
Meyer adds that, although she gets more comments from people who know her well (like her brothers), most of the situations she encounters occur because there are simply more people who eat meat than there are those who choose to pass on meat completely.
"You should see the reactions I get when I go to McDonald's and order a No. 1 without the meat," Meyer says. "They always do a double take and say, 'What? Hold the meat?' It's almost like we're some sub-species or something."
For many non-vegetarians, existing without meat means eating veggies and rice or pasta for every meal. So what's a strict vegetarian to do when there is only meat or little vegetarian variety at a dinner party or a barbecue?
Wilson suggests that vegetarians not only refuse to compromise themselves, but that they do it without an attitude. "It helps to be very specific about what you do and do not eat," she says. "I no longer get upset when all there is to eat are rice and vegetables. After all, it's only one meal. I do stick to my guns, though, and I don't make exceptions. I just refuse with a smile on my face and an assurance that I'm perfectly happy with the vegetarian options."
She says she has also learned to appreciate the social aspects of gatherings where food is served. "[But] if there happens to be something there that I can snack on, then I will," Wilson says. "More often, though, I just eat before I go."
"Sometimes eating out with friends at a restaurant can be difficult, too," Meyer says, adding that like Wilson, she has also had difficulty getting waiters and chefs to understand her food requests. "They say that they'll prepare something for me, but it usually ends up being pasta with veggies saut褤 in chicken broth."
