Being Vegetarian
I have been a Lacto-vegetarian
for most part of my life as we are Tamil Brahmins who by practice do not include
egg or meat in their diet. The only instants when I became a lacto-ova
Vegetarian was when for a brief period I was advised egg by doctors for extra
nutrition or when I unintentionally had a cake or a pastry made with eggs. Folks
in my family get queasy when they smell non-vegetarian food or are sitting next
to someone who is eating one. Over the years, I have got accustomed to the sights
and smells of non-vegetarian food being eaten next to me.
What irks me is the attitude of some
people who discover that I am a vegetarian. They invariably come up with a cockeyed
story of a Brahmin friend of theirs who gulps non-vegetarian food as if he/she was
a crocodile in their last birth!! Whether all of them make up the story or they
really have a friend like that is a big mystery. I really wonder whether these people
say this just because they are too dumb to come with a conversation starter or
are biased towards vegetarians. I have also come across total jerks that derive
a sadistic pleasure in trying to trick me into having non-vegetarian fare. There
are even others who think we are cows that eat only leaves and grass!!! They
find it difficult to comprehend that there are many tasty and innovative dishes
that are available.
On the other hand, I have come across very
good friends, colleagues and strangers who go to great lengths in trying to accommodate
my vegetarian palette.
I am curious to know if it’s only me or there are others who also have had similar experiences.
I would love hear your experiences about being a vegetarian. Do write to me in
the comments section below.
