First Person is a daily personal piece submitted by readers. Have a story to tell? See our guidelines atIt’s lonely being vegan. At least it is in my social circles. I should be used to it by now. After all, I became vegetarian 35 years ago. In Texas, of all places. “What are you, ... a veg?” one waitress said, in such a way that “veg” was synonymous with “freak.” Apparently, her allegiance to barbecue ribs was greater than her desire for a decent tip.
There was one time in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, when my friend Allyson joined me in discomfort as another friend dined on her pan-seared fish, served whole, one eye seeming to stare at each of us. I tried not to make a spectacle of Caroline’s fish. It was Allyson who screamed and offered a running commentary. These days though, Caroline sends me the occasional fish post card and Allyson private-messages me pictures of her meatier lunches on Facebook.
I googled “why people hate vegans” and was generously offered many pages of informative links: Top Eight Reasons, Top Ten, something about Freud. There were even videos I could go to; one had a freeze-frame shot with the word “SMUG” smacked across the screen. I didn’t watch, I didn’t read. Presumably, some links would be in jest, but sometimes the truth underneath the jokes is too hard to laugh off.
Sorry the world and its social conventions don't cater to you. Better luck next time I guess
Uhmmmmm..I have a thought.
Try a good burger, it will cheer you up!