To be or not to be...

A vegetarian. That is not even a question. Whether tis’ nobler in the mind to suffer...

Nevertheless, I don’t suffer. A happy vegetarian is what I am. I've often been asked why I'm a vegetarian, whether I've ever eaten meat or seafood, and other questions in the general nature of the entire purpose of my existence if I won't eat meat.

There are all kinds of vegetarians. Some people are vegetarian only on Tuesdays and Thursdays, others are vegetarian but eat fish, and yet others are almost-but-not-quite-vegetarian, non-vegetarians. I am a lacto-vegetarian, meaning I have milk and milk products along with my veggies. Not egg mind you, thats an ovo-lacto-vegetarian.

And I'm happy. I've never, not once regretted it. I'm a little overweight because I eat too much and don't exercise enough. I eat too much because there's a lot of nice veg out there and I like to experiment with my food. I don’t look down on others who arn’t vegetarian and don’t force my views upon anyone. In return, I don't like being scoffed at for my dietary choices or having non-veg pushed upon me inspite of my vehement protests. I'm not going to turn to meat or fish unless I'm stranded on a deserted island with nothing but my wits to keep me alive (and even then, I'd like to think probably).

And I'm ranting (or venting) because my favorite restaurant served me chicken momos instead of veg momos tonight. 

It doesn't sound like a big deal. Why the fuss, after all? Its only once. But think of it from my perspective. Put yourself in my shoes. I've always been a strict vegetarian. After all the explanations I've given people, the countless times I've turned down non-veg (and it can get very awkward at peoples' homes, inconveniencing those who prepared a meal), the endless discussions on the subject and my own philosophy on life, vegetarianism has become a part of me and my identity. You could almost say I'm proud to be a vegetarian. That was probably the first time I had any proper meat in my mouth. 

Always look for a silver lining though. Now I know what it feels like in my mouth. And I'm certain I've never had it before. I knew the difference immediately, before biting it. It was too hard. That's not something I've ever eaten before. I wonder, is all of meat that hard?! No wonder meat eaters have such sharp teeth!     

---X---

Dogbert: You mean, why don't I take dead animals, cook them until they become carcinogenic, then eat them instead of something nutritious? Is that your question? 

--Scott Adams, Dilbert