Sunday, February 25, 2007
people seem to need labels. we self-label. we stand by our labels. but then sometimes we change our minds.
i told my boyfriend to order the chicken wings today and he said, "i'm a vegetarian." huh? excuse me? since lunch? but i was so pissed when he took over the label instead of simply saying "i don't want meat tonight" that i said, "okay, mozzerella sticks, then." he's like, "i thought you'd want to talk about this more." and in response i said, "i think i'll have a garden salad." i can out-vegetarian you, buddy. thought that salad might save me from some sort of sermon on his newly found enlightenment.
people have moral, ethical, and health-related reasons for not eating meat. they have stuck to it over a period of time. vegetarianism is a way of life, not one faceless appetizer. not 10 faceless appetizers. "vegetarian" is as much of a commitment as the campbell's can makes to "vegetable beef" or that bessy makes to "billy bo's ranch." *irony*
that would be like saying "i'm a non-smoker" because you didn't have enough cash in your pocket when you ran into 7-11 that afternoon and don't see anyone you can bum one off in the present moment. a musician because you sing in the shower. a doctor because you work for Kaiser Permanente (I HATE THEM.) but my boyfriend didn't appreciate the comparison and we got in a huge fight about it. so, i guess now i'm a lesbian.
i told my boyfriend to order the chicken wings today and he said, "i'm a vegetarian." huh? excuse me? since lunch? but i was so pissed when he took over the label instead of simply saying "i don't want meat tonight" that i said, "okay, mozzerella sticks, then." he's like, "i thought you'd want to talk about this more." and in response i said, "i think i'll have a garden salad." i can out-vegetarian you, buddy. thought that salad might save me from some sort of sermon on his newly found enlightenment.
people have moral, ethical, and health-related reasons for not eating meat. they have stuck to it over a period of time. vegetarianism is a way of life, not one faceless appetizer. not 10 faceless appetizers. "vegetarian" is as much of a commitment as the campbell's can makes to "vegetable beef" or that bessy makes to "billy bo's ranch." *irony*
that would be like saying "i'm a non-smoker" because you didn't have enough cash in your pocket when you ran into 7-11 that afternoon and don't see anyone you can bum one off in the present moment. a musician because you sing in the shower. a doctor because you work for Kaiser Permanente (I HATE THEM.) but my boyfriend didn't appreciate the comparison and we got in a huge fight about it. so, i guess now i'm a lesbian.
