Is It bad to be a Vegetarian ??

[aditya_1981k]

Is it really so bad to be a Vegetarian in US among desis ?

when i go out with my friends or meet some couple of friends over dinner they all look at me as an Outcast as i do not eat what they order

is it so bad
they treat as if i do something worng and its a rule to eat non-veg
i dont beleve this
any of one in the forums had similar exp of beeing the only veg in the group and beeing left alone?

[poragoru]

Is it really so bad to be a Vegetarian in US among desis ?

Absolutely not. In fact US is a great place to be vegetarian. Vegetables, fruits are very cheap here and available all the time in year. Being vegetarian is a good way of life. I know many local Americans who are either vegetarians or vegans. Even though I and my wife are non-veg, but we don't eat non-veg very often at home (of course, when we go out to restaurant we eat non-veg most of the times).

If some people leaving you alone because you are veg, who cares? You don't need to go with them. On the contrary, when you go to a veg place (e.g. salad bars like, Sweet Tomatoes, Frech Choices) just ask them if anyone interested to go there. When you give people choice about veg, you will see you are not alone, but lots of people are intereted in veg-stuffs.

On the other hand, while traveling (especially road-travel in rural places) eating vegetarian becomes a problem because most of rural restaurants don't have too many choices other than steaks and sausage. While traveling in Key West, FL I had trouble with a vegetarian friend who was too picky about food. He was not interested in veg-burger, veg-pizza or simple salad. So we had to drive 150 miles to find Indian vegetarian restaurant. I think it's not about vegetarianism, but about being picky about food which could have happened even if he was a non-veg. In general if someone becomes so picky, silently people/friends starts avoiding him while going to restaurant or travel.

[aditya_1981k]

ya poragoru you are right

I try explaining friends that its cool to be a Veg
infact i dont care sometimes if they try to tell that i do not eat bla bla
but sometimes i feel i may not be socializing

:D

[Veryblunt]

It is absolutely fine to be a veg eater...indeed healthy. I beleive if you have freinds who are hard core non veg eaters...they have tendency not to beleive that people love to eat veggies.
Other issue comes when u go out with non veg junta...picking up restaurant becomes a issue at time... most of good restaurants dont have many options when it comes to veg.

Well ask ur friends to get their cholestrol checked and when it comes high...give them vegeterian receipes and equal ur score.... :)

[DesiDude]

Well ask ur friends to get their cholestrol checked and when it comes high...give them vegeterian receipes and equal ur score.... :)

u can be a vegeterian and still have HIGH cholestrol. healthy cooking in the key, be it veg or non-veg.

[fAitH in LOVE]

Having Chicken n stuff isnt as gud as havin fresh vegetables, I am a non-vegt... but now me and husb are turning towards vege ... we like having fresh veg's... and believe me it feels so pure and light.
:)

[hardcorerahmanite]

its always the veggie guys making the fuss about meat. People eating meat, like me, have the option to eat both the things i.e. meat and veggie, then why argue about veggie and non-veggie. I eat veggie almost 5 days in a week and I enjoy it and whenever I have time to fool around in the kitchen (mostly during the weekends) I make meat.

As desi dude says, its all about eating healthy.

Cheers!

[soormabhopali]

Dear Aditya ,
I share ur feelings , I don't eat non veg and as u see fellow desi looks like many times i am from other planet or they are from part of world ,where no body knows what is vegeterianism ?
Its kinda "inferior" or fear they have ,its not about food ,its about their attitude .

Now I simply avoids them during dinner or get togethers .
And have nice Desi Veg community in New Jersey !
if you want come to NJ and have fun ...

Is it really so bad to be a Vegetarian in US among desis ?

when i go out with my friends or meet some couple of friends over dinner they all look at me as an Outcast as i do not eat what they order

is it so bad
they treat as if i do something worng and its a rule to eat non-veg
i dont beleve this
any of one in the forums had similar exp of beeing the only veg in the group and beeing left alone?

[hardcorerahmanite]

i was correct when I said that veggie people make all the fuss about a person's eating habits.

I know veggie desi who wud simply leave the table if any desi comes and joins them with meat however if an american comes and joins them they wud galdly welcome, infact give their own chair. Why differenciate between people, that too your own people. Remember people, we are first Indians and then veggies or meat eating people.

[aditya_1981k]

hardcorerahmanite i think you make the situation personal

no one is talking abt beeing indian
i just wanted to if any one has a similar exp

i was just curious as why do people ask " dont you eat chiken " ...... and make the situation as if i am doin something wrong :D

i have no problem in sharing the table with a guy who eats meat

soormabhopali please check your PM regarding NJ

adios

[saisai]

I have exp. the other way…….like Veg person raising eyebrows and feeling disgust when his/her friend eats meat and treat as if he/she is doing something wrong.

[soormabhopali]

yeah , I dont like some body eating a dead bird like a cat , i cant eat .
If it is inother form lthen it is ok , but a human eating dead animal or bird is disgusting and i cant eat at all ....

I have exp. the other way…….like Veg person raising eyebrows and feeling disgust when his/her friend eats meat and treat as if he/she is doing something wrong.

[saisai]

Don't eat. Does your friends/family force you to eat too? then it is bad. My husband eats and never forces it onme. there is nothing to feel disgust abt. it. You don't like don't eat or try to avoid parties. :cool: