Rant With Which No One Will Agree

Here's my Tuesday morning rant:

Tis the season for holiday party invitations. Besides the obvious problem that I'm an introvert and feel holiday parties are of the devil, there's the problem of eating at them.

For one of Andrew's clients' holiday party, we received a very fancy invitation with a request that we respond with our entree choice. The choices? Beef, chicken, or fish. There is literally no option for me.

You know how sometimes omnivores complain about herbivores being obnoxious pains in the ass? You know how sometimes you think that vegetarians are stuck up and drama queens and holier-than-thou about their beliefs?

Well, sometimes I am.

But sometimes my being a vegetarian becomes a big deal because the omnivores of the world make it a big deal. When they're not cognizant of the probability that someone attending their function would prefer not to eat meat, it leaves the vegetarian no option but to make a deal out of it. Even by simply not eating, we make a deal out of it. We make people feel badly, we draw attention to ourselves, and we don't do it to be spiteful.

My rant is twofold:

1) People need to be aware that there are those who have special dietary requirements. This includes people who are vegetarian, vegan, who follow kashrut or halaal guidelines, who have gluten or other allergies, etc. It's not easy, but it's important. To do this, people just have to put on their invitations that those with special dietary requirements should indicate as such on their R.S.V.P. so that everyone can enjoy themselves (as much as anyone enjoys holiday parties).

2) The idea that dishes with meat are the norm and dishes without meat are the exception is backward. If someone chooses to eat meat, it should be special. Not to put too fine a point on it, but something (unwillingly) gave up its life so that dish could be prepared. It's a big deal.

If we as a society ate meat as a treat, recognizing the sacrifice both in terms of life and resources that it requires, we'd be healthier and more environmentally conscious.

And I'd be able to eat at #*)$^ing parties.