Deal breakers

I have been thinking a lot about vegetarianism lately. I am appalled by the way meat is produced in this country. My disgust does not come from that "touchy feely" place that I have despised for so long as a reason for not eating meat, but it comes from a respect for what I put into my body and a belief that the current state of the meat industry is no where close to how things are supposed to work. I ultimately believe that it is ok for humans to kill animals in order to feed ourselves. Maybe it's ignorant, but I don't see a problem with that. I do, however, think it's wrong for humans to modify the natural order of life in order to make meat cheaper or more profitable. I also find the meat industry environmentally careless and don't have a desire to feed my body with a substance that has been so adulterated.

After some reading, I figured out my beliefs (explained above) but couldn't figure out why I hadn't thrown my hat into the vegetarian ring yet. I really enjoy tofu, beans, veggies, soy products, and other vegetarian fair so giving up my occasional burger or grilled chicken would not kill me. I found a passage that really helped me answer this question in The Omnivore's Dilemma. Pollan talks about the experience of eating communally and being a vegetarian. He explains how a chosen dietary restriction can separate an individual from other diners and create awkward situations filled with different guilts and obligations. This explanation makes a lot of sense to me. I want to be able to enjoy communal meals with others; I can eat and cook however I want in my own home, but while dining with others I want to participate in that community fully.

There is an article the The New York Times today that also dwells on the power food can have in social relationships. They discuss romantic relationship, the successes and failures, between people who have different diets. I Love You, but You Love Meat. They allude many times to the connection people feel when sharing a meal together. The problem, however, is that there are many people who don't consciously value food in the same way... or they value foods like Big Mac's and Sonic burritos... and that gets in the way of romantic relationships. The article makes a great point. I could date a vegetarian, a vegan, someone who was kosher, or someone who had a dietary restriction, but I could not date someone who didn't derive enjoyment from the process of cooking and eating, or who didn't respect what they were putting into their body.

Vegetarian or not... I like sharing the enjoyment of food with others. I guess I will have to add this idea to my list of dating deal breakers in the future.