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It’s always a gamble when I tell someone I don’t eat meat, because I can never anticipate their reaction. Sometimes I’m met with blank stares. Other times, it’s blatant criticisms. Occasionally, it’s a, “Me too!”

I’ve been a vegetarian for almost six years. It all happened rather suddenly, when I just stopped eating meat one day in the 9th grade. In my small high school, I was one of probably three or four vegetarians. When I came to KU, it was like a family reunion where I met all my long-lost vegetarian relatives, because, trust me, I don’t have any real relatives anywhere in my family tree that are vegetarians.

I think that Lawrence, in general, is what I call “veggie-friendly,” or convenient for vegetarians. I still remember once, after first coming to KU, that I ordered a taco salad with beans. The waitress said, “Okay, sure. Now, the salsa on that has beef flavoring in it, so would you like to sub that too?” I wanted to hug her. Most places aren’t that conscious. The Brella’s in the Underground is also a good place; they will wipe the prep board clean and have everyone change their gloves if you order the Mega Vega Wrap.

However, not everyone is as understanding of vegetarianism. I was eating at the steak house where my friend works, and one of her co-workers found out I didn’t eat meat. He came over and started asking me all these probing questions about why I didn’t like meat. I told him that yes, I do like meat. I just choose not to eat it because I think it’s wrong to kill animals. He then proceeded to tell me that I should just take a bite of my friend’s steak, and that would start introducing meat into my diet. Slow was the way to go, according to him. When I told him I had no intention of reintroducing meat into my life, ever, he just quietly started at me, simply uttering, “But why? Why?” over and over.

I understand that vegetarianism is not for everyone: though if I had it my way, everyone would be leaf eaters. However, that doesn’t mean meat eaters can’t be respectful of vegetarians. It’s not funny when someone makes derogatory comments about being a vegetarian, like the Kansas City barbecue restaurant Famous Dave’s bumper stickers that read, “We like vegetarians. They make us laugh.”

Well, I have news for you, Famous Dave’s. Your offensive comments aren’t making any vegetarians laugh. Even if they don’t respect the lifestyle, the least that carnivores can do is appreciate the dedication it takes to undergo such a lifestyle. I mean, every time I see my boyfriend eat a steak, I could say, “Can you hear the cows crying?” or “Think about the poor little sad eyes of the cow that you’re eating.” But I don’t do that. His decision is his, and I respect it. I don’t make a habit of hassling people who tell me, “I eat meat.” But, somehow, the road doesn’t go both ways.

I don’t know why other people find vegetarianism funny, but I certainly don’t find my lifestyle funny and neither do other vegetarians. Please don’t let PETA fanatics or other extremists rule your view of what a vegetarian is. I’m not going to throw red paint on your fur coat (though I will inwardly scoff at your insensitivity) or berate you for eating meat. All I want is a little understanding, and I will send it your way in return.

Gentry is a Kansas City junior in English and pre-medicine.

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