Some of my formerly vegetarian friends from India 'converted' to meatarianism after settling down here.They said they wanted to 'fit in' to Western culture and it was the easy way out. What do you think of this attitude?
2007-09-30 17:51:43 · 14 answers · asked by bovinotarian 2 in Food & Drink ➔ Vegetarian & Vegan
I think that was really stupid, besides alot of Americans are vegeterian, there's no need to change.
2007-09-30 17:57:35 · answer #1 · answered by Mojitabean 4 · 4⤊ 3⤋
My wife is Indian and I know of a lot of Indians who do that.
I think it's kind of sad, but that's up to them.
Both of my wife's brothers gave up vegetarianism as young men. When they found out their sister was going to marry a white vegetarian they gave up meat again.
Hindus are just like anybody else; maybe they follow their religion seriously or maybe they don't. In all fairness; some forms of Hinduism do not require vegetarianism.
Sigh: here's grumpy old Mr. Meat and his BS. If a vegetarian diet is not healthy, how come my lab work is always normal at the doctor's office and the Red Cross is always bugging me to give blood?
2007-10-01 10:23:39 · answer #2 · answered by majnun99 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I think its a shame they feel they have to do this to "fit in".
If they felt welcome, I'm sure they would not feel the need to change.
changing to be exactly the same as the next person is certain the easy way out, they were right there.
But, its up to them, i dont't care what they eat.
I'm pretty sure if i moved to the states i wouldn't turn to be a meat-eater. To be honest, if i moved from india and saw the state of the US general health I think changing to thier diet would be the LAST thing i would do. Heart desease and obesity are not aspirations of mine. The line-ups in MCDs do far more for vegetarianism than any PETA or veggie soc campaign.
2007-10-01 04:10:09 · answer #3 · answered by Michael H 7 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Honestly, the Indian friends that you mention sound young to me. Perhaps they have been under their parents' thumb up until they came to the States. This is common since many types of Asian families tend to be strict when it comes to the rearing of the children. Being hit with American culture all of a sudden can be a shock to both the kids and the parents. The kids usually want to rebel and explore...this could be why your friends want to try a bit of the Americana that they are now surrounded with. Plus it can be easier to fit in until they find their own niche.
2007-10-01 02:08:41 · answer #4 · answered by xandra242002 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Smart people. I'm sure they also fix their traditional vegetarian Indian dishes. So really they would be more Flexitarian Vegetarians than solid meateaters. They still will be healthy and it will be easier to maintain a balanced diet.
They probably got a taste for meat after living in India and seeing all those cows they couldn't eat walking around. Also, good meat is more plentiful and cheaper here.
Treat them to a nice American cookout with BBQ'ed thick steaks, roasted corn on the cob, grilled potatoes, beer or wine, and all the rest of the trimmings.
They are being smart and staying healthy too. Congratulations and Welcome to the USA for them.
HEY Mike H---Those cows getting fat on your hay that you are selling to feed them? They ready for slaughter yet? LMAO ... (what a fraud)
2007-10-01 06:56:23 · answer #5 · answered by ? 2 · 0⤊ 4⤋
I didn't realize that all you had to do was eat meat to fit into the United States. :)
I know a lot of vegetarians, so I don't think their idea was a good one.
2007-10-01 01:00:12 · answer #6 · answered by Figment 3 · 5⤊ 1⤋
It's their choice and I suppose it will make life easier for them--not in the sense of "fitting in" but just in everyday life.
Unless they go ape-sh*t on meat eating, I'm sure their diets will remain more healthy than most Americans. They will for sure make many dishes from their native cuisine.
2007-10-01 12:24:15 · answer #7 · answered by Meg 4 · 0⤊ 3⤋
Honestly I just think it is an excuse to eat meat...there are tons and tons of vegetarians in America and many restaurants to eat at.
I am a vegetarian and I live in America and I fit just fine!
2007-10-01 01:03:58 · answer #8 · answered by SarinaAnn 4 · 3⤊ 3⤋
It's a lifestyle choice. If they didn't feel strongly enough about.
It's there choice. A good deal of 'westerners' are vegetarian though, so it is to bad that they would make this choice for this way.
2007-10-01 00:57:59 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 3⤋
if they don't want to eat meat then tell them that you will have something that they can eat so that they don't feel bad because they are trying to fit in and i smoke but i don't tell my Friends that they have to to fit in...
2007-10-01 01:01:30 · answer #10 · answered by Jeffery P 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
That it was their lifestyle choice. It is unfortunate that they had to give something like that up in hopes of fitting in better here, but it is their choice.
2007-10-01 00:59:22 · answer #11 · answered by mary! 3 · 1⤊ 2⤋