Should I stop being a vegetarian?

Question

I am going to France next summer, and I was wondering if I should stop for the month. I don't really want to offend anyone over there. I would go right back to being a vegetarian afterwards, though. Just wondering...

Answer 1

you should not change your ways just to fit in in a different country. who cares what they think, it is not like they are going to force-feed you. do you really think you could call yourself a vegitarian after you eat meat? come on chan...

Answer 2

Why would anyone be offended by your dietary choices? Besides, there are many great vegetarian restaurants in France if you are planning on eating out. Just remember the magic words "je suis végétarien" if someone is going to give you food. If said person is older or provincial, you might see fit to kindly remind them that you do not eat fish or chicken, as some people there (and here too, I suppose) often think vegetarian simply means "I don't eat pork or beef."

Oh, and if you're in Paris, you ought to check out a restaurant called La Victoire Supreme du Coeur, though it is a bit expensive.

Answer 3

do whatever makes you happy.
but I have to ask: why do you think you'll offend anyone by your choice of food?

I mean it's YOUR body/health. if you don't want to eat animals, that should be no one else's concern. I don't see why you being a vegetarian would be a problem. I'm sure there are vegetarians in France.

Answer 4

If you want to throw your morals and the reason you're a vegetarian out the window that easily just because you think you might offend someone,ok. I understand how it could be hard but standing by what i think is more important than what other ppl think.

Answer 5

If you're worried about offending people, maybe you could just say you have very high cholesterol and your doctor put you on a veg diet.

Are you staying with relatives or a host family? Could you explain in advance that you're vegetarian and that you'll take care of your own shopping / cooking? Maybe you could even offer to cook some meals for everyone.

Personally, I believe that preventing animal suffering & deaths is more important than offending someone (especially if you turn down their food in a polite way... that's their problem if they still take it personally). But it's really your decision to make.

Answer 6

Just watch some old Jerry Lewis movies and learn how to imitate his laugh.

They'll love you even if you are vegetarian.

OK, that's a silly answer, but I just don't understand why you want to do that.

It is your choice. Do whatever you think is right for you.

Answer 7

If you are going to France . . . part of the experience is to be able to partake of their wonderful cuisine. Although you may get only a "few" odd looks in Paris trying to be a vegetarian . . . you will certainly get many more strange looks in other parts of France.

If you are travelling to the south, you will encounter exquisite peasant French cuisine ... roasted delicacies and fresh vegetables await you in delicious and simple meals. One of my favorites is roasted wild boar and roasted green beans, cauliflower florettes, and a wonderful local vin ordinaire'.

OH MY ... sorry for running on so ... Stop for a month. Enjoy, Enjoy, Enjoy ....

Answer 8

No! If you decided to be a vegetarian you should stick to it. French people will respect you like the majority of Americans will. If they don't you will just leave having a lower opinion of them.

And I must say that cheese is alright for vegetarians but not for vegans.(Vegetarians do eat eggs,milk and cheese vegans don't!) I think that if you can be commited to ANYTHING you should keep your vegetarianism.

Answer 9

Absolutely; why do you feel the need to ask? Being vegetarian is not being a nun or priest, it's a FOOD choice, let's not attach too much importance or misguided loyalty to it.
Enjoy yourself; France has the best food in the world, enjoy! And anyone who tells you no is just jealous!

Answer 10

That's really a personal decision, man.
I, personally, would not deny my beliefs, or even 'habits' simply to not offend others (and why should you if you're not affecting them?), but you really have to decide what's best for you here.
If you're a vegetarian because of the health reasons and it has no emotional value attached (whether it be beliefs, or just plain feeling bad about it), then it probably won't hurt you to eat meat for a month... but you should not have to comprimise your values.

Answer 11

There are 1000s of fench vegetarian recipes and I am sure like every other culture there will be french vegetarian restraunts so I would basically look for vegetarian eating houses. Lets be honest about it the national dish is vegan which is french oinion soup sure some versions are made with beef stock but the peasant version was carmelised onions and water and salt simmered in a pot!! Thte breads are mostly flour and water no milk or cream remember the majority of the french people were poor farmers and peasants historically so the food was mostly vegetarian and vegan take provincial bean soup made with white beans, water and pistou (not pesto) Pistou was a mixture of crushed herbs mixed with oil and used as a flavouring for vegetable based dishes. Brocali soup - brocali boiled and mashed with water and salt - pumkin again mashed pumpkin with water and salt simmered. Peasants had very little access to cheese or milk or cream or meat so traditional french food is a plant based diet. It was only with the industrial revolution where there was more money thta the french culture evolved to more meat based recipes but I am sure you will find a vegan/vegetarian recipe.Don't compromise your standards to appease strangers. Be true to who you are
Edit to Who me: Read yourhistory lovey - France was built on the blood, sweat and tears of poverty stricken peasants. Marie Antonnette was beheaded when she was asked " what about the poor of france" to which she replied " Let them eat cake" loosely interpreted " XXXX THEM' there was no cake, cream, cheese, meat, milk for the poor just what they harvested such as vegetables so it comes to absolutely no surprise that some of the famous french dishes is french onion soup, provincial bean soup, spring vegetable soup etc.

Heres a popular french soup recipe

Soup au Pistou
Serves 4 - Suitable for vegans
4 tablespoons olive oil
1 large onion,finely chopped
2 garlic cloves, crushed
2 sticks celery, finely chopped
225 g/8 oz carrots, finely diced
2 x 425g/15oz cans cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
900ml/1 1/2 pints vegetable stock
425 g/15 oz can chopped tomatoes
2 tablespoons tomato puree
3 tablespoons vegan pistou
salt and freshly ground black pepper
To serve:

50 g/2 oz vegetarian Parmesan cheese, grated (omit for vegans) crusty French bread
small bunch fresh basil



1. Heat the oil in a large, heavy-based saucepan. Fry the onion, garlic and celery for 5-10 minutes until beginning to brown. Add the carrots and cook for a further 5 minutes.

2. Blend one can of cannellini beans with 300mls/1/2 pint of vegetable stock.
Stir in the pureed beans, whole beans, chopped tomatoes, tomato puree and vegetable stock and bring to the boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for about 30 minutes until all the vegetables are tender. Stir in the pesto, making sure it is evenly distributed. Season to taste.

3. Serve the soup hot, sprinkled with Parmesan cheese (omit for vegans) and garnished with basil, with warm, crusty French bread.