Sausages: The Deal Breaker.

Palmerston North is many things, but it could never be called vegan friendly. Perhaps it’s because there is a local movement afoot to redefine vegetarianism. I’m yet to meet a self proclaimed vegetarian from the 06 who has ceased to eat meat. Hedging your bets by calling yourself a less strict vegetarian only counts if by “strict” you mean “than actual”. A less strict vegetarian can also be called a flexitarian: ethics so flexible in the face of a barbeque as to be non-existent. For the person who eats animal products and yet labels themselves vegetarian, presumably in an effort to impress others with their ‘special nature’, here’s a thought.

Just BE vegan/vegetarian.

That way you can have the desired effect on others without being ignorant/pretentious/hypocritical/offensive/all of the above.

In a related topic, I wish I had a dollar for every meat eater who, upon finding out that I’m vegan, has cheerfully barked “I could be vegetarian!” To which I always reply “If that’s the case – why aren’t you?” Their faces immediately fall into an incredulous frown. “Oh - but I just couldn’t give up sausages”.

I suppose it’s a bit like saying “I could be a lesbian, but……”