I'm out to dinner with a friend. She orders a calamari appetizer. I am sipping on a glass of wine.
The server brings out the calamari. My friend says "I'd share with you but you can't eat this."
Server says, "Oh why can't you have any?"
Me: "I'm a vegan."
Server: Points to my wine. "But you killed all these grapes."
This is not the time to discuss the difference between sentient beings and fruits and vegetables, let alone the suffering of animals that factory farms cause or the health consequences of animal products. Our server could care less. So here's my response:
Me: "Can I tell you a secret?"
Server: "Sure...."
Me: "I hate fruit. I like to kill and stab fruit to death and then eat it. I hate vegetables too."
I got a few laughs after throwing him off with that response. Thoughts? How do any of you handle similar idiocy?
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10 comments:
hahahahaha that was a great response!
never had someone say that to me before
teddy
lol.. well, I think I'd tip him less.. because that was out of line and so freaken stupid..
It's funny.. I've had a similar conversation recently, when someone was trying to compare an orange to a pig. WTF is wrong with people? hmmmm.. me thinks people need to retake remedial biology.
yes! i love your response!
I've only had one person give me the what about the plants line, and he's a former co-irker. I'd be sorely tempted to snarl something like, "If you don't know the difference between, say, a cow, and a carrot, you need a remedial biology class." I'd have to clamp down to keep from saying "you fricking moron."
I agree that it was a great response. I think I would have wanted to say something like what Melody wrote. I can't stand annoying people, especially when it is someone like a waiter who really isn't supposed to get involved so deeply with a customer's belief.
This weekend I got together with an old friend and I told her that I had turned vegan. She said "Oh, geez, life is short, just enjoy yourself!"
I said "Yeah, life is short... for those poor animals!" I turned it into a sort of joke. Yikes. How can people not see that it is a beleif and life decision comparable to a religion?
I can totally picture you saying that!!! I guess he doesn't like getting tips, huh?
I've gotten a few idiotic comments on my PG (like, "do you want 3 boys?") and I just stood there with my mouth open b/c I was just at a loss for words! yes, really!
I've got a question for you tho.. Is human milk considered vegan? we are animals after all...
Just because I'm vegan doesn't mean I don't enjoy life. It's not like I gave up chocolate.
What a nervy server.
The chutzpah of peeps never ceases to amaze and perplex me.
I don't know what his tone or attitude was, but maybe he thought he was being funny? When I get those types of comments (you think it'd get old!), I usually just laugh and say something like, "Gee, I've never heard *that* one before." :)
Incidentally, I was at a potluck at my CSA farm where I was offered some beef (grass-fed, pasture-raised, and served by the farmer, btw), and when I explained that I was a vegetarian, the farmer got a big smile and said, "Hey, so are my cows!" Everyone around got a laugh out of his response, myself included.
I try to be tolerant, while at the same time making it known why I make the choices I do. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't, but by not getting offended by the silly comments or taking personal people's seemingly ridiculous questions, the conversation usually allows for a real opportunity to share, and always remains civil.
:) Mikaela
obviously, i'm in the majority, but i thought the waiter's off the cuff remark was quite funny.
as, i've commented earlier, you are not going to change, or enlighten non-vegan folks like me through confrontation...
i think you difused the situation admirably with humor.
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