To Debate or Not? ...Debate with intelligence, respect

Debating with my friends about my diet while out to eat has become a fairly common thing.
It started out pretty simple, with innocent questions such as why I don't eat meat and how I survive without cheese. These days, I can't seem to ask the waiter a single question without someone commenting "What! You don't eat that either?"

I don't mind these restaurant debates between friends. It can be fun as long as the entire night's conversation doesn't revolve around the issue. But when I'm out with people I don't know so well, these conversations quickly turn into very uncomfortable situations. There's nothing like getting into a heated debate about ethics and philosophy with people you've just met. It's definitely not something that I personally recommend.

If you're the kind of person who doesn't run around announcing your dietary decisions and would really rather not discuss it with your dinner company, it can be difficult to avoid - and end if it does start - the debate about your diet.

However, if you are the kind of person who enjoys bombarding new dinner guests with interesting statistics and information about vegetarianism, it’s important to know what you’re talking about.

I’ve only met one other vegetarian while in Georgia that I actually enjoyed discussing my diet with. On the other hand, I’ve met countless “vegetarians” who either ordered a meat dish when we went out to eat or were so abrasive (and honestly, very misinformed) that I – a fellow vegan – couldn’t stand their company.

If another vegetarian can’t even stand your company because you’re rude – or factually incorrect – in your debate, a non-vegetarian definitely isn’t going to enjoy eating with you.

So if you are the kind of person who thrives on debate, check out some sites that give arguments for vegetarianism to gain some knowledge before stepping into the ring:

1) Should you be a vegetarian? Time Magazine Online

2) 20 Questions About Vegetarianism. Nutrition Made Easy

3) Why Vegetarianism? 'Brett's Page'

4) Why Veganism? Vegan Outreach

5) If you’re feeling especially studious, try out “Food for Thought: The Debate Over Eating Meat.” You can find the book at Amazon for only $15.