Is it "cool?"

Brake4Squirrels · Dec 9, 2002

For some reason it bothers me when people say it is "cool" to be a vegetarian. Any thoughts??

Poesa · Dec 10, 2002

I can understand why it would bother you. "Cool" sometimes implies that it's a trend that someone is up on only because it's the latest and the greatest but, as with all fads, will become "un-cool" when it goes out of fashion. Sort of implies that it's a trend and not a lifestyle choice. 
However, sometimes people mean "cool" as in "good for you that takes a lot of dedication and you're doing something good for the world" and I'll buy that for a dollar! 
Depends on who says it I guess.

VeggieMonster · Dec 10, 2002

well, if whoever said that isnt a vegetarian.. you could always say, "well then... that makes you uncool" hehe

Max Power · Dec 10, 2002

I will defere to some dialogue from The Simpsons on the matter of "cool" - 
Homer: So, I realized that being with my family is more important 
\t than being cool. 
Bart: Dad, what you just said was powerfully uncool. 
Homer: You know what the song says: "It's hip to be square". 
Lisa: That song is so lame. 
Homer: So lame that it's... cool? 
Bart+Lisa: No. 
Marge: Am I cool, kids? 
Bart+Lisa: No. 
Marge: Good. I'm glad. And that's what makes me cool, not caring, 
\t right? 
Bart+Lisa: No. 
Marge: Well, how the hell do you be cool? I feel like we've tried 
\t everything here. 
Homer: Wait, Marge. Maybe if you're truly cool, you don't need to 
\t be told you're cool. 
Bart: Well, sure you do. 
Lisa: How else would you know? 
And for good measure, from Billy Madison - "If peeing your pants is cool, consider me Miles Davis."

LadyFaile · Dec 11, 2002

you're quoting a family who also said "you don't make friends with salad" 
which my bf quotes to me often.

Skylark · Dec 11, 2002

If the word 'cool' ever appears in my conversations about vegetarianism, it's usually after I give my reasons in a nutshell, and they sit back, reeling in how all-encompasing veg*nism is, and all they can think to say is, "Well, that's cool."

Poesa · Dec 11, 2002

You don't win friends with sa-LAD! You don't win friends with sa-LAD!

Skylark · Dec 11, 2002

I am so lost... I've only seen an episode of the Simpsons once in my life.

Max Power · Dec 11, 2002

<div class="quote-container">Quote:
<div class="quote-block">Originally posted by LadyFaile you're quoting a family who also said "you don't make friends with salad"</div>
</div>
 
BWAHAHAHA!!!! Yeah... That was a good one, too. Hrrmm... That makes me think...

Tame · Dec 11, 2002

"I once had a cat named Snowball... 
She died, she died. 
Mom said she was sleeping... 
She lied, she lied." -- Poetry by Lisa Simpson

Skylark · Dec 11, 2002

I have heard that Lisa is kind of the family's social conscience. Is that true?

LadyFaile · Dec 11, 2002

yeah basically 
we should start a simpsons thread. really

VeggieMonster · Dec 11, 2002

yay, i was the first to reply to the Simpsons thread... does that make me cool??? 
sorry, i had to.. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/images/smilies/smiley.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="

">

GhostUser · Dec 11, 2002

Back to the original question, I think it's totally a discredit to a veg*an's committment and passion when it's lumped into a trend. I get it all of the time. It sucks.

Skylark · Dec 11, 2002

But what about the people who ARE 'trend vegetarians'? The ones who do it for a time, and then go back to eating meat when they don't have the support of their friends?

Max Power · Dec 11, 2002

I don't really get bothered by trend-vegetarianism. Sure, it's often superficial, but you have to assume that at least some fraction of trend-vegetarians stick to it and so that's good, plus the more vegetarians there are, in theory, the more market there is for vegetarian-targetted food which means more availibility and selection for me!

GhostUser · Dec 11, 2002

veg*ns were here at work with me today. I feel like I've been attacked. I work in a small office of about 7 or so and the group is trying to decide where to go for our Christmas luncheon next week. Two of the places that are being considered don't really have anything that I would eat and when asked which I prefer I mentioned it. One of the guys asked me why I don't eat fish. He thought vegetarians ate fish. I told him I don't eat anything that feels (pain or anyother emotion). Then another lady spoke and said that they've done studies and hooked plants up to machines and have determined that they feel. My response was that as far as I knew, they didn't have a central nervous system, a heart, a brain, etc. and that I had to eat something and that's the lesser of all evils. Then another woman asked if I drink milk, eat cheese, butter, etc. I told her I don't. She said 'why, milking a cow doesn't hurt them'. I simply told her that in my research I found otherwise and feel that by supporting the dairy industry I'd be supporting the veal market because, as I know it, veal is a by product of the dairy industry. So, picture this. There's 3 people confronting me when I notice out of the corner of my eye a forth on coming. Before she could add her 2 cents I nicely stated that I really didn't feel like I needed to prove, justify, or defend my decision and that I'd really rather not discuss it at the moment. So, here I am feeling stupid for standing there as long as I did a letting them treat me like that. And now I feel like some kind of alien and they are kind of treating me different. Oh well, I guess I'll deal with it somehow. I just had to vent to someone who may be able to relate and understand.....

GhostUser · Dec 11, 2002

Ok..I'm officially calling in sick next Tuesday for our Christmas luncheon. This is the restaurant they picked <a href="http://www.mallorcarestaurant.com/menu.html" target="_blank">http://www.mallorcarestaurant.com/menu.html</a> 
One of the two I mentioned earlier. I don't want to say anything to avoid further confrontation, but there's nothing vegetarian on the menu, with the exception of chilled asparagus for an appetizer. Plus, they serve baby goat, baby pig, rabbit, and quail...I think if I even walked in there knowing that I would be a basket case the whole time. Not Fun. So, I've decided to play hookie. Problem solved.

Thalia · Dec 11, 2002

<div class="quote-container">Quote:
<div class="quote-block">Originally posted by MsRuthieB Ok..I'm officially calling in sick next Tuesday for our Christmas luncheon. This is the restaurant they picked <a href="http://www.mallorcarestaurant.com/menu.html" target="_blank">http://www.mallorcarestaurant.com/menu.html</a> 
One of the two I mentioned earlier. I don't want to say anything to avoid further confrontation, but there's nothing vegetarian on the menu, with the exception of chilled asparagus for an appetizer. Plus, they serve baby goat, baby pig, rabbit, and quail...I think if I even walked in there knowing that I would be a basket case the whole time. Not Fun. So, I've decided to play hookie. Problem solved.</div>
</div>
 
Of all the restaurants in town, they picked one of the absolute most offensive to a vegetarian. I cannot believe that. I think it is rude. Is the entire work day the meal? I'd go in, work, and then when it was time for dinner, not go. If they ask why, say "There's no selection for me." (I require at least selection, not one item as a suitable restaurant choice) Even if they did have more food for you, I wouldn't go either, with all that veal and flambe of kitten or whatever else I read on that menu. 
What was the other restaurant they considered? At least the watermark has a pasta dish, I think.

Max Power · Dec 11, 2002

<div class="quote-container">Quote:
<div class="quote-block">Originally posted by Thalia Even if they did have more food for you, I wouldn't go either, with all that veal and flambe of kitten or whatever else I read on that menu.</div>
</div>
 
hahaha... "flambe of kitten" !!! 
I wouldn't go either, and kudos to MRB for sticking up for your beliefs. I once walked out of a business dinner in Provo, Utah, because not only were there no vegetarian selections, but I got attitude from the restaurant for asking why they don't offer anything vegetarian. I ended up having nachos and beer with the kid at the quickie-mart across from the hotel. He was vegetarian, too <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/images/smilies/beer.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title=":beer:">

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