Assignment #14: Roast the "Veggies" Why Don't You"- Kelly Landry

     I am a vegetarian. I have been vegetarian for about five years. Because of this, I am susceptible to the badgering questions of concerned grandmothers, unsympathetic uncles, reproving relatives, and facetious friends. In a regular week I am often asked "So... where do you get your protein?" "Did you know that vegetarians are more likely to have depression?" "You know plants feel pain as well right?" "You only eat lettuce? How are you still functioning?" While I acknowledge most people are more un-researched/ignorant about the subject than they'd care to admit, and I am completely happy telling people why I do what I do, it seems pointless to answer an unreceptive audience. This issue is dramatically increased when eating with other people. Thanksgiving is when the questions get overwhelming, or at least they used to. My grandma makes me vegetarian stuffing and I have tried some fairly exotic meat substitutes, but in previous years I have definitely been hounded with questions.
     Despite how it may sound after that, I do find Thanksgiving relatively enjoyable. It definitely doesn't compare to Christmas or some other holidays, however it is much more relative and enjoyable than other events such as St. Patrick's Day.