The Vegetarian Compromise Tree

I'd like to start off this post by clarifying that I don't care whether you eat meat, or fish, or chicken, or eggs, or cheese, or milk, or zebra, or whatever it is you want to eat. Diets are a personal choice and I know that nobody likes to be hassled about what they eat any more than I do. It is my own choice to be vegan, as I think the lifestyle can make a difference to the environment, my health and help prevent animal cruelty. It isn't my place to force those beliefs on others, though, especially if they didn't ask for it.

However - I have an issue with people who falsely label themselves.

You wouldn't believe the amount of times I have had this conversation:

WHY DON'T YOU JUST SAY YOU DON'T EAT RED MEAT??? Is there anything wrong with that? Lots of vegetarians start off that way. Like lots of vegans start off as vegetarians (I did, but I didn't want to...that's a story for another time).

In fact, that's another conversation I have had multiple times when someone figures out I don't eat meat, but don't know I'm vegan (like if I order something in a restaurant and ask for no meat, or talk about the veggie food fair or making meatless food).

Person: "Oh you don't eat meat? I'm a vegan!"
Me: "Yeah, me too. That's awesome. How long have you been vegan?"
Person: "7 years....and....well...I eat cheese, but I drink soymilk and try to stay away from eggs."
Me: "Oh, that's cool."

What, so you would have kept up the charade if I were a "lowly" vegetarian, but since you found out I'm a vegan you might as well come clean? I reiterate: I don't care if you're not a vegan, I don't care if you're not a vegetarian. I'm not sure anyone cares what you eat, or what I eat, or anyone else eats.

However, I am a man of solutions, so I have solved the problem.

I call it the Vegetarian Compromise Tree create a happy medium between omnivores and herbivores.