I got "The Question" just a minute ago

and figured I might as well post this experience while I remembered. But I'd like to hear y'all's, too :)

"What made you become a vegetarian?" asked with just a hint of disdain, and plenty of real disdain once the conversation got going. Although I didn't really say much, only that originally beef was making my stomach upset, so I gave it up and gradually gave up the others. As it was two people asking, both had to give their stories of run-ins with other vegetarians, and their "triumphs" over the vegetarians' weaker choice of cuisine. One of them had to relate a story, too, of getting a vegetarian to eat meat (it was a long roadtrip, over twelve hours, and the guy driving had fried chicken from his wife and wasn't stopping because he had his food.)

Because I didn't give a satisfying answer, the question was asked again, and I merely said "for many reasons I'd rather not go into." I'd rather not get confrontational at work anyway. I have to work with these people, too, so best not to make something worse out of it. I know my answer wasn't quite what they wanted, but that's all I'm going to give. If they ever get curious, they can look it up for themselves. It's not my place to educate those that don't attempt to understand from the beginning.

which includes what they think of you.

I look at the faces of my dogs and cats and realize I could not eat them, so why would I choose to eat any other creature? Is there that much of a difference between my dogs and a cow?

I could have said something similar when the older one said he "loved animals" and added the bit about the taste, but I don't think he'd have cared. The other one is Vietnamese (I think) and was unable to understand why his father went vegetarian after seeing a cow slaughtered. They simply do not put the same 'weight' on "food animals" as they do pets.

I'm not that upset about their asking. Really, I am just saddened by their attitudes. I thought they were better than that...