Hypothetical situation???

Question

If you were vegetarian and went to live in another country, say Italy, with a host family that eats meat, and puts it in a lot of their food, would you eat meat for a year to be polite?

I stopped eating meat only a year ago, because I want to be Buddhist, and you don't HAVE to become vegetarian, but I felt that if I swore not to kill animals, it would be hypocritical to eat meat.

I had a French foreign exchange student last year, and she as very high maintenance and I thought it was very rude how she expected us to alter our lifestyle to accomodate hers. Also, since if I lived in Italy my host family would have to pay for my food, I think I would eat whatever they gave me and be grateful. Also, I can go back to my vegetarian lifestyle when I get back.

I'm not really going this year, but I would like to be a foreign exchange student next year, and I think this situation might come up. And I can't write vegetarian on my application thingy becauseit might cause families not to take me.

Answer 1

I don't think it would be hypocritical to eat animals, you didn't kill it and if you are trying to be polite I see no harm in that. Besides you get sick easier if you don't have some meat.

Answer 2

I think that you should eat meat.  You state that you would not write Vegetarian.  That would be a very unethical thing to do to your host.

Answer 3

I'm in general a pretty strict vegetarian. But when I travel, all bets are off. This is due in part because of the language barrier, but also because when I travel I want to experience the culture to the fullest.

I definitely don't switch and become an all-out carnivore (I often will enjoy all of the side dishes and skip the meat, and I'll often pick chunks out of my food), but I'm a lot more lax when I'm out and about. I appreciate the effort that my hosts go to preparing me a wonderful traditional meal and try to enjoy it to the fullest.

Also, if you care about environmental issues and the treatment of animals, Europe is miles ahead of the U.S. Tons of countries have made the switch over to all organic and free-range (factory farms aren't all that common) and nothing travels as far, so there's less of a carbon footprint. So while it's definitely still meat, I think eating it out of country is preferable to eating it in-country.

Answer 4

I think you should write on your application that you are a vegetarian but something like that you are willing to alter your lifestyle is necessary just so people know you aren't going to be completely stubborn about it.  I'm  a vegetarian too, and I know that I wouldn't want to give it up just for that, but if you are, then that's great and will allow for more flexibility while in Italy.  Good luck and have fun! :)

Answer 5

You must do what you feel is best for you but... being a vegetarian is very rewarding and the clashes with other lifestyles goes with the territory. It may be challenging but it is worth it to live according to your own values.

Answer 6

You should not have accepted the French girl if you are unwilling to feed her what she wants.

Withholding information on your application is a form of deception. You made a choice to be a vegetarian and must learn to accept the limitations necessary because of that choice.

It is not hypocritical or unethical to eat something if you don't have a choice.

Answer 7

i think you SHOULD put that you're vegetarian on your application. maybe you'll get lucky and find a family who is also vegetarian. you'll learn lots of new recipes and ideas too. especially since it'd be a completely different culture. (:

Answer 8

Be polite,  but push  the meat away  and  leave  it on your plate. If your host family asks  why . Explain that you do not eat meat  but do not want to make  them go through  any special effort  for  you. This way  you will not offend  your hosts.

Answer 9

It's really a personal choice, but I would eat what they feed me then when I am buying my own food and back in the states I would go back veggie.

Answer 10

nope.  

Answer 11

If it were me I would eat whatever they gave me but try to fill up on the things that did not have meat. If like many cultures they go to the market everyday, then seek out a chance to go with them and try to get somethig that is Vegitarian friendly for yourself only if they offer to let you, If they ask why you don't like meat, just tell them but also make sure you let them know you are not trying to force your lifestyle upon them.