I’ve been following with interest the discussion at pandagon and elsewhere regarding the social implications of vegetarianism and veganism, particularly the apparent difficulty experienced by people in relationships where one partner is vegan and the other is not.

It’s an interesting topic that one might not immediately think about; the importance of food in our culture is a lot bigger than people realize. We’re attuned to the tensions differences over politics, religion, or even music can cause in relationships, but food is just kind of always there in the background, not getting noticed until differences get in the way. People are surprisingly defensive about eating choices. It’s honestly shocking how the simple presence of a vegetarian can cause some omnivores (who might not even be aggressive carnivorous troglodytes) to launch into impassioned violations of Wheaton’s law because they perceive another’s choice of diet as an attack on them*. Whether we realize it or not, food and food choice is completely entwined with identity, at least in western culture. That Brillat-Savarin quote at the beginning of every episode of Iron Chef is right:

Tell me what you eat, and I’ll tell you what you are.

Of course, identity isn’t just about food, though food can be a big part of identity. America’s big on the idea of identity politics, but then so, I would posit, is any human culture that isn’t totally occupied with subsistence efforts (though those groups would probably apply identity as a unifying force to encourage effort to feed and defend the group – we can’t escape it – as a species, we’re all about posturing and conveying an image). So many of us define ourselves by the groups and causes we associate ourselves with. Ideology. Party. Church (or not). Sports Franchise. Car Manufacturer. Team Edward vs. Team Jacob (or Team neither)….

On this topic in relation to food, Amanda points out one trend that seems uniquely American and current:

The “must have meat at every meal, cannot even CONSIDER a SINGLE vegan meal” mentality is a new twist on ye ‘ol ew-gross pickiness. There’s a specific kind of American pickiness—one that’s often tied right up with male privilege—that is not only picky but also petulant, as if being unadventurous and small-minded makes you morally superior.

See where I’m going here?

Sure you do. I suppose here is where this post stops being an anthropological discussion and starts becoming a bit of an editorial. I’ll continue to go on record saying that life-long learning and the trying of new things is inherently good, and that remaining intentionally cloistered in self-imposed ignorance generally isn’t, even if it makes you feel superior to all we simultaneously elite and unworthy types who aren’t afraid of things like quinoa or raw kale.

I just want to say, dear friends in the latter category, that you’re missing out on a lot of neat stuff, particularly some delicious food, by clinging to the whole anti-intellecutal moral superiority thing. My vegetarian friends have some amazing and totally delicious recipies that I think you’ll really enjoy.

It’s okay. Try the Taboule.

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* – Also, I’m not going to rule out obnoxious vegs who are quick to judge and chastise meat eaters about their food choices. However, I will say that no matter how many stories I hear about these sorts of people and their militancy to the point of feeding their evolved-to-be-carnivorous cats and dogs vegan pet food and insist you should too, I’ve never personally met one in (forgive me) meatspace (though I have seen some arguments online approaching the line). I have, however, seen many a meat-loving person not think twice about rudely belittling vegs who dare to have a salad for dinner rather than huge slabs of roast beast.