Dating: A Vegan's Omnivore Dilemma

by Annie Hartnett · 2010-01-29 11:45:00 UTC
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"Wow," he said. "I would never date you." This was the response of one beefy blond guy when he learned I was a vegan. Flabbergasted, I told him that I would never date him either. I wasn’t romantically interested in him because he was obnoxious, rude, and well, just not that cute. But shouldn’t I be the one ruling him out as a potential significant other because of his diet?

To many omnivores, vegans are self-righteous, preachy, and impossible to take out to dinner. As a vegan, I don’t agree with an omnivore’s choice to support the violent and cruel factory farm industry. Can you date someone who doesn’t share your strongly-held moral belief?

I’ve dated two guys that were vegetarians. Did their compassionate diet add to their initial sex appeal? Yes, without a doubt. But I also had a boyfriend who ate ketchup and baloney sandwiches before bed (yes, really) and another who practically lived on steak tips. The omnivore guys I’ve dated made me laugh, were considerate and kind, and shared my enthusiasm for good books and music. For the most part, I ignored their dietary choices and they ignored mine.

So what’s a single vegan to do? There are vegetarian dating websites, but I’m not keen employing a rigid screening process based solely on diet. But I have found is that my veganism helps me sort out the good omnivores from the bad, closed-minded ones. This was proved when my most recent love interest learned that I wouldn’t eat octopus when in Japan not because the dish looked slimy and grotesque (it did) but because octopi are highly sociable, intelligent creatures.

"Wow," he said, "You must have a big heart." I don't think I'm ready to give up dating omnivores just yet.

Photo Credit: flickr user adactio

Annie Hartnett is a writer and animal advocate who has worked for several wildlife rehabilitation centers and environmental programs.
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