How to Befriend a Vegetarian

You may consider a hamburger a day as the optimal diet, but not everyone agrees with you. Increasing numbers of people are choosing vegetarianism. Instead of considering people who don't eat meat as aliens, take these steps to make new friends with a vegetarian.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Focus on common interests. Your diets may be polar opposites, but you should be able to find shared likes to base a friendship on.

2. Learn more about vegetarianism. Although no vegetarian eats meat, there are still differences among vegetarians. Ovo vegetarians don't drink milk. Lacto vegetarians don't touch eggs. Lacto-ovos eat both eggs and milk products. Vegans have the strictest diet with no eggs, milk products or meat by-products like gelatin.

3. Ask your friend about her choice to become a vegetarian. People decide to become vegetarians for all kinds of reasons, from healthier living to a moral belief that killing animals is wrong. Chances are you'll learn a lot about your friend and vegetarianism. Let your friend know of your interest and that you respect her for her decisions.

4. Respect your friend's diet choices. No one likes being ridiculed. And just as you wouldn't offer sugar to a diabetic, it's wrong to encourage a vegetarian to take one little bite of meat.

5. Meet halfway when you plan on going out to eat. If you're both pasta lovers, consider eating Italian where meat is more of a side item and there are many meatless choices.

6. Cook a vegetarian recipe that you can offer at the next dinner at your home. Your friend will appreciate the extra effort you made for him.

7. Plan activities to do together that involve something besides eating. Play volleyball or go the movies.