Veg vs. Non-Veg

Ok...my friends...let's ponder over another important topic: Veg vs. Non-Veg. (And I'm not talking about the types of jokes!) 😊 The issue of veg vs. non-veg familial food habits was brought up on the PB show several times.

In your opinion, how difficult is it to adapt to a lifestyle that is unlike the one in which a person has grown up? If you have grown up eating meat, is it fair for your beau or spouse to ask you to give it up for him/her? The veg and non-veg issue is a big one! Is there a middle ground that you would suggest for people with vastly different cultural practices?
• What are some other cultural practices that may cause major rifts in a relationship or marriage?

Answer all or some of the questions or add your own. Let's get those noggins working!

• In your opinion, how difficult is it to adapt to a lifestyle that is unlike the one in which a person has grown up? Difficult to an extent. You can adopt to a couple of things but not all. I grew up in a non-veg family, but I have been a veg always from childhood. But sometimes I get irritated when my roomies cook non-veg, bcoz they forget to cook something for me. So it's as simple as that. If the other person doesn't forget ur likes, it's all good.
  
• If you have grown up eating meat, is it fair for your beau or spouse to ask you to give it up for him/her? The veg and non-veg issue is a big one! It's not fair. Ur beau/spouse should respect ur feelings and force his thoughts upon u.
  
• Is there a middle ground that you would suggest for people with vastly different cultural practices? Respect each other's choices and lifestyle, and everything would work out by itself.
• What are some other cultural practices that may cause major rifts in a relationship or marriage? Being religious :) Atheist vs Religious person. Religion is a personal choice and should be left to the individual. People sometimes confuse being religious with being traditional and following cultural traditions, and that leads to arguments many times (maybe not between the spouses but maybe between other family members)
  

Originally posted by: minareena

• In your opinion, how difficult is it to adapt to a lifestyle that is unlike the one in which a person has grown up?

Not very difficult. If there is a willingness to adapt. I think that one can almost do what he/she wants as long as there is dedication. If its pertaining to food, the issue is different. I probably could not adapt to a non veg eating family. Simply because we are strong vegetarians and my parents would not even eat garlic. I chose to live with vegetarain roomates and to get married to a vegetarian guy. I just think that there are a lot more issues in the life of married people so there should not be one more issue that too about food to complicate things😕

• If you have grown up eating meat, is it fair for your beau or spouse to ask you to give it up for him/her? The veg and non-veg issue is a big one!

No it is not fair for anyone to impose that on others. My sister got married to a person who eats non veg and requires to eat non veg every weekend. My sister is married for a decade now and has never touched meat but my Jeej continues to eat. They just have a rule that the utensils be kept different and that she will never cook meat for him. So far there hasnt been any problem.Touchwood~ But my sister confesses that it isnt easy to do so and required a lot of adjustment initially.

• Is there a middle ground that you would suggest for people with vastly different cultural practices?

Yes! for example, if I was a vegetarian and my husband was a non vegetarian, I wouldnt cook for him, but he could cook for himself. He can also eat in restaurants. So basically, each one goes one mile😃

• What are some other cultural practices that may cause major rifts in a relationship or marriage?

Religious matters. For example, my In laws are highly religious. I am too to some extent but I wouldnt be chanting all the prayers and hymns given in the vedas. My MIL wakes up and reads religious texts for good 2 hrs😲 I cannot even try to do that! On the first day post wedding my FIL asked me what all prayers I know..I was flabbergasted since I barely know 2-3 but whatever prayers I know, I believe in them😊 I couldnt tell him that directly, but since I dont live with them I think its okay. I will have to see what happens when that actually happens. 😳