Walking around Dublin on Saturday, we luckily happened upon Cornucopia, the first completely vegetarian restaurant we’d been to in our eight days in Ireland. I never realized how significant the difference is between having vegetarian options at a regular restaurant, and being able to order anything on the menu.
When we found this place we immediately felt happy and calm and open…even excited. There was no smell of meat or fish assulting us when we walked in, and we knew instantly that we would be able to communicate our needs without any hesitation. We had found our tribe.
Drew and I never make a big deal about being veg-heads when we go out with friends. We just look carefully at the menu and try to figure out what item will be easiest to order with a minimum of modifications so that there’s no chance that the kitchen will make the dish wrong. We find items that won’t require too many questions about the menu so the server can get on with the order from the rest of the table. Also, if your order takes too long, your eating companions need to discuss vegetarianism for a while and you have to tell the story again about how and when and why you became a vegetarian, where you stand politically, and whether you disagree with everyone else’s way of life.
And if your companions already know you are a vegetarian, but don’t eat with you regularly, they feel obligated to find all the vegetarian options on the menu and read them to you. When this happens, Drew and I get to exchange the secret smile that means “Why do people think that being a vegetarian means you can’t read?”
We know they want to help, but it’s a lot to go through just to enjoy dinner with friends. And it really shouldn’t be a big deal.
So, when you find your tribe, you are put at ease. You can finally relax rather than hunting around for the right formula with the least amount of fuss. You can ask for recommendations and get passionate answers about food you can eat. You laugh more freely and make conversation more easily. Your body and soul is nourished without the burden of having to explain who you are. And, especially in a foriegn land, you understand that you have something intrinsically in common with the people around you.
