Cross Contamination...

First of all, I dont think she was trying to get "attention" i think she was pointing out that she was disgusted by the lack of understanding and effort of the other people there [veggies] who WERE concerned about that.

However, I disagree in a way. The majority of society eats meat, and it's something you have to get used to and deal with when you're different... For one, I'd never attend a barbeque [that is unless it was a vegan barbeque] ... I wouldn't expect anyone to cater to my lifestyle, because I'm the minority. And, if for any reason I would [family get together or the like], I would just politely decline the blood soaked food, and not make a fuss of it.

Being grossed out by it makes sense, but you can't expect anyone to cater to your lifestyle/eating habits either. You also have to keep in mind that most ominvores don't quite understand all the principles of being vegan or veggie, so to them to "cross contaminate" doesn't really even ring a bell. Most people just see at is, if there is no meat on your plate, you're still eating vegetarian food, and though that's not the way WE may see it [because that surely wouldn't be considered vegetarian to anyone who understands it]...most people don't grasp all the aspects of it.

75% of the people around where I live don't even know what the difference between a vegan and vegetarian is, and I surely wouldn't expect them to cook my food for me and get it right... You can't blame anyone for not understanding; we're different, we're a minority compared to the omnivores. To us eating animal products seems absurd, "like a lightbulb on a plate", but to the majority of humans around us, that's not so, and we have to begin understanding them too before we expect anything from them.

 

I wouldn't eat vegetables soaked in animal blood, because I really think that's gross. But then I think that cooking meat smells like death. I probably wouldn't make a fuss; I mean, an attempt was made. What I'm curious about is why, if there were five veggies at the BBQ, didn't any of the veggies bring food to share? I always ask in advance, to be polite, before attending a social function that centers on food, but I've never once had a host/ess tell me that I couldn't bring something.

 

I agree. For family get togethers, I usually will cook a vegan dish and bring it over, so that I can eat it, and anyone who is "adventurous" enough can try it too. I've actually heard really good remarks about the things I have made from other omnivores. Last year I made a vegan artichoke dip, and everyone loved it. On top of that, I was able to eat without any complications.

Definitely try that Retro Groove... it couldnt hurt. Like I said before, you cant expect people to cater to your diet... most people are new to the idea of vegetarian/vegan