I try to keep it to myself these days. Only when questions of food arise do I have to make noises to the effect that I am ‘one of those’. It’s not the admitting of it, I’m not embarrassed. It’s just the arguments that ensue. And it isn’t that I don’t like a good argument, especially after a few lagers, but it’s just that I’ve had such arguments on many occasions, and they usually goes the same way.

“But do you eat eggs?”

“Don’t you think broccoli has feelings too? What about pulling little carrots out of the ground? That’s torture isn’t it?”

“If anyone told me I couldn’t eat meat I get really angry. Are YOU telling me I can’t eat meat? Do you want a fight?”

“Are those leather shoes?”

OK, they usually get me on that one. It’s just so hard to buy vegetarian shoes. So I let myself off with that one. But being a vegetarian, it’s all you need for a heated debate.