Letters: Vegetarians can cook at home and leave French restaurants to the rest of us
Reader says the pressure for more menu options would turn France into a nanny state
French cuisine already includes vegetarian options, such as ratatouille
margouillat photo / Shutterstock
To the Editor,
I write regarding the recent Connexion article complaining of France’s attitudes to vegetarianism.
If the author [columnist Nick Inman] is having trouble finding vegetarian options in restaurants, might I respectfully suggest they stay at home and cook their own foraged greens (without pesticides) and leave the restaurants to us savages?
That way they won’t have to watch anyone eat meat.
Getting rid of all farm animals is cruel, in itself. Another point I should make is who is going to pay for all the changes in land use and the increase in allergies due to the extra pollen in the air?
Please ask your reporter to think through the whole picture and not just their jaundiced vegetarian/vegan view of the world.
And please do not tell me what to do – I would move to the UK if I wanted a nanny state and that is why I left so many years ago.
Don’t try to turn France into the UK. If the vegetarian race doesn’t like it might I suggest they do not come here either to live or on holiday. I, for one, won’t miss them.
Sandra Hall, by email
Nick Inman responds: "If Ms Hall reads my article more carefully she will note that I am not speaking for vegetarians – is there really a vegetarian race? - let alone for vegans.
I do not condemn anyone for eating meat and I am not suggesting that the state tells people what to do either in France of the UK.
I simply think there should be more meat-free options available in shops and restaurants, and on school menus; and more understanding shown by all of us towards individual human choices.
Since when was tolerance and dialogue such a bad thing? I’m not in favour of the abolition of farm animals - I like seeing in them in fields as part of traditional farming practices – so on my watch there won’t be a rise in allergies although a few more wildflowers in the countryside wouldn't go amiss.
Perhaps we should all listen to each other more carefully and not jump to conclusions.
Do you feel that increased menu options are watering down French cuisine? Or would France benefit from the UK's more diverse menus? Let us know via letters@connexionfrance.com
