Since you asked...

Dear Miss Gribble,
I quit eating all meat (including fowl and seafood) about 20 years ago. People who become vegetarians do it for various reasons. We are not all animal-rights fanatics or health nuts. I have no problem with other people eating meat. (My husband eats meat.) The thing that annoys me is when people find out I'm a vegetarian, they become defensive and even hostile. My own mother can be that way. If I make a simple comment such as, "That looks like a meat-lover's delight," my mother thinks I am being sarcastic; then she starts defending the "other side." I can't help the way people react, but I am tired of the persecution just because of my dietary choices. What is it with these people?
Granola Girl


Dear Granola Girl,
I don't know that "persecution" is the right word, but I agree that vegetarians are considered a little out of the mainstream by some people ... and many of us omnivores don't know too much about being a vegetarian. A mechanistic tactic, at least with your mother, would be to stop commenting on anything to do with meat. That way she will have no reason to respond with an argument for the "other side." When new people raise the subject with you, don't be defensive, just tell them what you like about eating your way. You seem to have decided you are a victim of vegetarianism, which strikes me as a bit of an overreaction.
Miss Gribble, Nourishingly

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Dear Miss Gribble,
I have been dating the same guy for a little more than a year. I am happy with our relationship except for one thing: He wants to keep us a secret. He thinks my friends and family don't know, when in reality they do. He says he doesn't tell his friends or family, but I don't believe this is entirely true because I have met a few of his relatives, although not as anything more than a friend. He says he is not ready for anything serious, that he's been hurt and doesn't think it necessary for anyone to know about what we have. I just want to be able to be seen with him and not have to always pretend he is just a friend. How can I make him understand this? I have tried telling him, but he is stubborn and I am not very forceful. Am I single or taken?
Miss P. in Chicago


Dear Miss P. in Chicago,
You are ... patient. This has been going on for a year? Is this chap, uh, married? I can't think of another legitimate reason for his not wishing to be seen with you and pretending you are a platonic friend when you are seen together. You might tell him that unless you are sporting an engagement ring no one will make any assumptions other than that you two are on a date. Even guys who have been hurt and are "not ready for anything serious" go out on dates. And I don't think I've ever heard any man say, upon bumping into a friend, "Hello, this is just a friend," or "Hi there. We're romantically involved." Introducing you by name will do just fine. If you're really sick of this routine (and who could blame you?) try this approach: Tell Mr. Nervous that unless he can behave like a grown-up single man, you are going to revert to being just a platonic friend. Get my drift?
Miss Gribble, Deteminedly

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Since You Asked …. ”A man is willing to make mistakes. He’s willing to be wrong. He’d rather try and fail than do nothing.”