This thread is really making me appreciate my friends and family.

My parents were very respectful when I stopped eating meat. They cooked a wide variety of foods, so it wasn't really a problem.

They also had only one food rule when I was growing up: I didn't have to eat anything I didn't like, but I had to be polite about it. I wish everyone's parents had taught them that. Shutting up is a valuable and rare gift.

My friends are all accommodating about my non-meat needs, far more than I would ever expect or ask for. We do have a years-long history of entertaining at my house, so perhaps I'm reaping goodwill.

Regardless, I consider myself lucky to have a happy food past and present. Even luckier to have a bike so I can eat a lot.