Do you dream of meeting the one, but don't know how to make it happen? Read on to discover the 4 secrets to finding love.
It’s World Vegetarian Day on the 1st of October (and, in fact, the vegetarian festivities usually continue throughout the whole month). With that in mind, EliteSingles asked 11,000 singles what they really think about vegetarianism, meat-eating, and the quest for romance. We’ve also got a romantic vegetarian recipe for you to try out, courtesy of renowned food writer Madeleine Shaw!
Do meat-eaters have ‘beef’ with vegetarians?
One of the more startling insights to come out of the survey was the revelation that, if forced to choose, many Australian would opt for loin steak and loneliness over lentils and love. Indeed, 72% of Aussie meat-eaters would dump a vegetarian who confronted them with an ultimatum along the lines of ”it’s me or the meat.”
What’s more, the prospect of facing just such an ultimatum is enough to put several meat-eaters off of vegetarian dating: 17% think that the threat of attempted conversion is the number one reason not to date a vegetarian.
Meating in the middle – is semi vegetarianism an option?
However, it may just be that Aussie singles have beef with the ultimatum itself rather than with the vegetarian or vegan lifestyle. It turns out, if asked nicely by a vegetarian partner, nearly 43% meat-eaters would be prepared to try going at least semi-vegetarian. This includes 31% who would try and avoid meat in front of their partner and 12% who would give it up entirely.
Giving peas a chance: what vegetarian dating is really like
Yet, it’s unlikely that vegetarian dating will mean a life without so much as a sausage sizzle.
In fact, in news that’s bound to reassure those worried about ultimatums, just 2% of vegetarians would insist that a partner follow their meat-free example. A substantial 43% would like it if their partner thought about eating less meat, perhaps prompted by recent reports on meats’ health hazards? The remaining 54% would not want to change a partner’s diet, agreeing that ”they have to choose [vegetarianism] for themselves.”
The survey also revealed that, contrary to stereotypes, Australian vegetarians are extremely tolerant of diets different to their own. Indeed, 89% of vegetarians would be happy to start a serious relationship with a devoted meat eater. Slightly fewer meat-eaters – 80% – would be happy in a serious relationship with a vegetarian.
You can’t beet having the same diet
Yet, despite the fact that most singles would happily date someone with different dietary preferences, for both meat-eaters and vegetarians alike, their preference is to date someone whose diet matches their own: 90% of vegetarians would prefer to date a vegetarian, while 92% of meat-eaters would prefer to date a meat-eater.
Overall, this means that 74% of US singles would most like to date a meat-eater and 26% would most like to date a vegetarian.
The countries where they’re nuts for vegetarians
This may not sound like a lot – but, when EliteSingles conducted the same study in New Zealand, Europe, and North America (involving more than 11,000 singles in all), it turned out that Australian vegetarians have it fairly easy. At the very least, it’s easier for them to find a date than it would be in the likes of Hungary and France (where just 15% would rather date a vegetarian).
In fact, Australia’s 26% puts them at about midway in terms of a country’s tolerance of vegetarianism, right behind the New Zealand on 27% and well ahead of countries like France, Denmark and Ireland. The easiest places for vegetarian dating are Germany on 30%, Finland on 31%, and Spain, where a whopping 37% would rather date a non meat-eater; making Spain número uno for vegetarians in search of love.
| Country | % of singles who would rather date a vegetarian |
| France | 15% |
| Hungary | 15% |
| Czech Republic | 16% |
| Denmark | 18% |
| Slovakia | 19% |
| Austria | 23% |
| Ireland | 24% |
| Switzerland | 25% |
| Australia | 26% |
| Canada | 26% |
| Poland | 26% |
| New Zealand | 27% |
| Norway | 27% |
| Sweden | 27% |
| USA | 28% |
| UK | 29% |
| Germany | 30% |
| Finland | 31% |
| Spain | 37% |
What’s at steak when meat-eaters date vegetarians?
Interestingly, vegetarians and meat-eaters both have (surprisingly similar) worries about the downsides of inter-diet dating. Funnily enough, despite all the talk of conversions and acceptance, it’s not a moral quandary that worries most singles, but a question that has plagued humanity since the dawn of time: what’s for dinner?
Indeed, for 51% of vegetarians, the single hardest thing about dating a meat-eater is cooking and planning daily meals together. For another 23% it’s planning the menu for special, food-based occasions like Christmas.
For meat-eaters dating vegetarians, the top concerns are remarkably similar: 33% think that cooking daily meals together is the hardest thing about dating a vegetarian, and 25% think it’s eating meat in front of their partner . Yet, for another 14%, planning a meal for a special occasion/festival would be the biggest concern…
Breaking bread together: why sharing food is important
So why is the practice of sharing food as a couple so important for both meat eaters and vegetarians? EliteSingles psychologist, Salama Marine, thinks that it’s partly because eating together ”is, without a doubt, one of the most intimate things a couple can do – without taking their clothes off!”
As she explains ”sitting opposite one another at a dinner table and staring into each other’s eyes without distractions is certainly a big step in any relationship. If couples can successfully pass this delicate yet fundamental test, their relationship has a greater chance of going the distance.” In addition, with 81% of those in the study refering to themselves as ‘foodies’, it’s clear that, for many, ”culinary preferences are vital…and, as a result, some individuals are afraid of dating someone who doesn’t share the same eating habits as them.”
In other words, eating together can be a bonding experience so loaded with meaning that it is little wonder that singles want to ease a little bit of the pressure by agreeing on the menu!
Try a Romantic Veggie Meal this World Vegetarian Day
With the joy of eating together in mind, why not celebrate World Vegetarian Day with a delicious meal that all people – meat-eaters, vegetarians and even vegans – can enjoy! We approached renowned vegetarian chef and food blogger Madeleine Shaw for her favorite romantic meal.
About her Creamy Courgetti Carbonara (find the recipe below) she says: “Pasta is the ultimate romantic dish. I always remember the scene from Lady and the Tramp when they share the dish of pasta, gazing deeper into each other’s eyes with every bite. My courgetti carbonara with cashew cream is a wonderful dish for a veggie date. It’s creamy, filling and nutritious…make this for a dinner date and you’ll be giving each other googly eyes all evening.”
Sounds perfect! Happy eating…
Sources:
All US statistics from an EliteSingles study of 400 Australian men and women (80% meat eaters, 20% vegetarians or vegans). Globally, the study included data from 11,486 singles.
Quotes from Salama Marine taken from an exclusive EliteSingles interview, September 2016
Related posts
