Renan answers “Would Korean people really react to...”

Jen asked this question about The Vegetarian:

Would Korean people really react to someone becoming a vegetarian as if it were unhealthy and incredibly weird?

Renan Hi Jen.

In Brazil, where I am originally from and where I lived until quite recently, the reaction to someone becoming vegetarian is frequently similar…moreHi Jen.

In Brazil, where I am originally from and where I lived until quite recently, the reaction to someone becoming vegetarian is frequently similar to what we saw in this book. The choice is often the target of mockery and seen with suspicion. However, the country is making progress. There are vegetarian and vegan restaurants popping up. One can also find animal rights groups there, and the occasional young adult advocating veganism in a supermarket. I even attended a lecture by Peter Singer there, where he was received with applause of the majority in the audience.

I went to a book club meeting in London where The Vegetarian was being debated. A local made fun of the book, taking the characters' attitude to vegetarianism as unlikely to happen these days. He probably feels like that because the London area is grown up when it comes to dietary choices. I am glad there are places like this, where one can be born and raised thinking that no one would ridicule vegetarianism/veganism.(less)

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