Alex Dalland
In the lead up to World Vegetarian Day on Saturday October 1, dating website EliteSingles has commissioned a survey into prospective partners and their eating habits – and the results are slightly hard to stomach!
Out of the 11,000 participants surveyed, 17 per cent of those surveyed worried that their vegetarian partner might try and convert them. And, when confronted with an ultimatum, 72 per cent would choose the steak over their partner!
However, according to the veggie-eaters, just 2 per cent insisted on converting their partner – while 43 per cent would try and get their carnivorous partner to cut down on meat consumption. In fact, an astonishing 89 per cent of vegetarians said they would consider starting a serious relationship with a meat-eating partner – higher than the 80 per cent of meat eaters that would consider starting a serious relationship with a vegetarian, perhaps because of their fear of being converted!
When compared with other countries surveyed, the attitude of Australians towards dating vegetarians is still very high – it sits at just 15 per cent in France and 18 per cent in Denmark. But many couples are still wary about each others eating preferences, primarily because it affects the nature of their meals together – according to EliteSingles psychologist Salama Marine.
“[Eating together] is, without a doubt, one of the most intimate things a couple can do – without taking their clothes off!” Marine says.
“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.
“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.”
