I don't really follow. Are you talking about eating in front of them or eating these things in general or what?

You sure are there missy.

I mean as long as you're not grabbing a double patty, cheese laden, bacon burger with an extra hit of bacon and chomping down on it with the juices running down your chin and then chewing noisily and finishing with a foot stompin' WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO YEAH BABY THAT'S FUCKIN' MEAT A LUSCIOUS!!!

Sorry, y'all.

My question is not obvious from my ramblings, but it has to do with how the folks who abstain from various foods look at me as a person who isn't of their beliefs.

I mean, the best parts of my job happen because I'm accessible and generally kind (even when I'm cranky). I hope that my love of a bacon cheeseburger in plain sight doesn't diminish that. This could apply to vegans I help, too. That's what I'm asking. Do my food choices cause folks with different food beliefs (for lack of a better word) think I'm awful?

And yeah, because I don't get an official lunch break, I'm basically eating in front of people and having to put down whatever I'm eating and go right back to work. So, sometimes, pork breath might happen.

They're exercising pretty much the same moral rights by abstaining from things that you are by partaking of things. As far as implicit judgements—"I don't drink, this dude socially drinks"—who gives a bleep? That's their problem.

Don't internalize imaginary puritanical/universalizing leanings among your colleagues. Sure there may be raging vegans or evangelical whatevers who'd like you to see their way but a political conception like that really shouldn't result in grudges borne at the manifestation level ("i wish you wouldn't eat that" vs. "why are you eating that!?") That's pathological when a particular society itself doesn't have a near-universal take on it.

As far as eating at your desk. I do think if you had an option then eating at a cafeteria or common area during Ramadan might be considerate. But especially since you don't, fasts are people's own responsibility. They gotta deal.

Thanks, Firas.

I don't eat at the desk, but a slightly removed location where I can still see what's happening in my lab, thanks to glass windows and a glass door.

I did say I was overthinking this. I really do appreciate your input. I just didn't want to be any more rude than my own blood sugar level dictated.

Thank you again. I just didn't want to be an ass to a lot of people I'd be happy to help.

First couple weeks of the fall semester are always touchy.

Your eating of meat may offend. Your eating of Pork but not other meat may offend. Your mixing of certain types of foods may offend. Your uncovered female face may offend. As a women, if you are wearing shorts or a skirt, you may offend.

We can all offend someone in some way. If you are doing your job and not being deliberately rude then you are doing what you can. It may not be good enough for someone but I don't see how you are wrong.

Just keep being your helpful (even if cranky) self!

on preview what Firas said too

You guys are great. Many thanks to you both.

There have been other work issues these past couple weeks, and I just didn't want to make them worse by something I don't give a lot of conscious thought to regularly.

I thank whatever deities for the long weekend coming up. Good grief, I'm tired and sore.

I didn't mean to be all dismissive there lily if that's the sense you got. I have a bit of a hard charging dense style sometimes and I forget to tone it down :) The only real bit of info I have is that as someone who fasted in the states while at work etc. I'd consider it personally extremely jerkish to be disappointed in someone just coz they happen to be eating around me. It's the flexibilities in life that make it easier for everyone. I carried M&Ms into macroeconomics class and when the time was right for evening prayer (ie. Time to break the fast) ate a few without the prof freaking (or caring/knowing). I especially liked how I once went with this group of MIT kids to some ski thingie and they wanted to pray so they stuck their skies right into the side of a slope's end and we prayed without anyone around batting an eyelid. Let things slip through the cracks is my motto.

I know what you mean about things adding onto each other. Maybe when things calm down if you have the right sort of relationships with some of these people you can talk to them personally about what they feel. Meanwhile, hope you getsome rest!!

I just popped in here to give you a hug.

*hug*

A plate of beans? How dare you! As a legumist I am deeply offended that you would refer to beans in such a fashion!

What firas said. Plus whuffles.

Firas, I didn't think you were being dismissive. I really appreciate your input.

Hugs and whuffles? I can make it through the day now! Thankfully, this is my last day before an extended weekend.

Hey, you know what? I met you. You're lovely. Eat a hotdog, they're delicious.

If you want to do the flexitarian or vegetarian thing, do so for reasons of ethics or environment or health or whatever. Don't do it because of other peoples' opinions. Not even mine, awesome though I am.