Whither sensitivity?

I happen to be vegetarian by choice. I am aware that others around me have their own tastes and preferences. I do not comment on that. However I expect even non - vegetarians to respect animal life, though they may eat things that once moved around on their own.

I was having dinner with colleagues once. One of my colleagues launched into a vivid description of marine fauna in cooked form. Another colleague joined the discussion.
I got the impression that they were discussing seafood in a manner similar to how people discuss movies. There was a total lack of compassion and a complete ignorance of the fact that animals experience tremendous suffering when they are caught and killed. The occasion is seared into my memory, for the wrong reasons.


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