Don’t try to convince me vegetarianism is good for you

I don’t want to have that conversation again; I’ve talked to almost all my vegetarian friends about it, and I don’t want to do it again: don’t try to convince me that vegetarianism is good for you.

I want to eat meat and fish, that is my choice and I don’t want to think about it. The assumption that because you eat animals you don’t do it mindfully, or with any care, is bothersome to me.

Is it called virtue signalling? When people allow themselves to tell you how good they are in comparison to how bad you are? I’m not sure I’ve used that term correctly, but that’s another one of my pet peeves – new and unnecessary terminology, like “virtue signalling” “woke”, can’t think of another example, but Jesus, the English language is adequate, efficient and already beautiful.

Vegetarian fundamentalists

These phrases like “millennial” just sully it, they don’t add anything; they usurp words and phrases that we already have that are better.

Soft-spoken and patrician diplomat who redefined United Nations

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Unicorns are the new princesses, but where’s the new pink?

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Irish-American philanthropist who helped peace process

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Anyway, back to the vegetarianism. I do think about it. It’s a real luxury to be in a position to choose what food you eat. I think that’s why vegetarian fundamentalists get my goat.

I care about animals and their welfare. I don’t think it’s fair that they get abused and treated badly sometimes, and I really like vegetarians, some of the nicest people I know are vegetarians but using it as another way to cause division among us is unnecessary.

• Zoe Ní Riordáin is an artist. Her new show Everything I Do premieres at this year's Dublin Fringe Festival.
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