M: Can you please hand me that book over there? It has instructions for making a winter bean salad. My sister's boyfriend is coming over for dinner. He's vegetarian, so I need to make a lot of vegetable dishes.
W: He only eats vegetables, no meat? That doesn't sound like a very balanced diet. How can he get enough protein? What does he do to strengthen his muscles and all that?
M: Apparently that's no problem. He's explained this to me when we first met. He eats a variety of different vegetables and nuts, especially those with high amounts of protein.
W: It sounds a bit difficult, but he's done his research I suppose. What's his reasoning for being vegetarian? Is it his religion, health condition, or lifestyle?
M: He's an animal activist. He's always been very sensitive and sympathizes with animals. He's even written to his state senator about the torture of dolphins in sea parks. He says that keeping animals in zoos and parks causes them great distress.
W: That's a little gloomy, but I can understand that to a point. Not all zoos and animal parks have the most favorable conditions, but without them it just wouldn't be feasible to learn about animals and their environments. Besides, I don't think I could ever give up a good hot dog at a baseball game.
M: Honestly, I agree, but just don't let him hear you say that. He's the spokesperson for his local animal rights group.