I am a vegetarian (not vegan) since birth and I love it! My hubby is vegetarian too and so is our entire family. But I have no vegetarian friends and its a big issue for me to go for lunch/dinner at places like "outback steak" or "red lobster" where I'd go hungry in addition to the smell and sights.
Its good here in California to have so many vegan and vegetarian places to eat and lots of meatless options in the grocery store...plus its also considered kinda cool to be a vegan/vegetarian in this place. But I remember the last time I went to atlanta. even the head chef of a sheraton couldnt understand why I cant eat meat....