Spreading the Message on My T-Shirts

     I've become quite a consumer of vegan/animal rights t-shirts. I have five or six at this point-- all with profound or even provocative messages. There's something very empowering about wearing a t-shirt which (in theory) tells the world what you think and perhaps even ignites a spark of curiosity and questioning by others who may one day become vegetarian or vegan. Unfortunately, there are people, too, who will read the t-shirt message and go on about their days with the same vapid approach they already had.

    Today, I rolled out of bed and went to my local Albertsons (a ghetto store with decent prices, but that's a subject for a different time). I rolled out of bed and put on a new shirt I bought on Zazzle. It says, "Why do you love dogs but eat cows?" As I was getting my over-priced produce, the "produce man" came up to me and said-- paraphrasing here-- "Because I'm nosy, I'm going to tell you... I like your shirt." I asked if he could really read it, as I was wearing a jacket. He responded that he saw "dog" and "[c]ow," and claimed to have immediately understood the message. He again said he liked it...and as he walked away, he said "But I still eat cows."

   Naturally, the first response in my head was, "Thanks, asshole!" I continued with my shopping, but of course, played the discussion in my mind. I think perhaps he liked the shirt more for its rebellious nature than anything. After all, if you appreciate the message and claim to understand it, how can you still eat cows?