I believe, like other posters here, the issue for the LW is not about her food choices.

That being said, the discussion often seems to hover over that issue. If you know how most animals are raised for slaughter in this country, you might think twice about eating meat. In the "olden" days, when more people were involved with raising their own meat, and meat was not the mass-produced item it is today, yes, I believe it was easier to comprehend the slaughter, because, more often than not, the animals were treated with care.

Not only is it horrible for the animals, the way they are raised nowadays, it is sad for those stuck in the business of raising them. Unhealthy conditions and the knowledge that one is subjecting a living, feeling thing to the quivalent of torture is hard on one's psyche. That is really a sad thought for me, how these people go to bed each night and face each morning. I feel for them.

Do try to remember that free speech exists in this country and we don't need to get hostile. Chill man ... it's human hostility that causes problems in this world, whatever it may be directed towards ...

I notice a distict lack of caring for the LW's partner. From her detailed and dramatic description of her sexual encounters, the partners seem to be anonymous. This makes me wonder what sex is and has been all about for this woman. It sounds like its more about the chase and proving her own attractability. It sounds like she is only interested in the person for the sex. Maybe she needs to develop a deeper relationship with the man before jumping into the sack with him. When you find a persons mind and quirks loveable, you tend to develop a fondness for their body too, regardless of its shortcomings.

"think the more privileged have an innate fear of the smart strivers. Of course in our society, which pretends to be democratic, denies it. Perhaps the women you chase, probably not the barfly type of "10" but the good-breeding type of beauty, shall we say, those whose confidence and poise come from privilege, have a deeply buried fear of "strivers" that they don't understand but causes them to NOT QUITE take that step of accepting you as *quite* enough of an equal to actually date seriously."

This is an interesting discussion in itself. ..Anonymous, you've raised some good points for brightstar I think. In this case, however, I believe men might have fear of the "smart strivers" in a competetive sense, but I think most women want a man who is dependable, faithful and true to himself. A so-called smart striver may come across as doing whatever it takes to get ahead. He may seem never to be content with himself and therefore, the woman might feel she could be expendable in his never ending chase to the top. Or she might be suspect of his attraction/affection for her - is it real, or just something to attain on the way up, or is he fooling himself that its love when its really just want?

Just some thoughts ...

People have a tendency to categorize others into rich vs. poor. But things aren't that simple. There are those who are scraping by, those who are comfortable, those who are comfortable and can take a few trips each year, those who have $1 million in the bank, those who have $100 million in the bank.

This guy may not have to look at the price on the menu, or think twice about going out every might, but he might not be able to afford a yacht, or he might have a 25 foot motorboat while some of his friends have 40 foot motorboats and a yacht. You get my drift.

Unless you tell him what you can and can't afford, he doesn't know where the line is drawn. Everyone has to draw the line somewhere, except maybe Bill Gates and Warren Buffett. And they probably do anyways just on principle. I can take my kids on a couple of great vacations and I don't have to work, but I my couches need new slipcovers and my kitchen floors are getting pretty beat up after 15 years. I don't buy expensive face creams and I don't go to the hairdresser very often. Priorities - no its not about putting food on the table, but I still have to make choices and stand by them when others say "Why don't you do XYZ...(you can afford it)??". No, I can't necessarily.

The bottom line with this guy should be the same as with any other guy ... is he sincere and does he really care about you? All the other stuff is communication. If it's not about money it'll be about something else I can guarantee you that!

Please don't be so quick to lump all wealthy men into the same category as your obnoxious ex-boyfriend. Wealth may have had something to do with his attitude, but he was just plain rude and you can find that in any socio-economic stratus.

sorry but brightstar is self-centered and does not care one iota for these women. he just thinks he does.

if he "wishes death" on someone, that is hostile and actually scary. if he goes into a relationship with the mindset that 1) he needs behave according what the woman "says whe wants", 2) he's afraid of revealing his feelings in case he gets hurt, 3) he's going to wish death on her if she rejects him, he is not truly caring about the other person but worrying more about himself and how he comes across. women pick up on this!!! and this goes back to my original point that woman want to feel loved and safe, that the man is dependable and secure - no matter what kind of clothes they wear or how many extra pounds they carry (within reason!).

its true that you need to love yourself, be at peace with yourself, before you can truly love someone else.