Обичате ли салам?

Obichate li salam? A question that I get often is "Do you love salami?" It's usually from the kid in the front row that still seems fascinated with the fact that he has an American teacher (even though he probably still thinks I'm from England). He is repulsed by the surfeit of produce that his grandmother grows in her garden  but loves kufte, kebabche, salam, and my personal favorite, universal meat. His mouth salivates just at the thought of these words and as quickly as I hear his arteries harden I also hear his little heart break when I utter three little words. I'm a vegetarian. He looks confused at first like he didn't understand what I said, then that look turns to incredulity. But...but Gosposho why? Where do I begin? There is hardly a paucity of reasons but I don't know what would make the most cogent argument for this wide-eyed carnivore. I start with, "I think it's environmentally responsible..."Before I can even finish that thought he is asking me if class is almost over. I jump to my next point. Well, Ashley (the other American in my town) is also a vegetarian. He responds Gosposho are all Americans vegetarians? Points for remembering that I'm American but obviously he has never been to this site. I come from the country that founded McDonald's, Burger King, KFC, Dunkin' Donuts, and the Bacon & Chicken Narwhal. I contemplate trying to explain the "what right do you have to kill a sentient being argument" as I look down at my sheepskin boots I figure being a hypocrite in addition to being a vegetarian would not garner me any support. After an oddly pleasant yet exasperating conversation everyone is rustling their papers and fidgeting in their seats waiting for me to say the magic word.....  "свободно" cvobodno, free, that will surely break the invisible chains I have on them. Finally I answer with the most simple straight forward and unarguable point that I can make "Because I don't like it". He laughs shakes his head and tells me I'm not normal. I don't mind. Maybe one day he'll change his mind and take some of this when I offer it.