I became vegetarian when I was sixteen under the influence of punk rock music :) The funny thing is that even though I have a much more nuanced opinion on the topic sixteen years on, I have lost the ability to see meat as a something separate from the animal itself. When I see slabs of meat in the supermarket, I don't think about how great it will taste, I just see a part of a cow, pig, or chicken. In other words, my reaction is much the same as yours would be if someone would be selling say, cat meat.

There is a certain amount of cognitive dissonance that is necessary to eat meat without feelings of guilt or disgust, and at the same time feel compassionate when animals of other species are hurt or killed. Once people become vegetarian, whatever the reason, they often lose that ability.

I know a few people who grew up vegetarian and never had the choice as a child. Because they never learned the difference between 'pig' and 'pork', 'cow' and 'beef', 'calf' and 'veal', it's often harder for them to make a conscious decision to start eating meat.

Yes, you are right. My wife keeps saying the same and I can't do anything about it. I can at least raise him vegetarian for as long as I can.