I [40 M] work in a restaurant that's a steakhouse as a server/bartender. I've been vegan for almost 8 years now, and have been able to sweep my personal views under the tug mostly. I make pretty decent money and for the time being am content doing it. However as of late, I've been increasingly frustrated that my job and principles don't line up. Watching people eat steaks seriously gets to me sometimes. I think the worse is when people complain that a piece of meat is too tough/fatty/gristly. I can't believe that they have no reverence for the animal that gave it's life for their dinner. And if I hear one more mother ask for milk for their kid because it's "healthy", I'm going to scream. I work there because it's great money and I have 3 kids to help support with my ex-wife. There aren't any vegan/vegetarian restaurants near me so I have to do what I know for now.

The managers have wanted me to be a manager for awhile now, but I've refused 2 times. I don't want to build my success on an restaurant who's success is based on how much meat they can sell. My family also doesn't understand me not wanting to move up. Serving and bartending is literally all I've done for my adult life. I know how to do it, and do it well. I think of working at a steakhouse like missionaries who try to spread a message not in their own neighborhood, but in a foreign land to people who have never heard of their message. I feel like I'm reaching more people right now, but I don't want to do this much longer. I have no idea what I want to do in the future, but I know I want it be aligned with my morals.