dont eat meat ever again!

redraidergirl2009

When I say I am vegetarian why does the other person assume that I just asked them to not eat meat? I don't understand that. Or why they need to bring up how much they "love"bacon or say "mmmm burgers" as if I cannot have them? I can, I can have vegetarian ones or I can go get one made out of meat. I choose not to eat animals, its not that I can't. So I would like some insight from non-vegetarians, is this your reaction or what do you say to someone you meet and they say they are vegetarian? If that is your reaction, why? Is it threatening that someone doesn't eat animals? Or do you take ot as an opportunity to joke? Or what if your reaction is different?

Also, vegetarians what reactions do you get? How do you respond? Also have you had any flack about ordering vegetarian at a resteraunt?

CoachReddy

ughggghh this is gonna explode.

(but that was probably the intention...)

CoraGregoryCPA

I eat a TON of vegetables. And I love making new recipes with loaded vegetables. People at work have commented "Are you becoming a vegetarian or something?". I get so offended! I don't know why. I'm not becoming a vegetarian, I just like getting the biggest bang for my buck by eating nutritious veggies.

I don't know why it feels offensive. I feel God gave us those animals to eat, I can't disobey Him

mockchoc

I've never done that. I'm quite happy if someone wants to not eat the cute animals. Wish I could do the same but I can't.

mmapags

I am a carnivore. I have vegetarian friends that are very healthy and in shape including Sarauk2sf, and MoreBean13 here on this site. It's up to the individual what they choose and why as long as thier overall nutrition is balanced and healthy.

I would also say, this goes both ways. Sometimes vegetarians post is ways that are very judgemental toward carnivores. Inappropriate either way.

Freyja2023

I personally feel each to their own. If you like how you eat that is great, I like how I eat that is great. I don't get offended when someone tells me that they are vegetarian until they start to preach to me how my choices are the wrong ones and should watch such and such documentary on the benefits of their choices and if I would just watch such and such I would totally change my views and eating styles. I follow a primal lifestyle and it works for me and helps me with my crohn's disease. My sister follows more of a plant based diet and she feels that it works for her and her life better. We don't preach to other on how one way is better then the other and we still get along fine.

danagornall

I've been vegan for about three months now. I haven't had too much of a negative reaction although I also haven't talked about it with many people. My ex-husband was pretty negative about healthy eating and that was frustrating. Mostly I try to be positive with the people I do talk to. I point out videos like "Forks Over Knives" and "Fat Sick and Nearly dead." to the people who ask me about it. Have you checked out the website Happy Herbivore? They have a great Facebook page with lots of supportive people on there! Good luck and keep smiling! :-)

hdlb

I'm not a vegetarian by any stretch of the imagaination. And I don't care if others are vegetarians, as long as its not pushed on me. If someone is telling me their way is better, thats when I'm annoyed. I don't tell vegetarians that they should be eating meat, don't tell me that I should stop, or try to gross me out by telling me whats in my meat. (Not directed at you OP, just a general "You")

mooglysmom

Yeah, I don't get it. My husband gets seriously offended by vegetarians, and I just can't understand it.

Myself, I think "good for you!" Its YOUR body, YOUR choice how to feed it! What difference does it make in my life you don't eat meat? I'd probably start pestering you for ideas on how to get more protein, lol. Maybe its because I have a self-controlled diet as well? I'm gluten free, and I get super tired of the "how do you get enough fiber?!? How to you EAT?!? OH, I could NEVER do that! I just love x, y, and z too much!" It gets really aggravating. The ignorance is enough to make you wonder sometimes...

Athena53

I'm always interested in why people choose to be vegetarian (there are many good reasons), so if someone volunteers that they're vegetarian I may ask why. My colleagues in India at my last job included many vegetarians for religious reasons. What I liked was the peaceful coexistence. We'd order family-style at a restaurant and while people would pass a dish and tell you whether it was "veg" or "non-veg", no one criticized the others' choices. There was no, "Euw, are you giong to eat that poor dead animal that was mercilessly slaughtered?" or "Mmmm, goat curry."

Matt_Wild

I don't care either way...

A lot of veggies however seem to tell everyone like its a badge of honour?

I don't think I've ever declared to people before what I eat when I first meet them, veggies seem however to have to tell people even if food isn't involved!

:laugh:

Cr01502

This whole post just made me want a steak.

mmddwechanged

The only person who jokes around about my meatless diet is my husband.. No one else seems concerned. Sometimes people ask me questions but only out of curiosity .

LoggingForLife

What other people eat is none of my business.

hannahpark3r

idk i have the same problem though. I've been a vegetarian for about a year now and I have friends and family members who refuse to eat meat around me. I have no idea why. It kinda makes me mad.

Contrarian

What other people eat is none of my business.

This. I don't eat meat, but I don't care if others do. I'm not on a crusade. I just made that choice for myself.

People joke around and tell me to eat a steak, once in a while, but it doesn't offend me. I get why people eat meat. It's ****ing delicious.

Admiral_Derp

Some people are afraid/uncomfortable/infuriated by anything or anyone who is different from them, and the knee-jerk reaction is to insult/preach/kill-it-with-sticks. It's not specific to dietary habits. It happens in pretty much every area of life. It's just the way humanity is.

zillah73

The responses I've gotten – both online and in person – have run the gamut. What other people do or think is their issue, what I do or think is mine. How other people respond to my life choices is really none of my bee's wax. I just keep my eyes on my own paper.

cleotherio

I don't care.

I was raised vegetarian.You think you have it rough? Try being a vegetarian kid in the 70's when only a handful of hippies and weirdos didn't eat meat. I can't count how many ketchup and mustard sandwiches I ate at cookouts as a kid. I've been non-vegetarian my whole adult life, because I like the variety that being an omnivore gives me. But I've always had friends who were either vegetarian or who just didn't like to eat meat that often. I often go a few days without meat without thinking about it. Whether someone is a vegetarian doesn' t phase me either way.

That_Girl

My mom used to get so offended that my family is vegetarian.

As if it criticised her way of life. I never said anything about meat to her.

I realized that was her issue, not mine and in her own time, she saw that she was being silly about it.

Some people choose to drink, I don't. I choose to smoke, others don't. I don't eat meat, others do. Who cares. I don't judge those who eat meat. It's their body and choice. But here in CA, many people are veg-heads so it's not so shocking.

lizibame

The only time I care is if i'm having someone over for dinner. If you don't eat Pork I'm going to fix chicken. If you don't eat Meat then I'll go meatless but I'm also not going to fix some ridiculous fake version of meat (tofurkey or fakon etc), I will fix a beautiful presentable Ratatouille that looks like it came out of a disney movie.

xunderwoodx

I personally don't understand it. We are suppose to eat meat we are omnivores. I love all different types of meat and all of my meals are based around it. I think most people just don't understand it because it has been apart of our lives for ever. I couldn't even imagine life without it.

cwolfman13

Really? Who the hell cares...and just 'cuz....MMmmmmmm Bacon and broccoli and spinach and brussels sprouts and...food. Really, I think people are just far too sensitive. One comment from one person becomes "everyone is picking on me." Please...

_SABOTEUR_

Most vegetarians I am friends with aren't arrogant/self-absorbed enough to declare to every person they meet that they are vegetarian and therefore it is not a big issue.

When someone asks them they say, 'Yes, I'm vegetarian' and everyone carries on as normal. Why is this an issue?

Iron_Feline

My dad gets annoyed by veggies on the basis that when they come to yours, your are expected to cook something different for them - but they won't do the same for you. It's a fair point, but I'm fine with veggies as long as they don't ram it down my throat.

GoTeamMeaghan

I've been vegetarian for almost 3 years and have never felt better. Does this mean the entire world should be vegetarian? NO!!! It just means that it works for me. There's no need to get all worked up if someone says something about you not eating meat...there's nothing worse than a vege-nazi. I've also learned that the entire world does not want to constantly discuss calories & macros and what not...so I don't usually bring up my eating habits unless someone asks.

Also, if I go to someones house for dinner, I will usually bring something I know I can eat, but I sure don't expect someone to make me something special because of a dietary choice that I make. If someone that comes to my house that eats meat (which is pretty much everyone I know), I make really good food that just happens to not have meat in it, like make your own burritos/nachos, Corn chowder, potato soup...things like that.

AllonsYtotheTardis

I guess it depends on the friends you have. I *think* I have some vegetarian friends IRL, but it's never come up in conversation - we generally don't critique each others food choices

Well - other than "what do you MEAN you don't like COFFEE??!?"

kknfyd

Hello redraidergirl!

I stopped eating meat in Aug 2011, which was my choice. When my friends became aware of it, they gave me the label "vegetarian". Okay, I can live with that!
I do remember going to a Boy Scout Little Philmont meeting and being told the menu, I responded, "I do not eat meat". The reply, "You don't eat chicken?".
The last time I checked chicken was part of the meat category. I am not offended by the comments of others, although, I have had to rein them in. The longer I have kept to my food routine, my friends have become more accepting and some friends now look for restaurants that offer vegetarian items so that I am included.
Your life is your story, live it the way you want!

ILiftHeavyAcrylics

Yesterday there was a thread where someone was asking why meat eaters don't just substitute morning star products for their meat. That sort of thing doesn't go over well.

I have no problem with vegetarians. I have a problem with anyone who gets evangelical about their food choices, whether they be vegetarian, Paleo, clean eaters, whatever.

mmapags

ughggghh this is gonna explode.

(but that was probably the intention...)

So far that has not been the case.

Missklara

I have friends vegetarians and i don't care what they eat. They don't mind me eating meat also. BUT... i have met some people that wanted to turn me into vegetarian. I hate when people do that. I once offered my vegan friend chips with bacon and she said "no thank you" and that's all. Then i realised what i just did and said "sorry" but she wasn't ofended bcause she knew it wasn't something i did on purpose.
I would NEVER make fun of vegetarians. But some of them are just nasty... one girl told me i'm a bad person for eating animals... geez