Dear Vegetarians and Vegans,

As a member of the very large and diverse group of people included in "vegetarians and vegans", I'm intrigued that the attitude of so many here is "live and let live".

That sounds so respectful of the right of life to be lived, and lived freely. It sounds... vegetarian.

Live and let live with a side of Wheatons law.

I believe veganism is about kindness, people are more likely to consider it when you present it from that perspective or offer them vegan food or tell them of any health benefits you've experienced.

I understand your point OP, for sure. I grew up vegetarian (not vegan, we did eat dairy and eggs) and quite honestly, it has never occurred to me to try to convert anyone over to my point of view. I still eat that way 99% of the time - once in a while, I may eat chicken or fish, usually when going out. There aren't many vegetarians in my life, but when it inevitably comes up (usually during a meal out or a meal over at someone's home) I frankly am sick of hearing about how unintelligent and semi-retarded and judgmental I must be. I hear daily diatribes about vegetarians at work, where everyone now knows I am one. They only know because they ask why I'm ordering this and not that when we go out to eat, or whatever. I've even had people try to trick me into eating some meat when I was younger because they thought it would be hilarious. So I get your point about trying to shove one's choice of food down someone else's throat, so to speak.

I don't care what ANYONE else chooses to eat and I've yet to understand (from either side) why anyone would care. To each his own.

Also wanted to say that concerns with some of the practices in the US food industry are shared by many of us even if we're not vegetarians. We live primarily off of what we hunt and the fish we catch ourselves, and are planning some other drastic changes because of it. Within the next two to three years tops, it is our goal to start raising our own and become 100% self susficient.

My uncle is a great believer of game meat, he's got two freezers for what he's been given by a friend who works as a game keeper. I can't remember exactly what he said about it, but basically its constantly used muscle meat and it's eating what it's supposed to. He's training to use a rifle to go out with said friend to go rabbit hunting. I do love rabbit and venison and the odd pheasant.

My boyfriend is determined to get me into deer hunting.
Deer jerky. Om nom nom! I once made a pizza with deer burger/sausage. Very interesting taste -- pretty tasty but very strong.

Anyways: Love this post. I love me some meat, and I joke around with my vegetarian friends...but they do the same with me. People need to slow down on pushing their agendas off on other people. Everyone likes different things.

^ This. Absolutely! I make it a practice not to comment on people's eating habits- mainly because so many omnivores have sneeringly wanted to dissect my vegetarianism, but also because it is nobody's business. I have not eaten meat for 25 years, the choice is ethical and I respect each person's right to make their own choices.

Omnis are the majority. Why would omnis be so bothered by a small minority that enjoys sharing information regarding health on a health related site? I just see this as yet another veg bullying thread here on MFP however passive aggressive it might be. This is so unfortunate, unkind, and unnecessary.

I assume you are responding to a recent veg. thread from a new member. That kind of threads is not typical of the veg. members here at MFP. Why start a veg bashing thread under the guise of being offended (as if veg. members are constantly lecturing you and/or as if we have any power over what you choose to consume)? If you really don't care what veg. members think then move on to another thread. Starting this kind of thread is so unsupportive and mean-spirited and in the end you are guilty of the same preachy behavior you are condemning.

I didn't for one second take this as an insult towards vegetarians or vegans...neither did any of the actual vegetarians or vegans that commented on this.

I think maybe you're taking something personally, because she didn't attack anyone. All-in-all, her post said that people should leave their opinions to themselves when it comes to another person's dietary choices. Even in her comments, she pointed out that omni's do it too and she thinks that they should do the same as the activist vegans/vegetarians.

ETA: But everyone on this thread has been good mannered about their views and has agreed with her, even when they have pointed out that people have been rude to them about their dietary choices.

But everyone on this thread has been good mannered about their views and has agreed with her, even when they have pointed out that people have been rude to them about their dietary choices.

So good manners means agreeing with someone even when they are speaking poorly to/about a group? Especially when it is a minority group and one in which the OP does not belong to? I'm not the kind of person you can bully into agreeing with something simply because of how others have responded.

I am not personally offended by your response or that of the OP. I've got pretty thick skin having been at this vegetarian thing a rather long time. I simply think it is important to stand up for people, point out bullying, and hypocrisy when I see it ( "veg. MFPers are preachy and I'm going to preach to you about how preachy they are thus ultimately my preaching will point out why omnis are just plain better people than veg..." see how this approach is counterproductive?). I don't think MFP needs to be so unsupportive. I am a vegetarian and I follow veg threads here and have many veg friends. So I have a good sense of what goes on here regarding the topic. You don't need to agree with me but I felt it was fair and in the best interest of the veg members here to say it.

If you get nothing out of my response please try to understand the main point: These kinds of threads are not productive because they only serve to encourage divisiveness and create hostile environments for everyone here (veg or omni).

The thing that drives me nuts about being a vegetarian is everyone acts like they have to go to great lengths to ensure that I have something to eat. If we are selecting a restaurant someone will always say "We have to go someplace where she can eat something". Even a steakhouse has a baked potato. It slays me.

My mother in law will call and say "What do I need to make special for you for Thanksgiving?" It doesn't matter that every single year I tell her not to worry about it. I will figure it out. I can always eat salad, potatoes, green beans, bread, etc. It's like people think if you are vegetarian you don't actually eat vegetables. You instead eat nothing but soy meat substitutes or something!

that is the story of my life. literally, since i've been a vegetarian since birth (for medical reasons). everyone would always make a huge deal about it. if we were to go to a restaurant my family would always make sure that whoever was hosting the event knew there HAD to be something there just for me...at restaurants they would always make sure the server was informed of my dietary restrictions. While I guess they were trying to be helpful, it embarrassed the hell out of me.