I'm vegetarian, I'm not telling you what to do

Sadly, it's just human nature to think that everything is about them. They hear a statement that has nothing to do with them whatsoever and they take is some kind of affront. Like posters who come on this board that want to lose 40 lbs and announce that they feel fat and disgusting...it's usually met with with protests of "But I'm bigger than you - so you're saying I'm disgusting???". Um no, no one was talking about you.

Anyway, I wish there was some kind of snappy comeback but I was a vegetarian for a couple of years and it's just part of it. As for the people who immediately start in with the "Mmmm bacon" taunting stuff, I was always tempted to wait until they took a bite of something and then give them a little factoid about their meal, like "Hey - did you know that veal calves are kept in tiny, filthy containers where they can't move so they won't build muscles, and are kept anemic so their flesh will be white, and are then often skinned alive? Yeah, their short lives are nothing but misery. Enjoy". But saying something like that would make me just as bad as the taunters, so I refrained.

Not sure why my thread was locked (admins did not let me know!) but I think it had some good responses so I'd like to get some more. PLEASE if you want to debate factory farming or something else please don't here because I don't want this thread to get locked too!

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?

Also if you bring up that "most vegetarians are pushy" please give an specific in person example or how much more often than not that is the case. This can be with any eating style, paleo, omi, vegan, ect. Not just exclusive to vegetarians.

I would like to stay specific to ethical vegetarians, not people who do so for dietary reasons.

I have felt as though people expect me to defend my choices and prove to them why I think I am right and they are wrong. I don't. I do what I want to do. I don't care what other people choose to eat. I don't care what people think of my choices. Most people feel threatened when your choices are different to theirs (not just in food) because they see it as a judgement as though you think what they are doing is wrong. They get defensive because you are not the same as them and don't want to be, and don't seek anyone's approval. As the poster above said, people think everything is about them. How would I know what you should do? Its enough work looking after myself.

Anyone who nags other people about what they choose to do is annoying whether you eat meat or not, paint your face green, wear beige trousers, like plants, hate clowns. Its no one else's business - shut the hell up!

Also people in restaurants who make a big deal out of things like being vegetarian, without looking at the menu they have to make it clear to the waiter 'I'm a vegetarian' in slow talk for idiots as if they are sooo special and important that the whole kitchen will stop and focus on creating a unique tailored meal just for them. Just look at the menu, and if there's nothing there, just have veg and potatoes and don't go there again!

True vegetarians I've met IRL have not been any of the "stereotypes" that make you roll your eyes. I've got several on my friends and some I didn't even know that where until they told me.

The highest level of diet shaming and holier than though art peeps seems to come more from a minority of outspoken vegans and paleo followers. And then, most aren't really that bad, just a small to medium air of condescension when discussing food and nutrition/health topics.

I don't appreciate any talk of what is and isn't "moral" about food choices. That gets annoying quickly. It also brings a topic to a personal level and away from topics at hand.

I am not a vegetarian but I do have friends who are for a few different reasons and it's never been a problem. They are not preachy to me in any way. They are very easy to compromise on restaurants with (although I also have no problems with going to vegetarian/vegan restaurants.) I've learned to cook for them but it also introduced me to a lot of new foods that I now eat regularly (like chick peas and other legumes.)

My reaction when some one tells me they are vegetarian (usually comes up with topic of food/where to eat) I just suggest an acceptable place to eat (when I'm in a city - as I live rurally) or I say no problem lets just go to the store and make sure we pick up something we can make for all of us.

I have met vegetarians who are pushy and I think that's where people get attitude back saying all the things about meat. I mean I usually ask "don't you miss it?" but more out of curiosity because while I would have no problem being a vegetarian (love the food and the health benefits) I think I would miss meat, check that I know I would.

I think the problem is people judge by their experience with the vegetarians they've met and the stereotype that has somehow come to be of them. Not by each new individual, which is how they should.

the vegetarians get to eat first at conferences, lol well, the ones i go to, i always say, "I'll be a vegetarian today."

if someone chooses not to eat meat, then great, but I'll never agree with the idea that animals shouldn't be eaten. I believe we can consume to much of it which is what ails us as a country, but just in general, I'll always believe animals are here for our eating pleasure.

I would not tease a vegetarian though, I admire those who take on certain eating habits then stick to them despite opposition

Todd's Vegan. It's not a big deal.

To this, I will add....I just don't eat meat. If I am at a function, let's say, and there is chicken or beef being served, I will simply quietly ask for a non-meat option. I will eat fish, so I am not a total vegetarian. It's easier for me to avoid labels and just say I am making choices - I choose not to eat meat, I choose not to eat wheat. Sometimes people make a big deal of it, but for the most part, people are respectful. I'm certainly not telling anyone else what to eat, either.

I just read some of the other posts and I don't think people realise that sometimes it can't be helped that it comes up. I don't normally tell anybody that i'm veggie. It's other people that I know who bring it up.

So for instance, people saying I tried kangeroo or crocodile and then a friend or colleague says don't tell her that she's vegetarian, as if I find the subject totally offensive.

The only other time it comes up is at a restaurant with say some friends and they invite people I don't know - they notice I only order vegetarian items and start questioning and/or lecturing.

I started eating vegetarian about a month and half ago...it was not because of animals being killed...it was because i was haveing some stomach issues and cutting out meat made me feel better...i dont care if you eat meat...as you should not care if i dont eat meat...my biggest hecklers would be my hubby and boys...they just dont understand nor do they need to...i still cook meat for them and im not opposed to meat...i just dont feel good when i eat it.

I can't stand it when people use their food choices as some sort of high horse from which they look down on others. There are a whole lot of people who are very devoted to dietary dogma and will do this. Vegetarians, vegans, raw vegans, paleo, primal, low carb, keto, "clean", whatever. If you are someone who feels the need to tell everyone about your food choices, especially when they didn't ask in the first place, you are totally annoying to me.

Likewise, if you are a judgy weirdo because you think your diet is somehow far superior to someone else's, you are totally annoying to me.

If you view what you eat as your "lifestyle" and feel like you need to be vocal about that weirdness, we're probably not gonna get along.

I certainly wouldn't think I eat 'better' than anyone else just because I am vegetarian. I doubled my calorie intake on a recent break from here by eating toffees and crisps every day! People do sometimes think vegetarian diet is automatically 'healthy'. Haha not necessarily, most junk food is meat free or can be meat free.

I'm a vegetarian, and only rarely come across people who feel they should be jerks about it, trying to push meat in my face etc. Those people aren't worth my time, and would like rag on anyone for just about anything that isn't exactly the same choices they make.

Most people respect my choice, and are fairly accommodating. When we go somewhere for dinner, I always offer to bring a dish so they don't have to go out of their way for me. When we go out, I can almost always find something suitable for me to eat. If asked, I will recommend a few places where I know I can get something I like, however I don't push the issue. Worst case scenario, I get a salad and eat a snack later on.

I have lived with meat eaters my entire life and it doesn't bother me, it's their choice. I even cook meat for my boyfriend or we have guests. If people ask, I'm happy to educate. But I don't go around preaching about it. I am by no means superior than anyone else.

A few pushy vegetarians/vegans give the rest of us a bad name.

This! I have yet to get hounded because I have choosen to be a vegetarian.

When I first made the switch I didn't go around telling everyone... and even now that it's been a year I only tell people if they ask, if it comes up in conversation or if they are offering me meat.

My In Laws asked about it when I first made the switch. My husband mentioned it to them because we eat a fair amount of meals at their house. He also mentioned to them, as did I, that I would bring a dish for myself so it wouldn't put them out by having to make something else. They have been great about it and always have something for me to eat when we are there for dinner (they refuse to let me bring my own food). They asked about it the first time I was there... and do every now and again. They were more curious than anything as they don't know anyone who is a vegetarian. THey have all eaten meat their whole lives so they were curious about what I would and wouldn't eat. THey thought it was more of a vegan lifestyle at first as they asked if I still ate dairy, eggs, etc.

I still cook meat in my house. It's my choice to be a vegetarian. My husband still eats meat which I still cook for him. I don't mind cooking it. I would prefer not to but he wants to still eat meat so I will cook it for him. I don't mind being around people who are eating meat and have yet to have someone taunt me about not eating meat. I still make meat if we have people over for dinner.

I've had comments now and again about "don't you miss bacon" or what do you eat when you go out... but I don't let it bother me. ONe thing I hate is that a lot of regular restaurants, at least around me, don't have many vegetarian options. I'm not going to order a processed, frozen veggie burger when I go out and sometimes I don't want a salad. I'm glad I have found a few restaurants who are very helpful with different needs.

Ultimately, I don't like when people push any form of diet on someone. You have your beliefs, and I have mine. My diet isn't better than yours and yours isn't better than mine. You can be very heatlhy whether you eat meat, are vegetarian, or vegan. The worst comment I had so far was one friend kept trying to tell me I could still eat chicken even though I was a vegetarian. No one diet is better for you. Sure, there are benefits of various diets out there but one is not better than another.

I'm a vegetarian also and I totally get what you are saying. The response I have received in the past has been more out of fear or ignorance to the vegetarian lifestyle I believe. I dont think some people understand it and I think they believe that you are going to tell them that they shouldnt eat meat.

Quote: "I have felt as though people expect me to defend my choices and prove to them why I think I am right and they are wrong. I don't. I do what I want to do. I don't care what other people choose to eat. I don't care what people think of my choices. Most people feel threatened when your choices are different to theirs (not just in food) because they see it as a judgement as though you think what they are doing is wrong. They get defensive because you are not the same as them and don't want to be, and don't seek anyone's approval. As the poster above said, people think everything is about them. How would I know what you should do? Its enough work looking after myself.

Anyone who nags other people about what they choose to do is annoying whether you eat meat or not, paint your face green, wear beige trousers, like plants, hate clowns. Its no one else's business - shut the hell up!"

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This. People feel the implied judgement from your decision not to eat meat. Whether you do it for better health or conscientious objection, etc. that unspoken implication is there. You can say that you don't care what other people eat, but then you give the caveat "but I wouldn't eat it". I haven't eaten meat (only fish) for 7 years, and I try to be very sensitive to this. Hey, it's America, we can all eat whatever the heck we want, and we are lucky to have the choices we have.

Honestly, I feel that there are a lot of vegetarians, clean eaters, etc., tend to look down on people that don't eat like them. Definitely not all of them do, but the ones who are jerks are the loudest. When someone tells me they're a vegetarian, my first impression is that I'm impressed with their willpower/social conscience/whatever, but there are a lot that tend to get uppity, and they tarnish the general thought of "vegetarians" in the minds of us meat eaters.