vent: people giving me a hard time about being a vegetarian
Replies
-
Eh. By simply existing in a modern world, we all cause animals to die. They die on our highways; our homes and cities displace them; we kill pests, as do the farms and factories that process our food; small animals and insects die in farm machinery... It's impossible to live a life that doesn't result in the death of some other creature. We just all have to figure out where we draw the line for ourselves.
Personally, I would never hassle someone over their own dietary choices, as long as they don't hassle me about mine. They've drawn a different line than I have and there's nothing wrong with that.0 -
I was vegetarian for 12 years. Every Christmas without fail my gran couldn't understand why I wouldn't eat turkey. She understood that I didn't eat meat (and she understood the concept of that) but she thought i could have Christmas off. Even in the final year she still questioned me on it.
"Surely you can have some turkey?"
"No gran, it's an animal and I STILL don't eat animals"
"But it's turkey and it's Christmas. You always have turkey at Christmas"
"No I don't I haven't eaten it for years"
"Haven't you?"
EVERY YEAR!
(this wasn't senility talking, she just couldn't understand why I wouldn't eat turkey at Christmas).0 -
I agree its bs why are people so obsessed with other peoples eating habits. I wish i could be vegetarian but i hate vegetables. But i am low carb due to diabetes. Dont worry about them. They are stupid and need to mind there own business and worry about themselves.0
-
Welcome to my world, I've not touched meat/fish etc. since 1990...don't listen to them, just look at their faces and mouth moving and imagine crap pouring out of them :laugh:0
-
I never advertised my meatless week, but our work situation is set up in a way that people WILL notice what you are or aren't eating. All it takes is one person to make a comment and suddenly it is a big deal, or the person that says, "here, try the veal," and you reply that you don't eat meat...I don't consider that advertising. Walking into work and announcing, "Hey y'all! Guess what? I'm a vegetarian now, so don't offer me any kind of meat," is advertising, LOL...:laugh:
Why would you chose to say that you don't eat meat, rather than a simple "no thanks"? Sounds to me like you WANT the discussion ..0 -
This page has lots of great counter-arguments (especially to that ridiculous "but plants have feelings too!!11" one):
https://www.facebook.com/notes/michael-vegananarchist-ahimsa/common-anti-vegan-arguments-how-to-quickly-refute-the-same-lame-excuses-that-are/1209260879657600 -
I never advertised my meatless week, but our work situation is set up in a way that people WILL notice what you are or aren't eating. All it takes is one person to make a comment and suddenly it is a big deal, or the person that says, "here, try the veal," and you reply that you don't eat meat...I don't consider that advertising. Walking into work and announcing, "Hey y'all! Guess what? I'm a vegetarian now, so don't offer me any kind of meat," is advertising, LOL...:laugh:
Why would you chose to say that you don't eat meat, rather than a simple "no thanks"? Sounds to me like you WANT the discussion ..
Oh yeah, she's "asking for it", isn't she? I wouldn't expect you to understand the kind of backlash a vegetarian/vegan always gets, regardless of their response. It doesn't matter how many times you say "no, thanks" - eventually people always want to know why, and when you finally tell them they start calling you militant and preachy. It's ridiculous0 -
People like to make comments/jokes/criticisms when your lifestyle is drastically different from theirs.
I try to avoid telling people I'm a vegetarian for the same reason I try not to tell people I'm losing weight - everyone has something to say about it. When strangers or new acquaintances offer me meat, I simply say no thank you or say that I'm full, and that's usually enough, but sometimes bringing it up is unavoidable, and sometimes someone mentions that I'm a vegetarian before I do.
And after you stick with a lifestyle change long enough, people that you see regularly start to notice, so keeping it to yourself isn't really an option either. Unfortunately, it's often the people closest to you that give you the hardest time about your choices. Even after 5 years of meatlessness, my husband's grandfather still refers to our meals as "rabbit food". Even after almost a year and a half of weight loss, people make a big deal out of me ordering french fries at a restaurant instead of something "healthy".
It just comes with the territory. The best thing you can do is roll with it.0 -
I never advertised my meatless week, but our work situation is set up in a way that people WILL notice what you are or aren't eating. All it takes is one person to make a comment and suddenly it is a big deal, or the person that says, "here, try the veal," and you reply that you don't eat meat...I don't consider that advertising. Walking into work and announcing, "Hey y'all! Guess what? I'm a vegetarian now, so don't offer me any kind of meat," is advertising, LOL...:laugh:
Why would you chose to say that you don't eat meat, rather than a simple "no thanks"? Sounds to me like you WANT the discussion ..
No way! I'm a lifelong veggie and I always 'announce'. I love a debate about vegetarianism with preachy meaties, just stay dispassionate - neither of you will change each other! Another reason I let people know at work is that a) at an event I get all the meat stuffs put in front of me and like to tell the server b) it can come off as stroppy when everyone goes to lunch at Mcdonalds or whatever and I never go. It is a valid reason rather than me just being anti-social.0 -
I never advertised my meatless week, but our work situation is set up in a way that people WILL notice what you are or aren't eating. All it takes is one person to make a comment and suddenly it is a big deal, or the person that says, "here, try the veal," and you reply that you don't eat meat...I don't consider that advertising. Walking into work and announcing, "Hey y'all! Guess what? I'm a vegetarian now, so don't offer me any kind of meat," is advertising, LOL...:laugh:
Why would you chose to say that you don't eat meat, rather than a simple "no thanks"? Sounds to me like you WANT the discussion ..
Oh yeah, she's "asking for it", isn't she? I wouldn't expect you to understand the kind of backlash a vegetarian/vegan always gets, regardless of their response. It doesn't matter how many times you say "no, thanks" - eventually people always want to know why, and when you finally tell them they start calling you militant and preachy. It's ridiculous
Bull****. So people push and push, and you calmly and innocently say you're a vegetarian, and they attack and call you militant?
I reject that premise.0 -
That is unbelievable! I would think that most people on here would respect vegetarianism for an ethical reasons, especially since most people on here think that being a vegetarian for health reasons is hokum. Its not like you said, "meat is evil, it will make you die!"0
-
People will give you a hard time about anything and everything, I've been on both ends. Try not to get so worked up about it, I often ask myself, 'do you think the person that brought you this negative emotion is still thinking about the situation they created?" Oftentimes the answer is no, they've moved on from it. Not saying don't vent, just saying there are bigger better things in life and sometimes we get distracted by smaller things like a squirrel with a nut.0
-
People who eat meat hate to hear about vegetarians/vegans. They come across as preachy and judgy. Find something else to talk about and quietly eat your veggies.
You know, that dog looks pretty tender...
We hate to hear the following from "preachy and judgey" meat eaters
"Where do you get your protein from?" so boring....ugh0 -
Also, in my experience the animal rights veggies are the ones who take the worst mocking... Try meaties with a sustainability argument. Or that you just don't like the taste/texture. They don't really care, so why bother telling them your real reason?0
-
I never advertised my meatless week, but our work situation is set up in a way that people WILL notice what you are or aren't eating. All it takes is one person to make a comment and suddenly it is a big deal, or the person that says, "here, try the veal," and you reply that you don't eat meat...I don't consider that advertising. Walking into work and announcing, "Hey y'all! Guess what? I'm a vegetarian now, so don't offer me any kind of meat," is advertising, LOL...:laugh:
Why would you chose to say that you don't eat meat, rather than a simple "no thanks"? Sounds to me like you WANT the discussion ..
Actually, I have experienced MANY instances in which I'm happily minding my own business with my plate of vegetarian-friendly food, or I simply order a large salad at a restaurant, and have had people ask, "What, don't you eat any meat?"
Even then, I try to give a simple answer, like saying I just don't like meat very much. But in situations like that, it becomes kind of difficult to avoid the conversation entirely.0 -
In my experience, there are a few reasons people might try to argue with me about it:
- They actually believe it's unhealthy. Boy do I have a hard time keeping my mouth shut when someone who's clearly in far worse shape than me tries to argue that *my* lifestyle is dangerous and unhealthy!
- They believe vegetarianism *is* healthier, but they don't want to adopt it themselves. In this case, even if I don't say anything, my choice serves as a rebuke for something they feel they *should* do but don't really want to do.
- They just don't understand it, and can't accept the idea that meat doesn't have to be a part of your diet.
There are lots of reasons people choose to be vegetarian too. It's how I was raised and how I've always lived. But when it comes to the ethical argument, here's an important point to remember: in the wild, animals kill and eat other animals. In America's industrial meat production, we don't just kill the cows/chickens/etc when the time comes for them to be food - we crowd them into filthy barns and cages, pump them full of antibiotics and hormones, and just generally make their existence miserable until finally putting it to an end. Not exactly the same, is it?
Anyway, just keep a good sense of humor, keep making healthy choices, and know you're not alone. Have a great day!0 -
I am going to say the same thing I told my 8 year old daughter when she decided she wanted to become a vegetarian.
I respect your choice to do that, but be aware that not everyone will. Don't go around trying to change anyone else's beliefs. But, if someone asks you about it, you should feel confident enough to back up your choices with facts and logic. Sometimes people will be mean and will purposely try and instigate a heated discussion, sometimes people will feel offended by your choice and sometimes people will not even care and go on with their day. If you are choosing to do something that isn't "mainstream" then OWN IT. Don't let others bring you down and feel proud of what you believe it.
And by golly, I was hella impressed when my little girl was able to articulate her beliefs in a logical and confident manner. She even got into a heated discussion with my hot headed latino father. She never got upset, she never lost her cool and she never let anyone bring her down. Mind you, the whole thing only lasted a month because she loves ribs, but for that one month she owned her decision and I was proud!0 -
I never advertised my meatless week, but our work situation is set up in a way that people WILL notice what you are or aren't eating. All it takes is one person to make a comment and suddenly it is a big deal, or the person that says, "here, try the veal," and you reply that you don't eat meat...I don't consider that advertising. Walking into work and announcing, "Hey y'all! Guess what? I'm a vegetarian now, so don't offer me any kind of meat," is advertising, LOL...:laugh:
Why would you chose to say that you don't eat meat, rather than a simple "no thanks"? Sounds to me like you WANT the discussion ..
Oh yeah, she's "asking for it", isn't she? I wouldn't expect you to understand the kind of backlash a vegetarian/vegan always gets, regardless of their response. It doesn't matter how many times you say "no, thanks" - eventually people always want to know why, and when you finally tell them they start calling you militant and preachy. It's ridiculous
Bull****. So people push and push, and you calmly and innocently say you're a vegetarian, and they attack and call you militant?
I reject that premise.
Yup. Reject it all you want, you're not the one who's had first-hand experience with this kind of treatment. People get defensive because they assume you're judging them simply based on the fact that you don't eat meat, you don't even have to say anything. I can't count the amount of people who introduced me as a vegan or mentioned it before I even got the chance to utter a word. Does that sound militant to you?0 -
Obviously just trying to taunt me.
And you're letting him.
Don't engage and he'll eventually leave you alone. If you continue to battle back, you're just fueling the fire. Kinda like elementary school stuff.
This !0 -
Personally I am an avid meat eater.
I will give the occasional jab to veggie/vegans for fun- but only in fun and never persistent- and only with people I know well enough to do so.
I have absolutely ZERO issue with veggie/vegan who do so for moral reasons. I actually have more issues with people who think there are mythical health properties doing it- but you can't help feel the way you feel morally.
This is 100% a moral issue for you- then you need to say so and be done with it- you do not EVER need to justify or validate your feelings to someone else- it isn't about a health issue- it's a moral issue and that is all there is to it.
When someone challenges my morals or a choice based on personal code- the answer is almost always
"I have to wake up with myself in the morning- I have to stare at myself in the mirror- not you- I am not comfortable doing these things- they do not allow me to sleep well at night and do not make me feel comfortable about my actions"
Period.
It is not about health. Don't make it about health.No way! I'm a lifelong veggie and I always 'announce'. I love a debate about vegetarianism with preachy meaties, just stay dispassionate - neither of you will change each other!
there is a big difference on both parts in terms of having a valid discussion/rigourous debate- verses just arguing for the sake of arguing- if you are baiting to start a fight you are no better than you're "preachy meaties" that you are arguing with.
I often will ask and discuss with other people- but making it a baiting situation makes you no better than people giving you chit about your vegetarianism.0 -
People who eat meat hate to hear about vegetarians/vegans. They come across as preachy and judgy. Find something else to talk about and quietly eat your veggies.
You know, that dog looks pretty tender...
It's a beagel. They're too active to have any tender meat.
I had a classmate that was a vegen because of the way his family felt about the cruelty on farms. Some of the food they make tastes very good espcially if it's Indian. I asked him about it, he answered, and I thought about his answer but didn't bug him about it. Of course at camp we were feeding the property manager's chickens, chicken meat.0 -
I never advertised my meatless week, but our work situation is set up in a way that people WILL notice what you are or aren't eating. All it takes is one person to make a comment and suddenly it is a big deal, or the person that says, "here, try the veal," and you reply that you don't eat meat...I don't consider that advertising. Walking into work and announcing, "Hey y'all! Guess what? I'm a vegetarian now, so don't offer me any kind of meat," is advertising, LOL...:laugh:
Why would you chose to say that you don't eat meat, rather than a simple "no thanks"? Sounds to me like you WANT the discussion ..
Oh yeah, she's "asking for it", isn't she? I wouldn't expect you to understand the kind of backlash a vegetarian/vegan always gets, regardless of their response. It doesn't matter how many times you say "no, thanks" - eventually people always want to know why, and when you finally tell them they start calling you militant and preachy. It's ridiculous
Bull****. So people push and push, and you calmly and innocently say you're a vegetarian, and they attack and call you militant?
I reject that premise.
Yup. Reject it all you want, you're not the one who's had first-hand experience with this kind of treatment. People get defensive because they assume you're judging them simply based on the fact that you don't eat meat, you don't even have to say anything. I can't count the amount of people who introduced me as a vegan or mentioned it before I even got the chance to utter a word. Does that sound militant to you?
It's true, I'm often outed as a vegetarian before I have a chance to mention it myself. lol0 -
I don't care if you're a vegetarian, just don't push it on me. It's those that get all high and mighty about it that I take an issue with.
Coexist.0 -
Actually, I have experienced MANY instances in which I'm happily minding my own business with my plate of vegetarian-friendly food, or I simply order a large salad at a restaurant, and have had people ask, "What, don't you eat any meat?"
Even then, I try to give a simple answer, like saying I just don't like meat very much. But in situations like that, it becomes kind of difficult to avoid the conversation entirely.
This! I have experienced this also.. Incredible really...:laugh:0 -
I never advertised my meatless week, but our work situation is set up in a way that people WILL notice what you are or aren't eating. All it takes is one person to make a comment and suddenly it is a big deal, or the person that says, "here, try the veal," and you reply that you don't eat meat...I don't consider that advertising. Walking into work and announcing, "Hey y'all! Guess what? I'm a vegetarian now, so don't offer me any kind of meat," is advertising, LOL...:laugh:
Why would you chose to say that you don't eat meat, rather than a simple "no thanks"? Sounds to me like you WANT the discussion ..
Oh yeah, she's "asking for it", isn't she? I wouldn't expect you to understand the kind of backlash a vegetarian/vegan always gets, regardless of their response. It doesn't matter how many times you say "no, thanks" - eventually people always want to know why, and when you finally tell them they start calling you militant and preachy. It's ridiculous
Bull****. So people push and push, and you calmly and innocently say you're a vegetarian, and they attack and call you militant?
I reject that premise.
Yup. Reject it all you want, you're not the one who's had first-hand experience with this kind of treatment. People get defensive because they assume you're judging them simply based on the fact that you don't eat meat, you don't even have to say anything. I can't count the amount of people who introduced me as a vegan or mentioned it before I even got the chance to utter a word. Does that sound militant to you?
It doesn't sound militant at all. That's why I don't believe you get called militant for just saying "I don't eat meat"0 -
i think its a defense mechanism.0
-
People who eat meat hate to hear about vegetarians/vegans. They come across as preachy and judgy. Find something else to talk about and quietly eat your veggies.
You know, that dog looks pretty tender...
It's a beagel.
i love a good beagle and cream cheese0 -
No way! I'm a lifelong veggie and I always 'announce'. I love a debate about vegetarianism with preachy meaties, just stay dispassionate - neither of you will change each other!
there is a big difference on both parts in terms of having a valid discussion/rigourous debate- verses just arguing for the sake of arguing- if you are baiting to start a fight you are no better than you're "preachy meaties" that you are arguing with.
I often will ask and discuss with other people- but making it a baiting situation makes you no better than people giving you chit about your vegetarianism.
I don't bait or start arguments, but if someone laughs in my face and tells me to eat a bacon sandwich I will debate with them as to what value meat would bring to my life.0 -
I never advertised my meatless week, but our work situation is set up in a way that people WILL notice what you are or aren't eating. All it takes is one person to make a comment and suddenly it is a big deal, or the person that says, "here, try the veal," and you reply that you don't eat meat...I don't consider that advertising. Walking into work and announcing, "Hey y'all! Guess what? I'm a vegetarian now, so don't offer me any kind of meat," is advertising, LOL...:laugh:
Why would you chose to say that you don't eat meat, rather than a simple "no thanks"? Sounds to me like you WANT the discussion ..
Oh yeah, she's "asking for it", isn't she? I wouldn't expect you to understand the kind of backlash a vegetarian/vegan always gets, regardless of their response. It doesn't matter how many times you say "no, thanks" - eventually people always want to know why, and when you finally tell them they start calling you militant and preachy. It's ridiculous
Bull****. So people push and push, and you calmly and innocently say you're a vegetarian, and they attack and call you militant?
I reject that premise.
In 24 years of being vegetarian I've never been called militant or preachy. Maybe because if people ask I will tell them I'm a vegetarian. I've always been big on respecting everyone's choices. Not saying that anyone here doesn't. If people ask my why, I'll tell them my reasons. I also explain that I respect everyone's choice to decide what's right for them because what's right for me is only right for me, I cannot say what's right for someone else. I find a lot of people actually respect that.0 -
No way! I'm a lifelong veggie and I always 'announce'. I love a debate about vegetarianism with preachy meaties, just stay dispassionate - neither of you will change each other!
there is a big difference on both parts in terms of having a valid discussion/rigourous debate- verses just arguing for the sake of arguing- if you are baiting to start a fight you are no better than you're "preachy meaties" that you are arguing with.
I often will ask and discuss with other people- but making it a baiting situation makes you no better than people giving you chit about your vegetarianism.
I don't bait or start arguments, but if someone laughs in my face and tells me to eat a bacon sandwich I will debate with them as to what value meat would bring to my life.
while I understand and respect that- this is not the indication of your sentence which is above mine that I quoted.0
Categories
- All Categories
- 1.4M Health, Wellness and Goals
- 393.6K Introduce Yourself
- 43.8K Getting Started
- 260.3K Health and Weight Loss
- 176K Food and Nutrition
- 47.5K Recipes
- 232.6K Fitness and Exercise
- 431 Sleep, Mindfulness and Overall Wellness
- 6.5K Goal: Maintaining Weight
- 8.6K Goal: Gaining Weight and Body Building
- 153K Motivation and Support
- 8.1K Challenges
- 1.3K Debate Club
- 96.4K Chit-Chat
- 2.5K Fun and Games
- 3.8K MyFitnessPal Information
- 24 News and Announcements
- 1.2K Feature Suggestions and Ideas
- 2.6K MyFitnessPal Tech Support Questions