Don't let it get to you. I think it is just something we all will have to face over and over again. You tell them you are a vegan or vegetarien and some people will start right away trying to change you and make you eat meat.

I just tell them you don't tell me what to eat and I won't tell you what to eat either. I don't judge you, so don't judge me. My husband is a meat eater and could never live without it. I am not happy about it, but I won't force him to live my lifestyle.

I hope they will stop trying to tell you what to eat etc...

What I have noticed too is that if you show a non-vegetarian/vegan pictures of how the animals get killed etc they all of a sudden go: no don't show me, that is so terrilbe.

People instinctively try to maintain cultural norms by pulling others back into the status quo. Take comfort that you're a pioneer

Everytime I tell someone I am a vegetarian they do the same to me. They sometimes make fun of me, tell me how much they love meat, and so on. I don't care. I tell them "Well, I'd rather not catch a disease from the hormones and additives to the meat with a history of disease in my family." I like to know what exactly I am eating. The people who make fun of me eat processed foods and hot dogs, It's like taking a health tip from Paula Dean.

People are intimidated by what is odd or goes against the grain and don't like people who are outside of the box. The fear of change and variation is common as well. For years the American society has been programmed to live a certain way and those who go against the sheep like pattern are outcasts.

I laugh at them on the inside and move on with my life. I would advise you to look at yourself in a more superior perspective, your knowledge, health and benefits are plenty and they just don't get it!

I think the problem is that people are too egocentric, and can't accept the fact that something is NOT all about them. So, if you become a vegetarian and they aren't vegetarian, what you're REALLY doing (they think) is calling them stupid and indicting them for their food choices. So, they feel the need to defend their choice to be carnivores and prove you wrong.

On a side note, one of my favorite personal comebacks from when I first went veggie was when my younger brother (who, of course, knows everything; just ask him) said, "Don't you realize that people spent thousands of years climbing to the top of the food chain?" I said, "Tell you what. Go to the zoo and spend an hour in the lion's cage, or go to the aquarium and take a swim with the sharks. THEN we'll talk about being on top of the food chain..."

When people ask me how long I've been a vegetarian and I say "23 years", I can just hear them getting excited in their heads because they presume my whole family is veggie, and they want to use it as an opportunity to preach about how cruel it is to raise your child vegetarian. Well, I have to disappoint them. 1) It's not cruel. 2) I'm the only one in my family who doesn't eat meat.

In. Your. Face.

For some reason that I do not yet understand, a person's decision to not eat meat often acts as a guilt mirror for people - it's as if rejecting meat is a rejection of them. Now, if we're talking about the person who makes or shares your meals, I can understand the reaction. When it's an acquaintance, colleague or total stranger, then I get confused.

It's true that a lot of veg*ns are passionate about the reasons they became veg*n and this passion often leads to preaching. I'm sure that preaching is a part of the response, but it can't be the only reason.

I guess I am really lucky. Almost everyone I talk to are very supportive. Some are curious, and ask a lot of questions, but no one tries to talk me out of it or whatnot. My best friend is marrying a vegetarian, and her fiance knows that I am also vegetarian, and he made it clear, that i would get a vegetarian plate at the wedding, because he knows how hard it can be sometimes. My friends at work are always trying to help, even if they don't quite understand, lol... they have to ask, "do you eat fish?",or "can you have milk?" and such. I am lacto-ovo vegetarian, and that really confuses them. My mom is almost vegetarian, lol. I guess you would say she is "fexitarian", she doesn't eat meat often, but she will on occasion eat poultry or fish, she always makes sure there is something at family dinners. So like I said, I guess I am just very lucky.

I think people will always judge because they're afraid of what is different.

I don't consider myself "vegetarian" or "vegan" because I sort of follow my own guidelines. I simply tell people I don't eat meat, and that's only if they specifically ask. I got sick of dealing with being ridiculed and having to defend or debate my personal diet choices with anyone and everyone so I just don't discuss it anymore. Only with people who I am close to or those who I know are open minded and/or supportive.

We get the same "guilt" reaction to a lot of our "alternative" lifestyles - adoption, homeschooling, etc. You get used to it.

I've actually come to enjoy the confrontations I get when I 'come out' as a vegetarian. I used to avoid the topic at all costs back when I first went veg several years ago. People would get downright defensive and upset, as if me not eating hamburgers was a personal attack on their lifestyle. Since then, I've gotten a lot of life experience, research, and knowledge under my belt, as well as some funny comebacks...

"Rabbit food again?" "What's wrong with being a rabbit? They're more adorable AND they get laid more than you do."

Most of my family and friends have been supportive, even if they don't really understand it. I try my best to put my choices in a positive light without sounding preachy when people ask me questions about it. I know my diet isn't for everyone, but I do encourage people to eat more vegetables and non-processed foods.

I think that people who get that angry, knee-jerk reaction to people who are making a serious effort to live healthier feel that way because they don't want to change their lifestyle, even though they know they need to. It's the same as the people that say, "Oh, you can have a (insert unhealthy food item), look how skinny you are!" or "You don't need to exercise, you're fine just how you are!" To them, I say, "How the HELL do you think I got this way?!" They don't want you to step up and say that you're taking charge of your health, because that probably means that they need to as well.

Keep your head up and don't let them get to you! Be healthy and lead by example!

Even vegetarians judge vegans... I guess everyone reckons they know a skinny malnourished vegan, so that image gets normalised.

I decline to enter any conversation about vegetarianism with anyone who is not one. People will try to bait me but I do not budge. I am not an animal rights activist. I do not have an agenda. I do not wish to inform, convert or postulate my belief in vegetarianism with a non-vegetarian, ever. If, however, someone told me they wanted to become a vegetarian I would elevate them as "a vegetarian" and discuss it with them. This saves me many headaches from ignorant people.

I have seen all these "Veg Vs Non-Veg" boxing matches(debates) and veg guys are often easily silenced/suppressed by the majority "Meaters" since usually they can't really make a good case and lack some basic knowledge of nutrition.

Where I live(#1 veggi paradise in the world you can say) being a veggi is "normal" but the abnormal is when a veggi is into serious body building and powerlifting.So in my case being a Veggi comes like a shocker and often people don't believe since veggies are associated with lean/weak personality.No one can come and tell me the "Only Meat gives Muscle and Power" crap.A lot of myths are spread about being a veggi.

I think they feel guilty and it scares them. I don't go comment on my friends pics of non-vegan/vegetarian food. But if they comment on one of my posts it's no holds barred.