Why do vegetarians and vegans have to label themselves? Vanity?!
Why do vegetarians and vegans have to label themselves? Vanity?
I tried pure vegetarianism, but it was always too easy to fall off the wagon. Then, I read if Americans simply cut back 25-50% on meat it would put a huge dent in the meat industry.
So I gave up trying to be perfect, and at least cut back on meat. Step by step, I learned to do without meat for the most part, and I haven't been to McDonald's in 10 years. Almost every day of my life for the last four years, has been meat-free. Still, if someone offered me a really good cut of meat, free range piece of mutton or chicken, I'll take it, no questions asked, and savor it.
If people ate as little meat as I do, the meat industry would be on it's knees begging. So, I feel even if I'm not a zero tolerant as a vegetarian I am still doing my part, way more than most people, and also doing my health a boost.
I don't see the point in labeling oneself as different, it only alienates people, makes the backlash seem even worse. Don't you think calling yourself a name is a form of vanity
1 month ago
I doubt if any Vegetarian really is perfect, because sometime in their life they probably ate meat. And if that isn't the case, maybe a gnat's egg got in their food so now they aren't entirely vegetarian anymore either. I don't think it's one or the other.
I'm just sick of extremes, some people eating only vegetables and others not liking any vegetables, going to Burger King and wanting a whopper with nothing on it.
"Pregnancy" is also a medical condition, jjjjjj.
Answers:
1 month ago
I doubt if any Vegetarian really is perfect, because sometime in their life they probably ate meat. And if that isn't the case, maybe a gnat's egg got in their food so now they aren't entirely vegetarian anymore either. I don't think it's one or the other.
I'm just sick of extremes, some people eating only vegetables and others not liking any vegetables, going to Burger King and wanting a whopper with nothing on it.
"Pregnancy" is also a medical condition, jjjjjj.
First of all, congratulations on reducing your consumption of meat. If everyone ate as little meat as you do, it would leave many of us in the medical profession without a means of livelihood, as well.
Secondly, whenever someone complains about labels, it's a relative certitude the argument that follows will be, at best, unsophisticated and poorly reasoned. We have *definitions* (let's lose the childish "L" word, okay?) so we can communicate what we mean.
Here's a news flash: Language is a tool for communication.
This means you do not describe the sky as orange, a stalk of broccoli as a rock, or a fish as a vegetable. If you do such things, you'll quickly lose credibility.
You then write, "I doubt if any Vegetarian really is perfect, because sometime in their life they probably ate meat."
So? If someone became vegetarian last week, are they any less vegetarian? I stopped eating meat in 1969 -- am I somehow not vegetarian because Mom feed me meat as a toddler?
It would be more productive to focus on the issues behind your anger, than to engage in the displacement you've demonstrated with this 'question'.
Are diabetics or lactose intolerant people vain?
I don't agree with your point at all.
EXACTLY!
it's a way of people telling other people how better they THINK they are.
and by the way, i hate vegetarians/vegans that go completely bat-nuts insane when you eat meat around them--i respect their right to be a vegetarian, they should respect other's rights to be omnivores.
broccoli scream too.
I guess it "could" be a form of vanity. But it could also be a form of self identity. Many people have to label themselves as something in order to "fit in". It doesn't stop with one's eating habits, it goes right into their sexual preference, their particular religion, their racial attitudes, and their political affiliations.
Personally, I don't approve of labels, any of them. My identity is much more complicated than that.
About the point made above me- diabetis and lactose intolerance are medical conditions: not a choice like vegans. On the mailn issue if they what to be called that it is fine with me, though it is vain.
because they are different from everybody else and they eat nasty food and not a nice juicy steak and some shrimp
Probably. And a lot of people call themselves veggie to jump on the trendy bandwagon.
At the same time, it just makes things easier to explain yourself sometimes. For instance, when you're becoming friends with someone, if you mention you're vegan, they can keep that in mind for all future food-related outings. Also, labeling oneself as a veg can in a way spread the word. Non-veggies who are interested can seek veggies out and find out more about it.
Anyway, people label themselves in a lot of ridiculous ways. America ranks number one as an individualist society on the "individualist-collectivist" spectrum used by people who study cultures. Everyone wants to be unique and special. Americans also label themselves as Christian, Republican, Irish-American, Libertarian, Jewish, African-American, conservative, liberal, green, etc.
EDIT: Pregnancy is not a "medical condition." It's a natural function of the female human body. Is an erection a "medical condition"? I think not.
Are you really that foolish?
I'll state that I am a vegetarian only if the situation arises wherein it is relevant, and not as a means of bragging or attempting to convert others. Saying that I'm a vegetarian means that I don't eat meat, period, and that I won't. If I am offered something with meat in it then I'll decline, and if asked why I'll state I'm a vegetarian. With you it's a sometimes thing, so the word doesn't apply to you. There's no such thing as being a sometimes vegetarian. Either you are or you aren't. It's like trying to say that you're a little bit pregnant.
Also, the reason I don't eat meat, my motivation, isn't to "stick it to the meat industry". I do it because I don't believe in unnecessarily killing animals and for my health, both physical and spiritual.
Stating a fact when the situation calls for it is simply stating a fact.
Additional: Do you know what a metaphor is? I used the pregnancy example to say that you either are something or you're not, there isn't an in between. Another example is that a sphere isn't a little bit round. It is round, entirely.
And yes, a vegetarian might eat a bug unknowingly. But that isn't out of choice, and that is what we are talking about here, that eating a certain way is one of personal choice and not design. So even if they used to eat meat, being a vegetarian is what they are now. If you want an example of that, then say that I chose to pursue a profession as a physician. A physician is what I end up becoming, although I'm not one until I do.
I suppose Some people try to use it as a label to make themselves look cool or different, but all the vegetarians, etc, that I know, just label themselves that way because its part of who they are and they usually believe in the cause. It's just like saying "gay" or "black" or whatever else makes up who you are. Also, for practical reasons, you gotta be up front w/people about being a vegetarian or family dinners and other get-togethers will be meaty and awkward if they don't have anything for you. You are right about cutting back, any little bit helps, and you don't have to be perfect- everyone chooses their own thing, but at least you are aware of your impact as a consumer and choose to do something about it, so god job on that aspect.
Being a vegetarian is something to be proud of because you're holding to a strict diet that for most people would be very hard to continuously follow.
Like you said, it's all too easy to fall off the wagon-- so you have to respect the fact that people actually do do it.
As for vanity... I wouldn't call calling yourself a vegetarian vain. I think they're calling themselves vegetarians because they are and to let people know not to offer them meat or put them around that.
Just like homosexuals want people to know they only like the same sex.
But cutting back on meat is also something to be proud of, and that's a healthy choice.
You sound a little vain yourself. "If people ate as little meat as I do, the meat industry would be on it's knees begging." Well, vegetarians eat even less than you do, so .... ?
I believe giving a label to people gives them something to unite under. Technically, what's the big deal if someone is gay (more power to them), but they need to call themselves something, right?
I am a vegetarian because I don't like to do things half-assed, and I've told many people that. If I am going to give up meat/dairy/egg, I am going to give it up all the way, not just when it feels okay for me. I might be a bit extremist in that way, but I feel better when I keep to my values like that. I don't have a problem with people who eat meat, especially when it is free range & organic. But for my personal beliefs, I would rather just cut it out all together. Also makes it easier to explain to someone who says, "You said you're a vegetarian, but why are you eating ... " Gives me a little more credibility.
To each his own! But it's not a vanity thing!
Err... because it's easier to just say "I'm a vegan" when I'm ordering a meal, to make sure it's suited for vegans, or when someone keeps offering me meat or dairy... So rather than explaining the whole history of plants and mention everything I eat and dont eat every single time someone asks I just say "I'm a vegan" and they get it. It's practicality not vanity. I don't have to prove I'm smarter than anyone, dumb people prove it for me.
why should we put or let others put to us any kind of label anyway!?!??! it's so fake and meaningless..
This is like the "what came first the chicken or the egg?" question.
Did a vegetarian label themselves first or did someone label them. If you study sociology, you will find that labeling typically comes from the dominant group. Labeling one as deviant strengthens their own belief in that what they are doing is correct and that the others are wrong. It is the basis of racism, religion, and so many other ideologies that contribute to one group believing they are entitled.
So the question remains who labeled who?
Vegetarians, being the less dominant culture have united under the label and use it to confirm their beliefs. We find strength in numbers, support to fend off the taunts of the larger and therefore more dominant group.
You assume a vegetarian created the label, I believe you would probably find it to be a different story. We just band together because society does not make living our life as easy it is for members of the dominant ideology, and we need the support of everyone offering it.
most people say they are vegetarian when they go out to eat or are eating with people so the people who are serving them their food will know! that's the only time i usually bring up that i am a vegetarian. it's not like when i introduce myself to someone new that i always say..."hi my name is so n so and i'm a vegetarian". sounds like you are being a little judgemental to me, not all vegetarians are like that!
The only reason I label myself is so I don't get fed hunks of dead animal.
It's not vanity. I dream of the day I can sit in
an anonymous room full of people and tell
the hostess, "I'm vegan" and get the same reply
from everyone in unison, " So what. I am too".
A lot of vegetarians feel that way. We don't want
to be "special". We want more of the world to come
around so that our lifestyles can be considered
normal and matter of fact.
I make it a habit not to announce I'm a vegan to
people. Any fifth grader can figure it out.
How is it vain? Promoting it in a self righteous way is vain, labelling ones self is not. Well done for not associating with the meat industry, but vegans and vegetarians [oh no labelling!] don't believe in the killing of any animal for their own needs. With you still eating an animal regardless if it were free range or not i think you have little to worry about people even considering you to be a vegetarian. In conclusion i believe YOU are vain, for creating this question to be able to show the world how great you are for leading a group of unlabelled people to scare the meat industry.
First off, I would like to say Acille's answer is the best. It would be wonderful if the whole world took part in a cruelty-free lifestyle and gave up hurting and exploiting animals. Then there wouldn't be a need for a *special* word.
But to answer your question, we use a label for the same reason that people create millions of labels and words that are part of jargon, it is easier.
The purpose of a label is to put many words into one word and be done with it. While we are usually living our normal lives, sometimes moments and situations occur where we need to make it known that we have a different lifestyle/set of beliefs. Instead of going off into some awkward, paragraph-sized explanation... we can simply say "vegetarian" or "vegan" and the general concept is conveyed.
Even those who eat fish can often easily slide into social situations involving food, but we are different, and it is not always that easy for us.
Oftentimes the surrounding meat eaters insist on turning our vegetarianism into a long (sometime mean) discussion anyway, but few vegetarians are happy when an entire lunch revolves around "Isn't fish a vegetable?" or "I mean come on, the cow is already dead."
We would much rather eat in peace.