Why are people rude to vegetarians?!
Answers: I am a vegetarian and when i meet new people i tell them. Some support me but the majority of my class make stupid comments like " meat is the best thing you could do with your life" and parts of my family do it too. Some people have done it to an extent where i ended up crying. Why are people so against it? If you do your research, not eating meat results in a better lifestyle.
Your family probably think it's a phase; mine did too when I went vegetarian in 1969.
Your classmates are obviously very young, and finding it hard to handle difference.
I've never had anyone be rude to me about my dietary choices, except on this forum; I've never met a nutjob like that in real life.
I don't feel the need to tell people I'm vegan though, unless the situation demands it - they've invited me to eat at their homes or we're going out to eat together, for example.
I think that some people don't stop and think that if some people are vegitarian, that means more meat for them. Or it could be that some people think that people have to do and like the same things they do. Try not to let it get to you and remember that everyone is different and thats what makes the world interesting
I can't speak for others, but the few vegetarians I have met are very confrontational about it themselves. It's like, i'm vegetarian, so what of it! It doesn't worry me what people eat, & I don't expect others to berate me for eating meat. Fair enough?
Why would you have to announce you're vegetarian. Do people often announce they are not vegetarian? No one can make you cry unless you let them. This isn't a question you've posed; you're lecturing about how we need to do our research so we'll agree with you. We don't. Deal with it. We deal with your difference in opinion.
That's wrong of them to be rude.
I eat meat. As long as you respect my choice I'll respect yours.
"Why are people so against it? If you do your research, not eating meat results in a better lifestyle."
First off, you are defending yourself by attacking another lifestyle - omnivores. If this is how you explain your vegetarianism, of course people will not respect it. "Not eating meat results in a better lifestyle," is your opinion and choice in life. That is a great way to start a good fight with people who enjoy their meat products.
Secondarily, if you are young, many people view your new lifestyle more as a phase or hobby. Though vegetarian is more of an accepted societal lifestyle, it is still viewed as a trend.
Also, unless you are prompted to tell someone you're a vegetarian - like a restaurant employee to ensure your order is meatless, or your doctor, it is an unnecessary fact about you, unless it is prompted by a conversation leading to your exposing your vegetarianism. So telling someone out of no where that you are a vegetarian is likely going to be seen as "putting it out there for input."
I really do not see why you would become so upset - this is your choice, and unless you are in dire need of everyone's approval to go veg - I do not really see why you would be so offended.
Just do your research and ensure you are consuming enough iron and protein, otherwise you will make yourself sick. Be careful to not OD on iron if you take a separate supplement.
hey sweeti, I was once there, too. And let me tell you, I was VERY confrontational about it!! I got all defensive about ppl killing animals to eat, I still do. But I pray to the spirit of the animal I am about to eat and thank it for its sacrifice. I would still go back to that, but I like meat alot too much to do that, just yet. I am, however, pro-choice. Alot of ppl were raised on meat and believe that meat-eating is the only way to go. It is all they know and vegetarianism is foreign, and new to them. PPl reject what they do not know, Just like when ppl see my pentacle around my neck, they look at it, THEN look at me, and they judge me, and I hate that. They look as if I am a evil person and if I make a move, they look startled.
Gosh! It looks like some of the posters on here are doing just what you described.
I'm assuming that you being a vegetarian is not the first thing you mention about yourself or the only thing that you talk about, right? If that were the case, I can see where it may be a little obnoxious.
I too have had similar reactions, but mostly from people who say things like, "animals are on the planet to be eaten!" I am not opposed to eating animals, but rather to the cruelty of factory farming. Anyway, I just explain that to them and add that I am not judmental of those who do eat meat.
I think that some people just worry that you think you are better than they are because you don't eat meat and they do. If someone gives you a negative reaction about being a vegetarian, just view it as their problem and not yours!
I have been vegetarian since 1984 and nobody is ever rude to me about it (except here on Yahoo Answers). But I don't say anything about in real life unless it's absolutely necessary.
well they think you are dumb without relly get to know you so it their lost o well
Hi.
I am a vegetarian too, like my mom, and I don't know why the people in my class are mean to me! The boys are so mean! I guess they are mean cuz they don't get why we don't eat meat.
I hope I helped!!!! =]
People are afraid of people who are different. If you don't eat meat it is challenging a lot of peoples every day habits. Though I certainly don't introduce myself as vegetarian it is surprising how often it comes up because people love to talk about food.
I would suggest not presenting opinion as pure fact. I agree that it a more preferable lifestyle but when talking to people I opt for the 'I have more energy now', 'It has made my skin glow', 'I save money' etc. Tell people the positives of not eating meat at first rather than the negatives of eating meat- if they are interested enough they will do more research and discover everything there is to know.
Because, honestly, you are doing something different, out of the ordinary. Per say. I know it is really no fun. I am a vegetarian, and I know how it feels. Just don't mention it publicly. So what? you're a vegetarian, good for you. It's a healthy life style.
Again, they are brought up with meat, they can't help it. Ignore them. And don't announce it publicly.
Most have given the answer I would...vegetarians are so defensive...down right rude when they confront others about "their" abuses (eating meat). They also try to get carnivores to change to vegetarian by bullying and even calling them murderers. Well, that is no way to get a point across. It is a choice...just as eating meat is a choice. After all the Bible tells us that God gave man the garden and gave him dominion over the animals.
Pretty much I guess it is a personal preference...one way for you and another way for the rest of us...keep you choice to yourself and leave off trying to change everyone.
because people are immature. I've been messed with physically over being vegetarian. I've been pushed at school before, i push back though. for some reason most of the people i've met think that if you have different viewpoints then they do that you're wrong, no matter what.
If you were talking just about on Yahoo Answers - I would say because some of them have had had rude comments made to them and tend to think that all are like the rude jerk that made the comment.
As to real life - never have seen any one make a rude comment to anyone because of what they ate. I have seen people asked about it - but rude - never.
Maybe it is because I live in the south and people just tend to not be as rude as they are in other places - who knows......
Why do you "announce" you are a vegetarian? I mean, just say, "I don't like burgers" and leave it at that. First of all being a wannabe vegetarian is nothing to brag about. Second, I do not announce my true veganism, but I run into plenty of wannabe's who are preachy and just all around nuts about being wannabe vegetarians or "vegans in training". Like it's some big deal.
True vegans and true vegetarians are given a bad name by wannabe vegetarians like you.
You mentioned people in your class - what grade are you in? If you haven't graduated high school yet, people are probably going to assume it's a phase. Make sure not to force your opinion or food choices on others. Others don't have to the same as you, just as you don't have to be the same as them. Don't expect people to tailor their actions to your food opinions either. Just because you don't eat meat doesn't mean that every activity you go to needs to be meat free or have a meatless entree.
Well some people are not has open minded as others. Just like why do most people think that blondes are dumb?or how about cheerleaders being sluts? It is just how some people are they will pick u part.don't act like it hurts u when they say stuff b/c that is what they want! THEY JUST WANT REACTION OUT OF YOU! And don't give it to them
first of all, as you can see, many already find your "question" quite rude itself and inconsistent. you say you don't lecture people yet the first time you meet them, you automatically tell them your a vegehead. why? then you follow it up with why being a vegetarian is better (by asking them to research? as if they don't know what they are doing? why, don't you think other people can think for themselves too?). it seems that you already imply that you are superior to them in some way and then when they answer back, you find it "rude". You need to re think this one dear.
People are ignorant! Don't let it get to you... I get stupid comments all the time! You are making a healthy life choice and I applaud you for that! Do you have any friends who are vegetarian that you can talk to? I know it can be hard when you don't. Kids can be cruel, but don't forget that once high school is over, things get better :) If you ever need some support send me an e-mail I would be happy to correspond.
Those people who are rude about it are very information deprived. They really don't know anything about it and they somehow think that you need meat to survive, not true.
And yes, the vegetarian lifestyle is very healthy, it's been proven. You flesh eaters can thumb me down all you want, but it's not going to change the facts :)
In some cases, I think they are jealous.
I would just think you were weird for telling me your diet when I first meet you.
I don't walk up to people and say "Hello, I eat ham." That's a little odd, I wouldn't make stupid comments I would just avoid you.
I have a few vegan friends. I never knew they were Vegan until we went out to eat together. Perhaps that's because they don't allow themselves to be solely defined by their diet, maybe you should give it a try.
Lady Rae:
Umm, I got that info from the second line of her question.
"I am a vegetarian and when i meet new people i tell them"
Read much?
It's because people are cruel:( Cruel to other humans and to animals, I get a lot of crap about it too. Even from my family. My sister called me once and said "Guess what I'm sitting on?" I asked what and she said "My neeeewww leeeeaaattthhheeeer couch! Hehehe! What to you think about that!" My God she is 32 freaking years old! Try not to say you are a vegetarian, and DON'T show these people that they are getting to you, it only makes things worse. There are a lot of lies spread around about us, you just have to smile and not let it bother you. Good luck.
To you people who says this girl meets people and immediatley tells them she is a vegetarian, where do you see that in her question? Huh?!? She only said it after someone got on her case for not liking hamburgers.
They are acting out their frustrations from their encounters with vegetarians upon you. They sound wrong, assuming there are no facts which have been omitted.
In my opinion, vegetarians tend to be angry violent people. They burn down our houses, destroy our properties, and assualt us in public venues.
I urge you to eat what you want, but leave those of us who eat stuff you don't like alone.
I'm a vegetarian too, and that happens to me a LOT. Maybe they just feel stupid because we're actually taking a stand for our beliefs and they're not.