Getting grief from meat eaters.?!
Yet I continue to get harassed by family, friends and acquaintances on a daily basis. Why can't people mind their own business about what I choose to put in my mouth? I don't even bring it up unless someone asks why I won't eat their cheesy poofs or won't take a bite of their steak sandwich.
This is driving me crazy!
Answers: I have been a vegetarian my whole life and a vegan for 2 years. I get blood work done regularly to make sure I'm healthy. Each time it has come back entirely within normal limits (although my b12 was actually slightly high in my last test).
Yet I continue to get harassed by family, friends and acquaintances on a daily basis. Why can't people mind their own business about what I choose to put in my mouth? I don't even bring it up unless someone asks why I won't eat their cheesy poofs or won't take a bite of their steak sandwich.
This is driving me crazy!
Im not vegan/vegetarian but I agree with the person above. People are ignorant.
I eat extremely clean and never eat junk food. I watch everything that I put into my mouth. I get the same ignorant comments when I won't drink a soda or take a bite of chocolate. Alot of people give into people's comments and go against what they believe. Good for you for sticking to your guns.
I sympathize.
People are ignorant.
I would not consider anyone who harasses me a friend. I also wouldn't hang around anyone who didn't respect me for very long, even if they were family.
Some people don't have an understanding of vegers.
Every day and you don't bring it up? Wow. That's unbelievable.
Possibly because they are enjoying your reaction to their harassment. Relax and walk away.
That's fine. They will all die of heart disease soon and you can have the last laugh.
i feel you i live in a small town in texas, so everone here is simple minded and cant see that it is the 20th century and you CAN survive with out meat. they are always telling me why does it matter, its not like you killing it or going to stop them from killing the animal, but its called supply and demand. the more demand the greater the supply. just ingnore what they say and tell them, to try not to judge you just because you choose what to eat, its not like your judging them just because they live a unhealthy life style.
It's tough getting unsolicited advice from people no matter what it is about
I think the trick for everybody is to practice a bit of tolerance - it's going to be tough getting others to accept your dietary choices without question. you could always ask them about their diets...or ask them why they are so preoccupied with everything you put in your mouth...
I certainly wouldn't be talking about ditching my family or friends as suggested by someone else
I am a vegetarian and I have the same problem, everytime I eat with there people I get asked, why don't you eat meat, or I get made fun of, by my own family, some people actually stick meat in front of my face, it is so annoying!!
I totally understand. When I turned vegetarian, my family and friends would not leave me alone about all the protein and blahbie blahbie blah that I was missing, but I'm fine! I guess people who actually eat meat just don't understand...
People are defensive. Sometimes simply the fact that you're vegan will make people think you're judging them, even if you haven't said anything.
My suggestion is to either ignore them or show them how good it is to be a vegan by sharing vegan food with them - then maybe... maybe, they might realise that you don't need meat to survive.
@Abe S: It's acctually the 21st century now. ;) :P
I could care less if you don't eat meat. But don't sit and be high and mighty about saving animals because you don't. Your very human nature manipulates animals.
I am experiencing the same thing... once I tell someone "I'm a vegetarian" they'll freak out and think that I'll try to convert them.
I don't really care what you put in your body, they shouldn't be concerned with me either or harass me about it.
Or they'll think I'll look down on them or something, my whole family eats meat, my boyfriend eats meat, its your choice but please don't be rude to vegetarians.
Theres a lot of rude people here
You were not specific as to what kind of "harassment" you are getting. Some of it may be just teasing. I mean do they forcibly ask yo to eat meat? Or do they call you names with hatred? Or do they just pump you for information as to why you choose to be what you are? somebody mentioned that people are being defensive when challenged. Are you just being defensive every time people ask you about it? You have to understand one thing, vegetarians/vegans are very much in the minority. Not many people know what it is about or what exactly it means. (heck even people who call themselves vegetarians have no real clue as to what it means.. just check out the questions here) don't expect people to understand simply because you say you are a vegetarian. Are you being patient when explaining or are you impatient and condescending? Try to explain it to them, especially family and friends, what it all means. don't look down on them (as you really have no reason to), don't be impatient. Be factual and informative, avoid the lectures. If they still bug yo about it, then smile it off. it is now their problem not yours. Acquaintances and strangers, you need to explain once. If they still don't get it, move on. By the way, if the "harassment" occurs in the office, you can file for a grievance.
It is rather strange.
Do you get hassled by adults as well ?Thats suprising, the evidence about a veggie diet and its benefits are well documented.
Its true what exfst says, we are in the minority. There will be peope who are genuinelyinterested. But this is family and long term friends you mention. So surely once they get the answers they leave you alone.
I'd really struggle to think of anyone ( other than this forum ) giving me hassle in 28 years as a veggie. I do wonder a bit if its how people present themselves, but you say you don't mention it unless they ask, but why do so many people know you are a veggie ? most people I know, even those I've known for many years, would be suprised if I told them i'm veggie ( even though i own a vegetarian business !! )
If your friends hassle you on a daily basis I think perhaps you need to evaluate who your friends are. Thier action will eat away at you eventually and affect your mental health.
If you tell them how they action affect you, and they carry on, you can't call them friends, no matter how much it hurts you to break from them.
Adress the specific instance of harrassment, not the personality as a whole:
try something like " you know when you just question me about veing vegan ? Well, by you saying xyz it made me feel abc. I don't feel you are respecting my beliefs. I can understand you asking an open question, once, but its daily, and I wonder why ? I find it very hurtful and wonder why you would do this to a friend ? Can you explain why you choose to make me feel abc"
I think it happens to most of us, people are cruel, cruel to each other and to animals. We just have to grin and bear it, and never let them see that it bothers us:)
WHY WON'T YOU TAKE A BITE OF MY STEAK SANDWICH, YOU PATHETIC EXCUSE FOR AN OMNIVOROUS HUMAN BEING!?!?!?!!!
I don't see your problem...
Hm, strange.
Doesn't happen to me. Maybe you are just an easy target -- maybe you are fun to bug because of your reactions.
Well, at the start, almost 20 years ago, I had everyone questioning me and making comments. I just fought back how I always do, with wit. If they were just trying to be mean or make me angry, I'd just make them look stupid and laugh at them. In the male world, you grow up having to defend yourself on a daily basis about one thing or another. Just turn everything back around on them, it's fun. Remember, such people are cowards. Just keep calm, don't let anyone push your buttons, laugh at them (laughing really works well), and be intelligent.
PS I never bother getting any blood work done -- I just think that's unnecessary. People live on pure junk food and never get a single test done, yet they continue to live somehow. I know people that don't eat any real food at all -- no tests.
Some flesh eaters are really imformation deprived.
The vegetarian lifestyle is very healthy. I've been veg for three years and i'm healthier than ever.
And yet, I still get the occassional idiot who questions me and what not.
Just hang in there, those people will eventually educate themselves..
I am vegan and started off as a vegan and my family when I told them that I was going to become vegan they began to laugh. Some family members are ok with it after about a year but my brother just likes to harass me.
Other people just are so ignorant and don't see or don't wanna see that it is possible to stop eating meet and still be healthy. They don't want to know that you can still be healthy because they don't want to take the trouble to try to stop eating meat. And they know what I'm saying is right when I talk to people they always say yes I hear how the animals are treated but I still like my meat. I just think that is the stupidest answer out there.
If you can't beat 'um, join 'um.
Relax, become mature in your decisions and quit throwing a tantrum.