What is it about a vegetarian diet that is so difficult to comprehend?!

First of all, to answer your title question:

People who make light of the vegetarian diet, rest assured, just don't KNOW about vegetarianism! They haven't considered it (much less studied up on it), so it just doesn't register on their radar. Overall, it's looked at as an aberration in our meat-eating society, and more primitive (or third-world) cultures certainly don't have the LUXURY of considering the vegetarian diet! They just need to survive! Plus, as I'm sure you already know, food is a very emotional topic; it's rooted in people's souls, attached to memories of childhood and loved ones, connected to their very beliefs, and anyone would feel defensive of that.

Moving on, it sounds like you're handling it quite well, actually!! You're remaining polite, and finding yourself something else that you can eat.

In helping them understand your choice, it's paramount that you remain gentle and positive. Maybe you could try preparing a vegetarian meal for everyone. It would probably be a good idea to stay away from meat substitutes like tofu, TVP and the like that carnivores pretty universally think taste like old shoe leather (it's an acquired taste, let's face it!). Instead, use a recipe like the ones found here (except the tofu one ~ maybe that can come later, once your family starts to come around!): http://www.realsimple.com/food-recipes/recipe-collections-favorites/healthy-meals/meatless-recipes-00000000019532/index.html

Barring any family food dislikes or allergies (make a substitution), and providing that you remain kind and non-judgmental, using these recipes will likely make it easy for them to see that vegetarian food can be warm (as in: it's COOKED, it's not just salad!), tasty, filling and satisfying! Then you might want to work, in a friendly manner, to make the dinnertime conversation about education in your dietary choice ~ assure them that 'getting your nutrition' (at the top of everyone's list of concerns) may take a bit more thought than the 'traditional' diet, but that it's certainly do-able (especially once it's become second-nature).

You should remain realistic and be cognizant of the fact that you may not be able to change everyone's mind, due to the complex emotions I mentioned earlier but, hopefully, they'll gain an appreciation of your choice that isn't there now! You can let them know that you still love them dearly, and that your choice is in no way a rejection of them (another common feeling)!

Good luck!

~ Site referenced: Real Simple
~ General knowledge

Perhaps it would not be so "difficult" if there is a universal and universally accepted standard of what is "vegetarian". But there isn't and what is "vegetarian" or what is acceptable as "vegetarian" is subject to personal interpretation because it is nothing more than a personal lifestyle. You can't cite or point to a set of "rules" or specific "guidelines" other than a simple dictionary definition and even that changes according to the general standards of the day.

It's funny though that "knowing full well" that you don't eat meat, you expected others to order for you, that you expect them to forgo what they like in order for you to get what you want and that they should automatically know what your own standards are as if it's the most important thing in the world. There are also some other words/phrase in a dictionary you might find interesting :arrogant, self absorbed, presumptuous selfish etc.

Gosh, my parents always do that. They'll be like, so christina what do you want with your chicken? I just tell them politely that i am a vegetarian. I would tell your family, that, that was offensive, and you being a vegeterian isn't a joke. Maybe they'll start to understand better after that. :D

personal experience

Lol that reminds me a few days after I turned vegetarian my family made pot roast and told me to just pick the veggies and potatoes out lmao.

What I did was kindly told them what I can or cant eat and why i'm vegetarian. Then I showed them some of the peta videos and mercyforanimals then they understood and made vegetarian dishes for me.

Be kind to them and bring your own food. Kill 'em with kindness and they'll have a tough time trying to find a way to fight with you.

Buy your own food.