Why do people seem to despise vegetarians so much?!


Question: Why do people seem to despise vegetarians so much?
At my old school, students would say our field trips would be to places like Al's Steakhouse and stuff...
They also said that I would fail in life and shrivel up and die lonely.

Basically, question is: Why do people seem to despise vegetarians? It makes no sense.

Answers:

Best Answer - Chosen by Voters

I don't agree with you.



You know high school? It's the same reason a large proportion of a grade despises one or two people/groups: they were different. They did their own thing, maybe they had a different sense of humor or weird political views or a different style of dressing, or is more quiet or loud than everyone else.
Not because they were natsy or rude or obnoxious, just because they are different.

People feel threatened by the outside/foreign. That's why we are constantly fighting about other races, other diets, other political views, other religions.

Just a note: all of my friends are very nice about me being veg (or else I wouldn't be friends with them, duh :)), and I've only been acted-rude-to once in my 1 1/2 years of vegetarianism.

I do not think people are jealous, that's just people trying to make themselves feel superior.
Also, I have never met a vegetarian that ranted, and only one meat-eater out of the hundreds I know did. The thing is, the few that are obnoxious give their whole group a bad name (go away PETA!)
So I disagree with whoever said either of those answers.

I find that most of the people (around here at least) say the Al's Steakhouse stuff trying to be funny, the same way one might talk about 'yay! ice cream shoppe!' with a lactose intolerant friend. Somewhat obnoxious, but I don't think its offensive.

vegetarian



I agree with the first poster. It seems to be that they lash out because subconsciously, they are aware that what they are doing is wrong. I am a vegan, and when I tell others this fact, they try and make excuses for themselves or they brag to me about how they were a vegetarian once and hated it. They seem to desire some sort of justification. They seem to think that by me being a vegan, that I'll judge them. I never berate or rant at others. I never try and change others. I just live my life and answer questions if asked. But when I do answer "No, thank you, I don't eat animals." People look at me like I slapped them in the face.

They will deny it until they're blue in the face, but deep down they know the idea of eating animals is troubling, and that is why meat eaters lash out. So don't be upset, it's just their childish way of coping with the truth.

Also, many people claim that vegans and vegetarians are mean, judgmental, and try and "convert" them. In my personal experience I've never met any Veggie that acted that way--with the exception of one 12 year old brat who was trying to "rebel" against her parents and be cool to her friends at school. So please, folks. Don't judge all Veggies based on one bad experience with someone who was acting immature or seeking attention. Similarly, don't judge all people of color based on one bad experience with an African American. Don't judge all Christians because you met one or two Bible thumpers. Don't judge all men because one boyfriend was a jerk. Just don't assume things!!



To be honest I think it's cos there are so many vegetarians who constantly berate others for eating meat. It makes sense that the meat eaters will want to do it back, even if it's not the the vegetarians who criticized them in the first place.
That's one of the reasons why the judgemental vegetarians give us all a bad name.

Vegan



There is a lot of judgmental attitude on both sides. I say live and let live! There is no point in even discussing it. We are who and what we are and were probably predestined to be that way. What good does it do us to get on each others cases about who we are? We have to grow up and act like good people. There is just too much drama in the world that does not have to be. It kind of reminds me of the Democrats and Republicans fighting each other. They would be so much better if they worked together.
Just stay true to yourself and ignore the hateful people who only show their ignorance! Even at Al's steak house a vegetarian can eat well, unless of course you cannot stand the sight of meat. It is all in the attitude. Basically, don't ask, don't tell and you will be left alone, I am sure.



People like to stay in their little oblivious bubbles. We serve as reminders of what's wrong with their food system and we're trying to prick their bubbles, intentionally or not. People get defensive because it's like saying if their diet is wrong, they're somehow wrong, and that simply cannot be!

The most important thing any vegetarian or vegan can do is not to try and convert everyone. Live your life and they'll live theirs. If they wake up one day and decide they don't like the meat industry's treatment of animals, great. If not, it's their life.



Well basically they despise you because you may be different to them. The non-vegetarians are jealous because they lack the will power to change for good. Furthermore they know eating meat is bad, pointless and harmful to your nature and the nature around you. So I would advise to stand up to these cruel people and to just ignore them.



Because people are gibbering morons without even two brain cells to rub together, they can't separate the fact that some vegetarian in the past may have annoyed them with the fact that the person who annoyed them was not you. It's a case of simple-minded, ugly prejudice. The people who hate on you are as bad as the vegetarians who constantly berate meat eaters.



Because, nowadays there are numerous fast-food restaurants e.g. McDonalds, KFC, Pizza hut/Dominos Pizza,Wendy's, etc. that advertize HUGE greasy, juicy, and jaw-dropping meals that a large majority of the general public consumes constantly. Thus, some people view not confroming to this( becoming a vegeterian) is somehow depriving oneself of the meat products that is accepted worldwide.



One of my favorite quotes is "Open-minded people see the truth in differences. Narrow-minded people only see the differences." It causes them to question themselves and instead of learning about it, they deny it completely. People always think their views are better than others.



Some --- Okay a lot...of Vegetarians have the tendency to become incredibly pretentious and shove their beliefs down your throat,which I hate anyone doing.



Hello

People fear the unknown and feel threatened as it questions their values and beliefs.



Pretentiousness. Which is found in most of these answers. Great job, people, reinforce those negative views. And you wonder why people can't stand you.



I get mad when vegetarians try to make me feel bad for eating meat.



Because we are so much better than them



Because they feel guilty for not being vegetarians themselves.

If you want proof, tell a few people that you are a vegetarian because your doctor said you have a problem digesting animal protein. They wont give you any crap about it. Then tell people that you are a vegetarian because you think its the moral choice; you dont want to kill if you dont have to. Then you will get the hate.

The person below me is an idiot. He doesnt seem to understand basic consumer ethics. If you buy something, you are telling the seller that there is a demand for it, and they will likely produce more of it.



They are being kind to you, and telling you to stop being a vegetarian. No man or woman should miss out on the awesome pleasure that is bacon.

And seriously, meat is essential for a diet, whether it seems like a sin or not... you're not going to keep a dog from eating a bird, are you?

But don't give two shits about what somebody else thinks... If you believe in something, believe in it. Be the bigger man, don't give up, and whether they see or not, you're still the bigger man out of the whole deal.



because a lot of vegetarians will rant at meat eaters that meat is murder and WILL NOT STOP..
I eat meat nothing you say will ever stop that. you shouldn't rant at someone because you don't believe as they do.
I don't think eating meat is wrong at all,and neither do alot of meat eaters.
I would never even try being vegetarian and I don't feel bad about it.



If you say despising a vegetarian makes no sense...
Well, since there is meat at the grocery store...
TO ME, it makes no sense to not eat it....




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