Ranting about the common omnivore....(Since they're all the same)

[gpigluver14]

I was eating lunch today, the usual- a salad, fruit, and what not. A girl that sits near me asks if I'm a vegetarian. *shakes head yes* This starts a friendly debate about veg*ns among the people at my table. I try not to say much (as I tend to get a little carried away sometimes about my own opinions.) And my friend asks "I understand why you would want to be a vegetarian, but why vegan?" So I explain how if you eat eggs, milk/dairy, etc then you're supporting the meat industry, and there is cruelty involved with the egg and dairy industry as well. I tell her about the Meet Your Meat video (because, I think this is the best way to open someone's eyes- by them watching it) I didn't go into any detail, by the way, I just told her about it.

The other girl- who first asked if I was vegetarian- starts saying, in what came off as a mean way, comments along the lines of "You should keep your philosophies and opinions to yourself. It's my food, and I'm gonna eat what I want....etc" First of all, I wasn't even talking to her, I was talking to my friend- the one who asked "why vegan?" I didn't really say anything back, but I wish I did. From what she said, she didn't even care, she just didn't want to hear about it. With the way she cut me off, it came off as she just didn't want to hear the truth. That's what it is. She doesn't want to face the facts and open her eyes. It wasn't a big deal, but she just didn't want to hear a thing. Because she didn't want to change her ways? I didn't try to get anyone to change throughout the conversation, did I? All I did was answer my friend's question, and give the facts- in fact I don't think I gave any of my opinions on my "philosophies." *sigh* The sad thing is, most omnis are like this....

I hope someone can tell me something to make me feel a little better about the situation. Perhaps, I could have some good comebacks I could get back at her next time? *he he* But seriously, she, and everyone else like her, for that matter, really ticks me off. They're just so.....I don't know......blind? Is that the right word? Ignorant? Naive? I just don't know...........

I want to make a difference, try to change people's views a little bit, if not change them into a veg*n. But no one seems to really care.

On a brighter note: my good friend is now pescatarian! And another friend went semi-vegetarian. It's a start!

[wiggley_narco]

Originally Posted by gpigluver14

*sigh* The sad thing is, most omnis are like this....

Having strong beliefs and being able to engage in open, adult conversation about them is a wonderful and fulfilling thing.

I respect your views and your right to express them, and I can understand how this girl would make you very upset by asking about your beliefs and then refusing to hear them.

However... it's not really appropriate to make generalizations about all individuals who do not feel the veg*n lifestyle is for them.

I was especially offended by the title of your post, "Ranting about the common omnivore...(Since they're all the same)." I eat meat (organic, free-range when possible, but meat nonetheless), and I enjoy doing so. But I also understand how some people would be opposed to it, especially when one considers the methods employed in the industry.

Not all "omnivores" are as closed-minded as the girl you spoke with. You wouldn't want anyone making an assumption that because you are veg*n, you must be a radical, bleeding-heart hippie who pushes her views on others (which I certainly do NOT think you are). My point is, just because one individual is ignorant and closed-minded, it does not mean that person is representative of an entire group of people, whether it be omnivores or veg*ns.

That being said, I'm glad you have such strong beliefs, and I hope that in the future you have the opportunity to discuss them with someone more mature than the girl you mentioned.

[babybunny]

We aren't all the same. If we were, I wouldn't bother reading this forum daily. I respect you and others in this forums views, and love to hear about each one's thoughts on the subject and many others. Please don't assume we are all close minded.

[muffin]

*sigh* I try to avoid the general public because they are so moronic, just like the girl you described. She asks you a question and then butts into your conversation telling you her opinion. What the...? Anyway, I think the major problem is that most people don't understand where their food comes form these days, I mean, they know it comes from animals, but conceptually they just don't understand how it gets from farm to takeaway/supermarket. I liken it to the chicken nugget principle (I made that name up): chicken nuggets are preformed, they don't resemble any part of a chicken, but they are so tasty and cheap that people don't see them as meat so much as a comfort food. I think people would find it easier to see the 'animal' in a leg of lamb than a burger. Like you say, if they don't know where it comes from, and they're not interested in finding out, they're not interested in anyone else's opinion. I don't think people see animals as sentient beings, more as products. Well, look at their attitude to pets.

I'm with you on trying to make a difference. Even a little bit makes a big difference. You're doing something right if your friends have gone towards vegetarianism/veganism.

[Calliso]

Originally Posted by babybunny

We aren't all the same. If we were, I wouldn't bother reading this forum daily. I respect you and others in this forums views, and love to hear about each one's thoughts on the subject and many others. Please don't assume we are all close minded.

Exactly I am a omnivore and I can say I am nothing like the girl in the openings story.

[PhoenixFeather]

Originally Posted by gpigluver14

I hope someone can tell me something to make me feel a little better about the situation.

People won't really "hear" the message of vegetarianism until they are ready to hear it. But having heard it a few times already can help "prime" them for the time they will be ready to really hear and act on it. This is what you're doing when you tell people your beliefs.

The girl who got all defensive is probably not so confident that she is doing the right thing by eating meat. She likes eating meat, and doesn't want to contemplate making a change, but if she didn't have a nagging doubt in the back of her mind about it, she wouldn't feel defensive when vegetarians explain their point of view. She may be closer to being ready to make a change than she realizes.

Perhaps, I could have some good comebacks I could get back at her next time? *he he*

"Comebacks" aren't a great way to make friends and influence people. And since you do want to influence people, you should always remain polite. A polite and reasonable response might have been, "Oh, excuse me, I wasn't talking to you. So-and-so asked me about it."

However... in the girl's defense, I think it is a bit rude to go on about the evils of eating meat at a table where other people are eating meat (particularly if you were graphic about any of the kinds of cruelty, which it doesn't sound like you were, but this is definitely something to be aware of while others are eating). It might have been more appropriate to answer, "It's not really dinner-table conversation, but if you're really interested, I'll point you to a good video that explains the problems with the dairy and egg industries."

[gpigluver14]

I apologize to those offended- I should have said, most not all. Of course there are non-vegetarians out there who are open minded. Like I said, that thread was a rant, and I was fuming when I wrote it. I completely respect other people's views, and I in no way during the conversation with them, forced my own upon them. I'm a sensitive person, so I took offense to the girl's comment and had a hard time letting it go. I was hurt with the way she completely butted in and showed no respect about it in any way. From now on, like Muffin, I will try to avoid any situations like this that arise, and if the people I'm dealing with are going to be mature about it, then sure I'll share my opinions. Otherwise, they can stick with their own, which are the only ones they want to be associated with, like that someone.

However... in the girl's defense, I think it is a bit rude to go on about the evils of eating meat at a table where other people are eating meat (particularly if you were graphic about any of the kinds of cruelty, which it doesn't sound like you were, but this is definitely something to be aware of while others are eating). It might have been more appropriate to answer, "It's not really dinner-table conversation, but if you're really interested, I'll point you to a good video that explains the problems with the dairy and egg industries."

I was in no way graphic about anything. I simply told my friend about the video. -Not going into any details, just stating "it shows you what's involved with the meat industry"- nothing more, nothing less.

[Char-x]

I think you dealt with the whole thing with class. The girl was very rude and abrupt which you're friend and others would have seen the immature behaviour. Although, yes, putting everyone into a big category was slightly wrong, never mind, you were really peeved at the time - we all have moments were we need to rant.

[diane]

I myself am an omnivore and I think nothing like that. I like to hear why people think and feel a certain way. I like to think of myself being very open. There will always be somebody who will oppose your feelings, I think you not acknowledging her was more of a statement. You didn't start a fight of any kind and you and you explained your stance without belittling anyone.

[steve_and_pigs]

I'm an omni, and I have to admit, I used to think veggies were a big pain in the @$$. I mean, you can't even go to a restaurant, or have a dinner party without it getting all complicated. Freak'in give me a break! And vegans, why don't you just starve yourself already and save us all the trouble!

Fortunately I don't feel this way any more at all. Today I really appreciate veg*ans, respect their ideas, and benefit from them, as they get me to eat less meat. Have patience with us. It takes a while for new ideas to sink in for a lot of people. Folks naturally get defensive, and assume things they don't understand are just radical or crazy. You are going to get some strange reactions. In this case I think your "girlfriend" just has issues.

[VoodooJoint]

It's an easy enough comeback. The girl who became agitated is the one who brought the topic up. You WERE keeping your opinions to yourself as you quietly sat and ate your meal. SHE was the one who had to comment about your habits. If she doesn't want to hear about veg*nism then she should not open her mouth and comment.

[gpigluver14]

Thanks everyone for any supportive output.

She didn't say anything to me today.... And my friend- the one who was open-minded and asked about vegans- basically apologized for her to me. She truly felt bad about the whole thing and the girl's reaction (she's close to her by the way) and I really appreciated that. The girl completely flipped out on me, for no reason! She acted completely irrationally.

I may have been more upset because I'm a bit sensitive, but all the same, it was very rude. .....She definitely does have issues. I think a problem of wanting all the attention for herself as well may have caused her to do that. In fact, now that I think, about it, she is rather full of herself. I, instead of her, had everyone's attention when I was talking about veg*nism. It was a topic she had no involvement in, and being close-minded, she didn't want to, or have, any say in it. She just couldn't stand it so she had to rudely interrupt and claim back her own precious, center-of-attention status, in a very inappropriate way.

I do regret not saying something back. But I think I was the bigger person by not saying anything. I hate drama anyway.

[Susan9608]

From now on, like Muffin, I will try to avoid any situations like this that arise,

That's not really a good way to be an effective advocate.

As someone already stated, a lot of people don't prefer to hear about the principles behind vegetarianism/veganism while they're eating. And yeah, I get that the girl who told you she wasn't interested in hearing about it wasn't the girl who originally asked you the question. But it sounds like you all were all at the same table or were within ear shot of each other.

It makes some people uncomfortable.

I find the best approach when someone asks me about my views on meat/vegetarianism while we're eating (and especially if I know there are others at the table who are not vegetarian), I try to say, "I'd really like to talk to you about this because I think it's very important, but some people don't like to hear about it when they're eating. Let's talk after lunch."

You still leave the door open for conversation, you avoid inciting comments like the ones you heard, and you also avoid coming across as one of those vegetarians who like to push their views on everyone else. Effective advocacy.

Take a minute to read this: Personal Purity vs. Effective Advocacy

[fourboys4now]

I just watched the Meet your Meat video. I had not heard of it before. I am in tears after watching it. Is all that's occuring on the video the normal practice nation wide? After every segment I thought it couldn't get worse, but the more I watched the more horrified I became.

[Ruftybear]

I have found that whenever you do something 'different', people feel they have the right to give you their opinion and/or be rude when they have asked you about your choice.

We are homeschoolers, (have been for the last 9 years), and the rudeness and nasty comments we have endured in that time is amazing. It almost always stems from people asking us questions, or being brought up when asked what school my daughter goes to.

Stand proud that you have the convictions you have, and if people are rude just tell them that fortunately we live in a society where we have choices, and you are exercising yours.