Vegetarians - are we aliens?!

[i-love-nev]

Anybody here get treated differently because they are vegetarian? I am tired of it and it makes me feel horrible and awkward. I get made fun of, questioned and the oh-so-famous idiots saying "are you sure the plants didnt suffer to give you that" gah...I hate it! And I get told I am stupid for going vegetarian and I will get ill and die early. Jeeeez.

[guineapigluver1]

Oh, yeah I have been asked many times "What about the plants?" and my brothers used to give me a hard time making fun of me and it was all very annoying, my mom tried to make them stop and they wouldn't, but over time they did stop. I have been told that it isn't healthy eating fake meats and all that junk. Seriously people, go get a life. You can be healthy or not healthy whether you are a vegetarian, vegan, or a meat eater. Soy is good for you, I eat plenty of vegetables and fruits (fruits especially), and lots of nuts and seeds, pasta etc. I just don't tell anybody I am a vegetarian unless something comes up where I must, and if anybody says anything about it I ignore it unless I can't ignore it than I try to be as polite as possible about it.

[PrayerWarrior]

Of course. In my opinion, it comes as a package deal if you label yourself vegetarian. I've had people try to tell me why it's not healthy, try to interrogate me on my beliefs and then proceed to tell me why I'm wrong. But my favorite one of all is when people say, "But God put animals here for us to eat." I always reply back, "Yes, in the beginning. But now there are fake meats and other things to live off of. Meat is no longer necessary." They don't have much to say after that. Either get defensive, or say I'm right but they're not giving up meat. As if I'm trying to force them to become a vegetarian.

Once, my mom was reading a vegan book (when I was vegan) up at the pool, and one of my swim coaches asked, "Vegan? One of y'all are vegan?" And I said yes, I was. He said, "Oh! So that's what's wrong with you! I knew there was something."

Great role model, right?

[aNiMaLsAmArItAn]

Personally, I think some people, not all, but some people act like this because they know you are most likely healthier than they are and want to defend their own diet and wellbeing. Everyone knows veg*ns live an average of seven years longer than omnivores.

[Jane_G]

People seem to always question or put down things that they don't fully understand. A kind of "Well, if I don't know anything about it, it must not exist" mentality.

People's dietary habits and likes and dislikes are personal preferences. It would do everyone a world of good to remember that. Unfortunately, people tend to wear blinders.

[PiggieMamaKelly]

Doesn't bother me. I know that I'm right and they're wrong. I feel better and I look better than most people who give me a hard time. That's satisfaction enough.

[rxqueen]

Originally Posted by PiggieMamaKelly

Doesn't bother me. I know that I'm right and they're wrong. I feel better and I look better than most people who give me a hard time. That's satisfaction enough.

Same here. And I am totally cool with people knowing I'm vegan.

I do get trouble for it on occasion, and I get all the "arguments" about plants and the whole god gave us animals to eat thing but I always try to be very rational in my replies. The word vegan is kind of magical. It always seems to elicit a strong reaction. Whether they agree with me or not, it gives people something to think about. And who knows, maybe that thinking will lead somewhere positive down the line. That's how it worked for me. I used to think vegans were really extreme.

[guineapigluver1]

I guess I should try that. But I get very annoyed when people bring up things like God gave us animals to eat and all that. My mom still thinks that vegans are extreme, I don't really think they are.

[buttons]

Originally Posted by guineapigluver1

I guess I should try that. But I get very annoyed when people bring up things like God gave us animals to eat and all that. My mom still thinks that vegans are extreme, I don't really think they are.

Originally Posted by rxqueen

Same here. And I am totally cool with people knowing I'm vegan.

I do get trouble for it on occasion, and I get all the "arguments" about plants and the whole god gave us animals to eat thing but I always try to be very rational in my replies. The word vegan is kind of magical. It always seems to elicit a strong reaction. Whether they agree with me or not, it gives people something to think about. And who knows, maybe that thinking will lead somewhere positive down the line. That's how it worked for me. I used to think vegans were really extreme.

About the "god gave us animals to eat" - Jesus was a vegetarian.
I hope this is OK to say...since it's religious.

[MCR_Rox]

I haven't been insulted, yet. Of course, not many people know that I'm a vegetarian.


EDIT: Actually, now that I think about it, when I was trying to get someone to become a vegetarian, they said they didn't care. They said that to hurt my feelings. I guess that counts. Well, actually, someone called me a hippie on another website.

[Luvthempigs]

Originally Posted by buttons

About the "god gave us animals to eat" - Jesus was a vegetarian.
I hope this is OK to say...since it's religious.

He ate fish. Where did you get that information? It's not true.

[AnimalHouse36]

Originally Posted by MCR_Rox110293

.


EDIT: Actually, now that I think about it, when I was trying to get someone to become a vegetarian, they said they didn't care. They said that to hurt my feelings. I guess that counts. Well, actually, someone called me a hippie on another website.

I really don't think its right to try and force your beleifs on someone. THats like a meat eater trying to force you to eat meat again. How would that make you feel.

Guienaluver: My grandma told me that animals were put on earth for us to eat. I replied that what were we put on earth for? TO destroy it? I have been made fun of many times by familly friends and even teachers..the best way to stop them is to stop having reactions. Good luck!

[MCR_Rox]

I wasn't really trying to force them to become a vegetarian. Maybe I should just stop with my nonsense, though .

[AnimalHouse36]

Originally Posted by MCR_Rox110293

I wasn't really trying to force them to become a vegetarian. Maybe I should just stop with my nonsense, though .

What nonesence? Of being a vegatarian? You should never stop doing what you beleive in! I've had some pretty rude commments thrown out there, from, your not even making a difference to how can one person do anything, animals are neer going to not be slaughtered to oh just one bite won't hurt, some even worse ones I'd rather not mention. ANd here I am a strong vegatarain!

[MCR_Rox]

No, I meant telling them why they should become a vegetarian.

[DIGGYDI]

Hi, I admire you being a vegetarian. Since I cut down on the amount of meat I eat (twice a week),I've lost some weight and digestive system is functioning better. Forget about the "nay-sayers" KEEP ON KEEPING ON!

[i-love-nev]

Good going DIGGYDI!

My response to "god gave us animals to eat" ... ? "Hey, what happened to 'Thou Shalt not kill' ?"

This reminds me of the lyrics
"'Cause I'm sick of being treated like I had before
Like I'm stupid standin' for what I'm standin' for
Like this wars just a different brand of war
Like it dosent cater to rich and abandon poor"
The truth about eating meat? it caters to rich and DOES abandon the poor!

[PiggieMamaKelly]

When people say "God put animals on the earth for us to eat", I say....

.... "That's not what He told me!"

[guineapigluver1]

When people say "God put animals on the earth for us to eat", I say....

.... "That's not what He told me!"

Hehe! Yeah, I don't know why some people say that. It isn't true.

[caviecrazie]

Oohh yes. Me and a great boardie sister of mine are currently engaged in a 'we will make you vegetarian' argument on another site. The problem is people just think that vegetarianism is about animals, when the matter goes far deeper.
The enviroment.
People
Your own health etc..