What do you tell people who ask why you are Vegetarian/Vegan?

Question

I know all the reasons, because I am vegetarian, but what do you actually SAY when they ask "why"? I don't want to sound superior, even though I am healthier...lol! I swear, someone looked at me like I had grown another head! So, what do you say?? Thanks!!

Answer 1

Just tell them that for you personally, it's a healthier choice. If they are still curious then you could tell them some brief facts, or direct them to say, a website where they can read more.

Answer 2

I say that the industry is very cruel - and I don't want to support it.

This usually result in a follow up question

1. "what's so cruel about the **** industry?!"
2. "So what DO you eat?!"
3. "Do you really think that's going to make any difference?!"

Answers:

1. The answer to the first question is very long and complicated and I'm sure you know the drill.

2. Fruit, Vegetables, Pies, Rice & other grains, Beans, lentils & other legumes, Potatos, Stir-fry, Pasta, Dips & Spreads, Salads, Pasties & hundreds of pre packaged foods.....

3. I point out to changes in society in the last 5 years, and in the last 20 years.

The consumer effect - the fact that there are so many vegan products in the market now means that there is a growing number of people who prefer vegan food.

The promotional effect - when would you ever have major fast food chains try and convince us they are treating animals kindly?!
The fact that it's important to people means it's working.

Answer 3

Tell them because you just don't like meat. Simple for simple minds. Or you can say jokingly "don't you know what they do to those animals" and laugh shrugging it off, joking but not joking.
YOu can say a lot of intense things acting like you are not serious when in fact you really are. Say something with a lot of impact like "agribusiness does horrible things" and then change the subject.

and anybody who says that vegetables and fruit are the same as animals needs to get their head screwed on strait. It is not the fact that something is alive but the fact if something feels and suffers and wants and deserves.
In that same note: why don't we have laws protecting vegetables against cruelty. Do jerks like that beat their dog and say it's the same as slapping a bean sprout? what utter dips**ts.

Answer 4

Just be yourseld and be straight and tell the true instead going around, you dont have to impress anyone only yourself. The best thing to talk about it, if some wants to listen is about the benefits, instead you trying to shoke them with others. My experience was I attended a vegeterian non animal dinner and it did not went well because you suppresing the meat instead tell you the benefits and make it more looking good and tasty.

I hope this may help

Pedro R.

Answer 5

Just say what you honestly feel. Whatever the reason, you don't like the taste of meat, eating meat makes you feel sick, you don't like the idea of killing animals, whatever the reason just say it. Whether they look at you funny or not, state your reasons and stand behind what you believe. It really doesn't matter what anyone else thinks, it's your choice for your life. I have vegetarian siblings and it's no problem. I cook for them and eat how they eat sometimes when we're together out of respect for their choice.

Answer 6

I tell them it's for health reasons and then explain why. If you already know then it would me a moot point to preach to the choir.
It's a good thing because I don't meet their myth of what they thinkg a vegetarian looks like. I'm muscular and cut with six-pack showing.

Answer 7

Why I am I vegan? I am vegan because when I eat most foods I react to them and have trouble breathing and have put myself in Hospital before by eating the wrong food so that is why I am vegan for medical reasons

Answer 8

No matter what you say, you're likely to sound superior to us carnivores. We ask why b/c we just can't fathom never wrapping our lips around a perfectly grilled steak ever again. I'ts just curiosity.

Just say "it's a decision I made" and change the subject.

Answer 9

I tell them that I do it for health reasons (it lowered my cholesterol) and that though I love the taste of meat, I just couldn't do it anymore. Somehow, acknowledging that meat is yummy softens any hard feeling people might have. I get very few defensive answers that way.

Answer 10

You laugh when you say "I am healthier" that makes me laugh too...Paul McCartney and his 1st wife Linda Eastman are vegeterians...(Linda passed away from Breast Cancer) she was also a die hard advocate for animals...she ate only Vegetarian..she was healthy....so ur "laugh" about being healthy ...is silly....If anyone asks you why you are who u are...then I would just simply say..."its what I prefer to eat."