Why are people so against vegetarianism?

Question

What is some people's problem with it?

Answer 1

Eww... Who eats vegetables?

I dunno, but in search of the answer I found this site that I was too lazy to read...
http://www.rabble.ca/babble/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic&f=10&t=000235

Considering the URL, I wouldn't regard anything in there...

Answer 2

Amelia, your argument very much reminds me of the people in the anti-American questions who go 'there contry sux, there just jelus!!1'. You may think that vegetarianism is the best way to live, but that sure as hell doesn't mean everyone does, even subconsciously. People do sometimes get afraid of things that are different to themselves, that's how racism started, but I hardly think anyone would be 'scared' of a vegetarian diet.
Neither do I think they're unhappy with themselves, and I think the suggestion is a very arrogant one. You suggest that all meat eaters have a problem with eating meat, but are too weak willed to admit it; on the contrary, I don't think many meat eaters have a problem with it at all. Your suggestion basically shows that you can't understand anyone who disagrees with your opinion, and that you think anyone who does must have very poor judgement, or be a very weird person. Is there any difference between you and the people who go around insulting veggies? I think not, you're both opinionated, narrow minded and unable to see other peoples views.

Almost every vegetarian I've ever known, even the very polite ones, has made it very obvious that they are veggie. Even if they don't argue against your opinion, the underlying reason that they are veggie is usually something like 'meat is murder'. People know this, and feel like their lifestyle is being attacked, so they go very defencive, even if the other person has said nothing about why they are veggie. I know quite a few who just openly come out and proclaim that all meat eaters are scum, and thus people associate the less militant veggies with those people. That's why I think veggies are normally attacked as they are; I don't think it has anything at all to do with their being afraid of it or agreeing with it deep down.

Amelia really illustrates that point well: if you ate meat, would you not feel the need to argue back against her very arrogant points?

Answer 3

It's frustrating isn't it? Being vegetarian is my own choice, a personal choice, and I certainly feel my morals should be respected. I do not harass people who choose to eat meat and would greatly appreciate the same courtesy.

A poster above was of the opinion that people go out of their way to make their vegetarianism known. I am not that type of person; although I do not avoid letting people know that I'm vegetarian, it is not something I bring up. When I mention that I'm vegetarian, it's usually in conjunction with being persistantly offered a meat dish I don't want to eat. I've eaten lunch with people for months before they realize I don't eat meat.

Some people are very nice about my choice to be vegetarian and leave it at that. But many others get very defensive, as though I'm insulting their lifestyle. I don't even have to mention why I'm vegetarian before I get a tirade of arguments - "Well, my ancestors didn't work their way up the food chain to have me go back to eating lettuce," or "We're biologically made to be omnivores." My response is usually that if you maintain the right to eat meat, shouldn't I have the right to renounce that privelage? Suprisingly, people are usually happy with this answer.

So to actually get around to answering the question - I don't think people are so against vegetarianism in and of itself. I think they're afraid vegetarians are going to attack their morals. Perhaps there's a little guilt on their part, (I can't read their minds) but I also think that many vegetarians have been offensive in advertising their decision to others. (ie. PETA, shoving slaughterhouse videos in their faces, etc) I'm as dedicated to vegetarianism and passionatly against slaughterhouses as anyone else here, but I feel the in-your-face tactics are what really put people on the defensive, so I don't practice them.

Answer 4

I'm a vegetarian that does a big effort into being as vegan as possible... Here at work more than half of the times people have realized that I'm vegetarian there are comments that are sometimes very insulting towards 'vegetarians'. Many times, the conversation takes on the route of the good-old justifications for eating meat like 'our teeth are spikey', 'cavemen killed mammoths', etc; and they usually conclude with statements that in a very subtle way say that 'vegetarians are idiots that don't know what they're doing'. Regardless of the nature of this topic, I feel that this it is a natural defense mechanism that we as people create when faced with opposing ideologies. Say for instance, you are a christian and you go to a buddhist temple or some other religion and you face practices or ideologies that are not akin to yours or almost opposite. One of the first things you'll do is have a 'justification', or a 'reason' to believe that they are wrong and you are right; even if you deep down feel that it is not true. This is to me a very simple 'save-face' attitude that we all have as people. As a meat-eater, when faced with someone that is vegetarian or promotes vegetarianism, you will feel instantly 'preached upon' even though the 'preaching' is not ocurring itself (like many times I've felt just by saying "I'm vegetarian", I get responses as though I just preached a whole PETA pamphlet) and I think it is simply 'resistance' to new ideologies. As selfish as we all are, I think our resistance to other ideologies is 90% of the times in a hostile manner, since feeling that 'we are wrong' is something no one wants to experience. My advice to everyone, vegetarians and meat-eaters, is be open and receptive of other people's ideas and opinions; even when they feel like they're 'preachy' to what you believe.

Answer 5

Yes, meat eaters do not understand vegetarians. And many of them are trying to cover up their unhealthiness by downing vegetarians. Just like when a big fat guy was making fun of my trim, muscular husband saying he was "too skinny" and "wow, are those your ribs?" It's the same thing... they're trying to detract attention from their own eating habits by drawing attention to yours... this is true in most cases, perhaps in not all.

And I must say I agree with Amelia. And WOW, Andy B is getting defensive... what could this mean? He can't handle the truth? Andy, obey your body and go eat your veggies!

Answer 6

Simple. Because vegetarians are different. People fear what is different and usually mock or insult it.

I eat a mostly vegetarian diet. I avoid most prepackaged foods. I will not go near anything containing trans fat. I try to buy mostly organic brands. I get so much grief from people because of it, including my family.

I've decided that people criticize me because they're unhappy with themselves. They wish they had the will power and determination to eat a better diet and they don't. They hate that I do and when they see me it reminds them of the fact that they can't stop stuffing ding dongs, red meat and coke in their mouths. Instead of taking personal responsibility it is easier for them to be against me.

Answer 7

Phoenix, I'm a vegetarian but I couldn't care less about people who aren't vegetarian and and I wouldn't b**ch at anyone who eats meat and all of my friend(some of which are vegetarian)would say the say thing. Most of the people who do that are in PETA and are nuts about animals.

Answer 8

People make fun of what's in the minority.

Plus a lot of vegetarians (not all) wear their eating attitudes on their sleeve, like it is a badge of honor. Anyone who openly tries to show that they are feel they are better than others will invariably make enemies.

Answer 9

I dunno, people should be more open minded, I personally am not a vegetarian but I know someone who is and it isn't a problem! If they're not asking me to be like them then vegetarians are cool with me! If it doesn't effect you, people should just not care about what others do!

Answer 10

Because since what you're doing (being vegetarian) is opposite of what they're doing (eating mrat), people feel threatened.

Answer 11

probably because they think the vegetarians think that they are better than everone else because they don't eat meat. i'm not a vegetarian but i don't hate vegetarians...but i definately know why people hate them.