Making fun of vegetarians?

Question

I just stopped eating meat about 2 months ago. I have never gotten so much crap in my life about something I chose to do! When I went on a strict diet 2 years ago and lost a bunch of weight, people were cheering me on -- now even my own family and boyfriend are teasing me and saying I am in love with bees, or I want to change the way they eat, which I have not done.
Why is everyone so defensive? Why can't people let me just not eat meat? I am not killing babies or anything...I just want to not eat meat anymore. Why do they even care? I try to just ignore them, but they push me to the point where it really makes me wonder why they are so tormenting on this seemingly insignificant lifestyle change.
Anyone else experience this? Will it end?

Answer 1

Who cares what other people think? You made the chice for yourself, not for them. They can shove it, don't let it bother you.

Answer 2

Hey, you're not alone. Unfortunately, all vegetarians/vegans must put up with this yearly, monthly, weekly, or sometimes even daily. You are right in trying to ignore the comments, but sometimes it does get tiresome and can make a person just snap. I get teased EVERY TIME I visit my friends. I let it slide because I know they are either doing it in fun, or they simply are ingorant to my lifestyle and are acting out of confusion. A lot of people feel threatened by vegetarians/vegans due to the fact that they feel guilty because a part of them knows that it is a better lifestyle, and they really don't know how to justify for eating meat besides insulting vegetarians/vegans. Other people have this image of a vegetarian/vegan being someone that preaches their views on other people and attemps to sit upon a throne-some vegetarians/vegans are like this, but they are rare. The only time I see vegetarians/vegans preaching is when they are questioned or insulted about their lifestyle. People are just rude to concepts that they are not used to. Humans were raised with the idea that animals are on Earth for our pleasure and nothing more. They think it is silly that one would go against tradition, and so they act rude because they don't know how else to act when they do not understand a new idea. You were questioning if it will ever end, and I am sorry to say that it won't. The good news is that the people you are close to will get used to this new lifestyle after a while, and soon they won't notice it because they are so used to the fact that you are a vegetarian. Other people that see you often will also become used to it. It just takes time. You will always run into strangers that think they can be witty with making snide comments, but the best thing to do is just ignore it and know that you are making the right choice.

Answer 3

Answers to this question:

"I am not a vegetarian, but I don't make fun of them, either. I do have to say, though that I have received some comments to my face from vegetarians because I eat meat. One of them telling me how disgusting it was and how it grossed them out. It made me feel disgusting. So this argument, I believe, could go both ways."

"they are just jealous that you have the self-control and discipline to not eat meat and it antimidates them"

"Just keep doing what your doing and in a few years when their arteries clog and they get arthritis and all the other illnesses meat eaters get, they may change their minds then."

"It amazes me how much killing innocent animals in mass quantities is so accepted and people question you when you don't want to take part in it. Get some facts together and be prepared to give it right back to them-get them thinking. Even if you aren't doing it for ethical reasons, talk about how unhealthy eating meat is for them. I commend you for choosing this lifestyle. It is much healthier for you, animals, and the planet."

"Just point them toward some of the info that prompted your change. The best defense for vegetarianism is the facts. So learn the facts!"

Don't think that veggies as a group are exempt from any blame on the criticising other's beliefs front. They are probably worse proportionally, although fewer.

Answer 4

Yeah I know..I had exactly the same experience, it was really annoying..I can tell you even though it's less now sometimes they still want to have a little comment. I also NEVER told any of them to do it, it got so bad that I started lying and told people a story about how my doctor recommended it due to a spastic colon. This is the only way people got off my case. You know I think it's because deep down inside something really tells them that the meat diet does involve unnecessary killing. Have you noticed how people sometimes try to quit smoking and their "friends" make them drunk, just to offer them a cigarette..well that's just life, people don't want to feel guilty about a bad habit alone. Meat eating is basically a bad habit. Hang in there and continue. Get some good recipes and invite your friends over for a nice meal, make them feel comfortable and help them realize that they can have great meals without meat. You will be a great example, and off course don't do what they did and try to force them into your ways. Tell them you love and them irrespective of what they eat and that you hope they can do the same..Good Luck!

Answer 5

You aren't alone. Everyone seems to hate us because we help pur bodies/the planet/the animals! Carol J. Adams' book, Living Among Meat Eaters: The Vegetarian's Survival Handbook is very useful in how to handle these people that pop up whenever you say "the V word".

Answer 6

The jokes and "crap" from your family and friends should eventually end. With mine, it took about a year. However, you have to start all over when you meet new people, or start a new job. Once you are comfortable with the decision, you will find it much easier to handle the wisecracks. The more confident you are in your lifestyle, the more others will respect you. Don't think of yourself as a freak, you are a trailblazer.

Answer 7

I am not a vegetarian, but I don't make fun of them, either. I do have to say, though that I have received some comments to my face from vegetarians because I eat meat. One of them telling me how disgusting it was and how it grossed them out. It made me feel disgusting. So this argument, I believe, could go both ways. I do agree with you when you say, who cares? Stop bothering others and let them believe what they want!

Answer 8

Why do some people that eat meat feel the need to make fun of vegans and vegetarians,back when I ate meat I wouldn't have felt the need to do that.

Answer 9

yes, why should you care. Tell them straight that this is your body and you can eat and do whatever you feel and want to. And yes it will change eventually everyone will be fed up with the news {it usually takes about 2 months} before everyone finds something else to tease and gossip about. why not get back the other people who teased you. revenge is good.

Answer 10

I dont understand it either...

I am a meat eater... but I just dont get why some people care SO MUCH about what other people *don't* eat. I could understand wanting to intervene if it was a 500 pound person who eats junk food all day... but someone who *doesn't* eat certain foods, why is it such a big deal?

Answer 11

That really pisses me off. When i went Vegetarian the first time all my friends and family were making fun of me saying a was a hippie and ****. So to save myself from the torture i started eating meat again. It was horrible I hated it So I'm back to my vegetarian ways. I've learned to just ignore them....