I am vegan and get upset seeing people eat animals. I'm not a very social person as I have a lot of things going on in my head and I'm very shy and introverted. For Christmas last year we had a vegan meal and my mother thought that my sister who had gone off to university was left out, because we did something special for me. This year my sister is planning having our family and her boyfriend's family all together for Christmas and a few days surrounding it. They have only been dating for 7 months and my family aren't very good at socialising, but the other family are quite happy-go-lucky and extroverted etc. I really am dreading the whole fiasco. If I say I am not going, then I am branded as selfish, which I suppose it would be, but they have only been dating 7 months, and to expect all the familys to come together over a fair few hundred miles is a bit way out. They have agreed to eat a vegetarian meal if it means I'll come. If I say no they may go back to eating an animal though.
2006-11-10 23:57:06 · 12 answers · asked by joy_hardyman2003 2 in Family & Relationships ➔ Other - Family & Relationships
Thanksgiving only comes once a year and it is a time to be with family and be thankful for all of your blessings. I think you should definitely go to be with your family for the day. They have done a Thanksgiving in your honour (so to speak) so I think you should put your feelings aside for one day and join your family.The holidays can be a stressful time for everyone....families getting together trying to blend everyone together and make everyone happy. It's worth it to be with your family for a day of thanksgiving. Go with an open mind and enjoy the day. You will be the bigger person for it.
2006-11-11 01:29:05 · answer #1 · answered by vanhammer 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
What a beautiful thoughtful gesture they have presented to you by cooking a vegetarian meal for the most wonderful holiday ever. How unselfish of them. Now it's your turn to be unselfish. I know what you mean about being with another family that you don't know and your sister barely knows. I met a man in Oct. and spent the holidays with his family our first year, only 2 months after meeting. Mind you I had a child too. Their arms were open as well as their hearts. It was only 2 months before this wonderful holiday mind you, uncomfortable, yes!. Over 10 years later I am so happy I haven't missed one holiday with this family. I never would have thought it would have lasted and grown with so much love.
Give your sister a break. This may be her in laws you are sharing your time with and besides, this will make your sister happy and the rest of your family.
Christmas is all about giving, this is the best gift you could give your sister.
2006-11-11 08:04:05 · answer #2 · answered by BIZ Z 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I don't think you're selfish at all. Personally, I'm not a vegan/vegetarian, but I really don't enjoy eating animal products. I'll eat a small amount very infrequently (I would include in this description things like cheese and milk) because I don't know enough about nut cutlets to make sure the body gets what it needs (and this is largely because I can't be arsed to find out, frankly).
Go to lunch with your family - if they do it right there should be lots of sprouts, carrots, cabbage etc. If someone spills a drop of (animal) gravy on your plate, don't have a hissy-fit.
Not everyone agrees with you, but a lot of us sympathise. (do you know how much grass you have to stuff into a cow's mouth to produce one steak? (pointless in the grand scheme of things, isn't it?)
2006-11-11 08:12:53 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Mankind has been eating animals from the word go some animals are only bred for the food chain so they would be extinct if they were not a food source.You have chosen to be a vegan and i accept that but you should also accept other peoples choice to eat meat.They have kindly given up their traditional Christmas meal to accommodate you so be grateful and accept their offer with the good faith they are showing you.
2006-11-11 10:37:50 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I wish you luck......it's really hard as family "expect" you to act and do things just because your family.
You have to do what you will feel most comfortable doing. Be honest with your family once you have made your decision and tell them. Don't "expect" them to understand your choice or agree with it.
Other than that you could try alternating the Christmas get together. Do it your way one year and their way the next. Or find a restaurant that caters to all the families likes & dislikes and go there for Christmas dinner.
My Mum, Sister and Sister-In -Law alternate Christmas between them. Spreads the work and the stress!!!
Good luck and try to enjoy your Christmas what ever you do.
2006-11-11 08:09:36 · answer #5 · answered by red260z 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You've got a daft family, but then so do many people. I would feel very uncomfortable about them all eating vegetarian just because I do: in my family this would be a manipulative ploy. Much better to have them prepare a small veggie dinner for yourself so as not to impact their Christmas unduly- and that way you can change your mind at the last minute if you want to.
2006-11-12 13:16:41 · answer #6 · answered by Tertia 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My Daughter in Law is a vegetarian...the only one in our family. It hasn't been a problem at all. We cook our meals like we always have, but when she comes, we make an extra salad. That's the only difference. We are tolerant of her ways and she respects ours. You can't shut people out of your life because they believe differently. If you do that, you will be a very lonely person.
Just enjoy your life without comparing it to another.
2006-11-11 08:05:49 · answer #7 · answered by bluebyou 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
no offence but expecting everyone to go without bcause u dont like something is selfish, u need to realise that people do things that other people dont like, u have to learn to live with it, ever heard of the word compromise? u expect everyone to go without so u have entirely ur own way, try and give a little, afterall isnt that what christmas is about?? familys, giving and recieving.....hpe u can resolve this, as it would be a shame to ruin xmas over it, have a good one
2006-11-11 08:05:03 · answer #8 · answered by leeanne r 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Im a vegetarian and i feel the same way sometime... i usually just deal with what they put in front of me (and end up eating side dishes) or i tell them how i feel and they dont mind because they love me.
2006-11-11 08:14:45 · answer #9 · answered by guavaray 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well it sounds like everyone is bending over backwards to make you feel comfortable - eating what you want to eat etc.
I think you need to get your head round the fact that other people do eat animals.
2006-11-11 08:38:46 · answer #10 · answered by Caroline 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋