As a vegetarian, how do I deal with negative comments about my diet?

Question

I will just be minding my own business when family or friends start making fun of me or tell me to start eating meat again. I usually just don't say anything. Should I continue being quiet and reserved about this or should I ask them to leave me alone? They laugh at me which I don't think is nice to do.

Answer 1

I've been vegan for about 16 years. Its rare that more than 2 days go by without someone making a joke or comment about what I eat. I've heard it all. Its the same old tired jokes every time. At this point I almost high five anyone who can come up with something original.

The one thing I always find funny is that statistically, I think meat eaters are more preachy than vegetarians and vegans. I've known a ton of vegetarians and vegans in my life. Its a very small minority that are preachy or get in peoples faces. Most of them are in their first year of their diet. After that most people mellow out. Some of them are like that because they feel attacked all the time and become bitter towards those that attack them. Of all the non veggies that I've met in my life, I can honestly say that a majority (more than half) of them pester veggies and make jokes about us constantly. Just watch this group. Its amazing how many non veggies feel the need to attack us. I really just don't get it.

Answer 2

It isn't nice.

I would work on ways to calmly (oftentimes the more emtional your reaction is, the more people keep needling) explain why it is you have made this choice. Don't make it into an "i think i'm better than you" statement because that will just make them defensive and thier taunting will continue. But if you can find a way to say rationally why you have made this choice, I think they will get it.

You might want to also flat out state the way thier comments make you feel. Again, not need to turn it into a drama scene just say something like "it hurts me when tease me about who I am and the choices I've made" it sounds really corny but you'd be amazed at how that direct approach works (even with not so touchy feely people.)

Also, I am sure some people in your circle understand your choice. Enroll thier support and help and you will be backed up when the more unkind ones say such things.

Good luck, and know that everyone here is rooting for you.

Answer 3

First of all we applaud you here for being a vegetarian, I'm now a vegan!!!
Well most of us lot have thick hides but will fight our corner ! Some omnivores can't get their heads around us not wanting to eat meat. The world is so fond of eating meat that some people think we are abominations. Some of them eat meat to conform and others because it is easy to buy. Day to day I never confront omnivores, it is a choice on their part and most of them accept my choice. I will spit venom if they give me grief over it. Why should someone else's food regime upset them so much that they find it necessary to have a go!!! Just tell them sweetly "sorry , I don't eat anything with a face !!'
The number of Vegetarians and vegans will exponentially rise over the next 50 -100 years!!!

Answer 4

I'm a vegetarian too, but I don't get made fun of for it. If this is something you plan to commit to, then stick with it and ignore whatever they have to say. Or, try discussing it - you'll probably end up winning any argument about vegetarian vs eating meat! Do your research, you'd be surprised at the facts and how much healthier a lifestyle it is. Good luck!

Answer 5

In this day and age, with so many people becoming health conscious, I can't imagine anybody being so ignorant and saying anything about being a vegetarian. Actually, eating meat is gross when you think about gnawing meat off of bones, so maybe if you can think of gross things to say about eating meat, if you want to stoop down to their level. What you eat or not is your business, so politely ask them to mind their own business. My daughter and grandson don't like to eat meat, and we pretty much let them do their own thing, but we don't cook anything special for them.

Answer 6

While I'm not a vegetarian, I take a lot of crap from my family for my diet since I'm one of very few men who is strict about what I eat. Asking them to leave you alone probably won't work, and being quiet and reserved will prevent a confrontation but prolong your misery. Your best bet, be a jackass right back. Ask them how their barbequed pig's anus tastes, inquire about their blood pressure, how are the hemmoroids? So on and so forth.

Answer 7

Ignore them, if you say something they will just keep taunting you.

When I first became a vegetarian I would get a lot of comments like "there is meat in that ice-cream you can't eat it" but I ignored it and soon enough they gave up.

I have been vegie for 10 years and now no one really cares, except maybe when they meet me the first time and it is more curiousity.

Answer 8

I'm a vegetarian too. I have been for 3 years now...I know for a fact that yelling at them doesn't work..they are trying to get a rise out of you.... You need to set them straight that this is your personal belief & they need to accept that. If you don't make fun of them for eating innocent animals...then they should be quiet about you not eating them. My family still gets on my case...I have learned to ignore them for the most part. I have avoided some of the situations altogether by not participating in family dinners anymore. If they want to spend time with you then they'll reaslize they need to keep thier opinions to themselves.

Answer 9

Ingore them or respond sarcastically. For example, if they tell you: Vegetables are alive too! Then you answer: I draw the line at eating anything with a face. Or if they tell you: You're a freak! you can answer: Of course! Actually I joined recently a religious cult in which is forbidden to eat meat. I do it all the time, and believe me, they'll get tired.

But you should never ever be mean, because that's what they're trying to do, get you angry.

Answer 10

First time answering, so hear goes:
I actually know someone who just became a vegetarian, and they and one other person are the only two people I know who are vegetarians. I have seen people say stuff to them to try and make them stop, one of them gets mad at the person making fun of them, and the other ignores them. Advice to you, from seeing them, ignore it, trust me, it worked a lot better. It's like if someone is bothering you, and you ignore them, they will eventually stop. I really tend to doubt that people will continue if they get no reaction. Just try and change the subject conspicuously. Works for me when I don't want people to talk about something.
Hope that helped.