Why are so many people who eat meat bitter and resentful of people who don't?

Question

I mean, I don't go into the other food sections and make statements about how animals are full of piss and shxt and blood and how gross it must be to put that stuff in your mouth. And while I haven't checked, I'd be willing to bet that no other vegans post rude comments in those sections either. So why do so many meat eaters seem to get some kind of perverse joy out of picking on vegetable eaters?

Need I specify that this question is in no way meant to offend those of you out there who choose to eat meat and also respect my decision not to do so?

I find that most people, when discovering my dietary choices, are friendly and curious and in no way disrespectful. It's the few who seem to have a personal vendetta going against all things vegan that freak me out. I can't imagine what it must be like to hold that much disdain in my heart...

Answer 1

(I'm copying and pasting my answer to the same question posted a while back!)

I really can't get my head around it. They may not see a problem with eating meat, but that would surely be a neutral subject for them, not something they feel strongly "pro" about, and want to change people's minds about. Whereas veggies are actually trying to influence something for moral reasons. So all this saying "we all think differently and need to tolerate each others views" doesn't seem to fit the situation here because they don't actually have a "view"- no one is actually in favour of killing animals for moral or intellectual reasons, they just aren't against it. It's NOT the same.

What it boils down to is this- People like to think that everything they do is right. When someone comes along who lives a bit differently, it makes them feel judged. Even if no thought process has gone into their decisions, they will argue with them simply because they see them as opposition.

Also, we are so far removed from the processes that bring us our food, clothes, etc, people don't feel responsible for anything but the fact that they walked into Tesco's and paid for it- some people are genuinely convinced that so long as it's not illegal, and is available through legitimate channels, we have no right to bring morality into it.

I think it just annoys people to have to think about it at all. Often when people find out I'm veggie they jump straight in with some sort of "Oh i would be veggie but I have low iron" or "Oh right (awkward laugh) I love meat too much to be vegetarian, I don't know how you do it" as if I had asked them why they are not.

But I still don't see how that annoyance would lead them to go out of their way to insult us! Seems bizarre. What losers.

Answer 2

I have no problem with those who eat meat, I believe it's a personal choice. Just because it's not my choice doesn't mean it's the wrong choice. People are always scared and lash out at what they don't understand. It's hard for people to understand why anyone would be willing to give up meat, and supplement it with something that in there eyes is just not as tasty. I have tried all kinds of food, from veal to tofu, it all depends on your frame of mind and your willingness to try new things.

Answer 3

First off... I am neither Bitter nor resentful of Vegitarians or Vegans. That would imply that I am Jealous of them. I'm not.

my attitude could be better summed up as Pity. A bemused chuckle and shake of the head as I wonder what thing silly people will think up next.
All Animals can be summed up as fitting into one of three catigories...
Carnivore: Eats Meat
Herbivore: Eats Plants
Omnivore: Eats Plant AND Animals
Humans are Omnivores

Since Vegans are Herbivores and Humans are omnivores. then Vegans aren't human (Just Kidding)

We (Human Beings) are designed to eat and process both plant and animals in our diet. A proper mix is MOSTLY plant supplimented with some meat.

I myself eat too much meat and not enough of my veggies, but thats just what I like to eat. No particular philosophical choice. Just what I like.

So while I may disagree with a Vegitarian lifestyle I can respect them for their personal choices.

Vegans on the other hand are EXTREMIST Vegitarians. They are often very loud and overbearing in their attitudes as well. Proclaiming their views to the world loudly and ripping into anyone who disagrees with them. The Tactics you assigned to Meat eaters in your question is better assigned to Vegans. I have not met a Vegan yet that hasn't equated eating a cheeseburger, to being a murderer or child molester.
Meat Eaters ridicule of the Vegans on the otherhand is more along the lines of laughing at the vegans idiocy and overpowering militancy of their vegan views.
Stupidity and idiocy attract jokes at their expense.
Dont want to be laughed at? well then stop acting like an idiot. Vegans need to stop with the "in your face" hardline put-everyone-down-who-eats-meat attitude. and maybe they will stop being the butt of jokes.

Most Vegans Become so out of some philosophical choice that killing something for food is wrong. I'm wondering when they are going to wake up and realise that plants are living things and by eating them, they are killing living things too. So lets see... No Animals, and now no plants too. What ARE they going to eat next? Dirt and rock?

Me? I will always be a firm member of PETA
P eople
E at
T asty
A nimals

Answer 4

Well I don't know I guess because they think it’s pathetic that some people don't want to eat meat and something about it being abnormal. I eat meat and I have never made fun of a person that is a vegetarian. I've actually thought of becoming vegetarian myself but my father doesn't want me too because he’s a real red neck and comes from the country where every one is a steak loving blah blah person. My mother also eats meat but she encourages me to eat healthy. But I’m working on it, my dad will not stop me! Anyways don’t let people get to you as long as you are doing what you want.

Answer 5

I have found the opposite to be true. Many of my vegetarian and vegan friends ask me how I can eat dead animals and things of that nature. I myself admire them for their commitment to eat a healthy diet without meat. I try to eat very little meat but sometimes I crave a burger. My four year old grandaughter is a vegetarian and she is very vocal about the fact that she will not eat animals!!!

Answer 6

To each their own... I suppose this is why they call it freedom of speech... And ANSWERS... sorry, I believe you shouldn't post if you expect everyone to agree with your point of view... My ex would not kiss me if he knew I had ate pork! Heck, I divorced him... You know, I really believe everyone has the power of choice and the freedom of speech. Your not the victim here! If only animals and plants could speak for themselves. In some countries people are starving because they refuse to eat meat. Why would God give them a resource like this and they would rather starve to death then eat meat? Yet, herd animals to and fro. Ummm... this is really what shocks me about the whole vegan diet. However, in the future I believe that it is going to be much easier to grow plants than raise animals for the purpose of eating... Maybe this is why science is so wrapped up in cloning--which I don't agree with... Heck, maybe one day we will all be vegetarian...

Answer 7

I think the main factor is that people react differently and have a different point of view. I dont think girls would be bitter or resentful, some think they will gain weight if they eat meat products but thankfully my girlfriend doesn't have that problem. Guys who enjoy meat of course will pick on guys who dont. So i guess the best answer is to ask a sufficient amount of people to come to a conclusion.

Answer 8

because they have nothing better to do with there lives then make fun of vegitarians which altho most veggies are good for u i hate them they taste gross to me but im not gonna go around making fun of people for eating veggies thats like making fun of a coke person when ur pepsi people need to learn to get along with other people and if u dont like meat then thats ur choice you shouldnt have to be critized about every little thing you do if they dont have enouph lives of there own to not have to make fun of vegitarians they dont need to be alive in the first place because they are just a waste of space and need to get a life of there own

Answer 9

People are not bitter and do not resent you for being a vegan.

You believe that your lifestyle is better than that of people who eat meat. So they must be envious of you, and are bitter that they don't have the strength to live your lifestyle.

Most of us flesh eaters are actually happy that you only eat veggies. This helps keep the cost of good meat low, because of less demand.

We are not bitter, resentful, or envious of you. But sometimes you veggie eaters go on a rant, and we do get sick of it. But mostly we make fun of you just for the heck of it.

"BEEF - Its whats for dinner!"

Answer 10

Yeah, obviously, you never say ANYTHING negative about people who enjoy meat.
And, I agree with the previous poster, I find more vegetarians/vegans and the like to be the ones that lecture the rest of the world about how great they are, and how they are saving the world.