Why are people offended by vegetarians/vegans? o,O?

Question

Every time i tell people im a vegan they look at me like im some kind of grotesque freak. lol ive read alot on these yahoo answers and some people even go to the extreme of calling vegetarians/vegans things like
"anti-american"
"anti-militarty"
"dirty hippies" (lol)

I'd like to know what is so offensive about not eating meat, or not eating anything that comes from animals? (or contributes in any way to the death and/or exploitation of animals?)
i understand we all have our own opinions. but i get alot of crap from people for not eating meat. i dont make fun of meat eater, so why must meat eaters make fun of me? lol

Answer 1

Hi Stefiki,

I think if you review your comments to this question you'll have your answer. You said, "...or contributes in any way to the death and/or exploitation of animals."

Whether you realize it or not, you're implying that those of us who do eat meat ARE "guilty" of exploitation. Most people find that attitude a bit smug, self righteous and off-putting. (Especially when you consider that vegans also wear clothing made of leather, wool and other products taken from "exploited" animals).

Most vegans I've known tend to very patronizing and condescending in their attitudes. It's the attitude of moral superiority that most of us can't stand. (Read the comments of your first poster, Rosie, and you'll see what I mean. That kind of pontification is just what I'm talking about). If you want to be a vegan, then be a vegan -- but please, lay off of the moralizing.

Cheers, mate.

Answer 2

If that is your goal, writing a paper about people when people oppose their lifestyle, then none of this data is valid. From what I've seen of your questions, it's all asking how to cook certain meats. That's isn't opposing anyone's lifestyle, that's posting something you hope will entice a response. Think of it this way, if someone went on a Christianity Q&A site and asked about how to honor the Hindu god Ganesha, it would just be out of place. It wouldn't be opposing Chrsitianity in the least bit. Opposing vegetarianism would be asking things like "Vegetarians are wrong. Here is why _____________, how can you do that?" then documenting that response. Just asking how to cook a meat does not confront any ideaologies about vegetarianism.

Answer 3

I am not a vegetarian, and I do not think that you are a freak or weird. I think it's great that you have made your decisions based on your personal feelings. I don't know why people respond so poorly to it. I am sure it's due to their insecurity and their lack of any understanding as to why someone would choose to not eat animal products. I grew up with it, and I like it, but I am not a "meat pusher" or anything hilarious like that. Be proud of your choices and know that not all meat eaters think you are a freak. I respect your choice, I salute your ability to stick with your beliefs, even when they are not the same as mine. You know if more people could think this way about others, we wouldn't need war...

Answer 4

Because when they find out we don't eat meat, they realise we disagree with it, and that must mean we disagree with something THEY do, and it makes them uncomfortable.

You don't have to say anything judgemental, the judgement is already implied.

Just look at Jack's post (above)- perfect example. He is annoyed that Rosie said meat eating supports animal cruelty, because it makes him feel like she is accusing HIM of this. Well, Jack, if you eat meat, then we think you do. There is no way around this. It's not only the meat we are turning down that we think is immorally produced, it's all meat! So anyone who is a vegetarian for ethical reasons thinks that your meat eating is supporting the cruel treatment of animals, whether they would make a fuss or not.

BUT, most of us wouldnt judge someone on that alone. We've all got meat eating families, boyfriends and girlfriends, friends, etc who are great people. We dont think of them as "meat eaters", they're just them.

It's like if you were wearing a pair of Nike shoes, and you were asking your friend if she wanted a pair cuz they were on sale at the mall, and your friend says "actually I don't wear Nike stuff" and you asked why and she said "Because they use sweatshops", you may feel a little awkward. I think that's how some meat eaters feel when we tell them we're veggie, and while most just say "fair play", the immature ones will react badly to feeling judged.

Answer 5

I'm a vegan, and I've noticed this a lot too. I think some people are offended by PETA (that organization should have NO association with the reast of the veg community, IMHO...pet killers), others feel guilty about eating meat and try to explain it away by hating vegans, some don't think that vegetarianism does enough for them to bother, and others just think that we're all hypocrites. I have yet to meet a vegan who wears wool, leather, etc unless it was purchased before their going veg, and I have also never met a vegan who always targets meat eaters for their choices. I have been guilty of this in the past, but it was when I was incredibly young (I went veg at age 9), and the only other vegans I know who do this just went veg.

Though the nicknames are often teasing. I know a dude who called me a hippy etc all through eighth grade until at the end of the year he went veg himself. Sometimes it's fun to call people stereotypical nicknames!

Answer 6

There's noting offfensive about not eating meat, but, some vegans/vegetarians try to FORCE their life style on to others. So after seeing it on TV more then a few times; people naturally assume that all Vegans/vegetarians are that way.

Then when they meet a Vegan/Vegetarian they "know" what's about to happen so they are primed for it. And then ANY thing a Vegan/Vegetarian says, does, is filtered through what everyone knows, "they're trying to change me, well I'll show them".

Personally a lot of the Vegans/Vegetarians, I've met, have said things that could be taken by someone who was looking as trying to force their life style on them, and neither party even realizes it.

Here's an example

"Did you know tofu is a excellent source of protein?"

The Vegan/Vegetarian is trying to make a nice polite conversation about food.

The Omnivore see that statement as forcing a lifestyle on them, that they don't want, on them.

It so easy for both sides just to walk into this and not realized it.

They're afraid you're gong to become or are one of THEM, and try to change her and how dare you even think about that.

So a Vegans/Vegetarians suffer from a lot of bad press, from fellow Vegans/Vegetarians who do try to force their way of life on other people.

Sad but true.

Answer 7

Why be bothered by these people in the first place?

I am not a vegetarian but I don't speak bad of vegetarians. I have friends and relatives who are vegetarians too. Sometimes I even join them. Vegetarians meals are so good. At least I spare killings of some innocent animals and myself from getting cancer faster..

If people want to find fault with you, they don't care you vegetarian or not. Anyway for my case, I would stay away from them and stick to my group of friends and my own meals!

Or try the soft approach, tell them why you go vegetarian. Even through in the future they cannot go vegetarian with you...you Know?

Answer 8

I don't really understand what the big deal is, either, because with me, I think making fun of someone that doesn't eat meat is like the same thing as if I made fun of someone that didn't like peanut butter or something stupid like that. When it's any other kind of food it sounds dumb, but when it's meat everyone just jumps on it to criticize. Little do they know we'll get the last laugh when we all live into our 90's and they're all croaking in their 60's from heart attacks.

Answer 9

For me, veggies are only offensive if they are rude enough to comment about MY eating habits. People should mind their own business. Period.

To the person who quoted the Bible ("Judge not lest you are judged and found wanting!"), you are a moron. The Bible also states that livestock are here to feed us, and that gays are bad, etc--that book is chock FULL of judgement. It's also annoying that you think we should care what the Bible says...you can't make an argument for one thing under the incorrect assumption that we all believe in the thing you're using to build your argument! Other than that, I agree with you.

Answer 10

Speaking as a proud meat-eater, vegans don't bother me... once the meat is all gone, you guys are next on the food chain... I'M KIDDING. (I told that to my vegetarian sister-in-law and she got po'd)

I think it has more to do with PETA than vegetarians. PETA can do some really good things, but they can also go to the extremes and most people I know don't like that. I guess you get lumped in with that crowd...

Answer 11

I do not think any less of you for being vegan or vegetarian. It is whatever you want to be. The reason that some people may be negative to you is because they are trying to support our economy, which is farm based, pigs and cows, and they feel that people that dont eat meat will affect our economy. I feel that you are who you are. Dont let it get you down, or let you think that everyone is like that. Eat what you want, dont eat what you dont want to eat. :)