Why do non vegetarians resent vegetarians?

Question

Why do they care that some people don't eat meat? Besides if the vegetarians aren't eating any meat then there will be more for them.

Answer 1

There are several reasons.

1 - there are too many veggie-convert-preachers around
2 - its a form of defence so they don't have to face up to the industry they pay for
3 - they are scared of what they don't know
4 - they don't recognise many veggie's are so because of moral reasons so think its perfectly ok to have a go at us.
5 - thier brains are be-fuddled with all that dead-cow-fat.
6 - they get confused. They cite PETA as being a veggie organisation. PETA has nothing to do with being a veggie, PETA is an animal rights group.

Answer 2

Most omnivores don't resent most vegetarians. The problem lies in the "fundamentalist" mentality that says "because I believe/eat/live this way, you must also or be attacked and forced into compliance."

The "problem" vegetarian makes proclamations demeaning all who do not agree no matter what the circumstances as a moral absolute. For example, indigenous peoples who depend on fur and meat for survival in their normal environment are discounted as having any right to their culture. That's arrogance, not a noble philosophy. Problem omnivores seem to think everyone should be forced to eat meat and fish no matter what, also arrogance.

Another problem vegetarian is one who makes nutritional claims that are exagerrated, oversimplified or even just plain falsehoods. PETA is a sad example of this kind of misinformation for a "noble" cause. Some claim a vegetarian is automatically healthy, when it is entirely possible to avoid animal products and still eat utter garbage. It is also easier to eat a deficient diet if you are not educated in nutritional needs whenever you deliberately limit a diet of any kind.

And yet another problem that causes resentment even among other vegetarians is declarations of "purity" required to be a "real" vegetarian. One of the worst I have ever seen was a militant telling a person wearing heavy leg braces to walk that they should use a wheelchair rather than accept the leather components of their brace bindings. How likely is ignorance like that to do anything other than cause resentment? The irony is that the person was wearing leather free shoes all right, but a brand made in foreign sweatshops that abuses human animals as their normal practice.

Others spurn those who dare eat honey or other artificail "sins." Some seem to embrace vegetarianism primarily to feel superior to others and aren't shy about saying how refined and evolved they consider themselves.

The ideal scenario would be honesty and tolerance on both sides.

Answer 3

Eating is more of a social act than people realize. People are attuned to differences in eating habits and make judgments about others or themselves.

For example, when someone is on a diet and refrains from having dessert some people will be reminded of their own efforts or failures to cut back. This can trigger some negative reactions or exerting pressure on the dieter to conform.

Food is exchanged or given as a sign of affection or celebration. Sharing a meal is a bonding experience. We generally eat with people we like or are familiar with. And though we say we value individualism in the U.S., we do expect people to conform. For example, we pursue fashion trends, have idealized physical expectations, refraining from having sex & not drinking alcohol is considered a little different.

Also, in the U.S. we are distanced from the processing of the meat we eat. Few of us ever have to slaughter, carve, skin/pluck our food. So the idea that the meat we eat was alive is easily buried. Being around someone who doesn't eat meat brings up an uncomfortable and unfamiliar issue.

I would guess the reaction to vegetarians in more agrarian societies would not be as virulent. They may be puzzled because meat may be a prized luxury but since they raise their own food they are more comfortable with the reality of eating meat.

Answer 4

A lot of the ones who post here seem to think that all vegetarians are out to harass them and try to convert them. I'm quite sure that there are vegetarian and vegan fanatics who do make a nuisance out of themselves. But at this forum, it seems like there are just as many meat-eaters who are fanatical about trying to convert vegetarians.

I think maybe it's because some people feel that theirs is the only right way and everybody else is wrong. Ergo, they're either going to convert you to their way of thinking or make your life miserable, one or the other.

Answer 5

Most omnivores don't like anyone challenging
the idea that humans should be " at the top of
the food chain".
Also, a lot of meat eaters assume that veggies
are all judge mental and self[-righteous. I must say
that a lot of us (myself included have a tendency to
advertise who we are by wearing message tees,
and posting A.R.A bumper stickers.

I have a saying that I live by and goes for
more than my vegan lifestyle;

"I don't have the right to judge you but
I do have the right not to join you."

I don't try to force vegan-ism on people
and unless someone engages me in
a conversation or I'm doing organized
outreach I try to keep quiet about it.

I get tired of hearing myself talk about any
same subject too much anyway.

Answer 6

Why does this question keep getting asked over and over again?

Anyway, I don't resent all veg*ns. Just the ones that are all high and mighty about their choice. Or the not-so-bright ones. My example: I knew a girl while I was in the Army that was morally opposed to eating meat(ok, fine with that so far). She said that someone had shown her a slaughter video, and from that moment on, she decided she wouldn't eat meat(again, heard it before, still ok with it, and not once did she try to tell me or my fiance that we were inferior to her because we still choose to eat the cute fuzzies). And guess what she had on her feet? A pair of LEATHER military issue boots.

Answer 7

Guilt? envy? I don't know. Who cares though? Everyone should eat exactly as they see fit and it's no-one else's business really.

Answer 8

ERGGG yea...i totally understand..im a vegetarian and everyone always says it's unhealthy! it's more healthy!!1

Answer 9

because they're jerks like those christians who want to convert everyone.

i don't get it... it just means more MEAT for them...

i guess it's a genitalia disorder.. you know the type... "lack of"

:D

Answer 10

I don't resent you jerks. If an idiot wants to avoid meat then the moron doesnt have to eat meat. If dolts enjoy vegetables... bon appetite :-)