Family get-togethers very nerve-wracking?

Question

I am a vegitarian and I absolutely hate getting together with other family members(especially my aunt) because they always give me a hard time about it. When we are about to eat, they constantly repeat " so, how much roast beef are you eating tonight?" and it's not so bad the first couple of times, but after awhile I just want to curl up and dissappear. I'm having dinner with them next Sunday. Does anyone have any way to either get out of going or deal with their rude comments?
(P.S. I'm 13, so I can't exactly decide if my family goes or not)

Answer 1

I just ignore them. Or respond with a non-committal "hmm" and start a conversation with someone else. It might not sound very grown up, but their question wasn't grown up in the first place so why dignify it with a response?

Try to be strong and brave. Don't let them make you angry or upset by going on about it. You can try making a joke out of it or just politely say it's your choice not to eat any meat. Whatever is more comfortable for you.

I'd try to avoid long conversations about your reasons etc until you feel really confident about your vegetarian diet. I've found most people who start conversations like that just do it to try to undermine you and prove they are right without listening to your side. Wait until you've got your argument for vegetarianism really solid and you know exactly what you're talking about.

Remember you're not the only one who's ever been in your situation - just because they don't understand doesn't mean no one else does!

Good luck. I'll have my fingers crossed for you!

Answer 2

try a little honey--call your aunt and see hows she doing, etc., then tell her as usual you wont be eating any of her meat,even though everyone raves about how good a cook she is. however you would absolutely love it if she could possibly make some of those off the chart --fill in the blank of your choice veggies-- because no one does them better, and perhaps some of that great bread,roll or whatever. you could even ask her if you could help! maybe if she gets to really know you as a individual no matter what your age is, then maybe she will respect you more. it's worth a shot and you may just gain a stress free meal for a change. in any case you will know that out of everyone there you were the mature person.

Answer 3

I am going to have to deal with the problem soon also (going veggie). My aunt cooks tons of meat. my parents are already making fun of me for going veggie it is going to worsen five times when i actually go veg. for your problem I suggest you just stare at the wall/plate/something when they say this and don't even have an expression on your face. just completely ignore them and they will see that u don't like what they r doing and they will probably stop. I am thirteen also and family gatherings (only my fam. and aunt & uncle) are horrible. I HATE FAMILY GATHERINGS

good luck

PS: Just to let them know how u feel ask them this "so, how many animal lives r u taking tonight?"

also ask them "so, how much tofu/veggiemush are u eating tonight?"

(sad thing, families are supposed to be supporting but all they do is laugh) =(

Answer 4

You are going to have to get a thicker skin if you want to stick to vegetarianism. Although I'm not currently a vegetarian, I did go through that phase during my teens too. I had a pat speech that I had memorized about the evils of killing animals and the health benefits of the vegan lifestyle. It went on for about 20 minutes. After a couple of times doing this, NOBODY wanted to bring it up again.

Answer 5

If families only treated their members as well as they treat strangers Life would be allot nicer.
Speak to your parents about how this makes you feel. hopefully they will put the lid on these unkind family members. If worst comes to worst say to offending party(aunt) POLITELY "This really hurts my feelings when you talk to me like that" More than likely they'll say "They were only kidding" but it might make them stop.
You may just have to ignore them until they get tired of their own rudeness. Beside this is their problem not yours do not lt them get to you.I know at 13 it can be tough, but these will not be the last difficult people you meet in your life time.
Lots of luck.

Answer 6

Laugh a bit and say "That's silly! You know I'm vegetarian!" and then spin it by immediately saying "Oh but that casserole/salad/side dish looks so good!" They're your relatives and are probably thinking that at 13 you do need your nutrients. So read up on nutritional values of different foods and the nutrients. So if they say "You need more protein/iron/whatever" you can say "Well this spinach salad has a lot of iron, and that cheesy dish has more than enough protein/fat/whatever". They'll see you've educated yourself on it.

If you start lecturing on killing animals, they'll blow you off thinking you're just going through a phase.

Answer 7

You poor dear! My suggestion would be to make your own dish as a substitute for the dead animal. That's what I do and it works for me. When family asks in a snide way how much carcass I want, I politely say, "I'll be eating the ______ I brought. Thanks anyway." Give them a little sarcastic smile or wink and maybe they'll back off.
Good luck!!

Answer 8

Politely remind them you are a vegetarian and that you are not having any meat for dinner. After a while, they'll get the message and respect your choice. I respect you for being an individual and doing your own thing.

Answer 9

Dont tell your maximum suitable chum whilst shes in eire. Wait til shes abode and can concentration on you and your information. enable your lady chum tell her brother. Its her information. You dont ought to shop up along with her. in case you ought to tell somebody as a tribulation run attempt somebody you dont comprehend. pass buying and say something approximately your lady chum or something like that. in basic terms asserting it out loud will produce the launch that your lady chum is feeling. Oh and honey youre no longer promptly.

Answer 10

Being 13, and a vegetarian, you will always catch some flack for that. Just be who you are, and don't cave in.