For Vegetarians/Vegans?

Question

For vegetarians and vegans who have been veg for years...

I am a vegetarian and have been for about a year now...
i just had one question...i know ill get teased for the rest of my life and im not very bothered by it...

but if anybody has any comebacks to jokes/insults about being vegetarian...that would be very helpful... i know a couple but they dont seem to work.. :(

please help :)
thanx in advance

Answer 1

Most people make jokes etc because they feel uncomfortable about the situation that they are in and dont know what to do about it. They then feel insecure (or less than) and in order to feel better about themselves decide to put you down by making some degrading joke.
If you see this within them, you will no longer be bothered by it.
They suddenly look smaller to you.
Its very sad that people feel they need to degrade each other.
I hope these people are not what you call "friends".
If they are I suggest you find some better ones that encourage and support you.

A response can always be: "you are entitled to your preference, this is mine."

Answer 2

I suggest reading the book "Living Among the Meat Eaters." If you start getting into insult contests, you end up no better than the people who treat you that way. There are many ways to stop the conversation and maintain your dignity.

Also, it will be beneficial to drop those types of people from your life and surround yourself with kinder and more intelligent and secure people. Trust me, they are out there.

If people get too condescending to me, I make human flesh analogies. If someone constantly asks me why I wont just pull the pieces of pepperoni off and eat the pizza, I ask them "if someone sliced their finger tip off and it was cooked in this pizza, would you take off the finger and eat the pizza?" You may get a smart @ss answer here and there, but most of the time, people are disgusted... and I say "that is why."

The best comeback you can have is a happy life, full of variety and goodness. Always eat delicious food in front of them, show you are confident and happy in your life, and as I said, ditch any losers who try to make you feel bad.

:) Good Luck

Answer 3

There are so many things you could say to try and thwart people that make jokes.

You can point out the health benefits and possibly start a debate.
You could flaunt all the ways you help the environment.
You might feel inclined to tell them to Screw OFF.

BUT

I suggest either staying quiet when being teased, or agreeing with them (for the "Go graze in the front lawn" type jokes, not the cruel ones). Those responses are impossible to argue with, and they keep the peace.

Answer 4

Hi, I have been vegetarian for 16 years, and I have found that giving an angry, defensive response doesn't help. It just gives the person making fun of you power knowing that they were able to get to you.
I usually try to ignore the remark, but when I have to respond, I try to simply thank them for their concern about my diet. It's hard for them to continue if you don't engage them. I might use a little sarcasm on occasion, but I try to keep it to a minimum.

I get a lot of support from other vegetarian friends I have found over the years. This really helps to counteract the remarks I still get from family and coworkers.

Congratulations on making this decision and sticking with it. Good luck!

Answer 5

If I'm being teased when I'm eating something that looks "different" all I say is "mmm this is good, want to try some?" and if they make a disgusted face and say "no" I just go "Don't knock it till you try it"
Usually I'll just ignore the other comments but most of my friends are ok with me being a vegetarian, one of them will even go as far as to invite me over to dinner and ask her mom if she can make vegetable lasagna without the meat for me.

Answer 6

Maybe someone can explain the difference between vegetarian & vegan. I hear these terms used but do not understand. Also maybe someone can explainthe reasons for excluding certain foods from ones diet. I am not criticizing, I just don't understand.

Answer 7

Vegan Street has a whole section devoted to this subject.

http://www.veganstreet.com/

Click on Vegan Living. Then click on Thoughtful Response/Snappy Retort

I always ignore the mean folks. Don't stoop to their level. Just smile at them.

Answer 8

I'm with you. Sort of. I don't get much support for my decision to go vegiatarian and it'll be two years for me in Feb. As if transforming your diet isn't hard enough, we sometimes have to deal with ridicule or no support. I would ignore it. Your choice will benefut you in the long run, health reasons, saving animals, etc. Plus why start arguing with them, save your breath. But if you really feel like it, tell them to go screw off or have your middle finger do the job. Though I wouldn't necessary recommend those.
--Good luck.

Answer 9

sorry I don't have any. I have great respect for those WHO choose to be vegans. i love animals and my kids tell me they are surprised I still eat meet. someday I will be Strong enough to resist meat. Congrats on a very wise choice shows a Strong will. Why do people hate on Vegans strange to me. by the way my avatar is my grandchild dog. she is in doggie heaven now.

Answer 10

listen... i dont understand why you really care what other people think. Being vegetarian is a personal decision . If someone says something say something like... Thank you for your concern, but at least ill live longer than you. Or use the classic.... F*ck you!

Good luck!