Why is it that when I tell someone I am a mother?

Question

they react calmly and rationally. Same for if I say I am a jogger, writer, a patient, a client. etc, yet when I tell someone I am a vegetarian, they get all defensive and passionate about their opinion on the matter?

too funny! I knew some fool like ocean of notion would answer defensively

Answer 1

Because vegetarians are known for stating their vegetarian stance as morally superior. If a group is know for their arrogance over the common man how would you feel when someone proudly displays that their a member in that group. ie same goes for feminist, environmentalist, peace activists. Really the attitude and extremism ruins the "cause."

Answer 2

Well, it really depends on the situation. Do you simply introduce yourself by saying "My name is X and I'm a vegetarian."? I know a lot of vegans/veges that make sure to add it to every conversation. Chances are that some people hear that from someone too. It's one thing if it's in the context like:
"Do you like steak?"
"No, sorry. I'm a vegetarian."

It's another to be sitting at a friend's house during a barbeque and saying constantly "I don't eat meat. I'm a vegetarian." People usually feel uncomfortable about it not because you are vegetarian, but insistent on letting everyone within an earshot about it.

Same goes for other things, like jobs or sexual preference. Casual context mentioning works. I don't go around repeating constantly that "I'm a baker!" I usually only mention it based on relevance since conversation flow is the comfort zone in social settings.

Answer 3

This question amuses me. Do you not think vegetarianism is intrinsically saying meat is bad, even if the person himself doesn't say it? People don't like even the suggestion their lifestyle, including their diet, is bad, and defensiveness is a way people react to those suggestions.
Saying your a mother or writer doesn't get up anyone's goat because being a mother, etc, doesn't intrinsically say you disagree with some part of someones lifestyle.

As an experiment, next time some random person asks you why, say you don't like the taste, and nothing more. That doesn't say their diet is bad and I you'll find people will more readily accept that. (I'm not saying you should always lie to avoid friction, but trust me on this)

Answer 4

i get that a lot too! when i tell people i'm a vegetarian, 9 out of 10 will be like "what?? really? why? isn't that bad for you?" etc. i think the reason they react that way depends on the person. some are just ignorant and genuinely think it is bad for you not to eat meat. it's like hello, wouldn't you be able to tell if i was in poor health? other people react like this because the media portrays vegetarians as stupid, tree-hugging hippies. i think some people are also jealous because they when i tell them i'm a veggie they say "oh is that how you stay so skinny?". i think the best thing is just to ignore them and not give them the fight they want.

Answer 5

well I guess because a mother is so common and all of that stuff is normal. A vegetarian is a personal choice and not everyone gets real defensive but it is more of a touchy subject because people have so many opinions about it. Idk some people just think we should eat meat. Also why would someone be defensive because your a mother or a jogger? There just things people normally do. Personally I think it is great that your a vetetarian, good for you. I like your icon, it says it all haha.

Answer 6

I have faced this many times and from my experience if you try to do something different you are always questioned. For example, most of the people you find are nonvegetarian. Same I feel with smoking and drinking. Everybody will ask you why you dont smoke or why you dont drink even if these are not good things for health. But these things can be discussed for hour and hour and the best way is to avoid these kind of discussions. Whenever somebody asks you this just say Its because you dont like the taste of meat etc.

Answer 7

I don't know how to really answer this but I know where you're coming from. I've been a strict vegan for quite a while, and I still have a Grandmother who is convinced I'm living in sin. It's a shame dietary choices get some people so worked up. Go figure!

Answer 8

A lot of it probably comes from ignorance on vegetarianism. Also, some people think that vegetarians (automatically) are earthy/hippie/save the dolphins/having pets are wrong/PETA type of people. It's a bad stereotype - but it exists none-the-less. Just keep being yourself... Those that get to know you will realize how it's just an eating prefrence and won't freak out. And the ones that continue to do so aren't worth your time, anyway.

Answer 9

Because people are too close minded. It is common to be a mother, jogger, ect, however it is still a little less heard of to be a vegetarian. I also think people have a bad view of vegetarians (only thinking of extreme veg's like PETA), and think "we" (vegetarians) will lecture them (meat eaters), so they attack (debate) first.

Some people are very attached to what they eat and their habits/diet, so they become defensive as well.

Answer 10

because of the way vegetarians are portrayed . . they think you gonna whoop out a protest sign and throw red paint if you see a fur coat. . if you let them get to know you 1st then they would realize your not a weirdo you just choose not to eat meat. You don't have a protest sign in your back pocket do you ??