Why do some meat eaters even care what we vegetarians and vegans eat?

Question

I know that some meat eaters complain that vegetarians try to force their lifestyle on them, but I've actually found the reverse to be true. If anything, I've often automatically drawn criticism and asinine remarks whenever I've mentioned the fact that I'm a vegetarian. Why is that? Why do other people care what we eat? For some reason, I don't think that I would have gotten the same responses if I had also told these people that I don't eat tomatoes or mayonnaise, either.

Earnie: I'm 33 and I've been a vegetarian since I was a teenager. I'm 5'7" 1/2 and I weigh about 135 lbs. I think I get plenty of protein, and not that I wish to brag or anything, but I've got a pretty nice figure, too.:)

Answer 1

When you believe in something, those who believe in nothing, or believe your something makes them look bad will get defensive, or offensive as the case may be.

Meat eaters are in a constant state of cognitive dissonance, holding on to two separate belief systems that are mutually exclusive...
I love animals/I kill animals... killing is wrong/I am supposed to... I believe in compassion and kindness/ I cause suffering and death for "food" I don't even need to survive

And then they see you, and they see that what they are doing doesn't have to be, yet they are too weak to change because it "tastes good." The easiest way to solve this cognitive dissonance? Take it out on you and decide that you must be the wrong component. The arguments they give to you are the arguments they are giving to themselves to justify their own decisions.

...Just my theory.
:)

Answer 2

It could be a couple of things -
you know some very rude people.
the people in your life worry about whether or not you are doing it properly and getting all of your nutrition.
without realizing it, you impose your diet on others when you visit their home by requiring different foods.
Or, my guess...
YOU were the one who inadvertantly made a big deal out of being vegetarian/vegan - if you weren't making a big deal out of it (or even mentioning it), they wouldn't know, would they?

Vegetarian/Vegan is nothing new - I don't see why people would think twice about it. You certainly aren't the first. It just isn't much of a novelty anymore unless you have aired your views about eating meat and others are reacting by getting defensive...? I'm not saying you should hide that you are vegetarian, but what's the point of even mentioning it? I don't think I have ever felt the need to anounce to anyone that I eat meat... You also mention this as a "lifestyle" - it isn't. It is the way you eat and the way you have chosen to care for your body. I don't consider the way I eat as a lifestyle.... I think that if you relax about the whole vegetarian/vegan thing, everyone else will too. I think you might be a little obsessed with your diet choices. Just a few things to think about.

Answer 3

Personally, I've got no problem with vegetarians. As a matter of fact, I know a couple of people who are. There are reasons behind why they do what they do, and I respect that. It's no different that people who don't eat pork due to religious reasons, as far as I'm concerned.

I think the only issue, for either side, is flaunting it around as if to say "I'm better than you". Character named CM Punk uses a gimmick similar to this in Ring of Honor, where he uses his straightedge lifestyle as a means of showing superiority, stating he's better than everyone else. Of course it's just a gimmick, but it's because of the people out there that do think like that that you're left explaining all the technicalities of why everybody has chicken on their plate but you.

Answer 4

I don't know - it's very rude. Everyone should be allowed their eating preferences without criticism. I've never had a vegetarian or a vegan force their lifestyle on me nor have I tried to force a vegetarian friend to eat meat. I truly care about my friends and will try to accommodate their diet by making things they can eat so they aren't left out.

Some people just like to be up in everyone else's business.

Answer 5

Because those meat eaters who frequent the vegetarian and vegan forum with their fictitious and ridiculous stories were actually sent by the livestock and meatpacking industries to prevent vegetarians and vegans' number from increasing!

These industries are getting threatened enough to send us trolls!

Answer 6

I don't know but they should leave us to our lettuce and spuds et all. I for one do not deliberately harass meat eaters over what they are eating , of course it is perfectly normal for them to call us. I'm not pin - thin I'm healthy and of a normal weight but some omnivores REALLY need to ease up on the lard sandwiches!!! They are most willing however to give me dietary advice or call me a freak.

Answer 7

Some people are just assholes. If you want to be vegetarian that's fine by me. I more of a carnivore myself. I think some of it's retaliation for people bitching at us for eating meat. You know good and well this happens. While most vegetarians are doing it for health reasons or just because they prefer vegetables, there are others out there that do it for what they believe are ethical reasons and they try to force their brand of ethics on everyone else. I say people should eat what they want to eat and mind their own damn business. Enjoy your veggies.

Answer 8

my dream tangerine ... why worry, be happy. someone will always object to something and usually it's tried in groups to garner support from others to give that special pact mentality feeling we human animals seem to so love. i hope you are proactive in requesting restaurants serve vegetarian and vegan options on the menus. nothings worse than being isolated from a society simply because of chosing a healthy option. crazy world, huh?

Answer 9

I think its a guilt thing. They resent the fact that we have strayed from the herd (literally) and that they are among the masses of uninformed people. It is odd, how you can say, I dont like mayo, and no one will bat an eye, but say you dont eat meat, and it sparks a controversy. Too strange. I post in lots of other sections here, and have yet to find an issue people are more passionate about than food. I guess because our worlds revolve around it. You see a whole lot more guilt ridden, need to be right, meat eaters posting idiotic questions here, than you see vegans and veggies posting in their MANY sections. We have only this single space to share ideas, and they feel the right to intrude and berate us for what we eat. Stupid @sses if you ask me. Just plain ignorant and uniformed. If most people knew what we knew-the truth about it all, there would be more veggies. Most people simply cannot wrap their brains around the concept that nothing should have to bleed and die for us to eat

Answer 10

It's the same thing with us American men who don't watch or participate in sports - we are odd, weird and strange, and when someone steps out of line from what is enculturated as socially acceptable, the common knee jerk reactions are always the same.
I actually like the shallow, uninformed criticisms - it makes me know that what I am doing and how I feel is right