Serious question to any vegetarian.?

Question

I'm curious about something. There was a question in here about Muslims refusing to handle packaged pork products while cashing people out at a super Target store. They asked the customers to hold the meat while they scanned it. How do vegetarians feel about this type of thing? Do you not handle packaged meat or dairy products or does this not bother you , you just don't consume the products? I know there are different levels of vegetarianism also.

I am not a vegetarian but have gone to and support the Farm Sanctuary in Watkins Glen, New York. They ask that you not bring in any dairy or meat products if you are staying at their cabins out of respect for the animals. I find nothing wrong with that.

I myself, would just hold the meat for the cashier and let them scan it. No biggie. Some of the answers to the Muslim question were outrageous and just plain ignorant. I can imagine what type of nonsense vegetarians have to deal with.

Answer 1

I know of checkers that wear gloves. It isn't a biggie. Be it because they don't want to touch meat (I know meat eaters that don't like touching it raw either) - or because someone has allergies - gloves seem like a sensible answer. It isn't like the average grocery store doesn't have them for their workers.

Thinking just from the vegan/vegetarian point of view - such an approach would seem preferable considering that there is no chance to wash hands between each order. After checking out that big order before you filled with all sorts of beef, chicken, pork, and lamb - they are putting their hands - UNWASHED - on your vegetables and fruits (that is why you really SHOULD put your produce in the plastic bags provided).

Many that are cashiers will have hand sanitizer to wash up between orders. Some wear gloves. The most nasty (in my opinion) is the checker that just goes onto the next order not doing anything to their hands to protect the food that you are paying good money for.

I am also of the opinion that everyone should make their wishes known to those in management where you shop. Tell them if you have a concern about the checker's lack of ability to wash their hands between orders and that considering the many scares that have been had within food lately, to simply provide gloves or hand sanitizers to those that are handling your food would be something that you would like to see and expect.

Answer 2

I would have no problem holding anything for the cashier if they had a problem with it. . . ans yes i am a vegetarian, and I dont mind handling meat, I will even cook and prepare it. Just because im vegetarian does not mean my whole family is, its cool when i can make them my vegetarian dishes but i understand that they want meat, so i will cook prepare or even buy it. But I dont consume it. I am not out to convert everyone to vegetarianism and i never look down on people that eat meat. I dont blame them it does taste good, its been a long time but i do remember. but its a choice i made for myself. I dont think that if i 'handle, cook or purchase' meat then i am not a vetgetarian, and if people think that they're being ridiculous.

Answer 3

I would expect that under US law it would be considered "reasonable accommodation" to provide the checkers with disposable gloves to scan said items. Especially since they already stock said gloves for the deli counter employees!!

Now that I think about it I know of a SuperTarget store that does just that for a Jain employee!!!

What's up with all the folks dissing the employee?

Would your answer be the same if this was an Orthodox Jew???

Do you also slam pharmacy workers that refuse to dispense birth control items?????

Edit:

Just from a sanitation aspect alone; shouldn't they be providing bags for customers to place the meat items into? I know I've seen this in some grocery stores. Consider how often meat is recalled for having E.Coli, Listeria, Salmonella, Ptomaine, etc. Why is ANY cashier expected to handle drippy meat packages that may be leaking infectious fluids?

Answer 4

I am vegetarian, and although I don't really like to handle meat, I will if I'm in that situation. My husband is a meat-eater, and sometimes I will cook meat for him (on the understanding that I don't have to taste it for seasoning).

Personally, I would certainly have held the meat for the cashier, if they are that sensitive to the meat, even although I'm vegetarian. To me, it's just a case of having good manners and respect for the other person. (not to mention not causing a scene and holding the line up in the supermarket)

Answer 5

I became a Vegetarian as I was a waitress. I continued to serve meat.
I even tried cooking meat on the BBQ for my ex hubby.
I was a cashier and had to pick the meat up out of the shopping cart, and slid it across the scanner.
I believe the people who wouldn't touch the pork product were insubordinate. The job description to be a cashier at target was scan the product..
When you live in a society that has so many beliefs you have to be acceptable to all.
even the ANIMAL EATERS!!

Answer 6

As a vegetarian, I prefer not to handle, see or smell meat. It is a reminder of a life that was taken in slaughter. I see meat as part of a decaying carcass, an animal whose life was stolen away in its prime. I personally find it disgusting and morbid. The same muscle tissue people eat could be what allows that animal to live, run, experience the world and thrive. Ten pounds the weight of plants must be consumed by an animal to produce one pound of meat. It would be better for us humans to consume the plants directly, and let Nature take its course for the innocent animals that are currently at our mercy.

Answer 7

I am a meat eater, my wife is vegan. I have separate dishes I use for preparing and eating meat items. I wash those dishes with a dedicated sponge. We read the ingredients on everything we buy. She doesn't even wear leather. I used to think that this was all a hassle, but have come to realize that these are her beliefs, that they are strong, and that she will stand by them no matter what. We are successful because we respect each others' beliefs without imposing our own on each other.

We attend functions at Farm Sanctuary in CA and have a great time. We love their Thanksgiving dinner, and we have made it a tradition.

Answer 8

i can understand & respect why a muslim would not want to handle meat because of their religious beliefs. as a vegetarian, i don't like handling meat either- i'll carry a dish with meat on it if i have to, but i don't want to touch it directly. i also prefer not to sit right next to the meat when i'm eating dinner so i don't have to stare at it as i eat.

Answer 9

It's not my favorite thing to do, touch meat, but I will if I am buying it for someone else. Occasionally, I cook meat for guests, but I usually feel a little squeamish.
I have no problem not expecting others to feel or behave as I do, though. No need to be judgmental.
♥♥♥

Answer 10

Surely the Muslims in question must have realized that scanning pork products was going to be part of their job. If they can't touch pork because of religious beliefs, then they should be in a job which doesn't require them to scan it. I don't think it's right of them to expect everyone else to conform to their way of doing things, especially when they knew the job requirements from the beginning.

And yes, I am a vegetarian.