Is it bad to not date a meat eater?

Question

I never want to date a meat eater. Is this wrong of me? I think it would make sense to not want to date a smoker if you don't smoke, right?

Thank you all so much for your answers. At first, I kind of thought I was being selfish. But I used to be roommates with my brother and he always complained when I didn't buy meat at the store and he always had the dishes covered in meat. I couldn't stand it. I know for a fact it's hard to live with meat eaters and I personally think that being a vegetarian is much more than just not eating meat, someone mentioned this below. It is a whole thought process that is very rare in people and it is a way of living and thinking that I would like to share with someone instead of constantly misunderstanding each other.

Answer 1

We usually want to date people who are of similar interests and mentalities. If you feel strongly about being a vegetarian, I think it makes perfect sense to not date a meat-eater. There is a big difference in not only diet, but how one views the world and our place in it between someone who chooses vegetarianism and someone who continues to consume meat. There are so many issues--- ecology, health, compassion for animals, spirituality, etc.
You can certainly be friends with people who have different beliefs than you--- but if you are moving toward an ongoing relationship with someone (which is what dating is about, usually) there would be a lot you would not be able to agree upon.
Being vegetarian is not just about what you eat or don't eat-- it is a serious choice and commitment to a way of life, based on many well thought out reasons.

Answer 2

Yes kind of, I never ever met a vegetarian when I was dating. Believe me if I could have dated a vegetarian I would have, I just never , ever met one. The sad thing is I know very few veggies off the net and now I'm a vegan. When I met my husband I fell for him regardless of diet and was pleased that he liked vegetarian food and was totally cool with me being a veggie! He eats meat once a month but will never call himself a vegetarian. I'd never love anyone more than I do him and I'd still be waiting for a veggie prince to this day.

As long as they are open minded that is all that matters. As one of the answerers stated before a lot of people don't realise how bad eating meat and dairy is and we are sadly, a very small minority.

Answer 3

Personally I don't know if i could date a meat-eater. Firstly I wouldn't really want to be kissing somebody after they've eaten a burger or something and it's not very nice to be asking them to brush their teeth all the time so you don't have to taste it, definitely a mood killer. Also, I wouldn't want anybody cooking/storing meat in my kitchen. Plus if it got serious I'd want my kids to be brought up vegetarian.

I guess it depends on your reasons for being vegetarian, but I'm not sure I could date one of the old carnivores again, I feel too strongly about being a vegetarian and that doesn't mean I'm self richeous preaching vegi either, Anyway all the cool kids are vegi so it should be a problem finding one that suits :oD

Answer 4

Dating can have two main purposes and the answer depends on your purpose in dating.

If you're just dating for fun - for friendship, dancing, conversation, entertainment, etc., and if watching someone eat meat doesn't gross you out, then there's no reason not to date a meat eater. Even if it grosses you out, you can do non-dinner dates, like ice cream or roller skating or a movie.

If, on the other hand, you are dating with the intent to meet someone you might want to marry, then you should only date people whose lifestyles are compatible with yours. Since communal meals are a focal point of family life, huge differences in diet would be a major stumbling block.

Answer 5

A guy I dated was Vegan and I am not, however I was very understanding and tried various Vegan foods which I enjoyed. The lifestyle was just not for me and he respected that. We had a very good dating relationship in spite of the food difference.

I've also dated a smoker and I myself do not smoke...I chose to date these people because there personalities and treatment meant more to me than their personal choices, those are things we worked around and both were very good relationships.

Answer 6

Honestly, this is totally up to you who you date. If your a vegetarian and you find it hard to date someone who is a meat eater so be it! And well with the smoker and non-smoker my mum dates a smoker and she is strictly none smoking but really its up to you who you find to be your true love. Hope this helps :)

Answer 7

Idealistically it makes sense but when you fall in love with someone, its not because they are non-smokers or vegetarians, those things are trivial in the grand scheme of things.

I am a non-smoker and have a healthy lifestyle and happened to fall in love with a great women who is a smoker. I dont like that she smokes but we share so many other ideals and I'm not perfect either.

Answer 8

it is your life, and your choices. I would never do that, but if I were single, I would never date a smoker, so I understand where you're coming from. If you are vegetarian because of your beliefs, not because of taste preferences, then it might make sense to you

Answer 9

You should date who you like. If they eat meat, it's possible they will convert. Lots of people who eat meat know they would feel better ethically going vegetarian, they just need some prodding and support. I doubt you would be attracted to a die-hard sport hunter or someone, so it's a real possibility and if successful would help the animals!

Answer 10

I don't eat meat and my bf does. He's totally sympathetic to it and knows that if he wants something with meat in it, he can make it himself. I think you just need a guy to understand why you don't eat it and respect that. Don't let it be a deal breaker.