Why are vegetarians (not all, but some) so dang touchy?

Question

I don't understand why when people are asking you questions (again not talking about all vegetarians, only some - and really in this case mainly in response to redman_fv who answered my last question) about vegetarianism, what you would eat, if you do eat, etc why you get so bent out of shape. I know I wasn't attacking, I was just curious.

I was a full vegan myself for about a year and a half, a vegetarian for 2 and then and now just a person who MOST of the time refrains from eating meat.

I know that for me, I eventually began to eat some meat again - ie non farmed fish or clam or shrimp on OCCASION.

But what's with the attitude?

Since I am being accused of being insensitive - I will add anyway for you all that are ******* about a simple question - it's people like you and Peta that give vegetarian's a bad name.

Never once did I say you should eat meat or you are stupid. But about half of you come out of the gates swinging and don't even read the whole question.

Answer 1

I am vegetarian, I'm not "touchy" as far as I know.

However, I do get a little tired of the "not enough protein" and "vegetarians look sickly" nonsense. My wife is a dietitian with a Masters Degree in Nutrition; and medical doctors follow her advice on diet (she is also a lifetime vegetarian).
Also, if I "look sickly" or if I'm "not getting enough protein" how come my lab work is always normal when I go to the doctor? Why isn't my doctor telling me to get admitted to the hospital? I admit I get tired of people who don't know anything talking nonsense. It does get a little old hearing that stuff when you know that it's been proven false.

Answer 2

They might have misunderstood. It is hard to understand how people meant things to be taken over the internet. They might be being sarcastic, and people think they are serious. Curiosity can appear to be critical. It is easy to misunderstand. If it is just curiosity, I don't mind, but look at your question: You asked how many vegetarians secretly ate meat occassionally. If they eat meat (even occassionally), they are not a real vegetarian. Simple as that.
I do get upset when people tell me I should eat meat (I haven't in around a month, and I'm fine), but curiosity, unless too personal, I normally don't mind.
Some people are overly-sensitive, but it isn't just vegetarians who are. There are people of all different walks of life who are overly-sensitive. Some people are like that (we just have to deal for some odd reason).

EDIT: I read your questions, and I have to say, that does not seem like "just curiosity". First of all, you are knocking vegetarianism, even if you don't think you are. "Let's face it - people are omnivores. We are designed to eat meat by nature. It is purely a choice to be a vegan or vegetarian...", and it seems like you insinuated that all vegans/vegetarians sneak meat. Look at the way you word things before you submit the question.

Answer 3

It's a touchy subject to some people because it translates to 'mass unnecessary suffering' to many people. Many people get touchy about slavery, the Holocaust, rape, and 9/11, too. They react reflexively to the subject, perhaps, without digesting the entire content of what you are saying about the subject.
That being said, I would certainly HOPE that anyone who uses 'vegetarian's' for the plural 'vegetarians' would not be calling anyone stupid and we Vegans will all rejoice in heaven while all of you meat eaters will burn in Hell. Just kidding. However, I wouldn't say that Peta gives vegetarians a bad name to most people, just the Rush Limbaugh listening blockheads who can only think in black and white and foxspeak and still think Hussein was responsible for 9/11. Now there is a touchy reactionary group for you. "9/11 changed everything." is their answer for anything.

Answer 4

I have a good feeling that you were never even vegan..what did you do , secretly sneak cheese?? Seriously, you are going to ask "Vegetarians, How often do you secretly eat meat?" as if its a fact that vegetarians do this and expect us to be like .."rock on sister, what a great question!?"..bleh, I am not touchy, I just detest ignorance.


So I just went back and read redmans response, and I saw nothing in it that could be portrayed as him being "touchy". In fact, you seem to be a much closer match.

Answer 5

not just vegetarians, but people that act like that think they are morally superior in some way. I've met some of the nicest people ever who happened to be vegetarian, but others who really had a temper, it seemed to me because of their personality not so much that they are vegetarian

Answer 6

What you said earlier...
"Let's face it - people are omnivores. We are designed to eat meat by nature."

Check out your first two answers to this question also.

Answer 7

peta gave themselves a bad name

Answer 8

Yes, why ARE they so 'sensitive'? I've known some who were cold all the time and had headaches!
Perhaps they need to eat a steak!
.

Answer 9

not enough protein

Answer 10

Maybe they are hungry?