My family has had a hard time with me being a...?

Question

vegetarian. They are always saying how good the meat they eat is, and they're always taking me to expensive lobster restaurants, and on luxurious vacations where all they eat is buttered lobster. =[. its not like im goanna give in, its just how do i get them to understand how much pain i am in when i see animals getting hurt?

Answer 1

Part of being a vegetarian is knowing what you believe in but not pushing your beliefs on others. Most people do not respond well to lectures. Turn that anger inside and make yourself a better person,

Answer 2

If you've only been vegetarian for a short while, your family might feel uncomfortable about it, or assume that it's just some phase you're going through. Several of my relatives & friends were like that in the beginning & fortunately most of them eventually grew to respect my lifestyle.
You might never get them to understand how you feel about animal suffering, it's something a lot of people don't want to think about & any discussion about it could make them defensive & angry. Except for reminding my loved ones, when necessary, that I don't eat meat & that's not going to change, & that I *know* what it tastes like so they needn't bother describing it to me, I don't discuss being veg unless someone wants to have a real dialog about it. Sure, I wish they understood but I realize that I can't push my ideals onto them any more than they can push theirs onto me.

Answer 3

Borrow a video from the local library showing the killing of animals made for food..the'll definetly understand then. Also you should try to assure them that you will still get all the benefits of a health diet by eating protein alternatives.

Answer 4

I'm 19 and I've been a vegetarian my entire life.
It's a constant struggle and they will never understand. Just keep telling them and do the best you can to ignore what they say, they're just ignorant. And when you grow up and move out it will be a lot easier!

Answer 5

Tell them that not buying meat for you to eat will save a lot of money... and a lot of animals. =) Also, you should research on why being a vegetarian is good for your health and show that to them.

Answer 6

I'm a vegetarian too. My family does the same thing to me all the time. Like we will be eating dinner and my sis will be like, "Hey Kate, you want some chicken. Some nice, tasty chicken." I just ignore them when they get like that and then they will stop. Good luck :)

Answer 7

they wont understand

my parents never seemed to understand why i was a vegitarian, nor do they give a **** about animals, but hey, i never understand them either

just tell them to lay off and ignore the rest of it- thats the only thing could do, but now my family rarely has family dinners, so they dont bug me when im eating anymore

Answer 8

Have you told them that seeing them eating a little innocent animal bothers you? Just say that, that is who u wanna be. hey should not argue with your feelings about meat, and why you dont like it.

Answer 9

Sorry to say this, but you can't. They've grew up enjoying meat, thus they cannot understand your 'out-look on the story'

Talk to them and tell them your feelings. It won't work but it will get some of your emotional pain off your chest.

Answer 10

try explaining to them that your point of view is different from theirs. tell them that you care about the animals that are getting hurt. i'm not a vegetarian but i don't like to see animals getting hurt either. i feel really sad too.