Why does their appear to be a huge derision between meat eaters and vegetarians? Could some one enlighten me?

Question

I have seen some really offensive comments from meat eaters. I have seen some misconceptions about vegetarians - not all vegetarians chose their diet because it saves animals although this is a bonus. There are many health benifits as well. In many cases people have been put on vegetarian diets to address serious health issues. Not all Vegans and vegetarians are children/teenagers or are dense. So why the defensiveness? So why the anger?

If you are the type of person who wants to personally attack me or call me names or insult me please dont answer this question.

Answer 1

Some people were raised to be closed minded and in most cases meat eaters won't come into the vegetarian and vegan section becuase they really don't care to but those who intentionally do are here to cause problems. Those you see who ask questions like, "what's the point in being vegetarian" or " vegtables have feelings too" have nothing better to do than play sick jokes for the attention. There is no changing their minds because they were set out to get people upset. I have seen some very respectable meat eaters in here but most are not because they don't want to be. These are the same ones the mess with people on the religion forum and give teeangers bad advice on the adolecent forum. I have reported so many of them it's horrible but like someone else said they never get deleted from this section even when the comments have nothing to do with vegetarianism. I have reported quite a few people for racial slander yet they were not deleted. I think the best thing to do is ignore these people. If they don't get any responses for their stupid questions they will easily get bored. I also started using the block button so they will not try to answer any question I ask.

Answer 2

I asked a similar question recently.

I'm vegetarian. I get the impression from meat eaters that vegetarians are kind of "holier than thou."

Once in a while, it might be true. However, some meat eaters seem to assume that all vegetarians are like this even though they have never actually met one.

One thing that really irritates me is when meat eaters talk like they are experts in nutrition and say vegetarians "don't get enough protein" and that sort of thing.

Other times they say "I'm going to eat a steak and dedicate it to you vegetarians." That doesn't even make any sense. I'm going eat a carrot and dedicate it all you meat eaters. So there.

Another thing they say is "All vegetarians look sick, their skin doesn't have the right color, etc." I recall hearing comedian David Brenner say that on the Tonight Show in the early 70s, these meat eaters need to get some new material. That joke is at least 30 years old and it simply isn't true.

I guess it's fear of the unknown. People tend to be fearful of anyone who declares some sort of difference from the crowd. It's awfully close to prejudice though. When I read some of the comments meat eaters make about vegetarians here on YA it reminds of me gay bashers or racists. Is there such a thing as a vegiphobe?

Addendum: I can actually understand why a meat eater might react strongly when the vegetarian question is very broad like "why eat meat?" But when the question is very specific like "how do you cook tofu"--sometimes meat eaters chime in and make nasty comments when they really should mind their own business. It's just rude and stupid. But, there are rude and stupid people in every category on Yahoo Answers.

Answer 3

I have found this very interesting as well, certain meat-eaters are very defensive because they know that eating meat is wrong. I respect your point Mojo, but I have been attacked numerous times just by telling people that I am a vegetarian, I have never forced any of my beliefs onto other people? So why the negative feelings towards us? I don't feel negatively toward my parents and friends who eat meat or anybody I meet on the street that says they eat meat.

Answer 4

Because us vegitarians are the good people with will power and love in our hearts! Meat eaters can be great people, but they are just so set in their ways. I think they are some-what jelous that we are healthy and loving to animals. But they can be too! I guess thats why I get so upset when I hear people eating meat! Animals have feelings and they are so "old school" they cant believe that. Who said that god created animals so us humans could eat?! I think gob created animals for the same reason god created humans. We are all the same. I am friends with some meat eaters, but I think that I am doing the right thing! And no words will ever bring me down from what I know is right!

Answer 5

Hi Gypsy :)

I think there's a huge divide between meat-eaters and vegetarians because one side will constantly dictate to the other how their view and way of life is always right.
It could happen with meat-eaters or vegetarians.

There's nothing wrong with promoting ones cause and beliefs, but people must remember that it is a free world and to dictate to another person doesn't change their mind, it only alienates them further.

For instance, I eat meat but respect a vegetarians way of life as it is their choice. But if I had someone coming down on me about my choice in life, I would get my back up about it because I don't like to have someone's cause forced upon me.

I hope my answer has helped a bit, best of luck :)

Edit: MsPeep, if someone is a vegetarian, I don't see them in a negative light at all or tease them or put them down because of their choice. IMO, it's admirable to be a vegetarian and I would never knock that, the only time I say anything is when someone calls me evil for being a meat-eater, then I say something, otherwise I respect peoples way of life.:)

Interesting how I got thumbs down when I haven't actually put down anyone, is it just because I'm a meat-eater?
I accept that people are vegetarians, yet I'm being looked down upon and not accepted for my way of life which I don't force upon others. And BTW, I love fruit and vegies, that makes up the largest part of my diet and I am slowly eating less meat because I am working towards becoming a vegetarian.
Very interesting.
You all should be ashamed of yourselves.

Answer 6

I think it's more about the numbers than the "meat eaters." Since there are so many more meat eaters than vegetarians, you're more likely to see comments from MEs.

Answer 7

Zealots of any flavor are a pain in the a&s. Meat-eaters don't want to hear lectures about why they should be veg than vegetarians want to hear about why they should eat meat. Just live and let live.

Answer 8

I think it is a matter of personal choice. If you like meat, eat it. If you don't, for whatever reason, then don't eat it. I dislike all the name-calling and arguing in the vegan vs. meat-eater disputes. While I love my veggies and fruit, tofu is going too far -- and I definitely love my meat and potatos as well.

Answer 9

Quite simply, people fear what they do not understand. You said it yourself, they don't understand what makes people vegetarian, and when you are attacked the vegetarian defends their honor. Being attacked pretty often, I am guessing vegetarians get fed up with having to educate people. It's a need of understanding on both sides. To be tolerant open minded and to mind our own business! :)

Answer 10

Many meat eaters feel intimidated by vegetarians becuase they see that they have very strong will-power and are much more compassionate for the right things to do (not support animal abuse). As well as they might have feelings of resentment of not being able to stop eating meat deep inside.