When a person declares themselves a 'vegetarian' a certain philosophy and behaviors seems to be expected...

Question

from them, so if you don't conform to what people think of as vegetarian behavior, you get grief from both other vegetarians AND meat eaters...so I have decided I will no longer declare myself as a vegetarian...it is getting to be too trendy anyway...although I doubt my eating habits will change much...I just don't like the expectations put on me from other people...I don't like labels of any kind...so, any comments?

Answer 1

I know what you mean. I know some veggies who walk around with some kind of holier than thou aura and their yoga mats, just the same way some meat eaters act defensive and drive around with "I love animals, they're delicious" bumper stickers. To each his own.
I just feel better when meat is not in my diet. Period. I don't say anything about it unless I'm invited to someones home for dinner.

Answer 2

Well, vegetarianism has always been and always will be something that "trendy" people will pick up and put down because it's an easy way to set you apart from the crowd.

I understand what you're saying about the conformity. I think the problem is that there is so much misunderstanding about vegetarianism from both sides (you'll wither up and die from malnutrition! vs. meat eaters are less evolved than me!) and there's so many views of vegetarianism that it makes it very easy for hostility to arise.

You don't have to prove anything to anyone. You can totally still take away the label of vegetarianism and still stick to your morals (whatever they may be).

Although, almost everything will become "trendy" at some point, and will probably happen to something you do/love. So don't get discouraged just because people who don't believe as strongly as you will infiltrate your thing every once in awhile.

Answer 3

I am sure there will always be people (and always have been people) who will find vegetarianism as trendy. Honestly, I just laugh that off. Good for them, but I have never found anyone who thinks I'm cool for it. So I guess those people will be veg for a while and give it up when they are no longer in need of a trend.

As I have said many times before (and the English teacher in me feels the need to say again) the word "vegetarian" is just that, a word with a definition. Labels are used a million times a day in society because it is more efficient than drawing pictures on rocks until someone understands what you are saying.
:)

I use vegetarian because the word itself implies the long list of foods I have chosen not to eat, and its use is intended to simplify what could be a long discussion into a single word. Thanks to many people who attempt to blur the definition, this logic is not completely true, but it still gives those around me the right idea when I am in a position where I have to say I am a vegetarian.

If you don't want to use it because you feel it is a trendy label, then go for it. Eat as you please and explain it as you like. You may find it to be difficult... I find that if I turn down a hamburger the first question asked is if I am a vegetarian. I guess people can't imagine someone just not wanting a burger.
:)

Anyway, I hope you find what you are looking for and that all goes well.

By the way, whenever someone asks or proclaims that vegetarians are or act a certain way, I simply say that is a silly stereotype. I say that vegetarians are a varied group of people, just like everyone else and every other group on this planet.

Answer 4

I don't see it as "trendy." I have been vegetarian since 1984. Some people think it became popular in the US in the 60s, but it has a history in the US going back at least 100 years. My wife is Hindu--India has had vegetarianism as a tradition for thousands of years. It's lasted a lot longer than hula hoops, leg warmers and disco. I did it because it was right for me; not because it was "cool" (whatever that means).

But I know what you mean by the "label" thing. People here on Yahoo Answers do have all kinds of preconceived ideas about what vegetarians/vegans are or what they are supposed to do. It is kind of tiresome.

However, in my real life, it's not a big deal at all. I don't say anything about it at work or if I'm in situations where I don't know the people very well. I just live my life and mind my own business.

Answer 5

That might be a good thing for you, if you're being picked on. Read on, without thinking I'm being mean or anything:

People label themselves to belong to one community or another. A person's nature tends to serve the same person above everything, and often creates double standards, which a community or other people abhor, because it dilutes their standards.

Say you call yourself vegetarian. But you eat fish, or white meat, and maybe wear leather. To the vegetarian community (which is built on excluding things that cause needless slaughter of animals) that's a double standard. So they give you grief. But if you're not participating in that neighborhood BBQ, other people give you grief and they still will, even if you don't "call" yourself vegetarian.

So, what I mean is there are two sides to labels. The benefit is, you can refuse a food or product by saying you're vegetarian, instead of using the long elaboration of the philosophy.

The downside is, you have to participate to belong. If you say "I'm vegetarian, but hey I'll take a small serving of that poached salmon" or something, you're diluting the label for serious vegetarians and they probably will (maybe should) give you grief.

Imagine, if Jews or Muslims lapsed on their kosher/halal restrictions and consumed a bit of pork here or there, it would undermine the meaning of kosher/halal and people would think, yeah, they'll eat pork if they have to.

Think of this label as a heavy chain around your neck. If it is benefiting you more than it is weighing you down, go ahead and take it off. Keep in mind that if you continue with your eating habits and exclude the label, you will have to explain your reasons the old fashioned way, or maybe use the label with a disclaimer as some of my friends do:

"My diet's mostly vegetarian" or "I try to be vegetarian where I can"

Answer 6

I usually tell people I'm a vegetarian only if I've been invited to eat at their house, or out to eat somewhere, in which case I'd like to ensure there is something for me to eat at the restaurant. Other than that, why is it anyone else's business?
If it does come up in conversation, I've found that just telling the truth about why I made the choice usually stops it, from both meat eaters and vegetarians. I don't eat what I can't kill. Dinnertime is not a time I care to argue about politics, animal rights, or religion. Thus, as needed, I draw on the old etiquette rule. "No politics, religion, or other controversial topics at the dinner table."

Answer 7

I never saw being vegetarian as trendy. I'm the only vegan I know and everyone else teases me about it or jokes around about it. I don't even know any vegetarians. I don't care much for labels but if I'm at a dinner party and people keep questioning why I won't eat their items with dairy, meat, cheese, etc., rather than sometimes saying I'm not hungry and have them try to ram a small bite in to me, I'd rather just quickly say I'm vegan and hope they understand.

However, I see your point as to a certain philosophy and behavior being expected. Sometimes people are shocked if I have a can of soda or some junk food. They expect me to be a health freak. There are other things too. People believe too many stereotypes.

Edit:
Poptart, people just correct you because you're twisting a word to make it have another meaning. It's like me going around saying I'm a Christian when I'm a atheist just because I think some parts of the bible have a good message.

Answer 8

It's a funny situation. I don't parade around in my veggie costume often. I bring it out when the behavior of others forces me to defend my choices.

I have a number of friends who do not know I am veggie, they don't need to, I do not plan on sharing a meal with them. That may change, but until then, why do they need to know?

When I do drop the word in describing myself, many long time acquaintances give me a look, and say, "really?"

So, I use the term vegetarian or vegan to warn people prior to eating dinner at my place, prior to my accepting an invitation to dinner at their place, or when another person describes themselves that way to me, I use it then as a means of showing solidarity. I have eating at restaurants without friends knowing my choice, so even at meals it can be done without the trumpets and bugles.

**Just a note for people who have read previous responses, I am vegetarian, but I cook vegan at home.

Answer 9

I understand how u feel. Just last week when i was in Bangkok, my good friend of many years made a joke about me not being able to eat most of the food in the restaurant, and jokingly say i should munch on the grass and deco made of plants around the place. I was pretty mad at him, given the fact that he has made fun of my vegan life from the day i started. And on top of that, telling me how much he love to kill the animals and would eat loads of meat as much as he could. Was very hurt when i encounter such a behaviour, though harmless, from a good friend. He just didn't want me to continue being a vegan cos i can't feast on chicken wings and pork ribs with him anymore unlike previously. Sad when i can't make him see my point.

Answer 10

I am guilty of this and i am truly sorry.I will be straight up with you.I dont know why I feel this way but I've always thought of vegetarians as trying to portray themselves as better than meat eaters.I know this is not true but vegetarians have had a bad rap.I'm sorry but I dont know why.