How would you react in this situation??

Question

I was recently at a barbecue at my boyfriend's families house.
His uncle, who might i mention was sweating liquor through his pores begins to tell me and my boyfriend that we will have to eat meat eventually because it is really unhealthy and that we need to eat meat. After that he begins telling us about a vegetarian that he knew that after six years had to go to the hospital because he was so sick from supposedly not eating meat. I replied (trying to be polite, i can't be mean i still have to have my boyfriends parents like me until we get married haha) "Actually, you are extremly incorrect people only need small amounts of protein and iron which they get from vegetables, nuts, beans as well as the mock meat products, Also, my doctor told me that i should not eat meat due to my heart problem that i was born with because meat is so bad for your heart as well as other things" After i said all this he continued to tell me that i was wrong and that i will get sick.. What do you say to someone who bombards you like this in front of a ton of people.

I really do not understand why vegetarians have the stereotype of forcing people onto their ways and criticizing the way people who are not vegetarian eat. When to me it seems the exact opposite, i would never complain to someone eats meat about what they are eating. Why can't i get the same in return?

Answer 1

He's just a typical meaty narrow minded person and you have to find your own way to deal with these people, you will come across them about all topics in life.

just say "Yep, the line up in MacDonalds is a real picture of fit and healthy people."

He knew "a" vegetarian that was sick. Oh yeh, how many meat-eaters has he known that were sick in the same timeframe...hundreds no doubt

I've been veggie for 27 years, i own an arable farm, i work at my business all day, i work all hours on the farm, i build houses, i manage my own woodland....

never ill, no supplements. How much fitter does he WANT me to be for gods sake !

Personally, i never have people want to argue or criticise me for being veggie. I can't beleive it just "luck" after 27 years, i think its more to do with how / if / when you tell people. The majority of people i know, even people i go out to dinner with, do not know i'm veggie. I don't hide it, they just never bother to ask about it probably becasue i find no need to tell them about it. Those i do tell, never mention it or try to respond adversely.

Answer 2

Some people just can't accept something that's different than what they would deem " appropiate, " or believe in, and so forth.

I get attacked all the time by those dead-serious types of people just because I have a sense of humor.

I dance at a strip club for a job. It's a legal, paying job that just happens to be in the entertainment business that's meant for adults only. It's not like it's porn or anything on that level of sexual things, so I'm still a woman of dignity and class. For every " cheering fan " I have, there's also someone who apparently has to hound me for being a " harlot " or a " whore " and all that. It's annoying being jumped on like that all the time.

Some people just have no sense of common courtesy over something so simple as a mere difference of values. If they don't agree with the way you conduct your life, they think that gives them the right to basically say you're a moron and have no regard for your feelings. On the same note, if you say THEY are wrong, YOU crossed the line. Go figure...

Answer 3

Sounds like the man may have been a little more than lubed(drunk). You can not really totally avoid some time or another meeting & dealing with some one like this uncle. Sorry life is just ths way. He made a *** out of himself that day.
Sounds to me you did all you could. Be polite, say your piece..This is a Dr. recomeneded Diet. Then let it go. Being mean like you said will create conflict. You really want your boyfreinds family on your side forever, trust me on this.
I too have found the same more "Meat Eaters" freak out all my non-meat eating than is really any of their business. I think because they are insecure, we make them doubt their walk in life.

Answer 4

You should have just replied that your doctor has advised you to not eat meat, as you will end up in the hospital and asked to have him grill you an ear of corn.

It is an uncle of the family and he was drunk. There would have been no easy way to respond and hopefully the rest of the family that was listening knew of his condition as well.

Answer 5

You conducted yourself correctly... If you state that you talked to your DOCTOR, that should be enough said... after all, what good is it to get upset taking advise from someone who is sweating liquor and eating meat. If he is or was how you described him, I wouldn't take any health advise that he was giving out. Just let it go... some people have ways of always knowing everything.... right? Well, I'd bet that if he went to his doctor, they would discuss, less meat and less liquor... to which he would probably reply after leaving the office... "Doctors, what do they know?"

Answer 6

if you explain your reasoning and someone still continues to argue with you over the issue say "its obvious we both feel differently, lets agree to disagree". theres not much else you can do. Someone so opinionated isn't likely to give up easily after you try to explain your reasons for being a vegetarian.

You obviously are better educated in the subject and it is difficult to walk away when you know you are right but you won't win a debate with a drunk stubborn person.

Answer 7

I would probably just tell him that he's entitled to his own opinions, but that his opinions won't necessarily change your mind. (it'd probably be better if he was sober anyway, then your story about what the doctor said would probably have a little more effect) Besides, whenever vegetarians and non-vegetarians get together and discuss the decisions behind what they eat, it's like when Christians and Atheists get together and try to persuade one another that they are right.

Answer 8

I would have said... Listen guru o health... I know you like to get all liquored up and tell people how to live. But perhaps when it comes to health advice you should stop consult Dr Jack Daniel.. He doesn't have anything to contribute.. As far as his family liking you why does that matter Does he like you?

Answer 9

I get that alot..the majority of people in my family are overweight or obese..or they have diabetes..or have high blood pressure or have had gall bladder surgery..stuff along those lines..and it really annoys me when they ask "Where do you get your protein..do you take supplements?" I just ignore them or shrug it off...because even if I give them facts and educate them about it...they still think they're right and I'm wrong...so I 'm usually just laughing inside in my head that a person who is obese is giving me advice about nutrition and telling me that I'm unhealthy.I guess you can't do much except let them learn the hard way by them having a heart attack in the future or high cholesterol,that's what it would take for my family to change their minds.

Answer 10

If a situation like that comes up again, and the person is not open to a normal conversation, just let them say their piece and walk away. Don't argue. (if you want to keep peace in the family : )

This pers was / is just an ignorant, closed mined, drunk.