How do you handle people that constantly criticize your decision to be vegetarian?

Question

First of all, let "me" make it clear that I never try to convince anyone else to be vegetarian. I never preach, I never tell anyone they shouldn't eat this or that, and I usually don't even mention that I'm vegetarian unless necessary. I respect other people's right to eat what they choose.

However, a small number of people continue to argue with me about it. I don't want to make a scene in front of a lot of people. Those of you who have experienced this, what do you say? Do you attempt to explain your opinions or just tell them to leave you alone?

Answer 1

Just smile and say "to each their own" and try to avoid them.

Answer 2

Good question, that I have much experience with.
Have patience with the non-thinkers and show by example :)
I chose to be vegetarian at the ripe age of 17 (almost time to leave the nest and post high school graduation) and EVERYONE in my family was a meat and potato eater and they ALL questioned me...constantly, almost as if they knew I was right but knew they could'nt commit to such regime.
I've stuck on the path and the only time I have to mention it anymore is near Thanksgiving (which is my anniversary) and some member of the family always brings it up (YEAH TOFURKEY :))
I totally commend you for realizing and mentioning that "to each their own" because it's so true and I say that myself.
The best mechanism for dealing with these carnivours who don't understand is to gauge your audience and either make it short and sweet (to wach their own, or this is my own personal decision) or to go slightly in depth. If the asker is actually interested, have a deep convo with them. Recommend books (diet for a new America, diet for a new planet) or inform about the human health issues (heart/colon disease), the animal cruelty, and the impact on the planet.
Being veggie is not a selfish thing. It's morally respectable when you know the facts, so if people are ignorant let them be...because we cant change those who arent ready....and thats when you tell them to leave you alone.As a side note I have raised my daughter vegetarian and she is healthy, smart, and IMHO perfect.
Thanks for being another veggie.

Answer 3

It's tough really and depends on the person.
Alot of the time it is annoying and tiring for people to always be asking you why you are vegetarian, especially when it can only lead to a disgreement.
However, some people ask you questions out of genuine interest.
With some people, you can be a little more cutting than with others. Sometimes, you just have to be diplomatic and explain that it is dietary choice just like any others and should be respected as such in the same way as people generally respect them and their dietary choices without feeling the need to ask questions about it.
Sometimes, you can make people think about what they are doing by asking them how they would feel if a person with strong religious beliefs contrary to their own starting asking questions and making comments in contrary to their own beliefs. Would that immediately start an uncomfortable discussion?
With some people however, telling them that you are vegetarian for religious reasons (even if it's not true), stops them making any more comments or asking any more questions as religion is seen as a more taboo subject than vegetarianism. This works with people you don't know of course.
Another solution is to simply have a great argument to every "point" they make so that they eventually leave it alone. You can show you are simply more knowledgeable than them on the subject and if they have any sense, they will avoid the opportunity to feel out of their depth in a crowd. If you deliver your comments with a smile or make them funny, you won't antagonise anyone.
You could also try to explain to them that neither of you are going to change their mind about a subject so important just because of a small discussion, thereby showing them that talking about it is nothing but a waste of time.

I have tried each technique. However, I have also resigned myself to the fact that there is not one absolutely correct way of doing this and people aren't going to stop asking you about your vegetarianism or coming up with stupid comments like "vegetables bleed too" so sometimes you simply end up starting unwanted arguments.

Answer 4

I really think many are jelous of the commitment that is made by those that have the self control to be vegetarian. I know I cant do it. But I also know that it is a much healthier way of living. Just explain we all make choices in life. They can eat meat, you chose not too. End of story if they want to argue, get some print outs of how much healthier you are vs. them.

Good Luck.

Answer 5

Well, I'm not a vegetarian but something similar happened to me a few days ago. I went out to a family friends house, who were serving rabbit meat for lunch and I refused to take part in the meal. Although I eat chicken and lamb, the idea of eating rabbit is just odd and disgusting to me. To add to that, I had a rabbit as a pet when I was a little girl. Anyways, just in those few hours that I was there, I was criticized for my decision not to eat it, and everyone kept making fun of me, saying that I'm too sensitive, and they tried to convince me to have some. I was civil and told them, thank you for the offer, but no thank you. I'm not interested. Period.

I don't think you need to justify your decision to anybody. It is a personal choice you made, for whatever reason. It's not like it's hurting your friends/family, it has nothing to do with them and they shouldn't be offended. I suggest you just smile and nod. No matter what you do in life, people will always come along and criticize you for something, but that shouldn't stop you from living your life.

Good luck!

Answer 6

I just say I'm healthier as a vegetarian and it's true!
When I was a meat eater I was in the hospital more often than nowadays being a vegetarian!
I say Vegetarianism isn't for everyone but it's for me! I also say to the meat eater for You Meat maybe right for you but it sure wasn't for me.. Meat was blocking my arteries preventing me from gaining weight! I even mention my doctors name so they can check it out! So far no one has actually checked it out according to Dr. Zaitzeff!
sometimes I simply say different strokes for different folks! Not many criticise my vegetarianism rather they criticise other things!

Answer 7

I really never experience this in "real life" (here is another story entirely!) I recently went vegan from vegetarian and my (vegetarian) boss keeps telling me I should be flexible. I just told him if he wanted to look at it that way, I've been a "flexible" vegan for 20 years, and I'm now ready to be an inflexible one. He hasn't given me any crap since then.

How you handle it really probably depends on your relationship with these people. If they're casual acquaintances and you don't want to make a scene in front of people, just tell them you don't discuss your diet. Period. If they are people closer to you, you may or may not want to be so blunt; you have to have a relationship with these folks, after all. If they have specific concerns (like the age-old protein question,) it's probably worth it to answer their concerns. If it's just a difference of opinion, just ask them to agree to disagree. Point out that you are not judging them and that you'd appreciate it if they afforded you the same respect.

Answer 8

#1 Tell them that as far as you can tell it's your body and you'll put into it what you damn well please.
#2 Tell them to do a minimum amount of research before going ape and they'll find out that a vegetarian diet is a healthy diet, whereas consuming red meat is not healthy.
#3 Tell them that eating red meat gives them a foul odour in intimate situations. Example: a non smoker will smell the stink of stale cigarette smoke wheras a smoker won't.

Answer 9

Sometimes I shove some literature in their face if they don't back off and show respect. Get The China Study by T Colin Campbell and make them read it. Just say "Since you are so interested in vegetarianism I thought you might like to read the cutting edge scientific info on it." and drop it in their lap.

Answer 10

If possible, try not to eat with these ppl, it's not good for your digestion ;-)
Several friends, relatives, acquaintences & classmates criticized me when I 1st went veg but most of them stopped sooner or later. Mealtimes were often uncomfortable, so I started either eating alone or with ppl who didn't think it was bizzarre not to eat meat. Once my friends & family realized that being veg wasn't going to hurt my health, that it wasn't some weird fad & that I hadn't joined some cult, it became a non-issue. A very few ppl still don't get it, but this is their problem, not mine.
You might be better off by simply telling ppl that you don't want to discuss it. Good luck.

Answer 11

I think a time comes in this type of "problem" that you cut your losses. Just say"You are a rude person & you would apperciate that they respect your opinion & lifestyle". If they continue, state to them calmly it is NONE of their business.
Interesting I have found a few times I have had to play hard ball this way..the meaness was explained away as "teasing". I still won't let it pass. I counter with "Well, now that you know it bothers me you can be nice & stop."

Plain old fashion manners takes a beating in our current society but we do not have to put up with it.