What are some good ways of politely refusing meat?

Question

I tell people I'm a vegetarian, and they immediatly assume I'm judging them. I understand, because when I ate meat, I'd met some condemnation from some of the more "hardcore" vegetarians I'd associated with.

What are some good ways of telling people you are a vegetarian, without implying that you judge them for not being one? I know it's not fair that people assume it, but we must be real about the fact that there is this perception out there that we somehow think of ourselves as morally superior; which is unfortunately true in some (rare I hope) cases, but I certainly do not.

What are some good ways of talking to non-veg's without bringing stereotypes into it?

Answer 1

I can't say that I've ever really run into someone who thought I was judging them because I said "I don't eat meat.". I never bring the subject up unless it is necessary. There is really no reason to go about telling everyone that you are vegetarian, same as a person who is Jewish doesn't bring it into every conversation.

Most people I have met don't even know. I don't feel the need to explain my beliefs to everyone I meet. The only time people know is when I have to tell them, such as they offer to make or buy me something with meat in it, etc. In those situation I politely say, no thank you, I don't eat meat. That is usually sufficient, I have never run into anyone that was horribly insulted or even cared for that matter.

If you really need to tell someone, then just say it and drop it. Don't act disgusted that they are going to eat meat. Realize that they will feel more at ease if you are. What I have found is, most people are tolerant of others, we are all looking for the same thing, and that is respect. Respect them and they will most liekly repect you.

Answer 2

Say "no thank you."

There's no reason to say "I'm a vegetarian" unless somebody asks you.

I would agree with the other person; some folks automatically get defensive when you just say the "V word."

If something comes up like a wedding reception or whatever, then I ask them if there is a vegetarian option. If somebody is making food for me and they ask me what I like to eat, I say "I don't eat meat, chicken or fish." Sometimes if you say vegetarian, people will serve you fish. Sometimes I don't say anything at all, I just show up and eat what I think looks "safe"--especially if I don't know the people very well.

It might be slightly easier for me because my wife is from India; we socialize with Indians a lot; they understand what vegetarian means even if they aren't vegetarian and nobody makes an issue about it.

Answer 3

I think it helps people if you tell them what you DO, not what you ARE. It is, for some reason, less of an affront to their lifestyle if you tell them "I don't eat meat", rather than "I am a vegetarian", even though they pretty much say the same thing. I'm a vegan now, so it's a little more complicated, but it always worked for me when I was a vegetarian. Good luck.

Answer 4

A lot of it might be in the phrasing of what you say, maybe ?

I've never had anyone judge me or bat an eyelid when i say i'm veggie in 28 years.

Keep it light hearted, if they sense a serious agenda surfacing then people go on the defensive.

If they offer you meat, just say no, you don't have to give a reason. If you feel compelled to give a reason just say "i'm vegetarian". It can be that simple. If you start saying things like "I don't eat things with a mother/things that have eyes" etc it confuses things and can sound like you are reminding them these things were once alive. Just say no.

If someone offers me a sweet ( candy ) i often don't give a reason, i just say no.

If soemone aske me around for dinner, they already know i'm veggie - strangers don't ask me around for dinner.

Recently I went to our anual farmers dinner - me and 30 beef/dairy farmers. They are ok with it so why wouldn't everyone else be ?

Often its the way you behave and phrase things, not what you are or actually say.

Answer 5

I tell people that it's hard for me to digest meat therefore a vegetarian diet just works better for my body. I've not met any resistance with that one as I am talking about how my body responds to meat. I don't ever go near the other reasons I don't eat meat.

Answer 6

I tended to say things like "Meat's not my favorite" or "I'm not real into roast beef" or "Meat doesn't agree with me." These still usually lead to "Why not?" to which you generally have to explain that you don't like eating animals. It's a little easier for a chick because you can just look like you're overly emotional "I just can't eat Bambi!" Sometimes you can just get by with something like that, though. I stopped eating meat because I started imagining gnawing on a pig's ear every time I ate ham, which easily makes it unappealing, so that story usually dispels any impressions of being better than someone. Often all you can do is explain, usually making yourself look like a big wuss so that the other person doesn't feel any pressure.

Answer 7

I really don't discuss it much. At a restaurant I just order a dish without meat and people either notice or they don't. I don't really have that "You're judging me" reaction much, although sometimes when I mention that I'm veg*n, people will stumble over themselves in the their eagerness to tell me how little meat they're eating these days. I think people who react badly are sort of self-judging. If you really want to be non-confrontational about it you can just say, "I'm really not eating much meat anymore. It just makes me feel better." If someone's invited you for dinner though, you may want to be a bit more direct. I find a lot of people are genuinely curious and I'll pretty much tell them anything they want to know about it. And I figure if someone's genuinely hostile at the mere mention of the word "vegetarian," that is NOT my problem.

Answer 8

simply refuse the meat and dairy foods and tell your friends that you're vegetarian. they might question you further so you can tell them what foods you do eat and they might adjust their menus to ensure you don't go hungry. easy enough to include an extra couple of vegetables in a non-veg meal.

Answer 9

I think you are too hard on yourself. Vegetarians in this day and age is acceptable. You do not have to be apologetic because understand. I think what the quandary is people are stymied about what they can cook for you or what to order. Your "hardcore's" will just have to get over it. How about this? Haaa, Haaa I'm a vegetarian, any questions? Just be you, and people will project what they want.

Answer 10

No thank you I don't eat animals period.
Why should we walk on eggshells to not offend others? We all have our reasons for not eating animals if someone is going to judge us or feel offended that's their problem not ours.
Just don't preach and don't be rude. I refuse to go into any details on why I see it wrong to eat meat while others are eating meat around me. But if they really insist on me giving them an answer I tell them how I feel without being to graphic.