Hi, in between university I work in the "deli" department of my local supermarket. 90% of what we sell is meat - raw fish, chicken, and sliced meats such as ham, turkey and beef. The other 10% is salad and olives.
I was vegetarian before i started working here, and have often thought if it is ethical for me to continue working here.
If i didn't work here, i reason, it would make no difference to people's purchasing habits and the deli would continue to run.
Thoughts, comments (and even abuse) welcome.
Spiceparadise
2007-12-20 13:35:02 · 13 answers · asked by Anonymous in Food & Drink ➔ Vegetarian & Vegan
It depends on how tight you want to maintain your ethical boundaries. It's as simple as that. You make a very good argument for continuing working there in the deli ... it won't make difference. IF however, YOU believe it is personally offensive to your ethics ... then quit.
There are also other REALITIES to consider in how tight you maintain your ethical boundaries ... availability of jobs, responsibilities to self and family/children, wages, etc. Some people like to be martyrs to their ethics ... personally, I don't. I think there is a time to draw a firm line ... but some draw it too soon and without thinking.
I wouldn't push the "move me" because I'm a vegger or be the crusader for more vegetarian selections/foods suggestions made to you ... ...business owners tend to move those persons right out the door the first chance they get. That's the reality.
Very interesting question ... thank you for bringing it up.
2007-12-21 03:55:03 · answer #1 · answered by Meg 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I don't think I would continue working, at least in that section.
I don't condemn you for it....but everyone has to draw the line where they feel comfortable. Personally, I wouldn't want to cook meat, or serve meat to others. But I *don't* have a problem sitting across from someone eating it (and I know some vegans/vegetarians do.)
And yes...even if you work elsewhere in the supermarket, you'll still be working for a corporate entity that MARKETS meat. But at least you'll be a few reasonable steps removed, which might be a good thing. (No abuse here.)
2007-12-21 05:02:06 · answer #2 · answered by Janet G 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's a fortunate person who can pick and choose where they work.
If you have another job to go to or can afford not to work, fine. Otherwise you are doing the best you can. As a vegetarian student I worked in cafes, pubs and restaurants that served meat. I didn't and don't consider that to be hypocrisy - I was working hard to earn my own spending money, money my parents could ill afford to give me.
Hypocrisy means claiming to have higher standards than you in fact have. You are not a hypocrite, you are a hard-working young woman. Good for you.
GSmooth, an atheist working in a bookshop may very well be called on to sell bibles or other religious books. Your other comparisons are just silly.
2007-12-21 05:49:32 · answer #3 · answered by lo_mcg 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I guess it depends on the reason you became vegetarian. If it's a health choice, then it shouldn't be an issue at all (we all have preferences to different lifestyles). If the reason has to do with cruelty to animals, then I guess I could understand questioning it's ethics by "supporting" one of it's outlets.
More than anything, however, my initial reaction was that I was impressed - for someone who has a stricter diet who is accepting of other people's diets is an admirable trait.
2007-12-20 21:41:19 · answer #4 · answered by operation mixtape 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No matter if you work there or not they are still going to be selling the meat. This will continue with or withoutyou. So as long as it doesnt make you ill thinking about it or when you see it. I dont think its a big deal at all.
2007-12-20 21:40:43 · answer #5 · answered by Ashley B 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You're right, the place would still sell meat, and people would eat it whether or not you work there. However, if you found another job more in line with your vegetarian lifestyle, YOU would not be part of their selling the meat.
2007-12-20 21:46:11 · answer #6 · answered by VeggieTart -- Let's Go Caps! 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
I think that it's your choice. You are right, it makes no difference to customers if you are vegetarian or not, they will purchase what they intended to buy. If you think you have another job lined up or are qualified to work somewhere else, go for it; if you rely on your job and the pay is good, just keep doing it. Unless it's grossing you out to serve people meat or it's really bugging you, you ought to keep working there until you at least have another job lined up once you leave this one.
2007-12-20 21:44:35 · answer #7 · answered by Maggie 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
have you thought of explaining to your manager that you are a vegetarian & asking if you could work in a different section of the supermarket? it's worth a shot.
personally, i would not work there. i agree with the answer above mine, even if the deli were to operate w/o you & people would still consume the animal products, it's your choice whether or not to have a part of it.
2007-12-20 23:26:40 · answer #8 · answered by Sasha ♥ 5 · 3⤊ 1⤋
It depends on how YOU feel. If you have a hard time with it, then it's not for you. It doesn't make you less of a vegetarian.
As a perk, you're on the inside, so you can make suggestions to the higher-ups to have more vegetarian/vegan friendly foods.
2007-12-20 23:29:47 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
With all due respect to you and all the others who answered, I think you're a HUGE hypocrite. It's like Al Gore selling Hummers. Or an Athiest selling bibles. Or a Christian Fundmentalist working for an abortion clinic. Decide who you want to be and BE that person. Not only when it is convenient for, you but all the time.
2007-12-20 23:31:23 · answer #10 · answered by GSmooth 2 · 3⤊ 2⤋