Vegans being judgmental?

Question

I just want peoples responces to the question, because I find it interesting how people react, yet alone act in real-life.
I have been a vegan for 2 years, my 3 friends recently became vegan.
I have never judged anyone on how they eat or urged them to be vegan like me.
And I have never seen my friends do that EVER. Infact I would
find it unbelievable if they did.
But it seems hat if I tell anyone I am vegan they go off on me and attack me saying that I will be 'weak' and die?
Now please people, why say stuff when you have no dea whether it is true or not?
Vegans can be very healthy once they balance their diet just like anybody. Everybody has to balance their diet some way or another.
I have gotten to the point where I avoid telling people I am vegan, like when I am in-line for lunch, people ask why I don't get any meat. WEll I say "I don't eat it" I try to avoid say that WORD.
I am not saying all meat-eaters are like this, but why are some?
I haven't ever seen vegans judge.

Well I am sure vegans judge people, I always see it on YA, but I see alot of meat-eaters too, I guess vegans/vegatarians are the minority and thats the reason, if it was 50/50 than things would be different./

Answer 1

I am not 'vegan'. I personally don't like to put titles on myself because of what I eat or don't eat. A title limits and I want no limitations within my life.

I can say that I have seen on this particular site judge people because of their choice not to eat meat.

I can also say that I have seen those that call themselves 'vegan' make broad judgments against others that don't follow their lifestyle choices on this same site.

The point as I see it is that people should eat to be healthy. It is a means to fuel the body that I live within and I want it to work to its full potential and to be highly efficient. To do such one can actually do so without eating meat. I know that such because I have done it different points within my life. I also started doing so again with someone that I was to marry for over 2 1/2 years and that I have continued to do so because of medication that I have to take that makes eating meat makes me seriously ill.

How and what I eat doesn't define me by any means. To limit it to such is a limitation that I am not comfortable with and see as a blinder to the bigger view of the world that I live in with so many problems that really need to be addressed.

Answer 2

You may not have seen it yourself, but it does happen. Now, both sides of the argument can very very hostile and judgemental. Where I perceive the difference is that an omnivore thinks a Vegan is making a mistake and is deluded, but a Vegan thinks an Omnivore is an immoral murderer of animals and must be shown the error of their ways. This is a gross generalization, but that's the way people think. I personally have had a couple of vegetarians lecture me about the meat industry and act like I was either a monster or stupid for not seeing the light. It made me a little aggressive about the whole thing, but I've tried to let it go. I'll happily help someone that understands their dietary choices are their own and don't try to project them onto me. But the instant someone tries to imply that I should change my diet because it's different from them, all bets are off.

Answer 3

I also avid telling people, until asked or put into a situation where I need to.

what I find most telling, is that this is how a negative scenario usually plays out : I am (b)

a)Why are you buying/eating Vegetarian product X ( or w/e) ?
b) I'm Vegetarian, trying to go Vegan
a) What ? Is there something wrong with you ? Why would you do that ?
b) well many reasons, I did it mainly for the environment. I didn't feel right eating meat/dairy once I read into it.
a) but you need meat to survive, Vegetarians are always ill or have to take lots of pills.
b) I don't take pills, I'm fine.
a) Its just wrong, humans are meant to eat meat.

Usually I vacate the scene at about this point. Then some time later, maybe a few hours, maybe a day or 2.

a) why do you have to try and convert me ?
b) what ?
a) you Vegetarians, are always preaching to people telling them what to eat, telling them its unhealthy. but you're just unnatural and weird. go hug some trees.

Once again at this point I leave the scene asap.

Hopefully you see my point: that we are preached at while being accused of preaching when in fact we have barely said anything other than answer their questions.


I also have never witnessed a real world Veg*n ( on here there are too many trolls to judge) preach to anyone.

Answer 4

As a woman who lives her life outside-the-box (I don't even know what's IN the box anymore!), I can tell you that people are skeptical and judgemental on anything that is foreign to them. (People are afraid of what they don't know or understand.) I am Vegan for eight years, Pagan (practicing Witch for many years), so I have heard just about all the judgements there are. I am not one to hold my tongue however, so if someone bothers me, I let them know in no uncertain terms that it's none of their business. If you feel that you should keep a covert stance to keep the peace, please do so. However, don't be a doormat -- some people thrive on this and will only come at you harder. You know that you are doing what is true and correct for you and that's all that matters. You will be healthier, the environment will benefit and the animals will thank you. Brightest Blessings, my dear.

Fernella, you are misinformed. I do not kill bugs, I simply pick up lizards, etc that make it into my home and take them outside. I actually let spiders stay there; they live there, too. (I am a practicing Witch of many years, so I pay attention to living things on many levels.) I thank goodness I don't have any roaches, though. I'm not real fond of them. As far as bacteria and other microscopic organisms without a brain, I am not very concerned and neither are they.

Answer 5

Actually both sides are equally to blame for both actions. It is ridiculous if you ask me. I am vegetarian. The only thing that could be said about vegan about health risks is the fact if you have low protein in you; your brain cells do start to die.

The same can be said about vegetarians though. Though everyone needs protein vegans get a little less than that of the average omnivorous person.
I am assuming you take vitamins. and supplements? If so it is silly. There are proteins in veggies. You simply eat more.

I get mocked for it but it is just jest from friends and family. I answer back by making animal sounds as they eat.

Vegans are mostly famous for their roles in Peta and other animal rights groups. So people freak out.

But I have to say I have never gotten that reaction. I generally just get asked questions and asked why. I respond by asking "Do you know how that cow was killed?", "Do you know what red meat can do to your heart?".

But never gotten the WHY YOU COULD DIE BLAH Bull from people.

I don't know why. They are just stupid maybe?

Answer 6

well, it really all depends.

As a vegan, I can personally tell you that I KNOW judgmental vegans who not only judge omnivores, but vegetarians, and other vegans. It happens.

As far as people criticizing you for being vegan, it's part of the game. People knock what they don't understand. The only thing you can do is ignore the rude comments and keep going on with it.

Hope that helped.

Answer 7

You must be new to YA then. A few months ago, there was a person called 'Ashley' who did nothing but rant and rave and call all meat eaters murderers, etc, etc. It was a joke. I have friends who are vegans, I have friends who are vegetarians. I sometimes eat a vegetarian diet, depending on how I am feeling. I do not judge anyones life choices, ever. That goes for just about anything, religion, sexual orientation, etc. etc. However, there are people out there who take things to extreme, and this 'Ashley' person was just that, a babbling idiot who enjoyed baiting people and trying to antagonize others. I am certain there are quite a few people out there who will remember her.

Answer 8

I am sorry that happens to you....it's sad that when people feel insecure about something they don't know much about, they tend to try & degrade someone so they themselves can feel better. But the story goes both ways...I eat meat...not alot, I tend to eat mostly fish.....but I have a friend who is vegan & literally loves to lay on a thick guilt trip whenever we go anywhere to dine...so basically, I avoid her & that sucks. I think there's room in the World for any viewpoint....I also think if you believe in a cause you should stick with it, educate yourself & when others give you the old rant...be armed with info & stay strong.....think of them as ignorant & in need of help...good luck!

Answer 9

Vegans are much more healthy than omnivores. Anyone who who tells you otherwise is totally ignorant of the claims of any scientific body or health organization.

Don't EVER avoid confrontation. Confrontation is good; it is how opinions are formed and assumptions are challenged. Most of us weren't veg until someone else inspired us. Be that person.

Answer 10

I think its like admitting any conviction you have for a better life. People suddenly feel like they are coming up short and want to pull you back to their way of living to justify their own existence. It would be just like at a party and telling people you don't drink, or if you bring up strong spiritual convictions both have similar results.