To non-vegans & vegetarians, have you ever had trouble with vegans/vegeterians?

[orangelady]

This post is only for non-vegans and vegetarians plz.

 

Well,

 

Lately, I went for a social gathering and got to know the organizer. I added him on my FB and somehow he found one of my older posts where I said "can't believe I read someone's post on "Veganism : The guide to non-violence"

 

He asked me what I thought about it and I told him that I can't stand the preachy ones and that everyone should respect a person's choice of diet.

 

Little did I know, he is sort of a vegeterian, he said he doesn't eat factory animals but free range meat.

 

 

I don't know but I find that some vegetarians and vegans can be very hostile towards those who do not conform to their choice of lifestyle diet.

 

 

I have found someone who would be very sensitive about the whole subject and some even only date their own 'kind'.

 

 

How are your friendships and r'ships with these people?

 

 

I don't intend to be a vegeterian or a vegan anytime soon.

[denise_xo]

[sorry - misread the OP]

Edited May 9, 2011 by denise_xo

[Kamille]

I have lived with many vegetarians and even had a period where I was a vegetarian myself. In my experience, the vegan / vegetarian are more tolerant of other's diets than the meat eaters. Where I'm from, some people have very strong reactions when you tell them you're a vegetarian, assume you're "judging" them and start belittling your eating habits. It's almost like they feel you're attacking them by choosing not to eat meat.

 

I have yet to meet a vegetarian so enthused that they would lecture meat eaters on their habits. Yes, vegans / vegetarians might love to talk among themselves as to why they believe in veganism. Also, meateaters, in my experience, often ask vegans-vegetarians to justify their choices. Neither of those practices, however, make vegetarians hostile to the people who do not conform to their life choices.

 

I guess I'm saying this to point out that the preachiness, when it comes to this issue, goes both ways.

[orangelady]

I have lived with many vegetarians and even had a period where I was a vegetarian myself. In my experience, the vegan / vegetarian are more tolerant of other's diets than the meat eaters. Where I'm from, some people have very strong reactions when you tell them you're a vegetarian, assume you're "judging" them and start belittling your eating habits. It's almost like they feel you're attacking them by choosing not to eat meat.

 

I have yet to meet a vegetarian so enthused that they would lecture meat eaters on their habits. Yes, vegans / vegetarians might love to talk among themselves as to why they believe in veganism. Also, meateaters, in my experience, often ask vegans-vegetarians to justify their choices. Neither of those practices, however, make vegetarians hostile to the people who do not conform to their life choices.

 

I guess I'm saying this to point out that the preachiness, when it comes to this issue, goes both ways.

 

This reminds me of racism. But yeah, I could see your point. But meat-eaters don't call vegetarians killers or abusers.

[Kamille]

This reminds me of racism.

 

Is it the dynamic I describe which reminds you of racism or are you saying you feel I have an attitude akin to racism in my post? If the latter, I really don't see it and would honestly appreciate if you could explain what makes you see it that way.

[orangelady]

Is it the dynamic I describe which reminds you of racism or are you saying you feel I have an attitude akin to racism in my post? If the latter, I really don't see it and would honestly appreciate if you could explain what makes you see it that way.

 

No, hun, I mean the dynamics of it reminds of racism. For example, let's say blacks vs whites. (FOR EXAMPLE ONLY). Blacks may feel whites discriminate them or look down on them but in reality, maybe some of the white folks don't even think that. But the blacks already feel this way about it....

[vsmini]

I'm sure there are many "angry" veggies out there but I have noticed this is what happens at most tables when the discussion comes up.

 

Usually it is the other person that brings up me being a vegetarian and ask WHY I eat this way. I explain and it often causes others to feel uncomfortable because they assume if I have morality issues with it, personally, than I must be making some kind of judgements about them and they start to get very defensive...When I wasn't even the one bringing it up!

 

I don't sit around tables and spout off animal statistics and explain how they are killed. I don't bring it up at all. I've always been asked and then it's everyone else that assumes I'm being a veggie bully.

[orangelady]

I'm sure there are many "angry" veggies out there but I have noticed this is what happens at most tables when the discussion comes up.

 

Usually it is the other person that brings up me being a vegetarian and ask WHY I eat this way. I explain and it often causes others to feel uncomfortable because they assume if I have morality issues with it, personally, than I must be making some kind of judgements about them and they start to get very defensive...When I wasn't even the one bringing it up!

 

I don't sit around tables and spout off animal statistics and explain how they are killed. I don't bring it up at all. I've always been asked and then it's everyone else that assumes I'm being a veggie bully.

 

Actually, those that are vegetarians who are vegetarians for health benefits or religion are fine. But it's those that are vege freaks to protect the animals are the ones who are scary. And I find that they select when and where to debate the topic. Usually, not in real life, but it's usually on Facebook. Because that's where they are brave to do it. That's your side of the story but a lot of non-vegans feel very uncomfortable around vegans and vegetarians because we're eating their animals.