Why are people so rude to vegetarians / vegans?

Question

I don't understand it - I always see people on here saying that vegetarians act "holier than thou," are "stuck-up," etc. I don't really know any vegetarian who is like that, rather, it seems to be the other way around.

A lot of times when people find out I'm a vegetarian, they are all of a sudden a nutritionist and try to tell me these reasons why I should eat meat. Or they roll their eyes. And a lot of people act like I am somehow inconveniencing them. WHAT?! I'm not sick, I'm not vitamin deficient, I'm not unhealthy...

Why do people have such a problem with vegans and vegetarians??

(Please don't tell me about proteins, that's a bunch of crap.)

Answer 1

Your first clue is that meat eaters are even in the "Vegetarian & Vegan" section in the first place.



Now, granted, new questions come up in the main "Food & Drink" category, seen by all. But anyone who can read is then capable of seeing the V&V category, and realizing maybe the question isn't intended for them or, at the very least, is a genuine question looking for a genuine answer about veg'n foods. (I mean, it happens to me in other sections...where a question catches my eye, then I see it's in a section that isn't of interest to me, or one where I have no particular expertise. Since I don't answer questions where I don't have something of value to offer - personal experience or expertise - I don't answer. I don't know why this is magically rocket science for meat eaters in the Food & Drink category.)



Still, I agree with you. I have not personally witnessed a veg'n behave in a hostile manner to a non-veg'n...ever. I have not seen it here, either. I have seen some veg'ns get extremely frustrated with the personal attacks and infantile comments left by some meat eaters...you know...in the Vegetarian & Vegan section... (snickering) (losers) But that's just a form of retaliation, after some meat eater starts talkin' some kind of (inaccurate) smack. I have not seen veg'ns on the offensive...ever. I have only seen sh*t started by meat eaters, although I, and probably many other veg'ns, are happy to "end" it, when they do start it. (giggling)



I have no problem with intellectual debate. But intellectual discourse will never be confused with the childish, insulting, just plain inaccurate and defamatory comments left here by some meat eaters. Obviously, the people who eat meat and are happy to have conversations about different dietary and ethics issues can do so in a productive, mature manner. Some do, which I think everyone would agree is fine and dandy. But like you, I do not see this very often. Instead, it's a bunch of yahoo meat eaters who (therefore) have either zero knowledge of good nutrition (if they're talking about eating cheeseburgers) or zero concern for the welfare of voiceless animals kept captive and often abused, or even the welfare of the planet, which is greatly harmed by factory farming practices.



I am vegan. My husband eats meat, along with every friend and family member I have. I find THEY have the issue, though, not me. I N-E-V-E-R bring up vegan issues. I will discuss if it asked. But it's such a personal choice, I respect that in others, and I wish more of them would respect that for me. I spend a lot of time saying things like, "that's fine" or "I'm good" because THEY are so concerned about what I eat and want to make sure I have what I need or that the waiter at a restaurant knows my eating habits. (From my friends and family members, it comes from a generally good place, if not a bit misguided.) I don't like it when they do that. I prefer to just take care of business myself. But THEY see me differently. And I guess that's the thing. I don't look at them any differently, but they view me as being somehow "different". And for some emotionally-stunted individuals (seen here at Y!A), if you're different, you're to be ridiculed.



My only advice is to just ignore the troll. If you have to, expose him/her for the troll he/she is. If we wouldn't "feed the trolls" there'd probably be fewer of them.



Personally, I think meat eaters who come to the V&V section have something wrong with them, unless the question specifically requests a debate. When someone asks for vegan recipes, they're not requesting that vegan haters call them nasty names and belittle arguably the healthiest dietary choice a human can make for him/herself. But what're ya' gonna do? It's the Internet and, sadly, cowards will hide behind their computer keyboards. Just think of them as 12-year-old American boys who are still virgins, or middle-aged men who are fat, ugly, and impotent. Then you're more likely to feel sorry for them, rather than be harmed by what they say. I mean, who gives a da** what some fat, old, iimpotent man says? Really? Who???



I hope you have a great day!



EDIT: Thanks, Salade Girl! (blushing) I'm the same way. I wish I could come to this section and share recipes, or even have mature discussions about health, ethics, and environmentalism as it relates to diet. But it's nearly impossible because of the veg'n haters. You have to just bite your tongue and be infinitely more mature and generous than these types, and try to ignore them. It can be tough, at times, though. Maybe it should be renamed the "Vegetarian & Vegan Bashing" section? I mean, that's pretty much all it is, anyway. :-(

Answer 2

I think it's because they know most vegetarians and vegans are doing it either for ethical reasons or health reasons. That makes people defensive and therefor they start telling vegetarians and vegans either why what they're doing are wrong (in order to justify their own meat consumption), or they start talking about how they only eat ecological meat or how they could never give up meat. I don't know how it is in the US, but where I live alcohol consumption is a big part of the culture. People who don't drink alcohol will face the same thing that vegetarians do with (some) meat eaters - they'll pretty much has to excuse themselves for not drinking alcohol as if it was a mortal sin.



Of course, most vegetarians won't tell you that they're a vegetarian and then go on a rant on how evil you are for not being one as well. And most meat eaters who is well-mannered won't question others diets.



Oh, and about people suddenly becoming nutrition experts... very true. Ask them where they're getting all the sodium, magnesium, niacin, boron, vitamin k, choline and biotin they need from and they'll probably get the point. Or ask them if they even know how much protein one needs a day.





Edit: Now I'm talking about people in real life. On the internet it's pretty much one huge flame war where everyone wishes everyone else a slow and painful death.

Answer 3

Not impolite in any respect. I stayed with my nice buddy and her household for two weeks and I'm vegan, her mom and sister do not 'feel' in veganism. My nice buddy is vegetarian. So, every time I went to the shop I simply purchased soy milk/veggie burgers and something else I desired to consume with my possess cash, of direction. When I ate my meals, they would playfully tease me, however their complete household acquired unwell, and bet who did not? My nice buddy and I. So what if she thinks it is dull? She's now not the only consuming it. She can pass judgement on you all she wishes, however she can not do a factor approximately it.

Answer 4

If meat is good enough for me then why can't you eat it. Whats wrong with meat? Why can't you be the same as me? What's wrong with me?



Its not just predjudice against Vegans and Vegetarians. It spreads to nearly anything that is outside the norm. Someone who doesn't drink is considered a prude. Why don't you go to church you'll go to hell. What do you mean you don't watch television? What do you do? Read? No I don't have time to read books the game is on.



Different is the issue. People are programmed to reject different.

Answer 5

Exactly, I know what your saying. I have had many experiences in my life that people just ungracefully say how I am not getting enough nutrients or that they think that I'm selfish in my choice. People who are rude like that really have a problem. It's like, if someone makes a certain choice about something, people are quick to judge them and not even consider people reactions and feelings. So, don't worry about others. I have to try and do the same. People are at times just rude.

Answer 6

The prob is SOME vegetarians/vegans are poser jackasses just as SOME meat eaters are jackasses. When you meet someone and two minutes into talking to them they mention they are vegan and that you are doing something immoral(like eating honey) it kind of rubs the wrong way on you and you think that all vegans are posers looking to get attention through some affectation.



I could really care less how people feed themselves. You see people eating 2500 calorie lunches at McDs and no one tells them they are killing themselves.



The only thing that I don't like about the vegan diet is I don't think it is healthy for babies and small children. Every couple years, a baby dies from being fed a "healthy" vegan diet and human babies are meant to have mother's milk. I think soy-based fomula is not healthy because of the phytoestrogens.



http://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/21/opinion/21planck.html?_r=1

Answer 7

Okay here is my take on it. I am a meat eater....but I also respect different eating choices, habits, etc...

My Mom is a vegetarian and has been her whole life, everyone else in her family eats meat, it just never agreed with her stomach even as a child.



When people are presented with something that is different to them they can ge stubborn about it. The next reaction is to be rude.



I like to cook and so I like the challange of making a vegetarian or vegan meal for people or just for fun.



But let me ask you this. When you tell people you are vegtarian do you launch into some speal about how the animals are treated, and we should respect them and the earth etc... It is that speal that pisses most meat eaters off. Myself included. But if you just say you are vegetarian/vegan and leave it at that I am cool.

Answer 8

My observation has been quite different from yours.

I have noticed that whenever somebody here says anything the least bit positive about meat, they are criticized, belittled, and given numerous thumbs down, even if all they are doing is making a factual observation. One user even brags openly about reporting questions/answers pertaining to meat.

"Holier than thou" is a pretty good description of the way many of the vegetarians act, as they lecture non-vegetarians and call them "murderers". Vegetarians kill animals too; they just won't usually admit it.

Neither I nor any non-vegetarian that I know of cares what you eat. What we object to is the hypocrisy spewed forth by so many vegetarians, a very good example of which is made by Jody (previous answer), who apparently feels that people who eat meat should not contribute to the vegetarian section. Jody states "I have not personally witnessed a veg'n behave in a hostile manner to a non-veg'n...ever", but then launches into an attack of her own with-

"meat eaters who come to the V&V section have something wrong with them"

"emotionally-stunted individuals"

"cowards will hide behind their computer keyboards. Just think of them as 12-year-old American boys who are still virgins, or middle-aged men who are fat, ugly, and impotent"

"I mean, who gives a da** what some fat, old, iimpotent man says?"

THAT is the typical yahoo answers vegetarian mentality.



I hope that answers your question- very few people have a problem with the idea of somebody not eating meat, rather the hypocrisy and small-mindedness that so often seems to become part of the vegetarian lifestyle.

Answer 9

your not alone i get it all the time

i've gotten into arguments with family simply because i didn't want to eat eggs people take it as a threat when other have strong beliefs for or against something or or higher morals (atheism,Christianity,thought on gay marriage and i guess,vegetarianism)

Answer 10

its because of the fact that there isn't any force stopping you from eating meat except for some resolve that doesn't really even prevent an animals from being saved [think about it - how many cows are you really saving by not eating meat as companies are going to meet production quotas anyway]. Seeing you take such a stance makes traditional [i wont say normal] people think that you think you are somehow better than them and so have taken a decision that is beyond their comprehension. Frankly that is just plain irritating. Second, having vegetarian friends really is inconveniencing since meat eaters have to make specific choices about where to go out for lunch or feel guilty altogether when the meal for the vegetarian is not up to par. Ofcourse, not eating meat for health reasons is acceptable and it is wrong that they have to face the scrutiny of meat-eaters brought upon by the sad breed called vegans. whats even worse are those that go into fits of passion explaining how animals are being harmed through modern production methods - lots of people just dont care where their meat comes from as long as it tastes good but still having this info slapped on their faces is just a good way to get them pissed off. And the fact that vegans have to take supplements proves that there is something wrong with their lifestyle and their dietary habits and that they are going against norms that have been set out by evolution,

Answer 11

I can't stand the hypocrisy. Life takes on so many forms - a carrot can reproduce; it grows, it exchanges gasses in respiration. It needs energy or it stops working - by any definition it is alive. So I don't see any big jump from there to algae, and from algae to plankton - and from plankton to shrimp, from shrimp to lobster, from lobster to fish, from fish to chicken and then you're off to the races.



And it is SO limiting. You cannot really appreciate food and be a vegetarian. In my opinion a vegetarian cannot, by definition, be a good cook.



And for what? If you're doing it for health reasons, I can accept that - but for any other reason, being a vegetarian makes no sense. Even if the number of vegetarians doubled overnight it would have no impact at all on the amount of meat that gets consumed, because the prices would just fall, allowing meat to be more accessible to poorer people and more $1 double cheeseburgers. It's rainbows and unicorns fantasy.

Answer 12

*applauds Jody* That was a fantastic answer!



I am a vegan. If someone says "Oh salade girl why aren't you eating the Cheetos?" I'll say "Oh I don't eeat cheese, I'm a vegan." And I leave it at that. i don't go on speals about veal and milk production. If that person presses further, "Oh really? Why are you vegan?" Then I'll say something like "it's a personal descion, I just thought it would be best for me." If they *REALLY* care we can discuss veal and milk production and colon cancer, but I don't walk into a room and yell "meat is murder!"

Answer 13

omggg when i forst became a vegetarian my friends dad was like interogatting me for like an hour i know what you mean but really i have no idea why... i guess they think theyre right and were wrong??

Answer 14

As a vegetarian, I have experienced some prejudice. However, I have seen bad behavior on both sides. I know that some meat eaters think that vegetarians think that they are better, so they react negatively, before getting to know them personally. Others don't understand how someone can eat meat all of his or her life and then switch to a vegetarian diet. Those people take our choice as an attack on their meat eating habits. I have seen where vegans attack ovo-lacto vegetarians because of their consumption of eggs, and/or milk. Some vegetarians think badly of meat eaters because after explaining the detrimental effects of meat they still choose to eat it. However, to me it is a personal choice for me and my family. I don't want to be judged or experience any rude, disrespectful behavior because of it. I don't want to be rude or insensitive to anyone because of his or her choice to eat meat. It is important that we respect each others' choices and try to get along. As the saying goes "Sometimes we just have to agree to disagree".

Answer 15

I think they feel threatened, they think we'll change the world somehow and make them stop eating meat.. Of course that sounds ridiculous but I realy think that's waht they fear deep down.

Answer 16

I'm a meat eater, however, I have no problem with vegetarians or vegans. But, in my experiences I've seen more vegans and vegetarians rude to people who eat meat.



All in all, no matter who is rude to whom, it all comes down to the fact that a lot of people don't like people who are different then themselves.

Answer 17

I think being a vegetarian is great, but a vegan is going overboard. Never the less, it is your choice and I am never mean to any. I do however have a huge problem when people try to make their dogs and cats vegetarian. That is animal cruelty and will kill a cat and make a dog very unhealthy. They are natural carnivores and should not be denied meat.

Answer 18

Ignorance!!!

Have a look at this page, i find it hilarious. I think every vegetarian should have a look at this!

http://www.viva.org.uk/goingveggie/top20.html



oxox

Answer 19

There is no valid reason for being a vegie, other then you thinking there is and people are tired of twisted moral views that take alot of brain power to unravel. On the contrary being a vegetarian its harmful, to you, local shop, its against the cycle of life.

But you by making that choice even if you don't act it, people assume you think you know something they dont or think you are smarter or see the whole picture or doing something the rest of us mere mortals have trouble understanding, and if you're not doing it for any such reason then it makes no sense, and don't tell me you don't like meat.

Answer 20

If people are rude to vegies then they are just rude people generally. I would think that if you were different in any way that they didnt agree with they would still be rude.

It is they rude people that have the problem, not you.

Answer 21

they are jelious because of how good you treat your body