Why is it that when I tell someone I am a mother?!
Why is it that when I tell someone I am a mother?
they react calmly and rationally. Same for if I say I am a jogger, writer, a patient, a client. etc, yet when I tell someone I am a vegetarian, they get all defensive and passionate about their opinion on the matter?
Additional Details4 months ago
too funny! I knew some fool like ocean of notion would answer defensively
Answers:
4 months ago
too funny! I knew some fool like ocean of notion would answer defensively
Because vegetarians are known for stating their vegetarian stance as morally superior. If a group is know for their arrogance over the common man how would you feel when someone proudly displays that their a member in that group. ie same goes for feminist, environmentalist, peace activists. Really the attitude and extremism ruins the "cause."
I don't care what you are your accepted here no strings!
;O)
Because most people have the mind set that we should all eat meat and potatoes. It's "UN-American" not too.
What some one eats is as personal as what religion they are, or what political beliefs they have.
The next time some one gives you a hard time about it - simply ask why they believe in their particular religion. When they say its non of your business - simply say "Ditto" and leave it at that.
well I guess because a mother is so common and all of that stuff is normal. A vegetarian is a personal choice and not everyone gets real defensive but it is more of a touchy subject because people have so many opinions about it. Idk some people just think we should eat meat. Also why would someone be defensive because your a mother or a jogger? There just things people normally do. Personally I think it is great that your a vetetarian, good for you. I like your icon, it says it all haha.
I have faced this many times and from my experience if you try to do something different you are always questioned. For example, most of the people you find are nonvegetarian. Same I feel with smoking and drinking. Everybody will ask you why you dont smoke or why you dont drink even if these are not good things for health. But these things can be discussed for hour and hour and the best way is to avoid these kind of discussions. Whenever somebody asks you this just say Its because you dont like the taste of meat etc.
I think its because deep down they feel guilty that they eat meat / support cruel animal slaughter practices. Basically, guilt makes people defensive!
Because some vegetarians/vegans are overly offensive and try to force everyone else to be the same way (think of PETA). Because of this experience people react offensively when a regular person then tells them.
This is not true for everyone because I am a meat eater and I think that it is an honorable thing you do. I just could not nor will I choose it for myself. But to each their own.
Is this what they say to you? 1. I expect you eat a lot of nuts and carrots. 2. What do you do at Christmas. 3. What do you eat then. (I tell them"Everything you eat except the meat").
It's probably situational.
For example, if people are just sitting around, discussing this and that, and you say, "Well, I'm a vegetarian" - probably received okay.
But if everyone is a restaraunt, and someone says "Would you like chicken wings as an appetizer?" and you say, "Well, I'm a vegetarian" - probably not received well.
I think because some vegetarians have weird reasons why they don't eat certain things.
Because people are too close minded. It is common to be a mother, jogger, ect, however it is still a little less heard of to be a vegetarian. I also think people have a bad view of vegetarians (only thinking of extreme veg's like PETA), and think "we" (vegetarians) will lecture them (meat eaters), so they attack (debate) first.
Some people are very attached to what they eat and their habits/diet, so they become defensive as well.
A lot of it probably comes from ignorance on vegetarianism. Also, some people think that vegetarians (automatically) are earthy/hippie/save the dolphins/having pets are wrong/PETA type of people. It's a bad stereotype - but it exists none-the-less. Just keep being yourself... Those that get to know you will realize how it's just an eating prefrence and won't freak out. And the ones that continue to do so aren't worth your time, anyway.
because of the way vegetarians are portrayed . . they think you gonna whoop out a protest sign and throw red paint if you see a fur coat. . if you let them get to know you 1st then they would realize your not a weirdo you just choose not to eat meat. You don't have a protest sign in your back pocket do you ??
Well, it really depends on the situation. Do you simply introduce yourself by saying "My name is X and I'm a vegetarian."? I know a lot of vegans/veges that make sure to add it to every conversation. Chances are that some people hear that from someone too. It's one thing if it's in the context like:
"Do you like steak?"
"No, sorry. I'm a vegetarian."
It's another to be sitting at a friend's house during a barbeque and saying constantly "I don't eat meat. I'm a vegetarian." People usually feel uncomfortable about it not because you are vegetarian, but insistent on letting everyone within an earshot about it.
Same goes for other things, like jobs or sexual preference. Casual context mentioning works. I don't go around repeating constantly that "I'm a baker!" I usually only mention it based on relevance since conversation flow is the comfort zone in social settings.
My dad once told me - in any arguement the one doing the most yelling is the one who is wrong. Or as Shakespere said: "Me thinks the lady doth protest too much."
In short, when someone knows they are wrong they get testy.
By and large, most folks understand giving up meat is healthier for them. But they don't like the idea. Even cutting back is a HUGE issue.
Really, all we can do is feel sorry for them. I know it's difficult not to get testy back. I do my best. But often I break down and get pissy.
Two possibilities:
1 You are acquainted with a lot of bozos.
2 You are telling them in an objectionable fashion.
Do you live in a rural area where vegetarianism is rare? Do you bring it up unneccessarily? Is it just in the context of food, or do you make it sound like something with broader 'lifestyle' or ethical meanings?
yea it's funny, i think it's cool, seeing retards reaction to vegetarians, i mean priceless, it's like a free show for me, i usually try not to tell people. so i don't have to deal with it,
i uasually just say, i am on a diet. and i'm allergic
LOL
LMAO
Thank you... that is too funny.
In case this was not rhetorical:
When you believe in something, those who believe in nothing, or those who believe your something makes them look bad, will get defensive... or offensive as the case may be.
p.s. I love how people talk about how *many vegetarians* are in peoples' faces, shoving their beliefs down their throat... I swear these people have only seen vegetarians on TV.
:)
i get that a lot too! when i tell people i'm a vegetarian, 9 out of 10 will be like "what?? really? why? isn't that bad for you?" etc. i think the reason they react that way depends on the person. some are just ignorant and genuinely think it is bad for you not to eat meat. it's like hello, wouldn't you be able to tell if i was in poor health? other people react like this because the media portrays vegetarians as stupid, tree-hugging hippies. i think some people are also jealous because they when i tell them i'm a veggie they say "oh is that how you stay so skinny?". i think the best thing is just to ignore them and not give them the fight they want.
I really don't know the answer to that.
I love your icon though.
This question amuses me. Do you not think vegetarianism is intrinsically saying meat is bad, even if the person himself doesn't say it? People don't like even the suggestion their lifestyle, including their diet, is bad, and defensiveness is a way people react to those suggestions.
Saying your a mother or writer doesn't get up anyone's goat because being a mother, etc, doesn't intrinsically say you disagree with some part of someones lifestyle.
As an experiment, next time some random person asks you why, say you don't like the taste, and nothing more. That doesn't say their diet is bad and I you'll find people will more readily accept that. (I'm not saying you should always lie to avoid friction, but trust me on this)
I don't know how to really answer this but I know where you're coming from. I've been a strict vegan for quite a while, and I still have a Grandmother who is convinced I'm living in sin. It's a shame dietary choices get some people so worked up. Go figure!