Tags
This was a comment on my friend’s Facebook wall.
Ah, yes. It’s barbecue season. Also known as picking-on-vegetarians season.
I don’t think I’m an asshole but I’ve felt that some meat-eaters expect me to attack them and throw red paint all over their meal.
Some vegetarians allegedly have a parade for themselves every time they order a salad, but all I’ve even seen is well-intentioned folks eating what makes them comfortable. All the vegetarians I know tend to keep their eyes on their own plates.
Yet, I have been relentlessly accosted about my choices at barbecues (among other places) while I quietly tend my own veggie burger. It’s usually some combination of the following:
- “You killed that vegetable, too, you know.”
- “Everything dies.”
- “We are biologically created to eat meat.”
- “Don’t you feed your dog meat?”
- “You are unhealthy because you can’t get enough protein.”
- “In the rest of the world, the only people who are not eating meat are the ones who are impoverished. They wish they could eat meat.”
- “Just have a little bite.”
They seem mad at me for not eating meat. I’m just lost on this one; I’m not mad that they don’t eat tofu. I would understand the hostility if I were forcing them to watch Earthlings while they’re eating a T-bone or something, but again — that’s never happened.
I’ve been vegetarian for practically my whole life…there are rumors that I liked baloney when I was two, but that’s all hearsay. Since I was 3 years old, no meat has knowingly passed my lips. (There was this one time when the server put down a small bowl of what looked like olive tapenade. After my first bite, I realized it was pâté. That resulted in gagging and spitting into a linen napkin, downing my entire glass of wine in one gulp and never going back to that place.)
Food choices are highly personal. What can be more personal that what you chose to put inside of your body? I don’t feel comfortable with the notion that an animal died for my meal, when I am perfectly happy with the non-sentient food choices available. It’s that simple.
What you do, is up to you.
But if you are one of those vegetarians who delights in detailing the final moments of the burger’s life to the person eating it; please stop. Leading by (quiet) example is always more effective, and you are making the rest of us look like assholes.
Bon appétit!
You might also like:
I have no problem with anyone making their own food choices (though I have a hard time keeping my mouth shut when I see morbidly obese people scarfing vast amounts of fast food…but then, I see them doing this because I have made a detour in the unhealthy world of fast food at that moment…).
I get angry when people feel free to attack my food choices because they are not theirs, and I’m not surprised you don’t like that either. I work very, very, very hard on my eating habits, my exercise, and my overall health, but it’s no-one else’s damn business if I choose to do that while eating meat, drinking wine, and practicing Bikram. Yes, all of these choices have been attacked!
And now you’ve given me an idea for my next blog post.. I was waiting for inspiration, and here it is. Post to come -probable title “Pot, Meet Kettle”.
Everyone has their opinions…and it can be hard to take! I’m glad to hear you found inspiration – I can’t wait to read your post!
Lisa, that post is still percolating…but you might like today’s about laughter.
As a vegetarian most of my life (30+years as a veggie and the last few years as a vegan) I’ve had a life time of people attacking my choices….bugger off people! So what if I don’t eat meat, and so what that I survive, no thrive on green food and no, I don’t need copious amounts of protein (ask an elephant or gorilla where they get their protein, same place as mine, green food!) and what’s it to you that I choose to do brikram instead of going to the pub and yes, I smoke…what of it… All my choice, my health, my life….I don’t ever make a big deal about what people eat and do, it’s your choice…now leave me to mine! Namaste Vicki
I love the gorilla come-back, too!! Thanks and namaste!
Great post! I dated a guy briefly a few years ago, and he asked me if I ate red meat and I said no. he said why? I had a feeling he was itching to pounce on my response so I said ‘for health reasons.’ he said, ‘good, because if you said it was because you didn’t eat it due to the alleged mistreatment of animals, this date was gonna be over.’
Well, the date ended then and there because he’s a total choad.
Yikes!! Good call. Next! 🙂
Yes, I love a good steak or burger. That said, I have attempted to eat healthier (at least I was — I have been backsliding on all fronts lately) and I have no problem with vegans or vegetarians. In fact, one of the best burgers I’ve ever had came from the award winning Spiral Diner here in town. It has been nationally recognized as one of the best organic vegan restaurants around. What you eat is your business and yours alone. Don’t let the knuckle-draggers dictate what you can and cannot eat, or do, or think. Peace.
Amen to that! Thanks for reading and namaste!
Ahhh, I totally agree with you. Most non veg feel provoked or threatened for whatever reason. I usually shrug it off and let them be the douchebag lol. Luckily, most of my friends are cool.
You are totally right – if you let it roll off your back, you get to be the good guy!! Thanks for reading!!
Very well said. I agree totally. Loved your last line !!
Thank you so much!!! Namaste!
Pingback: Fun 4th « Just here. Just now.
Pingback: Veggie 6 weeks and counting « byroisinhealy