Why do so many people criticise vegans?

My gosh, yes! Very interesting.

So much of our lives revolve around food and drink it’s difficult for vegans to not mention it tbh. It’s not ‘banging on about it’, it’s just necessary to mention it.

In many other countries meat and dairy are not the default

And there it is

Happily, most of the vegans I know are very committed (religious reasons) and wouldn't dream of taking this attitude, but I've also met a few for whom it's a silly fad they follow only when it suits - though one they feel a need to lecture everyone else about endlessly

The first group are always very welcome - they're generous with some of their amazing recipes too - and the second don't get invited again

As a veggie I am sick to death of being told by vegans that I should also give up dairy. I am also sick to death of being given fake UPF meat every time I want to eat out.

I have every sympathy with their beliefs but the constant evangelising is more than annoying and very counterproductive.

Actually they discovered that plants also feel pain (just not in the same biological way animals do). But vegans like to ignore that.

nautil.us/plants-feel-pain-and-might-even-see-238257/

I think it depends on the vegan. I have several vegan friends and family members. On the whole them being vegan isn't an issue, isn't something we talk about, I certainly don't criticise. However I have a friend and a separate family member who both comment massively on what others are eating if we go out, talk a lot about their veganism and are annoying about it. So yes, I criticise them!

It's the same with religion. I just go about my life, quietly loving God, not spouting out religious nonsense or trying to convert people. The only time it comes up would be "can you come over at 10 on Sunday?" "No, sorry I'm at church, how about 12?".

People who quietly go about their lives generally don't get criticised!

Read my and other vegans comments upthread. You are wrong in your assertion that "people don't criticise vegans". As a quiet vegan / veggie my whole life I absolutely have the opposite experience.

This is a really good point.

To be fair though, carrots don't suffer.

It's like saying 'I don't lecture people on being a serial killer so why are they intent of telling me its wrong'.

My son-in-law is vegan. He's nice, and really doesn't go on and on about it. But he still makes me feel a teeny bit guilty that I still eat dairy and eggs, just by existing in the same space.

@RedRosie - isn’t that the same stick mothers choosing formula used to beat those of us who breastfed with? That we made them feel guilty about bottle feeding by our choices to do the ‘better’ thing?

I don’t feel guilty about eating eggs. I do feel a bit guilty about dairy. Given my username I am obviously not going to chose alleviating the distress of a cow separated from her calf over access to cheese. But I don’t feel guilty in the presence of vegans because I’m confident in my choices.

I have no idea. Not a vegan but I think it's an admirable philosophy.

I will say that I barely ever meet vegans who 'bang on' about it, but I do meet many very rude, very annoying meat-eaters who love complaining about vegans.

I don't think people do criticise "vegans". People criticise anyone, whatever they're doing, when they're forceful with opinions. If you're a vegan quietly, not a problem.

Interesting article on why vegans, by merely existing, sparks rage in non-vegans.

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/325220

One thing I would say, having read all the comments on here saying vegans are "evangelical" and "preachy" I actually disagree (yes a small percentage can be). It reminds me a bit of the study they did on women speaking in a meeting with men. When the men were asked how much the women spoke, they thought it was 70% of the time. In reality it was way lower (like 25% of the time or something) but due to their own cognitive bias and sexism they perceived it completely differently to the actual reality. I think vegans are often seen in this distorted way. Not saying there are no preachy vegans, but I think there are way less than people think, and also it goes the other way (aggressive meat eaters harrassing vegans) more often than not. At least in my own experience.

Oh good god. Mother Theresa led by example. Jesus did. Florence Nightingale.

Vegan fucking god complex here, much?

Maybe come back and show us a photograph of your halo?

I’m veggie. My choice. Others can eat what they want. You’re not morally superior for being vegan. Stop it.

I'm far healthier with a vegan diet. When I ate animal products I often didn't even get my 5 a day in. Animal products are are so filling, easily accessible and appetising there was little room, and even less motivation, to eat boring old plants. Now plants are all I eat, I have around ten fruit and veg a day, a huge variety of different ones and have come to enjoy them. I've never felt better.

I'm technically a.meat eater but mostly eat vegan (dhal, veg burgers, falafel, bean chilli type stuff). But some of my friends get really evangelical about being vegan and it's just tedious. A friend I met up with the other week noticed I'd eaten chicken (first time in over a month!) and has been inundating me with posts with dead animals. I have nothing against vegans, it's their choice of course, but my choice is equally valid and it's annoying to constantly feel judged

Beef has the largest carbon footprint of any food

Also ref the B12 the only reasons most meat eaters get it is it is given to the animals as a supplement... in their feed! So to say that a vegan diet is insufficient in b12 and so an unsuitable diet, but a meat eating diet is somehow fine - is a poor argument - as so would their diet be deficient if the animals were not supplemented as part of their feed.

But what would you class as “self righteous”? I’m interested because I’m vegan and I usually find the abuse only goes one way?

How is it an attitude? It facts, it just makes you feel bad for your own life choices HTH 🤷‍♀️

Literally never met a vegan like this, but plenty of meat eaters who are. Almost like they’re not one homogeneous group. Funny that.

Attitudes like this probably?

Cognitive dissonance I think. This article explains the ‘Meat Paradox’ brilliantly, I think.
www.technologynetworks.com/neuroscience/articles/why-the-meat-paradox-leads-to-cognitive-dissonance-for-millions-of-people-356334