Kind but conversation ended answers to the inevitable endless comments about what I’m eating please.

[crosser62]

We are off on holiday with another family who we have been friends with for 20 years plus.
It’s not for ages yet.
We love these people like family but they are quite outspoken as are their children.

They are meat eaters, no problem at all in any shape or form for me. I have zero opinion on it, zero.
However I have been vegetarian for over 20 years, 11 months ago I changed to plant based diet (not vegan as I do not hold with their ideals)
Recently went for a meal and catch up with this family and they all .. especially the kids commented, went on and on about my menu choice. Didn’t ask me any questions about it just commented and said how they would rather die than give up meat. Over & over again.

So, I smiled, said nothing.
I can see that this is going to be an ongoing and annoying theme on our self catering holiday.
I wouldn’t fall out with them for anything, but just need a kind way of nipping it in the bud.
How do I go about this?

maybe they are just boring people & this is the first sign

That would annoy me. I'd just say to the kids "I've heard what you think. You're entitled to your opinion but I've made my mind up not eat meat." And change the subject.

Show the children photos of slaughter houses. Oh sorry, you said kind. I have nothing.

I wouldn’t go, or I would be rude to the kids. If they are going to allow their kids to speak to people like that they have to accept the consequences

I am vegetarian and have been for 35 years. I have never felt the need to comment on the choices of meat eaters

“Oh come on, enough with the comments about me being a veggie. its hardly cutting edge!”

Sometimes just tackling head on is best way. No nasty tone, no raised voice just slightly exasperated slightly light hearted.

Basically I’m at the other end of the cake if this advice I wouldn’t go, or I would be rude to the kids.

"I've heard variations on this theme for 20 years and find it really boring. So, have you seen anything good at the cinema recently"

Make a bland matter of fact statement that the topic is closed and change the subject.

I would say to the kids (in hearing of the parents) “do you know it’s incredibly bad manners to comment on someone else’s food?” And then just begin a new conversation with someone else at the table.

'Not all mammals feel the need to be meat-eaters.'

Why are you so interested in what's on my plate, I don't comment on your food choices.

Goodness me, not again, you need to find something interesting to talk about.

Thank-you dear, when I want your opinion on my food I'll ask for it, said with a big smile.

No-one's suggested you ought to eat the same food as me, why do you keep going on and on about it?

I'd also have a word with the friends and say it's becoming more than very tedious, so could they all please make an effort to just ignore what's on your plate and discuss something else at every mealtime.

The first time they mention it, hard stare and 'I am not spending time on my holiday justifying my food choices, which, BTW, have NOTHING to do with you. Understand? Now give it a bloody rest, I'm bored of it.' Include the parents in the stare. No need for nasty tone or anything, but that should put an absolute stop to it. If they start up again, reiterate with 'Did you not understand what I said last time?'