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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To be mildly irritated with those who assume that we're banner waving, aromatherapy sniffing tree huggers?

60 replies

Vallhala · 21/04/2011 23:50

This is just a lighthearted whinge.

As many of you know I'm very pro animal rights and a believer in no kill policies when it comes to animal rescue, added to which I don't eat animals. Now, you may agree or disagree, that's your perogative and not the thing that pisses me off.

What really gets my goat is the assumption that I must therefore be a banner-waving protest marcher who is into recycling like a loon and all things green, homeopathic, aromatheraputic, spiritual and woo.

Example... I go out to dinner. Someone spots that I don't eat meat and immediately tries to engage me in a conversation about aroma-bleeding-therapy! Yet the closest I come to aromatherapy is putting Radox in my bath!

For the record, I may be an activist but the last time I went on a protest march was 30 years ago, I'm a huger fan of gas-guzzling cars than Jeremy Clarkson and I don't hug bloody trees!

OP posts:
Original poster
Vallhala · 22/04/2011 00:14

Bristol, vegans don't use yogurt, even for weaving.

OP posts:
bristolcities · 22/04/2011 00:15

Oh yeah duh, I'm sure you could do the same with soy milk though.

MardyBra · 22/04/2011 00:16

Seriously though Val, have you ever given a thought to the vegetables' feelings?

Birdsgottafly · 22/04/2011 00:17

The assumption exsists the other way round as well. I am for animal rights (although different from your POV). I have been vegan and also buy fair trade. I now fish, again and mix with those that hunt rabbits etc but i will not buy battery farm eggs or any products from the dairy industry (amongst others). I only eat fish or hunted meat. I think most peoples idea of what 'is cruel' is very mixed up, but each to their own. I am interested and practise 'alternative therapies'. Most people think those that hunt are monsters but do not know anything about myxomatosis etc.

HipHopOpotomus · 22/04/2011 00:19

Well hopefully it's to help bring on labour. I've had 2 sessions and twinges after both but no labour yet. I'm 39 weeks but old and don't want to go too over or be induced.

Midwife recommended accupuncture and GP is administering it. So far from woo really.

Original poster
Vallhala · 22/04/2011 00:20

But... but... Mardy, the government and the farmers assure me that all regulations are adhered to and that despite the film footage taken to prove otherwise broccoli is not kicked and frightened shitless before it's killed for my plate.

Oh no, wait.... that's animals in slaughterhouses they're talking about isn't it, not broccoli.

OP posts:
HipHopOpotomus · 22/04/2011 00:21

The needles are so fine you really don't feel them. Dd (3) watched today in fascination

VajazzHands · 22/04/2011 00:23

People tend to assume that vegans would be in to saving the environment because there is little reason to keep all the animals alive if they have no where to live!

Original poster
Vallhala · 22/04/2011 00:29

Now that's something I didn't know, HipHop, that a GP will/can administer accupuncture.

If it's any comfort DD1 was 10 days late and arrived on the day the hospital had me down for being induced. I had no intention of going in to be induced then so it was just as well!

Being personal again and tell me to sod off if you like, but is there a problem if you go over your due date? Or are you (as I was!) just fed up with being pregnant now? :)

Birds, you're an unusual one. Don't think I've come across anyone who practices what you do. For the record I'm anti hunt but aware of the tragedy which is myxomatosis.

I've a friend who won't buy meat and whose DP is a meat eater. He'll eat any which she has left over or meat which is bought at a communal event (he owns a rescue and we often have barbeques there) rather than know that an animal has been killed and the meat has gone to waste so it died for no reason. I can kind of see his logic but wouldn't follow his example.

OP posts:
Original poster
Vallhala · 22/04/2011 00:30

Vajazz, fair comment.

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chickchickchicken · 22/04/2011 00:31

ha reminds me of when i was fostering and people thought i would like to babysit their kids as i must love looking after kids................er no

MatthewChloe · 22/04/2011 00:36

Acupuncture is definately NOT woo! The needles physically interrupt the nerves sending pain(/other) signals to the brain.

Original poster
Vallhala · 22/04/2011 00:36

That's about it, chick. It's the assumption that is daft. People discover that I'm pro animal rights and then look at me really "old fashioned", to use my late Grandad's term, when they then learn that I used to work in the motor trade and love cars, the faster the better and that I wouldn't know the benefits of lavendar from the side-effects of daffodils!

OP posts:
Original poster
Vallhala · 22/04/2011 00:38

MC, but surely the acupuncture needles hurt in themselves? Can it not be a case of one pain/fear/emotion distracting from the original one?

OP posts:
VajazzHands · 22/04/2011 00:40

I'm not vegan (although I was in my youth when I still had principals) but I do worry about the cost to wildlife from petrol spills and to the enviroment from our addiction to big cars.

MardyBra · 22/04/2011 00:43

or is acupuncture just all placebo Sorry for predictable Ben Goldacre link.

[irritated that my taxes are being spent on woo emoticon]

Weta · 22/04/2011 00:43

I do relate to this... DS1 has a serious dairy allergy, and when people discover I frequent health food shops and buy rice/soy milk they assume I will be totally on board with their anti-milk lobby views, when in fact I drink plenty of milk myself and would love nothing better than to be able to feed my son milk :)

chickchickchicken · 22/04/2011 00:44

my neighbours in a previous house used to lift their young kids over the garden fence to play in my garden. when i spoke to neighbours about it they said 'well we thought you liked kids as you foster' wtf Confused
family and friends had to be put straight too. yes i care about the outcomes for kids who are being looked after and feel passionately about the lack of equal opps especially in education for looked after kids but no, absolutely bloody no do i like babysitting. when or if i babysit i expect it to be a reciprocal arrangement or a one-off as i am not doing it for the enjoyment of looking after your kids

MatthewChloe · 22/04/2011 00:45

Well, there is a 'sharp scratch' when they go in but to be free of chronic pain or to stimulate hormone release etc. it is well worth it.

And the effect is definately not placebo as there has been extensive acupuncture trials on animals with amazing results. This is science, not 'alternative' woo.

chickchickchicken · 22/04/2011 00:47

acupuncture needles dont hurt. i used to have acupuncture regularly and i believe it works. also use aromatherapy and am veggie. like trees too Grin

Original poster
Vallhala · 22/04/2011 00:47

At least I can boast that I don't assume that everyone who doesn't drink cow's milk has the same reasons for not doing so as me, Weta. Having a family member who is allergic to dairy produce helped me learn that one.

On the other side of the coin I have had friends go out to dinner with me who have asked if I mind them eating meat, which is very sweet of them but unnecessary. Of course, yes, morally I do mind, I mind very much about animals being killed needlessly, but it isn't for me to dictate what they can or cannot eat.

OP posts:
chickchickchicken · 22/04/2011 00:48

dont believe in the tarot shit cards etc though

Original poster
Vallhala · 22/04/2011 00:49

MC the sharp scratch is enough to put me off.

OP posts:
MatthewChloe · 22/04/2011 00:51

Well maybe one day if you suffer chronice pain e.g. arthritis, a small scratch may be appealing given the (lack of) alternative.

chickchickchicken · 22/04/2011 00:52

val - do you find people think of you as a 'do gooder' sort and therefore think you have saintly morals and never think badly of someone or lie? even ds sometimes goes Shock when i express an uncharitable opinion