To wonder why so many people try to 'convert' vegetarians into eating meat?

[justnotaballetmum]

I have not eaten meat for a number of years but for a period of time did eat fish.

I am now vegetarian. I am not vegan, but I try to avoid dairy.

As such, I choose not to give my children meat and fish although they do eat dairy.

I get a number of comments/stories like 'Ooh, I had this friend who was veggie - Until I gave her BACON! And now, she can't stop eating it!' I also get people commenting on I must miss roast lamb (I miss chicken more, actually!) and passing judgement on my children.

Since moving more towards veganism the critical comments have multiplied.

What are people's problems with my diet?

I think "preachy" is the in the eye of the beholder, so to speak. A vegetarian or vegan is, surely, more likely to remember comments that seem like attempts to convert them while meat-eaters will certainly notice anything that seems even remotely like "meat is murder".

Also, anyone can tend to feel defensive about their own choices when faced with someone else's different one.

There must be a lot of very defensive people about!

The choice to shop at Tesco not Sainsburys, wear trainers not flip-flops, have a vanilla scented candle not a pink sands one

It's amazing how many preachy vegetarians/vegans a lot of the posters know? I've yet to meet a preachy one.

I was out at a family lunch last week and got the "do you wear makeup? Are your shoes leather?" [yawn]

I haven't had this - I usually get the opposite; when people find out I'm veggie they're often falling over themselves to tell me how much they like veggie food and how much of it they eat and that they don't eat much meat at all. I'm not at all judgemental about other people's eating habits and almost feel I have to reassure them that it's OK.

I get loads of comments about our couch, which is actually second hand and belonged to DH before he became vegetarian.

I'm pregnant, and work colleagues have made loads of comments about when I'll start craving meat.

I won't. I haven't eaten meat for over 20 years, and find the concept a bit revolting. I'm also not a pushy vegetarian, I don't go on about it and frankly don't really care what other people eat. I just don't eat meat myself.

I think it's that if you're a vegetarian for moral reasons, some meat-eaters do take offence to this, and almost try to justify themselves to you (which is ridiculous, I know the general population eats meat and I'm not bothered by other peoples choices).

If I find out someone is veggie my only thought really is to remember to ask whether they like quorn or not if I'm cooking for them. Fucked up big time once or twice on that one, and now try to remember to check:o

People feel threatened by why what they find different or don't understand..I'm vegan ..I get the same attitudes ...I just shrug it off

I think some people feel a vegetarian is preaching just by existing: the fact you've asked for a veg option leads them to launch straight into a tale of how much veggie food they actually eat, how they too sometimes choose the veg option, how they only really eat chicken, fish and a bit of bacon. At least it's been many years since I was asked "what do you eat at Christmas?" in shocked tones.

Oh, yes, Christmas

I didn't even like turkey much when I was a meat eater!

Smart thinking on the Quorn, Pro

I get offered that by friends occasionly so offer to bring a dish that everyone can share or insult, depending on their tastes. Obviously the host also makes a main course.

My sil kept trying to persuade me to have some lemon meringue pie, many years ago. "It's only got a wee bit of egg in it".

I've already starting my collection of Xmas vegan meals on Pinterest. [smug]

Doesn't sound rude or pushy, just sounds like chitchat.

Oh it bugs me too. Ex H and I both veggies since our teens, now have 3x DS. Neither of us really have a clue how to cook or prepare meat so raise the boys as veggies, the nonsense we get about "how could we deprive them" is ridiculous. All 3 are strapping healthy kids and they can choose what to eat when they are older, I hope they choose to remain veggie in line with my/ex H's beliefs but it'll be up to them. I don't preach to the boys about being veggie they are just used to how we eat....a huge and varied diet, thus far none of them have asked to eat/try meat. Why it bothers other people I don't know. I find my own DM the worst.

If I were to have a conversation with you about your vegetarianism, it would be this:

Thanks for reducing the number of meat eaters on the planet by one - meat consumption is unsustainable at its current levels and I know I need to give it up but I can't just yet.

Place, perhaps she is just worried you are depriving your kids of something tasty, like some do about cakes/sweet stuff that some parents limit. I'm not saying she is right, it's a possible reason as to why she questions it.

find something more interesting to talk about if you started the conversation. If they did, change the subject.

jabber about what people do and don't eat is one of the dullest subjects ever. You could always use that line....

Because people are arseholes. I was veggie for 15 years (gave up for my own reasons) and the amount of earache I got was annoying.

I am gluten free now(once again for my own reasons, predominately medical) and you'd think I was some massive cunt by the reactions of some people!

YANBU, some people are so narrow minded.

My favourite is when people associate men being vegan/vegetarian with being effeminate or not "real men" eyeroll

I've been veggie for 20 years or so and still get the "what do you eat?" As if all food is meat or fish..... I think some people are still quite narrow minded about it and still view it as unusual which really vegetarianism isn't.
I don't make a fuss about it and will eat most veggie friendly things but some people can make such a drama if we're trying to decide on places to eat.

DP, the DDs and I are all vegetarian. My parents are French. You can imagine the comments! Vegetarianism has never really reached France.

I get a couple "I don't know how you do it everyday".

My stock reply to this is "well, quite successfully actually".

But most of my friends and family have been fine and accommodating with the odd comment from one or two. Not had anyone try to convert me into eating meat again yet though.

cosytoaster I had something similar once. Went out for Sunday lunch with a family member. I ordered veggie version and family member spent the rest of the meal profusely apologising to me for their meat choice even though I wasn't in the slightest offended. kept telling them no need to. Its their choice. This one is mine.

ProcrastinatorGeneral Good idea to check. My body strongly disagrees with practically everything Quorn based.