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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask why do meat eaters have such a problem with vegans?!

245 replies

CadyHeron · 23/02/2018 21:43

Ok, genuine question, and I've been around here long enough to know this is probably going to descend into a bunfight but meh Grin
Seriously. Why?! I've only recently noticed it since doing Veganuary and mainly carrying it on now even though it's finished. Up until then, I eat everything - fish,meat, cheese.....but at the same time eating lots of vegan and vegetarian food too as DH is a long time vegetarian.
(Who's gone vegan after completing Veganuary.)
Been out for dinner today.
"Surely you can have a little bit?!" (Erm, no Confused )
We've also had "but it's not healthy!" (that all depends on how you do it,surely? I know I was eating a lot healthier during Veganuary as I was conscious about what I was eating and not just mindlessly shovelling stuff in - even though I love mindlessly shoving stuff in Smile
Or you'll get a bacon sandwich shoved in your face. "You want this bacon, don't you? Don't you?"
Erm,no not really. Confused
I don't give a shit whether people eat meat, why are they so bothered that I'm vegan for a while?!
Must be exhausting to be a proper one!
not including the militant ones that tell you meat is murder as they can just go away and practise the saying each to their own...

OP posts:
mikesh909 · 23/02/2018 21:56

I think most non-vegans just get on with their lives without the need to make loud public statements about the dietary choices. There are many vegans who seem to need to do the opposite of this, and I think that's where some people start to develop 'a problem'. Of course, there may be many vegans who DO quietly just get on with their veganism without the need to proclaim it loudly from the rooftoops, seeking recognition and validation for their superior moral choices, and I recognise that there would be no way of knowing how numerous this group may be.

Be honest op, have you been posting 'look at me I'm a vegan now' posts on your social media?

FreeNiki · 23/02/2018 21:56

I should add that two of my close friends are vegan and would never make nasty comments to meat eaters.

There are some on both sides though who do love to push their views on others.

Original poster
CadyHeron · 23/02/2018 21:57

I suspect it's because a lot of vegans are sanctimonious about it

Agree, that's probably why. Have seen some of those and cannot be doing with those.

How so you know someone's a vegan?Because they'll tell you.
Grin How does that work today though? Person we were out with (deliberately non identifying) ordered a side dish and expected us to share.
Some of it got left (knowing DH was vegan now and strict vegetarian for YEARS) and on clearing up "oh sorry so much got left. He's vegan, you know." Followed by a literal eye roll.
Never even said a sodding word lol!
Have had "eat meat!" comments as well off others. As long as we're all happy with our choices and doing it healthily does it really matter...

OP posts:
TerfWarz · 23/02/2018 21:58

I'm vegan, and nobody seems to have a problem with it. I think for lots of people, it's the idea that people struggle with rather than vegans, ie they have no idea what they'd actually eat if they were vegan and imagine all their favourite foods being off limits.

Maybe I'm just too busy eating vegan junk food to realise I'm being awkward ;)

SilverTurtles · 23/02/2018 21:58

I get this, tbh. Though I'm vegetarian.
It'll be brought up normally so say I'll go out for a meal somewhere with a few people and ask the waitress if x dish is vegetarian.
And a lot of the time, all good. I get something tasty and no one cares enough to mention it...
other times though...
a "friend", co worker or friend of a friend will pipe up with, god I could never be veggie! I'd miss bacon too much (I actually really dislike bacon but chicken was my kryptonite). Then it'll go to...
"Just try a bit of this and see what you think"
"Oh come on! It's surely not healthy to live on rabbit food" er, I eat very well thank you and I'm very healthy.
Or even "try this piece of fish/chicken nugget, bit of bacon, it's barely even meat it's such a small bit!"

If I'm hungover I've also had so called friends trying to nigh on force feed me bacon sandwiches. Yuck... I also have people trying to argue animal rights and ethics with me though I'm never ever one to bring it up (because it wasn't a motivator for me!). The last thing I want to do on an outing or meal out is debate animal rights or the food industry.
I do think in a lot of cases people are defensive either because they've
A- been attacked by a vegan or veggie for eating meat before or
B- they feel embarrassed or threatened by it because they see it as the better choice but can't/won't partake.

I do think the lack of education can be quite frightening I understand pescetarians call themselves "vegetarians" when they aren't and I understand why though I disagree with it but I've had waitresses and chefs offer or serve me fish as well as the time I subsisted on a few snacks at an all day wedding because every course that the "vegetarians" had had salmon or seafood on it, as well as some kind of fish sauce. There were 4 vegetarians and a vegan but the vegan ended up with mozerella on her food so went hungry too. Iirc the bride got a refund but it was still shocking that professional caterers didn't know the difference. This was quite recent too - 2 years back.

The vast majority of people, be it veggie, vegan, pescetarian or meat eaters are absolutely fine though.

ScreamingValenta · 23/02/2018 21:59

Another meat-eater joining the throng to say, no problems with vegans here! I don't give it a second thought if someone tells me they are vegan or vegetarian.

Bluelady · 23/02/2018 21:59

My son's been vegan for years and takes loads of stick for it. There are a lot of stupid people in the world.

Original poster
CadyHeron · 23/02/2018 22:00

Be honest op, have you been posting 'look at me I'm a vegan now' posts on your social media?

No, really not. I have said I'm doing Veganuary though.Which was met with disgust.
DH though has never said a word ever and everyone assumes him to be a meat eating carnivore.Very unassuming but if people hear vegan/vegetarian you get Shock and what do you EAT?

OP posts:
Twocatsonebaby · 23/02/2018 22:02

I'm vegan but more for my health. I have RA and it's something that runs in my family so I also try and keep dd plants based also. My aunt since turning vegan has had so many health benefits. But for the life of my partner, he can't understand why anyone would want to be vegan. He loves meat and refuses to eat fruit an veg. Just meat and carbs. I think it's because he's under the impression plant based would make him ill. But he also says it's because vegans try and push their lifestyle onto others.

NewDOOFUSfor18 · 23/02/2018 22:03

they feel embarrassed or threatened by it because they see it as the better choice but can't/won't partake

Sorry but what? What an absolute crock of shit 😂 I don't see veganism as the better choice, I see it as personal choice.

FreeNiki · 23/02/2018 22:03

For when you get told by a vegan you are ruining thr enviroment.....

Avocado is a big thing for many vegans. Google just how massive the carbon footprint is for avocado. Grown in the southern hemisphere and require a long haul flight to the UK, placed in masses of protective packaging to stop it degrading, about 300 litres of water is required to grow one kilo of avocado.

Tell them also to enjoy wrecking the environment.

BelleandBeast · 23/02/2018 22:03

None of my meat eating friends take pics of their food and post daily on Facebook, or tell me in precise detail about the dangers of eating meat, or send me disturbing videos of whole dead animals being put in a crusher and tell me its my burger and sausage.

Plus, no vegan offered me a meat option at a dinner party to accommodate my dietry requirements.

Not all vegans, just the ones I know.

ivenoideawhatimdoing · 23/02/2018 22:04

As a Vegan of nearly 10 years (not a preachy one!) I have found 95% of people could not give a shit.

The other five are just arseholes! ‘Bacon! Bacon! Do you want bacon?’ Fuck. Off.

I think it’s because they’re extremely insecure with the principles behind veganism or just that they’re general ejits who like to belittle other people with differing views.

lilcolibri · 23/02/2018 22:05

No problem with vegans unless they yammer on about it.

Shut up and eat your food.

But that goes for anybody that's eating a different diet and yammers on. Gluten free, low carb, slimming world...

SilverTurtles · 23/02/2018 22:06

NewDOOFUSfor18
Then it doesn't apply to you does it?
If you see it as a personal choice then I presume you don't go around having a go at vegans and vegetarians??
Which is what I was referring to.

Original poster
CadyHeron · 23/02/2018 22:07

she pulled me up on my crayfish and rocket sandwich. She said many many lives had gone for my sandwich. I ignored her and she put on a baby voice just as i was about to bite into it and said please don't eat us
Oh,see that would piss me RIGHT off, I]m with you on that one.I'd have taken an extra bite with a loud YUM just to wind her up!

OP posts:
FreeNiki · 23/02/2018 22:08

None of my meat eating friends take pics of their food and post daily on Facebook, or tell me in precise detail about the dangers of eating meat, or send me disturbing videos of whole dead animals being put in a crusher and tell me its my burger and sausage

That's a point actually. I do see loads of instagram posts with pictures of vegan food. Not a week goes by without it.

CharisMater · 23/02/2018 22:08

Cognitive dissonance

JaneyEJones · 23/02/2018 22:09

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
CadyHeron · 23/02/2018 22:10

That's a point actually. I do see loads of instagram posts with pictures of vegan food. Not a week goes by without it.

From another point of view though,I like seeing pictures of vegan food on Instagram as it gives me inspiration to try new recipes.

OP posts:
PeerieBreeks · 23/02/2018 22:10

Why do vegans have such a problem with meat-eaters?

#notallvegans
#notallmeateaters

OoohSmooch · 23/02/2018 22:10

Most of us don't care at all....what does bugs me is our 'vegan once upon a time, part time vegetarian friends' talk about it ALL THE TIME. (they 'sometimes' eat meat 🙄)

They say their vegetarian choice is for the environment yet drive a crappy fume spewing 18 year old car....go figure.

I don't care, shhh, away with you.

FreeNiki · 23/02/2018 22:11

From another point of view though,I like seeing pictures of vegan food on Instagram as it gives me inspiration to try new recipes.

Ah yes. That's probably it.

FreeNiki · 23/02/2018 22:14

I ordered pork in front of two Muslim friends once and I did wonder when it arrived if I should have done so.

They didnt bat an eyelid though. People with any manners wouldn't dream of commenting on anothers food choices even though it may be something objectionable to them.

So yeah....some vegans not all and the same with meat eaters.

JoJoSM2 · 23/02/2018 22:14

I'm veggie and find it ok 95% of the time. I think that in occasion people get frustrated as bring veggie and especially vegan precludes a lot of traditional dishes and many people don't know what to feed you or don't fancy cooking 2 menus.