To ask why people are so critical/judgemental of vegans?

[abacucat]

Just wondering why?

I have no issue or interest in what other people eat, as long as they take no interest or issue in what I eat.

I have a lot of vegan friends who couldn't give a fuck if I order and eat a rare steak when out with them. However the ones I have issue with are the ones who constantly comment on my own choices with emotive and somewhat abusive shaming language. Their beliefs and choices do not trump mine and they are not morally superior.

It's the few militant vegans that tend to give others a bad name, as with most pockets of society.

The only vegans I ever see run into issues are the ones who go round judging and criticising other people, and then cry "unfair!" when people refuse to tolerate that behaviour.

Assume that's what you mean.

For instance, there are plenty of people, myself included, for whom eating any vegetable or salad, however delicious, would put them at very real risk of dying. In extremely painful fashion. If an ignorant vegan pops up telling me I'm a bad person for not wanting to die a needless death, I am going to be annoyed and I will correct their ignorance given the opportunity.

Other than that, I've never had any issues with the vegans I know who don't do that, and who don't think they're entitled to judge others without being subject to criticism or reply.

If you label yourself and make a drama about what you eat/don't eat and virtue signal your way through every mealtime - you'll piss people off. If you just eat - as I do - no-one even notices.

And here we have the problem. Simply being vegan (which you have to mention when people ask why you don't want milk or whatever), is seen as 'virtue signalling'. People always assume they're being judged when someone has a different or more extreme ethical standpoint than them.

I'm vegetarian, and if I've ever mentioned it (last time was to explain, in response to questions, why I was turning down marshmallows), I've had everything from "But bacon!" up to people trying to force meat in my face. Last time, the marshmallow time, the person involved looked disgusted and said: "At least you're not vegan, though!"

It's a bit like if you don't drink and people are always asking why, or trying to get you to drink, or talking about how good it is. It's practically impossible to not eat meat without regularly being asked "Oh, are you vegetarian?". Which is weird as you'd think it wouldn't be that unusual to occasionally have a meal without meat!

It's exhausting, frankly. I have friends who are vegan but if they're with people they don't know they pretend to be allergic or not hungry, just so they don't have to have these conversations.

My 18 yr old was a veggie and a vegan at 1 point, i said if she wanted to do that she could make her own food. I did buy food for her now she has gone back to eating meat.

The only time I have ever encountered a vegan who wanted to preach is on forums or in the comments section of the Guardian. I don't engage. I was veggie for 25 years and I only brought up my choice when I was eating, I often brought food with me so the host didn't have to cook two meals - I didn't preach to others but they sure as hell found it necessary to attack my choice and defend their own - even though I had no interest in their views. I ended up being quite blunt and telling them I didn't wish to discuss it because the topic was incredibly boring.

Other way round IME.

I've unfriended all the ones I know on FB as their constant judging posts and snide comments if someone posted a pic of a roast dinner started to get really dull.

I have no problem with anyone's dietary choices provided they don't lecture me about it. I do however have serious concerns about veganism in pregnancy and imposed on small children. Quite dangerous. There was a post yesterday from a bride who wanted non-vegans to pay for their own food at her wedding

I have a close friend who is vegan and I had no idea for ages as she just chose suitable options on a menu and had black coffee when we had catch ups in coffee shops, contrast this to another friend of ours who makes dramas over every meal and outing and whose social media is littered with vegan references every other sentence.
Guess which one people roll their eyes over!
Eat and drink what you like, but why the need for labels unless it’s to attract attention.

Those who think their vegan friends don't judge them when they order meat: they do. You don't realise it, but they are appalled. Rightly so, IMO.

Vegans act like they are a race of people who suffer the same woes as other minority groups.

If they just went about their lives eating animal free products, nobody would be any the wiser, but it's the piousness that goes with their lifestyle choice that pisses people off I think.

Oh, I couldn't give a shit if people eat meat or not. I eat a mainly vegetarian diet, but I don't go round telling everyone as I assume they wouldn't give a shit.

Hmmmm I'm vegan an do think it's about 50/50 for twatiness. I have never met any militant vegans in real life, but fucking hell there are some right knobs online.

But I have experienced people finding out I am, asking me question after question about why I am in a sneering way and then saying I am preaching to them... I am not, I just want to eat my dinner!

I've tried saying personal choice and it doesn't cut it. People seem to expect to be able to say that its a bullshit choice but not allow me to explain why for me it's not.

That is a small minority of people though, most are lovely and either interested or completely disinterested, which both suit me perfectly.

On the plus side I think I have got away with hosting Christmas this year

Because they’re right

And we don’t like smug fuckers who are right

I’m trying to eat as much vegan food as possible but I’m shit at being veggie (only manage it 80% of the time) - I’m managing vegan about 20% of the time.

But being shit at something is still making an effort.

I'm assuming this has run over from another thread.......

People will always be critical of others. I'm a meat eater but generally not bothered if you're vegan. Would be happy to cater to a vegan and would look for advice to do so. I'd also not be offended if a vegan would rather not eat my food for fear of cross contamination.

Not vegan but vegetarian and didn't make a fuss, if there was no meat-free option I chose a salad/chips/jacket spud however certain people I went out with with would spy my choice and then kick up a stink "on my behalf" that there was no vegetarian dish - when I was quite happy with my choice! It was then relayed to other friends later that Long must choose the venue so there's something she can eat and made me out to be the difficult one.

I was even told I was difficult when a colleague invited me and a few others to dinner and then said "oh you don't eat meat, what do you eat?" On me replying not to cook anything special as I could just eat the vegetables and potatoes, I was told that "you veggies always make a fuss"

I would also expect a vegan meal at a vegans house or event!!

So im veggie but go through stages of being vegan at times. Its not something i usually talk about (promise) i just order a meal that suits in restaurant etc.

However i have had many times people critising my food. Mostly its some sort of joking debate about veganism and what do i think would happen with all the excess cows. Weirdly the current thing seems to be people asking why theres veggie bacon, sausages, meat replacements. Its an alright question but theres certain people who bring up the debate every restaurant we go to!

Im really relaxed, live with meat eaters (share baking trays etc) and dont give a rats about what others eat. In my opinion its the sam as being on a calorie controlled diet, you dont then badger others about tbe calories in their food!

But seriously people bring up the topic to me a lot, and i dont know if they think its original or what. If i respond then i look preachy! Drives me mad

I work with a vegan and every time I eat or drink an animal product I get lectured by him. For example I was eating a bacon bap and he started showing me videos of pigs in mud and asking me how I could hurt something so lovely. Drinking a cup of tea and he starts telling me how Terrible and abusive dairy farms are. He also tells me several times a week how I'll be sorry I didn't listen when I have cancer and a wide range of other bullshit.

I think that type of vegan that give the rest of them a bad name

It doesn’t make sense to me

Animal rights - where does this extend to? Can you kill rats? Flies? Wasps?

Environmental - raising animals is NOT worse for the environment. The study which showed that cows methane was terrible for the environment is flawed and the authors have corrected it, but it was too late because already massive press on it and taken by the militant vegans in its first publication

Nutrition - we evolved for millions of years killing animals and eating meat. It is unfortunately the best way to get the nutrients we need as humans

I don’t fall for the vegan virtue signalling

Their need to push their beliefs onto others yet not even consider a healthy discussion. I've seen many become abusive and personal if their not agreed with.

Personally I don't care what others choose to do or their beliefs but don't try to impose them on me.

How do you know when there’s a vegan in a group of dinners?

Because some other cunt loudly proclaim to the waiting staff that “‘such’n’such is a vegan!” Thank you, but I’m quite capable of explaining that to the waiting staff myself. Seriously, I just want to order my food, without it being an issue, but some wanker always tries to be the funny guy, at the vegan’s expense. 🙄

I’ve been a vegan for 30yrs, I couldn’t give a shit what anyone else eats. As an aside, I find that those that have to shout about being a vegan, usually end up back to eating meat. Mind you, they’re usually the very ‘woke’ ones, too.

I’ve no idea why it bothers other people what I choose to put in my mouth and swallow. Unless it’s your husband’s cock, it’s really none of your business.

I think it’s because I’ve found they do seem to preach. Honestly, I was vegetarian for 10 years and never once told someone they shouldn’t eat meat it was just my choice.
I have a child at the school who had the pigs and the father then demanded the pigs not go to slaughter as his vegan children chose to look after them despite knowing it was as part of the school farm teaching and they would be slaughtered as they had been for years at our school. We had protesters turn up at our school and scream protests about vegan values. Staff received death threats. It sort of out me off vegans.

I think thread has shown, it doesn't matter if you eat animal products or don't eat animal products, there are twats on both sides.

@Janus your DC go to my old school!