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Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

...to be a veggie and get a used car with leather seats

54 replies

Eatcabbage · 17/01/2019 20:17

I wasn't looking for them, it just has them. Everything else about it seems great. Should I carry on looking and find an equivalent car without them?

OP posts:
MrsGarethSouthgate · 17/01/2019 20:22

Surely it's what you think that matters, not the opinions of some random on the internet?

Sounds like you are wanting someone to justify it for you...

If you think it's okay, buy it. If you think it isn't, or is hypocritical, don't. It's a lot of money to spend not to be comfortable with it

Original poster
Eatcabbage · 17/01/2019 20:28

I honestly don't know.
It's no more expensive than the equivalent with cloth seats, I just found this one first.
I like the idea of heated seats and it being easier to keep clean.
I know my decision won't make any difference to the cow that probably got eaten anyway, and I'm not supporting the leather industry by buying it since it's not new.

OP posts:
UnderHerEye · 17/01/2019 20:28

Well as the animal is already dead then I think it would be ok.

I’m very much in the camp where I think using animals for meat who have lived a nice life is ok, and a use the whole animal approach where possible, so I don’t know if vegetarians would agree with me.

MrsGarethSouthgate · 17/01/2019 20:31

Do you have anyone in your life who would be critical, and who would therefore 'suck the joy' out of it for you?

EnglishPuffins · 17/01/2019 20:31

In most cases leather is a by product. I think ethically second hand leather isn't a big deal. I am vegetarian but I still use the leather jackets, bags and shoes I bought when I was eating meat.

PennyMordauntsLadyBrain · 17/01/2019 20:31

Are they definitely real leather, rather than pleather?

It’s a used car, and you not buying won’t make the leather (if real) jump off the seats and back onto the animal it came from.

It just comes down to whether you’re comfortable sitting on it.

SlowOx · 17/01/2019 20:33

I'm veggie and I don't mind second hand leather items. The cow is already dead, your purchase didn't cause it. I don't buy new leather shoes, but I would (theoretically) have an old second hand leather chair. But it's up to you.

CustardCreamLover · 17/01/2019 20:35

I don't think it makes a difference that it's second hand. A new leather bag in a shop isn't going to get back onto the cow. Would you buy that?

Personally I find it hypocritical but at the end of the day it's your choice.

explodingkitten · 17/01/2019 20:36

Leather is probably better than some fake material made from plastic crap that then gets dumped, plastics dissolve and rain away to pollute the oceans for 5 million years and kill lots of fish so...

TwitterQueen1 · 17/01/2019 20:37

I mean this in a nice way OP, but tbh, I just don't care. Really, I don't. It's between you and conscience. If you are happy with your decision that is all that matters and I will not judge you in any way. (I wouldn't notice!)

By the same token I expect you not to judge me for not being a veggie.

sackrifice · 17/01/2019 20:40

Get over it. Buy the car.

Veggie for 34 years and currently sitting on a leather sofa.

Nobody cares. The animal has been dead years.

EnglishPuffins · 17/01/2019 20:41

@CustardCreamLover but buying new would be supporting the leather trade whereas buying second hand isn't so much really. For some more militant veggies I guess it might be an issue, but I'm a pretty strict vegetarian and I wouldn't lose sleep over it.

MrsGarethSouthgate · 17/01/2019 20:45

See I'm a veggie and I wouldn't buy it. That's why there's only the OP can make this decision, it's what they are comfortable with.

There will always be people both for and against OP 🤷‍♀️ What do you think? I'm assuming from the query that you normally avoid leather?

CustardCreamLover · 17/01/2019 20:46

@EnglishPuffins

I'm not being perverse when I ask this question I'm genuinely interested.

By your logic, that means someone could buy you a burger and you could eat it because you aren't directly supporting the meat industry.

I was brought up not eating meat but never had any strong views on it so I started eating meat so I do have some experience with 'being vegetarian' because I never actually was (ate gelatine, wore leather shoes).

Shadowboy · 17/01/2019 20:46

You’re not a vegan. Unless you are going to eat the seats I’m sure you will be ok.

I hate leather car seats personally- far too hot in summer, but if you like the car go for it.

CustardCreamLover · 17/01/2019 20:47

That should say 'but never actually was'

Jsmith99 · 17/01/2019 20:48

Leather is a by-product of the beef industry. As an omnivore, my view would be that someone who calls themselves a vegetarian yet buys or uses any leather products is a hypocrite. That person could completely ignore my view, of course, but I would still think it.

KittyMarrion · 17/01/2019 20:50

Only you can decide on your own ethics and values. Some people might argue by being vegetarian rather than vegan your ethics are already questionable. I think we each have to live by our own moral code.

dinkydolphin · 17/01/2019 20:51

Well... you won't be a veggie anymore if you buy a car with leather seats. I would think that is completely hypocritical.

KittyMarrion · 17/01/2019 20:51

Leather is not a by-product of the meat industry.

TooTrueToBeGood · 17/01/2019 20:53

Why do you need other people to tell you what your approach to vegetarianism should be for you? Not a dig, but it's not a religion. Do it for your own reasons and follow your own path.

NailsNeedDoing · 17/01/2019 20:55

If it would somehow taint the joy of getting a new car for you, then keep looking. If it doesn't bother you, then get the car. As long as you don't bang on to others about using leather, then it's only how you feel that matters.

People have different reasons for being vegetarian you are free to make the choices that suit you.

sackrifice · 17/01/2019 20:56

Well... you won't be a veggie anymore if you buy a car with leather seats. I would think that is completely hypocritical.

Vegetarians dont EAT meat or fish.

Unless you routinely eat your car seats, this will not be hypocritical in any way, shape or form.

What you are thinking of there are vegans.

Isitwinteryet · 17/01/2019 20:56

It's about doing the best you can personally imo. I it's not ideal, but a 2nd hand car with leather seats would be ok imo. And I'm vegan.

sackrifice · 17/01/2019 20:58

As an omnivore, my view would be that someone who calls themselves a vegetarian yet buys or uses any leather products is a hypocrite.

Your view would be wrong, as vegetarians don't EAT meat or fish.