...to wonder why people are so rude about vegans?

[CheekyWombat101]

Obviously not everyone, but in general, I can’t go a single day without hearing a comment or spotting an eye roll if the word ‘vegan’ is spoken out loud. It’s like a dirty word. Ironically a word usually brought up by someone who isn’t vegan, but starts the conversation and then takes offence at it. It’s really bizarre.

Over and over again you hear associated words like... fad, militant, extreme, unhealthy...

Why? Why do some non-vegans take such an interest, and such an offence to it all?

Non-vegans who don’t care or are supportive - you are awesome! Please keep doing what you’re doing, it’s really refreshing.

You’ll get 100 comments from people saying vegans try to evangelise or are aggressively smug etc but I think that the truth is, thinking too much about the meat and dairy industries makes people feel guilty and uncomfortable, and so they go on the defensive because they don’t want to face up to what they’re contributing to. And I count myself in that because I still eat dairy! I’m not a dick to vegans though - I respect them and use their many delicious recipes as inspiration to help me cut down my own dairy use.

I am concerned that they are pushing a philosophy based way of eating onto younger, impressionable people who may end up ill.

I already know one 17 year old who has been told by the doctor they are low in vit B12. So yes proselytising vegans get on my nerves.

People will tell you it's because some vegans are utter aggressive twats therefore it's fine to be a dick towards all vegans.

Ironically a lot of the posters informing you of how nasty and aggressive some vegans are are actually quite aggressive and hostile themselves . So prepare yourself for lots of pissed off angry replies...

I think too many people have known one of the more annoying vegan.

I agree it isn't a big deal to be vegan. Even if you aren't yourself there are still plenty of tasty meals that aren't hard to cook.

Humans are designed to be omnivorous.

Vitamin B12 is a problem for everyone now.

I think it's just a matter of:

"that person doesn't do the thing that I do, therefore they must think that I'm wrong, so I'm going to defend myself and reassure myself that I'm the right one"

That said, I think people on both sides (militant vegans versus defensive meat lovers) are just a vocal minority, and most people don't care.

I agree with sleepy that it makes people feel guilty and uncomfortable so they lash out. I say this as a meat eater! I'm also not a dick to vegans though. I often stick up for them.

I think it's because if someone is vegan they seem to have to let everyone know that they are. They seem to be so vocal about it and I'm never sure what the expected response is. "Well done?" "Good for you?" "Who cares?"

I don't feel the need to announce to everyone that I am a meat-eater so why the need to publicise how or what you eat?

It doesn't matter if we're meant to be omnivorous. Surely most vegans point is that its cruel to animals and bad for the environment?

I’ve been thinking about this too.

There’s just such utter disregard and contempt about people life choices on here.

No idea why.

I feel a bit irrationally upset that people can have such disregard and disrespect of others, that they enjoy secretly feeding friends meat/meat product when the friend is vegan/vegetarian.
I didn’t think people did this in the main.

As a chef I enjoy cooking vegan food. I find it more of a challenge. I also don't have any issue with people being vegan.

I do think the saying is true though..

'how do you know if someone is vegan?.. They will tell you as soon as they meet you.`

I'm not defending people behaving like this but I think some of it does come out of the old joke: how do you know someone's vegan? Don't worry, they'll tell you.

Hahhaha great minds xposted CrispbuttyNo1

I find it really bizarre. None of the vegans I know try to push veganism on anyone. And they only really talk about it in the context of "ooh I found this really great restaurant with loads of vegan options" etc.

I think maybe some people feel their "way of life" is threatened by the increasing popularity. (Maybe similar to the whole "omg the whole country is turning Muslim!" thing?? (not saying I definitely believe that, it's just a theory that occurred to me).)

I think its odd that it has taken off in mainstream so much in the past few years.

I have known vegetarians and vegans for thirty years and I was not concerned as they were individuals moving through life changing their diets as and when. But I am unhappy at the commodification of veganism by the food industry and the accompanying hype. Now younger teens are getting into it very quickly and like those in my generation who were less well informed vegetarians and ate cheese and chips, enough of them will do it wrong quite quickly.

If you are over 18 and inform yourself I don't give two hoots.

Unfortunately you do get some quite aggressive vegans and I think that makes people forget that most vegans barely mention it!
The 'extreme' vegans are in your face/mention it all the time/smug/play videos of chicken slaughter in Nandos etc etc unfortunately 'taint' all other perfectly nice vegans.

Also it seems to have become trendy to be vegan so perhaps people don't take it seriously anymore?
Or, as I have found on MN, some vegans can't accept anyone who isn't 100% perfectly vegan. Someone makes a mistake, or eats cheese in a dish out of politeness and suddenly they are no better than meat eaters and a disgrace to the name vegan.

^All of those are usually only carried out by 1 or 2 extreme vegans but its does unfortunately seem to taint all vegans!

I have nothing against vegans, unfortunately though I have known a few of the annoying ones. My brother had an Australian girlfriend who was very rude when she came over to stay with him at my parents house for a couple of weeks, looked down her nose at all of his terrible meat eating family and spent most of her time hiding away in his bedroom. We also had a vegan in our slimming world group who would always complain about not ALL of the food at taster sessions etc being vegan and would regularly flood our facebook group with preachy posts trying to convince us all to go vegan, it was OTT. I don't like the "holier than thou" attitude some vegans have.

I also think BinkyBaa has some very good points.

People who feed people stuff secretly are obviously weird and horrible!

OP I don't get it either

and it always seems that the non-vegans are the ones who start the conversation. I don't get it.

the funniest thing is watching the criticism roll back when I explain about vegan ancestors - I get a free pass because they weren't born in the UK and the same idiots have to respect KULTCHA.

I have absolutely no problem with vegans. What they choose to eat, or not eat, is entirely a matter for them and is none of my business. I respect their choices, but I’m not interested and I don’t care.

All I ask in return is that they show the same basic courtesy and respect for my dietary choices, particularly when those differ from their own. That way, we all get to eat what we want and we all stay friends.

I don't care if someone is a vegan - I eat a lot of vegan meals. But it's the rank hypocrisy that is irritating.

I know someone who bangs on and on and on and on about saving the planet and how essential it is to be a vegan/how people eating meat near her makes her feel sick etc. Yet she is there piling on the make up/ordering heaps of clothes (from China)/instagramming holidays - all of which are very detrimental yet those get a free pass.

Unfortunately you are just opening the floodgates for people on here to vegan bash and bring out the old chestnuts of humans being designed (by who?) to eat meat, vitamin deficiencies etc...rolling eyes

Yes, I'm vegan. No, I don't am not deficient in Vit B12 and my digestive system is 100% better from when I ate meat/animal products in the past (I've been vegan 2 years). I don't push being vegan on people either, but do understand there are militant vegans out there (I've experienced them myself on vegan forums).

Either way, whatever you eat/believe/have interests in...people are going to bash it. I just ignore the rude fuckers.

PS I'm not vegan! Two close friends are though. I have seen them sit through "how can you not eat bacon". It's insane.