...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.

Is that level of smugness contagious, BambooWarrior?

yeah my billion vegns in India and another billion in China was hyperbole

my point being, however, that there are many millions of vegans across the world who live that way as completely normal, and don't need a medal for being so - they have also developed wide and varied cuisine traditions that don't rely on fake meat

First World vegans can appear dreadfully precious, for sure

Most of the vegans I know act like it’s some kind of hobby I have to hear about. I’m fine with anyone choosing to eat what they want and will completely respect anything but my god going on and on about beef being so bad for the environment or antibiotics in milk is soooo bad etc. Seriously I can look this stuff up if I want to. It’s all a bit militant.

I read newspapers. It’s all been published. Yawn I can’t tolerate it.
I do keep counter arguments now to help sway the conversation onto something else. Like the colour of my mans curtains. Way more interesting imo.

Nans curtains haha although any subjects better than I get my vitamin b12 from my cereal...

“Most of the vegans I know act like it’s some kind of hobby I have to hear about”

You know one vegan don’t you? Or maybe you saw one in a sitcom? Come on, tell the truth and shame the devil!

Personally I love animals but honestly couldn’t care less where my meat comes from. I’m not completely heartless, nor am I ignorant to the horrible conditions livestock is generally kept in. I just don’t care. (Apart from eggs - we only have free range eggs from our own rescued ex-battery hens.)

I also couldn’t give a rat’s arse what people eat, if they have preferences and I’m cooking then I will happily accommodate them. Eat whatever makes you happy.

But I do object to anyone who lectures me on what I should or should not be doing. Sadly, a percentage of vegans are very passionate about the issue and like to preach. That just makes me roll my eyes.

I also think a lot of woke millennials have jumped onto the vegan bandwagon as a way of militantly lecturing the rest of society about how awful they are in comparison. I suspect for some it is about trying to feel superior rather than ethics or welfare.

I have lovely vegan friends who share recipes and I just add in real cheese or some meat as I fancy. I also have vegetarian friends, people with food intolerances and meat eaters as friends. We all just respect each other’s beliefs and approaches and we are all nice and happy.

Quite. I'm always amazed that people seem to know so many vegans tbh.

Quite. I'm always amazed that people seem to know so many vegans tbh.

Really? It's very much a growing part of the population. In fact, at the moment, I'd say it's about 40% of our regular social circle!

I have vegans friends, we're respectful of each other - we chose restaurants with vegan options

I've known vegans who expect everyone to go to a vegan restaurant or to order from the vegan options because they don't want 'forbidden' foods on the table at all!
In an agony Aunt column recently a parent was asking for advice because his daughter was insisting on a totally vegan meal for her wedding, no other options. I wonder what her attitude would be were she not offered options at a non-vegan wedding?

Yes I realise it's growing.

That still doesn't change the fact it's still a small percentage of the population.

What is wrong with eating vegan options? If they are going this far then I would assume they would not want anyone to wear leather shoes as well?

I think it's perfectly reasonable for a vegan couple to want an all vegan wedding.

It's not comparable to a wedding where there is no vegan option because non vegans can eat vegan food. Vegans however cannot eat non vegan food.

But honestly? I wouldn't give a shit is no vegan option was provided. I would just eat beforehand and afterwards.

I had a vegetarian wedding many years ago.
I didn't want to pay my money for meat.

I’m an omnivore- the definition is that I eat everything. Therefore I can eat veggie and vegan foods. I would have no issue eating a vegan meal at a wedding - the couple getting married get to choose as it’s their wedding.

I’ve been to Jewish and Muslim weddings and have eaten kosher and halal meals. Going to the wedding of a vegan couple is no different.

“ I wonder what her attitude would be were she not offered options at a non-vegan wedding?”

This question goes with “what will happen when two people with hyphenated names get married?”

I think because veganism is an active choice, as in it takes a bit of an effort to do, people who choose to be vegan tend to be quite... committed to it. It's very easy for this commitment to spill over into evangelising.

Also, veganism is having a moment - along with not flying, not owning a car, wearing second hand etc etc it's a signifier of a certain set of beliefs and values and choices which we are told are "better" (for the planet, for the good of humanity, etc etc). So when I hear someone is doing some or all of the above, I feel bad about my own "worse" choices to eat meat, go on holiday etc. and I want to lash out.

I don't, because I am a grown up who respects other people's right to make their own choices - as long as they respect my right to mine. This is a difficult balance to maintain when one set is clearly seen to be morally superior to the other.

“If they are going this far then I would assume they would not want anyone to wear leather shoes as well?”

Presumably they aren’t buying their guests shoes?

I agree with the 'militants hijacking the cause make it bad for everyone', it's the same with religion, trans issues, etc - the extremists make reasonable conversation and education impossible, and you end up with polarised views as a result.

(I confess I do have an issue with vegans who proselytise and then eat cheese, or eggs, and call themselves 'flexible vegans' FFS!)

@wink1970
I used to work with a guy like this. He used to say “I’m having vegan vegan this and that with chicken for dinner...” Ermm, so you’re having meat and veg then? 😀

Veganism is currently fashionable and is sometimes associated with orthorexia which is worrying.

I don't give two hoots what others eat, but the faddy, hobby/life style aspect of it lately bothers me.

Also, people bringing babies and children up as vegan makes me uncomfortable. Yes, you technically may be able to do it healthy with a lot of research, effort and supplements but it still seems wrong. Putting any serious restriction on a child's diet makes it more difficult for them to get full and proper nutrition. Not to mention making it more difficult to share in so much of our culture and experience different things, than an omnivorous child would.

No they aren't buying the guests their shoes. However, Betrand they should offer a dish that is meat based if there are those there who are wearing leather shoes. Perhaps a humble pie.

Again. Some people are arseholes, and some of THEM become vegan.

And the creaky old "don't worry they'll tell you" joke - it just goes to show that you only KNOW about the ones who DO tell you. There are loads of us just trundling along not banging a drum about it.

A significant amount of people with coeliac disease feel anger that vegan options are available when gluten free options are not available. They feel it is unfair that a choice is catered for when a medical condition isn't. I don't understand the vitriol surrounding this 'it's not fair, they have a choice'.

Each to their own, there is no need for aggression or preaching. Its food, eat what you want and let others do the same!

@deydododatdodontdeydo

"They have also been bred for their purpose, so they're not natural either.
Wild cattle are long gone, sadly."

Natural? Naturally we should be sucking rotting bone marrow from the carcasses of kills made by better predators than us.

We probably evolved tools to break open the bones. We were scavengers.

I love people who peddle the "natural" idea

“However, Betrand they should offer a dish that is meat based if there are those there who are wearing leather shoes.“
This is either a joke I don’t get, or the stupidest thing I have ever read in my life.