...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.

What’s annoying is it’s being cashed in on by companies. So I end up “annoyed with vegans” because of that.

Things being promoted as vegan eg cereal and the little leaf sign suggests health. Well of course cereal is vegan duh!!! Doesn’t mean it’s healthy. They’ll be saying water is vegan next.🙄

It’s just the latest thing as far as food companies are concerned. They don’t give a toss about the environment or animals but the word vegan gives them a halo. I remember seeing fat free on a pack of sweets years ago when low fat was all the rage. Same thing.

Protein is currently all the rage too and that means people who are into protein shakes also start to annoy me and don’t get me started on soya.

Also people going vegan to lose weight but just eating a load of junk carbs. Silly.

I think it's because, like in so many things, a small minority spoil it for the majority of you.

I rear my own meat so am at the opposite end of the spectrum but have had some of the absolute best and most informative conversations about the realities of veganism with two teenage girls I've taught at work, which would go against the expectation. We discuss things if they come up, as they occasionally do in a science lesson, and then life goes on.

It's like cyclists, I think, a few idiots taint the perception of the wider group that just want to get on and do what they do which isn't hurting anyone else.

LOL at the guilty thing - I definitely don't feel guilty that I'm not a vegan.

It's all part of the lifestyle choices we make. I'm heading for my mid-forties and have never driven a car - so whilst my diet may add to the carbon footprint, my means of transportation day to day do not.

I did have to chuckle at the 'ethical reasons' vegan in work tucking in to his air-freighted avocado on toast...

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.

This is exactly what it is and the reason why alot of meat eaters do there best to "catch you out" because apparently if they can name one thing a veggie/vegan does that's bad for the environment it makes them being veggie invalid and them ok to eat meat or something........

I've repeatedly gone vegan.
Having a problem with dairy in my diet, and being a vegetarian, it just made sense.
Also enjoyed the challenge, I used to enjoy cooking and baking.
I knew vegans, I still know some. But I joined some vegan groups on fb, forums online, etc.
And regretted it.
The infighting is disgusting.
Every single mouthful of food, item you own, travel choice, lifestyle choice, the medicine you use.... All of it was judged within an inch of it's life.
In every. Single. Fucking. Group.
I went to a posh girls school but the bitchiness there wasn't a patch on the vegan groups.
It's quite simple; want respect, whatever your lifestyle, religion, sexuality, or dietary preference? Have some fucking respect for others and stfu if you've nothing nice to say.
Done right, veganism can feel really good. Getting the right vegetables, pulses, and vitamins can be a real boost for your mental health and overall health. I really enjoyed the feeling.
I'm a mostly-vegetarian omnivore these days, but if it wasn't for my OH being an extremely fussy eater we wouldn't have meat at home, there would be no cheese, and we don't eat eggs.
I've also not known people to start talking about veganism if they aren't a vegan.

I don't really care what anyone does or doesn't choose to eat (within reason!) but 'going vegan' does seem to be rather a trendy thing to do at the moment.

My boyfriend made this point - vegans (and vegetarians) expect to walk into any restaurant at all and see something on the menu that's suitable for them to eat, if there isn't, there is uproar. But what if that restaurant is renowned for their steaks or their burgers or their fish? It's what they specialise in? Should they still have vegan options on the menu? And if the answer is yes, then surely vegan/vegetarian restaurants should offer a meat option?

Just to clarify, this is not my opinion! He's worked in catering for 20 years and this is how he feels!

I've yet to meet a vegan who doesn't just go on and on and ooooonnnnnn about it. When I meet one who doesn't I'll stop rolling my eyes 😉

@RatherBeRiding that's possible!

@motherheroic maybe because I am not vegan, but I wouldn't know what to do with "Rehydrated Textured Soya and Wheat Protein (93%) (Water, Soya Protein, Wheat Gluten, Salt, Soya Bean Oil, Natural Flavouring), Rapeseed Oil, Seasoning (Rice Flour, Yeast Extract, Onion Powder, Natural Flavouring, Garlic Powder)" and how to cook it. Does it get cooked the same way like a real chicken?

And what is that musterious natural flavouring by Stella McCartney? 😮

I take my hat off to anyone that can stick with such a challenging diet. I'm vegetarian, it's my own personal choice and I cook meat for my family etc but I do find some vegans are a bit preachy. Far enough if you want to do it but don't make yourself out to be some sort of saint. And I do find a lot of the dairy free alternatives like cheese and spreads are literally just chemical cocktails which confuses me as to their benefits......

I've yet to meet a vegan who doesn't just go on and on and ooooonnnnnn about it. When I meet one who doesn't I'll stop rolling my eyes

How do you know you've never met a vegan who didn't go on and on and oooooooooon about it? You could have met loads..but they just didn't mention it.

My sons Karate teacher is a vegan, I've know him years but only found out he was a vegan a few months ago, do you know why? Because he didn't go on and on and oooooooooooooon about it.

I'm a vegetarian and anytime it comes up (usually when I have to mention it if out at a meal or whatever) inevitably someone will ask "why are you a Veggie" I've started to just say "lots of reasons" and leave it at that because it's non veggies who decide they need to interrogate me and pick holes in my reasoning, not the other way round

I'm not a dick to anyone (I hope) and certainly not to vegans. I have met plenty of vegans / veggies who are just normal people living their lives and not bugging me.

Then I've met the odd one who (like the odd religious person, the odd tee total person and the odd fitness fanatic) cannot just do their thing and let me do mine peacefully over here. They want to expound on the greatness of their life philosophy, to try and convince me to join and too criticise those who do otherwise. Also normally whilst using a plastic straw or driving a Range Rover or something that I'd very much like to point out is not in line with the views they are currently ramming down my throat.

As veganism is the current on trend thing there seems to be an increase in people pushing this philosophy and being a bit obnoxious about it.

My mum was veggie before it was fashionable and we ate a high proportion of veg / vegan meals growing up. Nothing wrong with the food or the philosophy (although you need to work hard to eat a varied enough diet to be healthy). Just that some vegans (like some omnivores) are dicks about it!

Yeah the fake foods put me right off. Grim.
In Wagamama there is a vegan meal with a fake egg. 😂
I get the animal welfare aspect but don’t tell me all this fake dairy and fake meat is healthier - no it isn’t.

Not just vegans. Many, many lifestyle choices. Have a religious faith and you believe in sky fairies. Don't have one and you'll go to hell for supporting gay marriage, for instance. Breastfeed your kid and you're a nutrition-Nazi who is 'judging' other mothers for formula-feeding. Feed in public and you're also 'breastapo' who is looking for negative attention rather than simply going about your business. Don't enjoy reality TV? You're a snob. Do? You're a pleb.

And so on and so on, ad nauseum. In any capacity, the self-righteous ones are the worst. And it all stems from one major human failing - the destructive belief that 'different equals bad'.

There are rude wankers everywhere. Pointless getting het up about them, or you'll just spend your life angry.

Yes some people probably roll their eyes towards vegans as they are defensive/feel guilty about being meat eaters. But where I’m from it’s culturally ingrained not to “make a fuss” so people here often see vegans as being “difficult” and become irritated with them for not having the good manners to shut up and eat what’s in front of them!

Personally I really admire vegans, wish I had the strength of character to do the same - but alas I am weak.

I'm not fully a vegan so wont claim to be as I still eat cheese but I genuinely think people are defensive because they know they are wrong! Plant based is best and there are no 'humane' slaughters

'I've yet to meet a vegan who doesn't just go on and on and ooooonnnnnn about it. When I meet one who doesn't I'll stop rolling my eyes 😉'

How foolish

because most of us feel guilty about what we eat and we all wish we had the strength and integrity to be vegan

This post (from page 2) in itself - presumably written by a vegan - shows where the hostility comes from. See how it oozes with smug contempt for meat eaters and a sense that vegans are superior people.

This post (from page 2) in itself - presumably written by a vegan - shows where the hostility comes from. See how it oozes with smug contempt for meat eaters and a sense that vegans are superior people.

You don't know that it's a vegan wrote that though but you're happy to blame them anyway because it suits you more.

My son’s been vegan since long before it became fashionable. He’s properly nourished, fit, lean, in excellent health and looks a decade younger than he is. The only time l’ve ever seen him get angry was when a waitress waved a plate of pork in his face.

It seems to me that generally people are getting less and less tolerant of those who are in any way different to them.

But where I’m from it’s culturally ingrained not to “make a fuss” so people here often see vegans as being “difficult” and become irritated with them for not having the good manners to shut up and eat what’s in front of them

I think this is a big part of it too. I was brought up to ‘be grateful for what was on my plate - people are starving you know!’ And also my grandparents, who were very involved in my upbringing, had an ingrained horror of any kind of wasting of food or food rejection based on their having lived through rationing. If it was put in front of you, you ate it.

One of my grandmothers is still alive and it pains her greatly that my family member is a vegan. The self-restriction of diet, despite food being available and abundant these days, almost seems vulgar to her.

Most of my friends and family are non vegan. I don’t push the point but if I’m asked questions I know I have enough knowledge to educate them.
Some people feel very passionately about animal rights and I think they should be applauded. However I can’t face confrontation very well so I don’t speak about it until asked.
It’s funny how people think as long as the animal had a good life it’s ok. But they don’t know the ins and outs of the industry and so maybe have a skewed perception.
I get the feeling that a lot of non vegans I know are aggressive because they deep down feel guilty. Not saying everybody feels the same but that’s it in my experience.

It’s definitely guilt and feeling bad/defensive. There is no moral or environmental argument for eating meat beyond I like the taste of it.

Sigh. No. It's not guilt, it's that people like you are insufferably smug, and most people cannot stand insufferably smug people. As for the second sentence, yes, it's food, 'I like the taste of it' is a perfectly sound and justified reason for eating this or that foodstuff.

because most of us feel guilty about what we eat and we all wish we had the strength and integrity to be vegan

I will happily pet and play with a lamb and then watch it be slaughtered and eat it for dinner. I have no guilt about eating meat at all.

That attitude is why people are pissed of with vegans.

I can’t go a single day without hearing a comment or spotting an eye roll if the word ‘vegan’ is spoken out loud.

Perhaps you have particularly strange social/work circles then? I can't remember the last time I heard or saw anything against the word vegan - must be months.

Are you experiencing this in the workplace, or events, or socialising?

Perhaps you're just mixing with strange people.