To hate the - why can people not manage without meat for a day?

[jennymanara]

I have a vegan friend who is a bit extreme about it, also have several vegan friends who are not. But this one friend pushes for everything to be meat free. Barbecues together, meals at someone's house, weekends away. Her favourite saying around this is that she can not understand how on earth people can't manage not to have one day, or one meal, or one weekend without meat. My answer is always that the occasion is supposed to be fun, and that means people eating what they want to eat. She always says it is pretty sad if people can not have fun without eating a dead animal.

I only just got the Millie Tants thing. . .I'm a little slow on the uptake today. . .

@multivac yep, though I was veggie for a long time. Eventually had my eyes opened.

Veganism isn't just about diet, though its nigh on impossible to live in this society without impacting at all on animals (hence the definition states 'as far as possible and practicable'). It's like anything, if everybody educates themselves and is doing their best, that's all we can ask. But using the fact that vegans still unintentionally cause some harm to a much smaller number of animals as justification for carrying on with all types of animal abuse is pretty silly (not calling you silly, just people who use that argument).

But using the fact that vegans still unintentionally cause some harm to a much smaller number of animals as justification for carrying on with all types of animal abuse is pretty silly (not calling you silly, just people who use that argument)

Oh, absolutely with you (it's up there with using 'prove it' during a debate about faith, for me, in terms of silly arguments). I was just pointing out the inconsistency in the particular point that the poster I quoted was making with regard to meat eaters and domestic pets.

There was a thread recently about why vegans have such a bad name.

All you have to do is read some of the statements by vegans in here to explain it.

@screamingladysutch

And 4 of the top 5 causes of death in our society are related to.....

Not plant based diets, that's for sure.

I do eat meat, but think your friend has a point. I truly think that in years to come we will look back in horror at the amount of meat we consume.

I have zero issue with someone being vegan. Just don't try and force others not to eat meat.

And don't try to make it miserable for them by being a misery guts about there being meat if you have been invited to a function where meat is being served. . .

Oh God I could murder a steak right now. . .

I’m happy to eat veggie whenever.

I wouldn’t be happy with a sanctimonious friend pushing every BBQ, meal out and weekend away to be veggie, because it’s so obviously manipulative and about forcing her ideology on everyone.

Was she raised a Vegan?

Because chances are she wasn't, because then she'd be more chilled.... so she's acting instead like she's

'Found god' or been 'born again '

That her new undeniable truth is so amazing to her that she just has to share it with the world, and because she cares about you, you get to hear her bang on about it.

Can you ask her how she feels about people religious zealots who bang on about issues all the time, and see if you can get her to understand that just because it's HER new truth, doesn't mean that the rest of the world has to be forced to see it too.

I have never eaten meat, fish or any product from a dead animal, and apart from cat food I don’t allow any in my home. But I don’t care if other people are cooking it, they’re not going to force feed me it.

No she has not always been vegan, although her kids have.

TBH, I'd just tell her that I was terribly sorry, I hadn't realised how upset and offended she was to be invited to events where meat options were included, and I wouldn't do so from now on.

I was just pointing out the inconsistency in the particular point that the poster I quoted was making with regard to meat eaters and domestic pets.

By comparing parasites to dogs? Nah, didn't work I'm afraid but glad you admitted your point was stupid

I’m not a vegan or vegetarian but I do sometimes wonder why some people cannot do without meat for even just a meal.
My french husband has taken 13years to be convinced that a meal can still be a meal without meat.
I generally prefer vegetarian meals, especially when dining out and will only really eat chicken or fish, I’m really not fond of red meat, pork, or game. But that’s preference as opposed to a moral decision.
One of my favourite dishes to cook is tofu and spinach cannelloni. I absolutely love tofu!!

No, my point wasn't stupid. But it doesn't trouble me that you think it is. You've drawn your line, as we all do, and are all entitled to do. No problem.

I eat meat. I'm also ridiculously fussy, take meat (or animal products) out of the menu and I won't be enjoying the food,that's if I even eat at all. Doesn't mean I won't have fun, but if given the choice I'd like to have food too.

I rely on meat as my main food source as a instestinal condition now means that I am intolerant of most vegetable, bar a few root veggies- sweet potatoes, potatoes and carrots which is a pain in the ass, but other veggies are not worth the actual physical stomach cramps and explosive diarrhoea that follows from eating veggies. beside that, root veggies have a horrendous quantity of carbs, and as a T1 diabetic, that's also not a good thing! fish is also a no go with the intestinal thing!

I had a house mate at uni who wanted me to try veganism, until I showed him how much insulin I had to give when I ate root veg!!!

Well let's face it, the general tide of change is going against red meat more and more now - mainly for environmental and health reasons. We only eat chicken and fish plus frequently have a veggie meal. Hopefully in time, the mass produced cheap market in red meat will shrink and these things will only be produced and bought as speciality products. I don't disagree with your friends stance though. Because everyone knows that the more aggressive and fanatical people get about anything, the more they will ignore, get pissed off and tuck into that rib eye! Best thing she could do, is stop going on, prepare and outstanding vegan meal en Masse and blow the socks of the cynics.

YABU.
I agree with your friend.

I want to be the person who decides to save that turkey, rather than eat it - (from 'a chick called albert' youtube)

Tinkobell All my friends involved have eaten good vegan food she has cooked. Does not stop them wanting meat and/or fish.

Mmmmm. . . turkey. . .

That her new undeniable truth is so amazing to her that she just has to share it with the world, and because she cares about you, you get to hear her bang on about it.

So true. It gives those of us who don’t spend their time pontificating a bad name. I’ve been a veggie all my life, never eaten fish or meat, but I will make DH a bacon sandwich. I don’t feel the need to force my values on him.

My youngest sister is a vegetarian and she spends every opportunity ramming it down our throats in person on social media the lot!! Then she gets upset and post that her views should be respected and up to her to follow it...I find it never works both ways with her and some vegans...they expect us to respect their choice (which I do) but won't respect our choice 🤷🏻‍♀️
If it's a group get together I would be saying 'sorry, we do respect your choice to be vegan, but please respect our choice not to be' and take/provide what food you wish. It only makes you dread get togetherness with people like this!!

My mum is a strict veggie and has been since I was a child and has never pushed her opinion on anyone at all...she respects we all have a choice to the lifestyle we choose

Isn't that a Bowie song?

Yes I Will Kill for the Good of the Fight for the Right to be Right"

I now have a new earworm. I bless you madly...