Why is there so much hatred towards vegans?

[keysonthehighshelf]

I'm veggie, and slowly cutting down on certain things with the aim of being fully vegan by the end of the year. I'm not perfect, and I in no way dislike those who eat meat. I know some vegans are really aggressive but the vast majority are quietly vegan for their own reasons. I am raising my son vegetarian simply because I have never prepared meat before. I've seen a nutritionist and they've confirmed it's absolutely fine to raise a baby vegetarian and has given me meal plans and advice re supplements (which aren't actually needed). I still have had at least 4 people imply that I'm damaging him, and have had people aggressively tell me that 'vegans are hypocrites for wanting their food to look and taste like meat' - it doesn't really bother me but my sister who is vegan finds it upsetting. AIBU to think it's odd that people have such annoyance towards vegans? Or is it in my head?

I eat meat most days.

Couldn't care less if someone is vegan or not as long as they don't try to push their agenda onto me, or get preachy on social media, etc. I feel the same about religion.

No, T0tallyFuckedUpFamily no one is (or ever could) force me to were (sic) a vegan runner vest.

But exactly WTF has a food/ethical choice got to do with running?? A running club vest, maybe a country or city if you’ve travelled a bit, absolutely fine.

Veganism??

Not. Relevant.

Genuinely, genuinely tempted to get the “Omnivore” vest, it makes exactly the same (completely pointless) point.

We all need meat in our diets

Citation needed.

It is a group of like minded people that have created a large running club and that is the actual name of the club. What’s wrong with that? Do you feel the same about RMR, since their vests advertise that they are mothers?

No, T0tallyFuckedUpFamily no one is (or ever could) force me to were (sic) a vegan runner vest.

When correcting someone’s spelling, you should first check your own grammar.

My daughter tried to be vegetarian because of the perceived peer pressure. She’s now developed a severe allergy to soy and nearly died eating veggie sausages.

Soy is in blooming everything - look at labels - she had an allergic reaction to bread recently.

I’m more worried about what they are doing to our food than anything.

1. The preachiness and holier than thou attitude
2. The lack of consistency - if any vegans could answer that would be good, as no one has answered before on these threads: what about the wildlife and insects killed in the farming of crops? Wouldn't you have to grow all your own food hydroponically to be sure no animal etc has been harmed? If you are plagued with mosquitoes/ants/bedbugs/mice etc are you saying you would never kill or harm one? Do you use detergents, fabric conditioner etc which contain animal byproducts? These are some of the questions I would like answered any anyone would be so kind.

Because they preach and bang on about how everyone should go vegan. How we should do it because it is better for the environment and kinder to the animals. It's my choice and if I want a big, fat juicy steak then I bloody well will. I don't mind vegetarian, vegan or meat. I would much rather have a variety of the 3 than stick to vegan. I am a meat and cheese kinda gal and always will be!

I don't think person "hate" vegans/vegetarians per se.

I think people do dislike militant veganism however.

Whether this take the form of "carnivore" shaming in person or protests in supermarkets.

Tbf I also think it's utterly unnecessary - the fact is (with positive promotion, specifically health and environmental benefits) more and more people are reducing their meat consumption or stopping eating it altogether.

Just look at the wealth of vegan/vegetarian options available in supermarkets now - they are catering to growing demand.

DH and I took the decision last year to eat meat free 3 days a week. I thought it might be hard, but it hasn't been at all. In fact I'd say it helped reinvigorate my love of cooking by getting some vegan/vegetarian cookbooks and discovering a whole new set of recipes tastes/textures I'd not considered. We probably eat meat free 4/5 days a week now simply because we enjoy the food.

So I certainly don't dislike vegans/vegetarians but I don't like being called out by someone for eating meat in a sanctimonious fashion but I'm more than happy to chat about veganism and recipes with someone who respects my food choices as much as I do theirs.

That said I also think there are some people who are really responding to attack being the best defence - better to deride veganism and spread the myth that we need meat (we don't) rather than accept their dietary choice of eating meat all the time has implications for the environment and their health.

OP, I would have agreed with you a couple of years ago, but I really think the tide is turning, and veganism is becoming much more widespread and accepted. Maybe not to the older generation, though.

Maybe not to the older generation, though.

Erm. Do you think veganism was a modern diet? There are more vegans now because there is much more choice available. Look at all the meat replacements that are available. To be honest I find the thought of the taste of meat ‘flavoured’ food repulsive, but it does encourage those that want to change for ethical reasons.

I had to delete an old friend on Facebook who became vegan and simultaneously became the most annoying person on the planet. The shit he came out with was absurd and not even true, some of it. Dreadful.
To the PPs who suggest that every meat eater feels guilty for eating meat and just wish they could be as wonderful as vegans - this is exactly the type of comment that people are talking about when saying that some vegans are sanctimonious, which most of you on here seem to deny even being a possibility. If you feel guilt for once eating meat and now want to share your experiences of 'seeing the light'… surely you have to see the parallels with being in a cult?!
Another thing that really gets my goat (I'm sure goat-flavoured, heavily processed vegan alternatives are available) is when some militant vegans think they are oh so original in calling honey 'bee barf' or asking people if they are enjoying eating the rotting corpse of a fluffy lamb. If questioned about whether they would, for example, use medicine that has been tested on animals, or if they're found to be in the tiniest bit hypocritical the stock response is, basically, I do what I can so I'm still better than you.
In a supermarket here just now a woman started screaming and sobbing. Wailing like a banshee - you'd think you were in the sistene chapel. She was so upset because she had to walk past 'corpses' before getting to the vegan/plant based section. Utterly ridiculous, attention-seeking behaviour.
Of course, millions of vegans go about their lives in an almost identical way to everybody else - upholding standards they believe in, eating what they enjoy or find the most appealing, doing what they need to do to sleep at night. It is unfortunate that the squeaky wheel gets the oil and the minority of vocal/almost fascist vegans really can give common and garden vegans a bad name.

I’m a vegan for over 30yrs and have had so much crap thrown at me over the years, but have definitely noticed that it’s not as bad now. Though I still get the “how do you know someone is a vegan? Bla bla bla”, occasionally. I’ve never felt the need to mention it, other than asking for a vegan choice while eating out.

I think part of the problem seems to be a lot of this ‘look at me. I’m special” nonsense that seems epidemic now. If they’re not vegan, they’re environmentally superior, not what they born as, etc. So many have to shout about their beliefs now and in my 50 odd years on this earth, I find that those that shout the loudest are usually the ones that have started eating meat again in a few years, changed their mind about who they are or are hiding the plastic carry out bags under their rubbish. It’s always been the way.

I’m as strict as I can be, with my own diet. I don’t even eat food that has been in contact with animal products. However I cook meat products for my 25yr old, as she needs others to care for her and is not capable of understanding veganism. I don’t think it’s fair or realistic to put that on others if I’m not here to look after her. We all have our lines we don’t cross, whether it’s dietary or otherwise. We all deserve respect for our beliefs.

It’s impossible to make your life completely cruelty or animal product free, so those that are the preaching vegans, just shut the fuck up and live your own life, in the best way you can. Can those meat eaters also shut the fuck up and stop with your bacon jokes, “how do you know...?” Jokes and critic of vegan’s diets when you know they follow that diet. It’s just boring now.

Wailing like a banshee - you'd think you were in the sistene chapel.

Here are some of the comments about an article that mentioned a vegan restaurant.

Why the need to make them? There were steak restaurants mentioned in the same article but no vegans making comments.

@BeingATwatItsABingThing
Purely out of curiosity... When you say your dd eats meat as you believe it should be her choice, should it not have therefore be her choice to decide if she wanted to eat meat in the first place?

Why the need to make them? There were steak restaurants mentioned in the same article but no vegans making comments

How do you know that nobody who commented was a vegan?!

Because they preach and rant and moan and gloat and then preach some more.
And I honestly just want peace while I'm eating my bacon butty

How do you know that nobody who commented was a vegan?!

Why would vegans make comments like that?

Because they preach and rant and moan and gloat and then preach some more.
And I honestly just want peace while I'm eating my bacon butty

Really? Who did that to you?

I know it's probably only a minority of vegans who are overly preachy and vocal, but the vocal preachy ones are really loud and obnoxious and having just one of them posting pictures of dying turkeys all over FB is enough to have you muttering and cursing.

I have no problem with veganism as a personal choice. Your choice, your digestive system, your conscience. I've enjoyed vegan meals with friends and have a few in my cookery repertoire.

@T0tallyFuckedUpFamily the vegan at work

We definitely don’t hate vegans in this household, despite being omnivores. My brother and his partner are vegans and they don’t preach at us, they just quietly eat lots of veggies and nuts. My brother was horrified by meat as a child and his partner became slowly became vegan after her mother died of bowel cancer (which is absolutely, unequivocally related to eating red meat). We find catering for them fun and like to discuss how anything new we make could be adapted for them.

Kitty, if they’re going on that much about it, why haven’t you told them to stop harassing you? If it’s constant, then that’s bullying and you should report it. However one vegan does not represent all vegans, any more than one racist represents all white people.

One thing though, if we go vegan, what happens to the livestock which are now valueless from a commercial standpoint?

Also what about pests like rabbits, they still need to be controlled or there won't be many locally sauced veg around.

Where is anyone saying the whole world has to go vegan?