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?

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?
You could argue that but my mentality is that I would rather introduce her to everything (ethically sourced) and then she can choose what to leave out. Now that she is nearly 6, she does choose what she eats to a point.

I think because so many vegans announce it as if it's a badge of honour. Hi I'm Lucy and I'm a vegan type thing. I don't fucking care what you eat, why are you announcing it and in such a pious tone and as if it's on a par with what your marital status is or what you do for a living. I. don't. care
I was showing someone around my house and, within around three minutes, Mrs Pious had managed to get in to conversation that she was a vegan. So fucking what??? Do you want to buy my house or eat it?

I would never claim to be vegan but I eat a vegan diet 99.9% of the time.
I’m not sure many people know tbh ate it’s not something I mention unless necessary.

However, if/when I have mentioned it people often seem offended, challenging almost. Some people have become quite nasty and distanced themselves from me. I don’t understand it tbh.
Can anyone here explain because I would love to know why?

I've been vegetarian my whole life, I've never ceased getting the annoying question 'but what do you eat?' requiring me to reel off a list of meals!? Now I have a baby I get this with regard to him too. Its intrusive and rude I think, although I don't care that much. I suppose people are intrigued by ( mildly) different lifestyles

I've never ceased getting the annoying question 'but what do you eat?'

^^ Yes. My reply is a simple, anything that doesn’t contain animal products.

There are three people and one child i know in rl who are vegan..my aunt and sil and nephew..you never know, dont say anything and just quietly get on with life. My nephew is only a child who i suspect is using his vegan to aid an eating disorder as he doesnt eat anything (doesnt like veg, fruit etc) and is only 8. This situation is being monitored at the moment as he been ill most of her life, in and out of hospital and no control so controlling food is his one control. The other was my ex boss...nice enough guy who kept bringing in vegan cakes (which sadly had one taste) and telling everyone about it. He no longer vegan as his latest partner is italian and enjoys food judging by his fb. So its only really on mn ive noticed the vegan thing. Live and let live people. (Im not vegan)

I couldn't care less what other people eat. It's their choice. Equally, what I eat is my choice and nothing to do with anyone else. I can't bear anyone who preaches to others about their choices.

Hatred? That's a really strong word to use. I didn't know there was any strong negative feeling towards vegans (that may be because I'm not aware of anyone I know being Vegan).

I have no problem with people being Vegan. Each to their own.

I agree with the others saying its the ones that shout about it that are annoying .
I think also theres a personality type that enjoy attention seeking and some are vegan purely for the attention they tried to gain from.announcing.
No one actually cares

I've never ceased getting the annoying question 'but what do you eat?

It’s always quite funny that they insist on asking that question when you’re out for a meal and tucking into your food. I usually look at the plate, look at them as if I’m confused by their question and answer “food” or hand them the vegan menu.

I do know one who constantly preaches on her Facebook. I had to unfollow her with with the tripe she was spouting. I did nite when she posted that meat eaters should not be treated for cancer or heart disease on the NHS as she didn’t want ‘her taxes paying for their dietary choices’. At that moment a very close family member was having chemo for a non-lifestyle related cancer and he is the nicest person on this bloody rock! I said ‘oh i wasn’t aware the umroloyed paid tax or NI, I thought that got paid by the government from the taxes I pay. The taxes that pay your benefits for you to choose your dietary choices!’ She has refused to work for the last 15 years. I was so enraged with that crap and know i shouldn’t have bitten 🎣.

Also to a pp, I don’t feel guilty, please do not dare to tell me how I feel.

😁 at the irony of meat eaters saying "live and let live!"

@BobLobLawLLB - so many vegans on here refuse to believe that others know preachy vegans. It's like they think it's an urban myth. It's those nasty neat eaters that do it, isn't it. Vegans wouldn't dream of doing such a thing because, they're perfect don't you know.

Wrong @, my apologies @BobLobLawLLB

so many vegans on here refuse to believe that others know preachy vegans.

I dint think anyone has actually said that. We all know preachy fuckers from all backgrounds. You only have to look at the comments on Facebook to see preachy vegans, preachy Brexiteers/remainers, supports of political parties, etc. The difference is, we don’t all tar those with different lifestyles, backgrounds, religions, etc as one humongous group because of a couple of loud dickheads we’ve experienced from that particular group. That only seems to happen when it comes to to judging those that call themselves vegan. That’s the bit I don’t understand.

I've never ceased getting the annoying question 'but what do you eat?

It's not straightforward though, is it? People come to veganism through a variety of thought processes that can result in principles that aren't always obvious to someone that's not thought about them. And there are degrees of veganism.

Things like bacon and cheese, well that's obviously out.

Honey, obvious when you really think about it but not immediately to a casual observer who hasn't gone through that thought process.

Figs, starting to get more obscure as it needs an understanding of the sex life of the fig tree to understand why they're a problem.

Organic vegetables, starting to get really obscure and pushing beyond even the boundaries of many vegans. But organic agriculture relies on manure which is the product of animal husbandry. There's been some coverage of this issue in the national press over Christmas.

So of course, you're going to get asked what you eat because how else does someone know where your personal vegan boundaries lie?

Fighthtebattle

BTW WE all pay tax........what do you think VAT is?

Self-righteousness. I don't care if someone is vegan or not but the preaching coupled with hypocrisy gets me. This blog my friend wrote sums it up nicely www.fareishakelasi.com/post/veganuary-cut-the-bull
The amount of vegans selling their soul for a KFC is pretty ridiculous. A few years ago, a colleague took part in veganuary. One of the vegans in the office was delighted, but when veganuary was over and said colleague went back to meat/dairy consumption, the vegan often vocalised how disappointed she was in her. The cheek.

because its a cult-like behaviour that is incredibly annoying

I think there are a lot of people who say they are vegan who actually just eat plant based and it causes confusion. I think vegans get stick for being so exacting in their requirements and occasionally a bit ott, but they are obviously incredibly dedicated and passionate about it, so they are bound to be exacting.

There's more to it than what you eat and I believe a blogger who called herself vegan got a lot of stick from vegans because she fed her child eggs and dairy or something and apparently this meant that the blogger shouldn't call herself vegan...?

I also think that people who eat plant based for the sake of the environment vs some vegans who buy lots of plastic shoes, bags, coats etc because they are vegan friendly, palm oil products etc. The motivation for vegans is usually the animals. For people who eat plant based for the planet or their health etc prioritise other things, so they might buy a secondhand leather bag over a new plastic one etc.

academy.plantbasednews.org/blog/vegan-lifestyle-plant-based-diet

Because some of them are way to pushy about dishing out what is bad dietary advice & way too in your face about dietary choices in general, plus they target the wrong companies with activists & I say that as a life long vegetarian.

I'm an omni who eats a lot of vegan food. It's a bit quicker to make on a weeknight. Nope, not vegan, never intend to go vegan, and I don't hate vegans.

Can't stand the preaching though. A diet which consists of locally sourced food, be it plants or animal produce, is better for the environment than shipping things from across the world. And as for the animals - I genuinely do not care that an animal died for my meal. I don't care that cows/pigs/chickens/fish die. I care about how they die, and how they live, but the fact that they die? I couldn't care less if I tried.

Therefore, I shall continue eating high welfare meat when I want to, and vegans are more than welcome to die mad about it. I'll also continue eating tasty and quick vegan meals, and anyone who has a problem with it can also die mad about it.

They can be joyless and preachy.

Also, it's next to impossible to be a vegan - realistically. Bees need to be hired, for example, to pollinate a lot of crops (even organic ones) so even fruit and vegetables utilise animals in the production.

And of course, so many of my vegan friends drink things like almond milk. And its well known that monocrops of these 'ethical choices' are destroying the planet too.

There's no easy solution, or answers to any of this. But give me a break from misplaced sanctimony.