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'm a meat eater, although I probably wat more vegetarian meals (without thinking about it) than meat ones.

I don't give a flying toss what other people eat. What I will say is I have never had a person approach me to tell me they are an omnivore, or make any kind of deal out of it.

Eat what you want bit dont judge me for eating what I want.

If someone starts vegan preaching at me I very quickly tell them they won't be converting me and to sod off. If they persist, I say if animals didn't want to be eaten, they wouldn't taste so nice.

It's not at all difficult to respect others' life choices, as long as they don't ding them in people's ears and tell them why their own, different life choices are irresponsible, destroying the planet, add objection of choice ad nauseum.

I've done my bit for the planet. I was vegetarian for 20 years. I stopped being veggie (and at first I found meat repulsive and had to hold my nose to eat it) when I developed a condition I realized may be the result of eating an almost exclusively carbohydrate-based diet for two decades. (It was raging, galloping candida for those who don't object to TMI, and it took about a year to shift it. Horrible).

Extinction rebellion and climate change are, and rightly too, very pertinent, urgent and 'sexy' topics right now. That's a good thing.

But anyone who wants to lecture me about now eating meat, well all I can say is if they come back to me with their health and their altruistic principles intact in 20 years' time, I might begin to take them seriously.

I can see how the preaching gets annoying but anyone preaching anything is.

I don't get the hate so much. Ultimately, how can you have a problem with someone who's fundamental beliefs are to protect and stop the suffering of the animals we share the planet with? They're right and your need for a bacon sandwich because we 'have canines' and 'need taurine' is wrong.
...and I'm not a vegan.

It is because we meat eaters feel profoundly guilty about meat eating and are trying to blame vegans instead of owning our guilt.

How do you know if someone is a vegan?

Don’t worry, they’ll tell you.

A younger friend and her family are vegetarian. She lives her lifestyle, and accepts others. When we meet, its usually at a veggie cafe that we both like. Occasionally it isn't, and as long as there are veggie options she's fine with that too. We're both grown ups.

I eat meat, and fish, not a lot, but its not excluded from my diet. I've never been preached at by her, or by any vegans/ vegetarians. Likewise, I'd not dream of imposing my preferences on others.

@BeingATwatItsABingThing I agree with you. Since when was it ALL or NOTHING, and anything in between is hypocritical, so ha ha you're a joke for trying.

I don't get it at all. We should all be eating less meat. I would eat meat if it was served to me by somebody, in their home that is, not a restaurant. so I'm not a strict vegetarian. I never label myself now. Each choice is just that, the choice I make that moment.

It is amazing how it winds people up that you might be trying. My kids eat meat. I often cook myself something vegetarian and then serve it with a couple of meatballs to make it an acceptable meal to my son.

It is because we meat eaters feel profoundly guilty about meat eating and are trying to blame vegans instead of owning our guilt

I don't feel in the least bit guilty for eating the food I was designed to eat.

Ultimately, how can you have a problem with someone who's fundamental beliefs are to protect and stop the suffering of the animals we share the planet with?

Surely the question is how can anyone have a problem with someone's fundamental beliefs that they don't know anything about because that someone is just quietly getting on with their own life and not bothering others about it?

If you are just quietly being vegan the rest of us won't know you are vegan, it won't be an issue.

And while I'm FAR from being a vegan, very far, I've encountered more aggression from meat eaters hating on vegans. The only vegan I've personally known well had a very gentle manner.

@joystir59
No. No it isn’t guilt at all.

How do you know if someone is a vegan?

Don’t worry, they’ll tell you.

How hilarious! That’s never ever been posted on a threads about vegans ever!

meatandcrustypies

it's more like "hide it so people don't talk shit at you".

I know someone who excludes herself from catered meetings at work. She says "My dietary allergies etc are too complicated". It's a really great way to sneak off and eat something in peace

Honestly?
Because some vegans are a pain in the arse. And I say that as someone who is also on a special diet. Saying that you dint eat x and y and then proceed to make a huge fuss if someone makes a mistake/doesn’t know how to put a vegan meal together/ choice of food in restaurant is restricted etc... gets tiring very quickly. Or the more recent approach on being vegan is good for the planet - you are killing the planet and your children by eating meat!!!!!

Also because eating a balanced diet as vegan is HARD and very few have ever even taken the step to go and see a nutritionist for advice. I’m not saying it can’t be done. But it takes effort and being extremely careful all the time to ensure a child, let alone a 1~2yo, gets the nutrients and calories they need.

Because actually for SOME people being vegan is detrimental to their health. See the Dalaï lama who actually eats meat from time to time on the advice of his doctor.

Basically, I think that the general idea that vegans aren’t eating healthily is true in most/a lot of cases. So you can’t have a go at ‘meat eaters’ to actually point that out or be worried about a child’s health. After all, for any other situation where the child’s health could be an issue, you wouldn’t see someone commenting as an issue.

Note my comments apply to people who are VEGAN. Vegetarians do not, imo, have the same issues re a balanced diet

I think it’s because meat eaters feel they’re being called out for their cruelty just by someone stating they’re vegan.

BeingATwatItsABingThing

Completely agree with your sentiment. People constantly banging on about "hypocrisy" as an excuse to do nothing, as if that's better than doing something, however small or imperfect.

Don't let the great get in the way of the good!

Re hating veganism, there are vegan knobs who preach/hate and there are non-vegan knobs who preach/hate. There are mostly good people who don't do either, on both sides.

Because, deep down, many people don’t feel good about eating meat, so they try to disparage veganism to make themselves feel better.
Or:
Most people are making their own choices and take a live and let live approach and don't take kindly to anyone (vegan or otherwise) trying to take the high ground on one issue every five minutes.

Eg. One of my friends from university loved talking about environmentally friendly they were for being vegan, why everyone should be vegan etc. My then DP got fed up with hearing about it that he did a carbon footprint calculator with her. It turned out our carbon footprint was lower than hers and her DP because if the house we lived in, heating set lower, only running one car, holiday choices, not having pets etc.
DP and I wouldn't have cared either way had we not been subjected to "our way is so much more moral than yours".

Even in your reply there, it couldn't be that people get irritated at the conduct of some vegans, no it has to be that people feel awful about eating meat and so like to have a go at vegans because the righteous vegans show everyone else how immoral they are. It's that attitude that pisses people off.

BeingATwatItsABingThing
I think it's good for everyone to reduce their meat consumption. I also think it's much better for everyone to make smaller choices than doing all or nothing.

What I can't stand is people who get on their high horse about one of their choices being so much more ethical, and act like anyone who doesn't make the same choice as them is somehow unethical, destroying the environment etc.

Eg. I've got an acquaintance who is now using washable nappies (which is great we do a mix to make small changes for the environment). But they now act like they couldn't possibly go back to using disposable ones now they know how awful it is. At times it sounds quite sanctimonious and I know for a fact they drive everywhere and take lots of flights so I can't help but roll my eyes when they get started. There's no need for the self-righteous approach. Just make the small choices that are right for you like everyone else does and save the lecturing.

I think it carries an implied judgement. Its hard to express but most vegans made an ethical choice so you know they fundamentally disagree with your choices even if they say nothing. I dont drink and people feel the same about that. The mere fact of me not taking part puts a vocal minority on edge, then they start justifying why they drink and then start grilling me on my decision. I really dont care and havent said a thing - but its easier to say i dont like the taste of alcohol without offending anyone, than it would be to say dont like the meat industry.

Because, deep down, many people don’t feel good about eating meat, so they try to disparage veganism to make themselves feel better. I see the following generalisations/ straw men/ false dichotomies over and over again:

Because deep down the vast majority of people have a total disconnect with the natural world. People are squeamish because we all have empathy for other living thing
Yet the only way to have a cruelty free world for animals is not to have any animals in it. Wild creatures don’t die nicely.

Everything we do as humans whether it’s growing vegetables or eating meat directly affects wildlife. Very little of the plant humans eat can actually be used as food. The stalks leaves etc are all waste. Currently most of this waste goes back into livestock. If we have no livestock where’s it all going?
Arable fields have very little bio diversity. Where is the bigger wildlife going to live? How are you stopping all the little creatures bring mangled in machines when your crops are picked? How are you stopping birds eating all your crops?

"I never label myself now."

I try not to do that, but the number of times you're faced with a huge chunk of chicken and two tiny potatoes....usually artistically arranged to add insult to lack of carbohydrate...I tend to say veggie for anything that's catered. I don't belong to any kind of dinner party circle stuff so that's okay.

Because, deep down, many people don’t feel good about eating meat, so they try to disparage veganism to make themselves feel better. I see the following generalisations/ straw men/ false dichotomies over and over again:

You have used exactly the same kind of generalisation/straw man/false dichotomy to open your post that you are complaining about.

@FamilyOfAliens - I agree it’s not quite as hilarious as a poster with a great big stick up their arse

Because lots of (not all) vegans are judgemental and sanctimonious, and insist on inconveniencing those around them for their lifestyle choice.

Anyone who thinks that vegans are preachy and judgemental have never been on a Facebook comment thread about vegan steak bakes or McDonald's veggie dippers...