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Original poster

Does Christmas annoy you as a vegan?

42 replies

Lampedsomeoiks · 14/11/2022 18:42

A post in the AIBU forum resonated with me.

I don't like Christmas because of the death and consumerism of it all. Environment and animals be damned.

Bloody supermarket adverts amp up their food porn presentation to 1,000,000. Dead this, dead that.

It is amplified beyond nauseating and I find it upsetting that these animals, birds, fish (whatever used to move) are seen as part of this so-called celebration. No thought or care is given to them and the horrible existences and deaths they suffered.

I know it goes on all year but it really grinds me down due to the sheer frequency and saturation.

I posted here as I couldn't deal with the ass aching I'd probably get 'out in the wild' of AIBU. Fingers crossed...

OP posts:
Roundmywaythe · 14/11/2022 18:46

Do vegans annoy you at Christmas?

Original poster
Lampedsomeoiks · 14/11/2022 18:54

Roundmywaythe · 14/11/2022 18:46

Do vegans annoy you at Christmas?

??

I said I don't like Christmas because of what it promotes.

A vegan person at Christmas would annoy me if they are annoying I guess...

OP posts:
gamerchick · 14/11/2022 18:58

You can't change it but you can get it off your chest here I think.

Kindofcrunchy · 14/11/2022 18:58

In all honesty, as a vegan, no it doesn't bother me. Maybe when I first started out as one, but thinking like that tends to be a one way ticket to shit mental health for me so it's not worth it. You know you're doing the best you can, you'll never convince everyone, so just make your peace with it and enjoy the ever-improving festive supermarket offerings.

Original poster
Lampedsomeoiks · 14/11/2022 19:03

21 years of choosing this life and I still feel like shit. It doesn't help that I receive campaign stuff etc. To my dying day I won't unsee things.

I have tried the make peace route but my mind just seems to fight it even more. Sometimes I wish I didn't care but equally I don't want to not care. A vicious circle that only hurts me, I know.

OP posts:
Original poster
Lampedsomeoiks · 14/11/2022 19:06

gamerchick · 14/11/2022 18:58

You can't change it but you can get it off your chest here I think.

I await drive by 💩posters.

OP posts:
BeastOfBODMAS · 14/11/2022 19:13

I’m a vegan and it annoys me a little, but not in the same ways as you.

Human cultures have always had feasting of some sort for as long as there’s been recorded history. So fair enough on that front.

What bothers me is the waste, being encouraged by advertising to buy more than you could possibly need. Whether that’s food or gifts or general tat.

I don’t get upset by people eating meat/dairy but I get REALLY upset when it goes in the bin uneaten.

Peruz · 14/11/2022 19:18

I feel more sorry for the animals kept in labs and tested on so we can all take medicine safely. But of course, if you needed medication you'd take it wouldn't you OP?

I'm not vegan. Sadly, I don't think you can exist in society without being a part of cruelty somewhere along the line.

NewtoHolland · 14/11/2022 19:19

I think Peta material and similar is generally fairly horrendous for mental health so I avoid.

I try to just mainly live in acceptance of other people's choices mainly and hope they can do the same for me.

JubileeTrifle · 14/11/2022 19:19

Do you think veganism is a personal choice or do you think everyone else should be vegan as well.
Food is a complex issue and whilst it works for you, probably wouldn’t work for a lot of people. I’m mostly vegetarian and have zero interest in being vegan

There’s lots to be annoyed about Christmas and I think you just have to get over it. Food has always been a part of celebrations for every culture in the world, Christmas is part of that.

Original poster
Lampedsomeoiks · 14/11/2022 19:28

Peruz · 14/11/2022 19:18

I feel more sorry for the animals kept in labs and tested on so we can all take medicine safely. But of course, if you needed medication you'd take it wouldn't you OP?

I'm not vegan. Sadly, I don't think you can exist in society without being a part of cruelty somewhere along the line.

I also agree with your sentiments on animal testing.

I am a fucking hypocrite. I was born with an illness that requires medication or I'll die.

I wish I had been allowed to die at birth rather than be put in this position - not just my moral objections but also because of a deep seated hatred of what this illness has taken from me. I am too cowardly to do anything about it but i do feel like shit taking the tablets.

I don't take any other medication. Even to the extreme detriment of other issues.

OP posts:
Original poster
Lampedsomeoiks · 14/11/2022 19:32

JubileeTrifle · 14/11/2022 19:19

Do you think veganism is a personal choice or do you think everyone else should be vegan as well.
Food is a complex issue and whilst it works for you, probably wouldn’t work for a lot of people. I’m mostly vegetarian and have zero interest in being vegan

There’s lots to be annoyed about Christmas and I think you just have to get over it. Food has always been a part of celebrations for every culture in the world, Christmas is part of that.

It is a personal choice. I wish people would choose it, though.

I've more chance of winning the lottery each week for a year whilst getting struck by lightning than everyone giving up meat.

I won't go into my thoughts on eating and celebration as it will just open up a bigger can of vegan worms.

OP posts:
HermioneWeasley · 14/11/2022 19:36

OP, I don’t think your thinking is normal or healthy. It is disproportionate to make yourself ill because you won’t take medication tested on animals, or to be so distressed by everyday images of food. You sound like you need some help.

howmanybicycles · 14/11/2022 19:41

OP, this is a guess and apologies if I'm wrong but do you/ have you had an eating disorder? I get that it may be hard for vegans to have to live with others who don't weigh things up and come to the same conclusions about moral rights and wrongs and themselves but it seems extreme to focus on the food aspect of Xmas and you mention a 'can of worms' which you could open about eating and celebrations?

Original poster
Lampedsomeoiks · 14/11/2022 19:42

HermioneWeasley · 14/11/2022 19:36

OP, I don’t think your thinking is normal or healthy. It is disproportionate to make yourself ill because you won’t take medication tested on animals, or to be so distressed by everyday images of food. You sound like you need some help.

Probably.

OP posts:
Emmamoo89 · 14/11/2022 19:43

I couldn't give up meat and people are always going to eat it.

Kindofcrunchy · 14/11/2022 19:44

@Lampedsomeoiks I don't take any other medication. Even to the extreme detriment of other issues

This actually goes against what the vegan society says re what is practical - plus a dead / seriously ill vegan is no good to anyone is it? Take the meds you need.

Original poster
Lampedsomeoiks · 14/11/2022 19:50

howmanybicycles · 14/11/2022 19:41

OP, this is a guess and apologies if I'm wrong but do you/ have you had an eating disorder? I get that it may be hard for vegans to have to live with others who don't weigh things up and come to the same conclusions about moral rights and wrongs and themselves but it seems extreme to focus on the food aspect of Xmas and you mention a 'can of worms' which you could open about eating and celebrations?

No I don't have an eating disorder. I'm 42 and have a perfectly healthy appetite. It is the one thing I am proud of; defying my years in appearance and fitness. I am not a thin delicate weak soul.

I just have strong beliefs.

OP posts:
OldWivesTale · 14/11/2022 19:51

Peruz · 14/11/2022 19:18

I feel more sorry for the animals kept in labs and tested on so we can all take medicine safely. But of course, if you needed medication you'd take it wouldn't you OP?

I'm not vegan. Sadly, I don't think you can exist in society without being a part of cruelty somewhere along the line.

That's a silly comparison. We have no choice about disease or illness and it would be daft not to take meds that already exist, even if you don't like animal testing. On the other hand, what we eat is purely a lifestyle choice. We can live perfectly well without eating meat and dairy. But you keep telling kidding yourself that we all have to be cruel if it makes you feel better.

whiteroseredrose · 14/11/2022 19:52

To be honest I hadn't thought about it. But you are right. It is the season of slaughter and waste.

Buteverythingsfine · 14/11/2022 19:54

I thought this was going to be about the difficulties of making a vegan Christmas dinner and I was coming to say it isn't! We eat one even though my kids are veggie and I eat meat occasionally. I think worrying about what everyone else is doing is making you stressed and it's not controllable.

OldWivesTale · 14/11/2022 19:55

HermioneWeasley · 14/11/2022 19:36

OP, I don’t think your thinking is normal or healthy. It is disproportionate to make yourself ill because you won’t take medication tested on animals, or to be so distressed by everyday images of food. You sound like you need some help.

She's not distressed by images of food; she's distressed by images of animals being abused, tortured and killed. Most people just bury their heads in the sand and pretend it doesn't happen. Go and watch some footage of the inside of factory farms and slaughter houses; watch Hogwood on Netflix. You won't, because like most people, it disturbs the little narrative you've got in your own head.

OldWivesTale · 14/11/2022 19:57

Lampedsomeoiks · 14/11/2022 19:28

I also agree with your sentiments on animal testing.

I am a fucking hypocrite. I was born with an illness that requires medication or I'll die.

I wish I had been allowed to die at birth rather than be put in this position - not just my moral objections but also because of a deep seated hatred of what this illness has taken from me. I am too cowardly to do anything about it but i do feel like shit taking the tablets.

I don't take any other medication. Even to the extreme detriment of other issues.

Show quote history

OP, you should take medication.

Emmamoo89 · 14/11/2022 20:00

OldWivesTale · 14/11/2022 19:55

She's not distressed by images of food; she's distressed by images of animals being abused, tortured and killed. Most people just bury their heads in the sand and pretend it doesn't happen. Go and watch some footage of the inside of factory farms and slaughter houses; watch Hogwood on Netflix. You won't, because like most people, it disturbs the little narrative you've got in your own head.

Show quote history

I would still eat meat. Not all farms are bad. I do know as my dad's a butcher

Emmamoo89 · 14/11/2022 20:00

OldWivesTale · 14/11/2022 19:55

She's not distressed by images of food; she's distressed by images of animals being abused, tortured and killed. Most people just bury their heads in the sand and pretend it doesn't happen. Go and watch some footage of the inside of factory farms and slaughter houses; watch Hogwood on Netflix. You won't, because like most people, it disturbs the little narrative you've got in your own head.

Show quote history

Also worked on a farm. Loved it.