when people ask you why you became a vegetarian. I probably shouldn't be, as they have a right to be curious and I should be willing to share info. But for some reason I just am and I want to be very vague. I used to say "Oh, for a variety of reasons - you know they way its raised/prepared, health-reasons, and spirituality and vibrational frequencies, you know... I guess that it is - is that I want some privacy. Simple as that. I've decided now I'm just going to say, "Because I love animals."
ANyone else have any fun or feisty responses or comments?
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Claire, Mama of two boys, Montessori Teacher, Star Mona Vie Distributor.
Last edited by Claire Berry : 05-10-2008 at 03:52 PM.
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no, it did not bother me (I'm not currently a veggie). I also ask people ALL the time because I think that the answer is relevant to the furthering of the conversation. I think that there is a difference in why people become veggie that is significant.
What I do think is hilarious are all the misconceptions. I remember being at a sit down rehearsal dinner. We had options for every course. I always picked the fish or chicken as I was then avoiding red meat (oh, and the main course was veal and I just do not eat veal at all for my own ethical reasons). The woman I sat next to then asked me how long I'd been a vegetarian.
I had a fork full of chicken when she asked.
But, I think that then makes for an interesting and educational conversation.
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Rebecca, wife and mother
Lauren January 2009
a) no empty calories, b) nine fruits and veggies, c) 30 mins exercise/day
It can be annoying to be asked. Why are they asking? Are they being a jerk or wanting to be healthier. You can usually tell. Most people assume I'm some type of animal rights activist. Really they just draw their own conclusion sometimes no matter what I respond. But lately I find people genuinely asking cuz they want to cut down on meat.
What bothers me is the question "Where do you get your protein?" My latest response is "From the same place the murdered meat you eat gets it."
No, it doesn't bother me at all and in fact I welcome it. It opens the door to educate people and that is a great thing, IMO.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Sunflower_Momma
no, it did not bother me (I'm not currently a veggie). I also ask people ALL the time because I think that the answer is relevant to the furthering of the conversation. I think that there is a difference in why people become veggie that is significant.
What I do think is hilarious are all the misconceptions. I remember being at a sit down rehearsal dinner. We had options for every course. I always picked the fish or chicken as I was then avoiding red meat (oh, and the main course was veal and I just do not eat veal at all for my own ethical reasons). The woman I sat next to then asked me how long I'd been a vegetarian.
I had a fork full of chicken when she asked.
But, I think that then makes for an interesting and educational conversation.
I'm stepping in here, not veggie (although I used to be vegan at one point in my life, and vegetarian at another).
But that reminds me of the Jim Gaffigan bit: "I'm a vegetarian. Except, I do eat beef. And pork. But not fish because that's dis-GUS-ting!" You have to imagine it with his delivery and timing.
Oh and an aside, there is a new kind of veal...humanely raised, free range organic veal...kind of an interesting idea (hope I don't offend - I just saw some advertised at a local farm and thought it was a complete twist!).
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about 90% of my family still will not respect my eating choices, nor that I do not care to load my kids' plates full of ham and beef at holiday gatherings.
It has been 10 years since I stopped eating meat. I have added a few things back into my diet, but around my family I still eat vegetarian, because I don't want to hear about my new choices for the next 10 years.
I tend to get defensive when someone asks me why I choose to eat the way I do, because most of the time it is asked with a sarcastic tone, or they simply want to argue.
I do not go around asking people WHY they choose to eat animals, why they choose to smoke, why they choose to shop at Walmart, etc etc...
(excuse me for being crabby)
Earthgirl- NIIICE reply!
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Becky,
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What bothers me is the question "Where do you get your protein?" My latest response is "From the same place the murdered meat you eat gets it."
Yeah, that's great!
Quote:
Originally Posted by lala
I tend to get defensive when someone asks me why I choose to eat the way I do, because most of the time it is asked with a sarcastic tone, or they simply want to argue.
I do not go around asking people WHY they choose to eat animals, why they choose to smoke, why they choose to shop at Walmart, etc etc...
(excuse me for being crabby)
Exactly. I wish I could be more welcoming, but I always get, "You need some meat on your bones." What the he!! do I say to that?
I don't like to constantly explain why I choose to eat the way I do. Most people don't ask others to explain their food preferences. I don't have a short, easy phrase to answer with, which might be something to consider.
Today a bunch of us moms where chatting after preschool. I was saying how I don't bring pop into our house. And when we have gatherings I serve water, tea, coffee, or fresh lemonade. Another mom, who is quite heavy, said good job on my part.
So I was thinking about why people have such a negetive reaction to vegetarians. When I see someone very over weight I don't say, "Why do you eat so many fattening foods? Have you ever even put a vegetable in your mouth?" No, I don't say that cuz it is her choice to eat how she does. Just like it is mine.
A couple weeks ago I was at the market. I had nothing but good things in my cart. I saw an overweight woman pushing a cart with potato chips, donuts, cookies, pop, frozen pizzas and dinners...not a fruit or veggie in sight. I wanted to say something to her. Something in hopes of encouraging her to be healthier. But she probably would have knocked me on my butt or something.
But sometimes when I am buying some meat-alternatives the cashier will ask me about them. I bet they never say anything to the people buying all crap.
It's sad and depressing to me sometimes to think about what people will put in their childrens bodies and consider it healthy.
The other day we went to the mall. I brought our lunches...salads, flax crackers, fruit, water. Another mom bought there. She was sitting next to me and tried my flax crackers and liked them. Then she continued on to say what she got her and her kids was pretty healthy too...some kind of sweet and sour chicken, with lots of sauce, fried noodles, orange pop, and another clear pop for her kids. I didn't say anything but no, that's not pretty healthy in the least.
I'm babbling I know but I'm just getting to the point where I want to start really speaking up and changing the lives of at least those I am in frequent contact with. But what to say?
So I was thinking about why people have such a negetive reaction to vegetarians. When I see someone very over weight I don't say, "Why do you eat so many fattening foods? Have you ever even put a vegetable in your mouth?" No, I don't say that cuz it is her choice to eat how she does. Just like it is mine.
It's because being a veg is not the norm. I am guessing statistically there are way more overweight people than vegs. Some quickie stats I found, which are probably not totally accurate say about two-thirds of U.S. adults are overweight or obese and anywhere from 1-4% of the population is vegetarian. I have been veg for over 20 years, and it's never been the norm. People just don't get it. It's foreign and odd and weird to many people. Less so in NYC than say Missouri, where my parents live. And then there are old school people like my son's nonna who was raised to believe you needed red meat and 3 glasses of milk a day! She does not understand how I can be healthy and not eat meat or drink milk, but that's because it's what she was told her entire life. Not everyone is willing to make active decisions about their diet.
Plus my veg diet is not tied into my weight per se. I can be a veg and still eat crappy and processed food (pierogies, frozen bean burritos are two of my favorites). Or be veg and be overweight.
The thing is is that you don't know if that mama is buying those foods for her, because she has 3 jobs so she relies on convenience or it's all her kid will eat. So passing judgement is hard.
And some of the heavier people I know, eat really, really well. Diet is not directly tied to weight. Some people have bigger frames, some people have medical conditions, some people don't exercise. Whatever it is.
The thing is is that you don't know if that mama is buying those foods for her, because she has 3 jobs so she relies on convenience or it's all her kid will eat. So passing judgement is hard.
.
True.
About 98% of my shopping trips are healthy whol foods. But sometimes I just want some crap!
Claire, Mama of two boys, Montessori Teacher, Star Mona Vie Distributor.
Depends why they are asking...
You have to imagine it with his delivery and timing.
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