Any words of advice to a vegetarian facing criticism?

Question

I'm 14 and I've been a lacto-ovo-vegetarian for a couple months now and love it. I feel better and lost weight. My only problem is that my classmates including some of my friends are constantly making rude comments and making fun of my choice.

For example, people often tell me:

"Why are you vegetarian, do you think your fat?"

"Hey look at this hamburger! It's made of slaughtered cows and I'm eating it!"

Because of comments like that I also feel extremely self-conscious when i eat now too. So please what can I do to make it stop or to deal with it better?

Answer 1

well ive been vegetarian for a whole 2 weeks lol. but its the best desion ive ever made.

When there eating those slaurghted cows. just tell them how they could actually be eating the cows hooves, intestines, and even testicles.

im sure they will put the burger down without delay.

also the way i got into is a girl at school did a school project on it, it had gruesome pictures and some really horrible stories. so if given the oppurtunity just do that,

or if you have a myspace etc, put some videoes from meetyourmeat.com.

but most of all just be happy within yourself that your doing the right thing for yourself and the animals. ignore what they say, becasue there the ones eating hundres of animals a yr.

hope that helped :)

Answer 2

You should ignore what other people say and worry about yourself and if your friends make fun of you there are not really your friends

Answer 3

Ignore Ignore Ignore!!!! Have faith in your beliefs and let them know they have the right to their values and you have a right to yours.

Answer 4

I'm sorry to hear that you're going through a tough time b/c of your vegetarianism. Unfortunately, people feel the need to pick on or put down others who choose to be different. Hang in there!

As far as defending yourself, just be well-informed about your dietary choices. People will throw tons of questions at you regarding what made you decide to do it, how you're getting along, what you eat, etc. The stronger and confident you are with your answers, the more people will see that you are totally serious and they will eventually back off.

Try not to care about what other people think about it. They're not buying your groceries. You're not forcing them to eat like a vegetarian. Tell them to mind their own effing business. Look at it this way - when you're both 70 years old, you'll be strong, and healthy while all those "slaughtered cows" will have caught up to those who make fun of you.

Oh- and as far as the MySpace propaganda is concerned, keep it posted if you feel strongly about it. Those who cannot stand to look at it apparently have a guilty conscience and that's their problem - not yours. It's not your fault that you have compassion and they don't.....(lol)

Answer 5

First off, I'd recommend that you remove anything from your Myspace that is meant to convert anyone. Being vegetarian can be a HUGE part of who you are, but people should hear about why ONLY if they are interested.

If they understood your position, they would already be trying to give up meat and receiving a lecture isn't going to do anything but irritate them and teach them that vegetarians are preachy and have nothing else to talk about. You have no place telling people what or what not to eat unless someone tells you that they are REALLY, genuinely curious or they look up to your level of commitment.

You need to do all of this, THEN you need to stop acting like your bothered by their comments and start laughing at the stupid things that they say.

Answer 6

I always use the 'Well, I'm just glad I don't have flesh rotting away in my colon for a week....' Always take the grin off their faces. Or, you could say 'You must be so proud of yourself' (obviously in a sarcastic tone). It just shows them that they haven't got the upper-hand when they try and criticse you. Just don't make a huge deal about it or they'll keep criticizing.

Answer 7

The best thing for me is just telling them my reasonings for my diet and if they make fun of me than I inform them of how immature they are being.

You probably should stop with all of the myspace things. If someone asks you about why you are a vegetarian, then go ahead and tell them your reasonings. But if no one asks about it, then they probably don't want to hear it and will make fun of you more because they feel guilty.

Answer 8

Well, I think your geat. - If you truely love doing this. this what you do:

1) stop listening and paying attention to stupid people

2) Make real friends - people that are going to respect your choices

3) don't make a big deal about it - and than they can't get a raise out of you

4) give it sometimes. - as you become confident in your own choices, it really will not bother you

5) over time you will meet people that like or are vegatarians/vegans

Answer 9

I'm 23 and I'm vegan and the same has happened to me a lot. You kind of just get used to it. You just have to kind of have an answer ready for people who might not understand why you are doing it.

I used to only eat white meat in high school then turned vegetarian in college and recently turned vegan. My family and my friends would ask the most questions. It was harder to answer criticism from those closest to me.

Just know why you are doing it and inform them. Be confident of the choice you made and don't let people who don't understand bring you down with their ignorance.

Some people might not even be criticizing you, they probably just want to know why because they've never seen it or are just curious.

Don't be self-conscious, this is healthy and you are probably going to look better than most people because of it anyway! lol

Oh and ignore those who just like to be annoying. That's what I do. lol

Answer 10

im a 14 year old vegetarian too. s***w them you are saving animals and becoming healthier. there is a quote by albert einstien "Nothing will benefit human health and increase the chances for survival of life on earth as much as the evolution to a vegetarian diet.". just tell them that if they make you feel like an idiot. they cant say he is an idiot. you can also joke about it which i sometimes do or say the same kinds of things about them for being omnivores. most of all i think you should just ignore what they say as hard as it may be and do what you think is best for you

Answer 11

Congrats on going veg!

Some people may be genuinely curious about vegetarianism and aren't trying to be rude on purpose. I would try to be as friendly as possible. Your vegetarianism is probably causing people to think about their own food choices, since you're living proof that it's not necessary to eat meat to be healthy. Maybe some people believe that you're judging them for eating meat (even if you aren't!) or they feel a little guilty that they eat meat, and they take it out on you.

If someone says "Why are you veg; do you think you're fat?", you could say: "I actually went veg to reduce animal suffering, but losing some weight has definitely been a bonus!"

For the second comment, you could say "Good for you. Look at this burrito! It's made of beans and rice, and I'm eating it! Mmm."

Being very defensive, angry, or holier-than-thou are sure ways to turn people off to vegetarianism. It can be hard at times, but try to have an upbeat, positive attitude. Good luck!

Resources:

Answers to common ?s about vegetarianism / animal rights:

http://ar.vegnews.org/Questions.html

Tips for a Successful Conversation:

http://www.goveg.com/effectiveAdvocacy_t...

P.S. -- Check out the Peta2 Street Team! It's for teens and college students. http://www.peta2.com/STREETTEAM/index.as...

Answer 12

I'm 15 and in the same boat. I just smile and shrug it off, they don't understand. You can't change some people, they will always be lost, so concentrate on teaching other people who are more openminded. Let this part of your life be natural, and not a big thing, you'll be respected more if you dont broadcast it.

Answer 13

tell them that you will live much longer than them, and that tons of nitrates are found in animals and they are eating glorified roadkill on a plate, also just ignore them, they're jealous because they don't have enough willpower to be a vegetarian. :]

Answer 14

hi green rocker,

i am a thirteen year old vegetarian and i plan on being a vegan before i go back to school. no one knew that i was a vegetarian last year, but this year i am going to tell them.

i was supprisd to hear how many people said just to ignore them, because thats so much easier said than done. i would just reply to those questions in the way that you feel. for example:

stupid: "why are you a vegetarian, do you think you're fat?"

you: "no i just think that bloody flesh off an inocent abused animal doesnt sound appetizing."

not that coragous? ya, i dont think i would be. if you can say that, i think it would make them shout up longer, but you could go with something else like:

"i just dont like meat"

or

"its because i love animals"

example number 2:

stupid: "hey look at this hamburger! its made of slaughtered cows and im eating it!"

you: "ya, good luck with the heart attack youll be having in a few years."

or a more shy answer like:

"good for you."

or

"wow"

i really hope this helps. i hate it when people think im a whimp for not eating meat. i dont gt why it bothers them, but lets try to make them stop bothering us. : )