Different type of How to respond to meat eaters?

Question

When I'm eating with someone new for the first time, they discover I'm veggie, and automatically try to justify themselves, saying "I don't eat that much meat," or some type of response along those lines. I don't believe I do anything to make them feel like I'm judging them, but they automatically try to justify themselves. How do you respond to this?

I'm not trying to convert people, and I don't want to be rude. Usually I just say "yea, most people I meet don't eat too much. I personally love carnivores, they taste-test for me and I get their salads."

So, how do you respond?

Answer 1

It's none of others business, you are free to be a vegan.

Answer 2

usually i if it's brought up, the first thing people ask is "why?"

I usually just say "i just don't think it's ethical to kill things when we don't have to." usually, the conversation is moved away after that.

Answer 3

Ask them why they would feel the need to tell you that and tell them you don't care what they eat.

Answer 4

Yeah, I know what you mean.  I guess people figure if we didn't think there was something wrong with eating meat, we'd eat it. So they feel implicitly criticized, even if we haven't actually said anything judgemental.  

I think your response is great.  I don't even remember what I say, except that I try to keep it pretty neutral unless they start criticizing my diet.

Answer 5

I think people say that stuff because it's different from them and they want to see a similarity. You live with it every day, to them it's kind of novel.  Acknowledge them then find something you have in common to talk about...like the fact that neither of you eats worms or something.

Answer 6

When i'm with a vegetarian, I respect that but I'll still order a steak so i've never encountered your situation....

Answer 7

Well I tend to prefer those types of meat-eaters to the ones who immeditaely attack your decision and choices, and try to make you justify why you don't eat meat. I've been veggie for twelve years, and, like you, I don't try to force my opinion on other people - but sometimes they do try to justify themselves! I tend to just shrug, and say it's everyones personal choice. =]

Answer 8

You don't need to justify yourself to anyone in this world.

But if your worried about someones opinion you don;t have to say your a vegetarian, you can just say your not in the mood for meat, or not in the mood to eath something heavy, and just order what you want.

I'm a non-drinker and lot of people I know drink. If they ask why I don't want to have an alcoholic drink with them, I say something jokingly like, "I did enough drinking in my first 20 years to last a lifetime"  tee hee.

But again, what your doing is healthy, and it's a personal choice, if it bothers people... that's THEIR problem ;-)

Answer 9

people should just respect your decision to be a veggie. i mean, your dates would be saving money on you :D LOL

anywase, i respond to veggies as, more meat for me yea!

Answer 10

I find I'm always asked why I'm vegetarian, do I think it's cruel to kill animals, or do I try losing weight this way, etc etc.

To be honest I don't know. I haven't got a strong culture or religious belief telling me to do so, but it just feels right for me.

I don't cringe at the thought of people eating meat, and I am completley fine with preparing it, cooking it and getting slathered working with meat (erk, would smell rank though). I just don't want to eat it..... so that's what I say. Just tell them there's no problem with eating meat, humans were designed to hunt and eat it, but we can also live perfectly well without it. It's just up to them how they feel.

Answer 11

i just calmy tell them "you eat what you like and i eat what i like"