Why do people look down to a vegetarian?

Question

Or more specific me. I am a lacto ovo vegetarian (I use dairy products and chicken eggs (unfertilized))

I became a vegetarian for a reason of ethics. I have pets and I just don't want to eat animals or meat. However when people find out I am a vegetarian (I don't hide it), they become rude to me and find me stupid for not eating meat.

I do not try to convert anyone nor do I even try to insult anyone about what they eat. I just eat plants, dairy, and eggs. How should I deal with them?

Answer 1

i think its because people know thier making the wrong decision by eating meat, and by trying to shut you up won't have to face the fact that thier making the conscious decision to kill almost 100 animals a year.

I just became a vegan and my family does not agree at all and is unsupportive. I've read alot about animal cruelty online and always have some sort of fact or response to anything they say. They try not to get me to talk about it b/c thier uncomfortable because they know thier wrong.

Answer 2

Because they don't like somebody to be "different."

Answer 3

There are a lot of reasons why people may appear to look down on you. Not all omnivores look down on vegetarians- but there are some. Most reasons are socio-cultural (it is different than the "norm", people grew up eating meat and being told by family, media, friends, and so on that it is not only acceptable but encouraged and healthy). Some people feel insecure or uncomfortable because you may challenge well-founded beliefs and feelings. Each person has their reason.

As for dealing with them, you deal with them like you would any other person. You respect them for their beliefs- after all- you want them to respect yours, right? You can have your opinion but I find, *unless* you can have a truly civil, intellectual conversation over the topic with someone who will be willing enough and open-minded enough to consider your point of view, it is easier to agree to disagree.

I have found that the way I carry myself has proven far more effective than anything else. I know who I am. I am happy. I show confidence in my appearance and my choices. When people see this and they see that *they* are the ones stressing over some thing they aren't even doing themselves more than I, the person who is actually involved in the decision/situation/lifestyle/diet, eventually they get over it. If they don't, it is really their decision to worry over it.

I have no problem offering advice or information on the vegetarian diet but I won't push it on anyone either. At first, I was vocal and frustrated with the world. Once I calmed down, I had people come to me privately and ask me how they can go vegetarian and tell me how much they respected my way of living. It is a little funny they wouldn't do it with others around but that goes back to the socio-cultural aspect I suppose.

All in all, respect others. Don't let them get to you. You are living your life and not them. If they are disrespecting you, explain to them that you're not doing anything to them and ask that they respect your beliefs as you do theirs. Ask them things like "Where did you grow up? Oh, I grew up here- a different place from you- does that make me strange? Oh you have red hair- funny, I have brown- are we really that different? I like the color blue and you like pink- it's just like my diet- just a preference so I hope you understand that we're all different people which is a good thing- who wants everyone to be exactly like everyone else?" or...you know your own words lol! !!!

I haven't had to deal with too many people who didn't like my lifestyle. If they didn't, and were mature, they would tell me civilly and we might chat about it depending on social circumstances. I have, once in a while, had the obvious feeling I was talked about behind my back at work but I figure that to be like most immature actions- if it wasn't my diet it would probably be my clothes, love life, whatever. Some people will always be like that and I'm not going to waste my time worrying about their drama.

I hope this helps! (Thankfully, this is the most I have spent thinking about peoplel ike that in a long time lol)

Answer 4

1) Group dynamics.... anything that is different to the norm is usually attacked. This is why kids with glasses or whatever are picked on at school

2) People who are insecure about their view point tend to be the most aggressive in defending it and or attacking others... if you truly believe something, there is no need to argue, you simply say "this is my truth"... and then if others don't agree, that is their loss. Sadly, most people are not that congruent... they know they have NOT researched things and made a smart choice, but rather have eaten what they were told to etc... so they feel insecure and cover that uncomfortable feeling with aggression.

Answer 5

Because they can't think past social norms. 'Everyone' eats meat, so whys this 'weirdo' not?

Answer 6

as a former vegetarian (not sure why i quit), i can answer with some certainty.  

people get all stressed out when they try to figure out what to serve you at their home or event, or which restaurant to go to with you.  they also worry about offending you while they are chowing down on chicken wings right in front of you.

it's just feeling uncomfortable.  they don't want to be judged for the chicken wings, and wow, will the spagetti sauce be flavored with meat, oh my gosh, i have to go buy a different brand or make it from scratch..... and then what am i going to serve him for lunch?

my little brother bought a pepperoni pizza in a foreign country where he did not know the language and brought it for my family and me to eat, and i wouldn't eat it because there was pepperoni on it.  he was lucky to score the pizza considering his age and the culture of the country we were visiting, so for me to turn down a slice, gosh he started crying.  it was then that i realized that people are trying to accomodate me but it was difficult for them.

good luck to you.

Answer 7

The best way to deal with them is to just ignore them. There are plenty of people out there who are ignorant to what they eat, and so they find it strange why people do become vegetarians and vegans. You will find, sadly enough, lots of people out there who are like that. Ignorant. If you do, like I said, just ignore their comments. Or, if you want to release a little stress and strike back, throw a few facts at them. My favorite is that it is better for the environment to be a veggie then it is to not drive a car for a year. Anyways, best of luck.

Answer 8

same reason why vegetarians look down on meat eaters

people dont like whats different than what they think is right

there are plenty of rude omnivores and vegetarians

as there are plenty of friendly understanding omnivores and vegetarians

the people who are rude just need to be ignored

Answer 9

Some people are afraid of anything they think is different from them.  Unfortunately, eating meat is generally accepted as "the norm" in most parts of the world.  The best way to deal with them is to be the bigger person.  

I actually had a person who would harass me at work and tease me all the time about being a vegetarian.  One time, he left a hamburger at my desk while I was in the bathroom just to gross me out and upset me.  I tried explaining to him why I didn't eat meat (for moral reasons) but he just didn't understand. One day I sat him down and showed him the video "Meet Your Meat" and after that, he never bothered me again. Videos like that tend to shut people up and make them acutually think about what they are doing.

Answer 10

Wow, who the h**l are these people? People sometimes tease me light-heartedly but I've never experienced what you're talking about.

Some people are ill-informed or closed minded and an idea (such as vegetarianism) threatens the only way of life they ever knew.

How you deal with them depends on your situation. You could avoid them. If this isn't possible maybe you should stand up for what you believe in and throw some well thought out arguments on the table.

Answer 11

Do they? Please tell me more about my own thoughts with your amazing psychic abilities. These superior complex questions grate on my nerves so much that I just have to answer them.

Get over yourself!

Answer 12

because they are shorter than me.. all the vegetarians I know are shorter than me so I naturally have to look down when speaking to them...

You obviously haven't been in this forum long enough to notice how your fellow vegetarians look down on other people who don't share their life "philosophies"... it might take a few visits before you start noticing the thumbs down omni get whatever their answer might be, or before someone starts saying "meat is murder" or a few choice  and always colorful descriptions of meat consumption as prescribed by PETA, Vegsoc, and other "unbiased" pro vegetarian societies... You are bound to see them as often as you would see the obnoxious "eat meat" poster.. .

Answer 13

I think that a lot of meat eaters are in some way threatened by ethical vegetarians. They see someone's rejection of their lifestyle as a personal attack on them.

Answer 14

Because they are insecure or they haven't educated themselves beyond the unflattering stereotypes.

Ignore them. Usually they are just seeking a reaction. Simple folk get their jollies that way.

I'm an expert on simple folk.

Answer 15

people always look down on what they dont understand. im not a vegetarian but i used to make fun but now i dont.

Answer 16

I think its a default backlash defensiveness really. Without any vegetarian saying it outloud, your self control, consciousness and compassion are a superior choice to their eating meat. So even if they don't realize it directly, meat-eaters may get defensive because your choice may seem to them like you are the one looking down -- Even if you don't give off that vibe in any way! They may project that 'superiority-vibe' on you, regardless of how you act or talk. And thats really not something you can fight against, thats their latent guilt surfacing, not your actions causing it.

Answer 17

Because they are insecure or they haven't educated themselves beyond the unflattering stereotypes.

Ignore them. Usually they are just seeking a reaction. Simple folk get their jollies that way.

Answer 18

I have two kids in my class who are vegetarians and I've never seen anyone treat them any differently because of it. I think you should just blow it off. Be cool about it and then maybe they will stop insulting you.

Answer 19

I think that it probably makes people feel insecure.  You're a vegetarian for ethical reasons.  Therefore, through ignorant logic, they feel that you think you're a better person for caring about those things, as opposed to them not caring what the animal went through to get on the plate.  I think it's more defensiveness than anything else.  

Also, I've found that a lot of vegetarians are a bit of a bible thumper about it.  They want to talk about all they've done for the sake of the world, and how the world would be better if you do the same...  And how it's the right thing to do, blah blah blah.  Not saying this is you, or even that it's the majority, just that, you know, they're the vocal minority.

Plus, I think a lot of people feel that vegetarians are kidding themselves, that people are omnivorous, and made to be that way.  Frankly, I don't care one way or another.  Just don't look down on me when I tuck into a steak.