Why aren't vegetarians liked?

1. 58

   TheLifeExperimentposted 12 years ago

   Why aren't vegetarians liked?
   
   A ton of people don't like vegetarians. I get it when people don't understand vegetarianism, but why do some people flat out hate people who don't eat meat? Its not like its hurting anyone...

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2. 0

   msorenssonposted 12 years ago

   I don't think they re liked or disliked any more than meat eaters...only a perception, and because perceptions have no fixed anchors, it can be changed.

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3. 60

   MickSposted 12 years ago

   I don't think that in general, vegeterians, are disliked; however. I do think that they often cause their own problems by trying to ram their life style down omnivore's throats.
   I don't have to tell the world I'm an omnivore, and vegeterians don't have to tell the world their likes, especially in the holier than though way that they use.

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4. 94

   peeplesposted 12 years ago

   I don't dislike vegetarians. However I do dislike people who tell me I'm evil or a bad person because of what I choose to do.

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5. 85

   M. T. Dremerposted 12 years ago

   I married a vegetarian, and I think the common misconception is that people assume they have that holier than thou attitude before getting to know them. For example, my wife doesn't eat meat because she dislikes the texture, not because she is making a statement. But people assume, upon first learning her choice, that she is doing it to shove an ideal down their throat. So they make comments like "you know you want to eat this chicken" or, if she accidentally ate meat in a dish "but you liked it, right?" It gets really annoying. It's very similar to the poor perception of atheists. A select few impose their beliefs in a rude manner and, since they're a minority, everyone assumes that all of them act like that. Therefore, saying "I'm a vegetarian" or "I'm an atheist" is heard by others as "You're evil for eating meat" and "You're stupid for believing in god". But I would argue that most vegetarians and atheists don't impose their beliefs on others and would prefer not to be represented by their extreme comrades. In much the same way that most meat eaters probably don't want to be represented by the people who eat at those 'heart attack' restaurants. The ones where they advertise their unhealthy menu as a joke, but serve disgustingly bad food.

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6. 0

   ExoticHippieQueenposted 12 years ago

   I agree with whoever said that vegetarians are not disliked.  The only reason I can think of for any issues at all would be if a vegetarian preached their lifestyle without stopping, or maybe that they are always needing special foods when dining with others. None of this would be bother me, but I'm just trying to think outside of the box.

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   Emily Sparksposted 12 years ago

   I, for one, won't look down on a vegetarian.  No, I don't agree with abstaining from meat, but I will not shun one who does!

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8. 61

   Dubuquedogtrainerposted 12 years ago

   People hate people for a variety of reasons. I have not noticed that vegetarians have been singled out, and I live in a very agricultural, meat and potatoes cultural area in the midwest. I only know one other vegetarian here. I have no idea why you have experienced this because I have not experienced it myself. I think these days people are just hateful and it doesn't take much of an excuse for a lot of people to lash out - almost at anything that moves. I also think that some people hate anyone doing anything healthier or better than they are.....just a guess, but I think people tend to become resentful of things that they secretly admire but do not pursue because they have chosen to follow a different path. I don't think that's always the case, but I think it is sometimes. Andy by the way - I'm a born again Christian and a vegetarian - so being an atheist and a vegetarian don't always go together as someone else seemed to imply and as people often assume.

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9. 66

   wmhoward4posted 12 years ago

   It depends on the type of vegetarian. If we go someplace and he or she gets pasta and a salad and I get a roast beef w/tators and gravy and we just both enjoy our meal, it's cool. However, if that person proceeds to tell me my meal is an accessory to murder and cause me to rot in hell, we have a problem.
   
   Be cool with each other's diet.

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10. 74

    Levertis Steeleposted 12 years ago

    Most, maybe many, vegetarians are very critical of others who are meat eaters. They sometimes go overboard with their health messages. When people are eating, they do not appreaiate anyone standing over them preaching a sermon about the "filth" on their plates. while I believe that a vegetarian diet is the healthiest among diets, and I would love to be a vegetarian, I do not want to be constantly criticized. I do admire vegetarians and hope to be one someday.

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11. 94

    Vellurposted 12 years ago

    Hey!!! I never knew that, am a vegetarian from the time I was born. As far as our clan of vegetarians - we do not preach, it is left to the individual to choose what he/she wants to eat. I am liked by everyone, now hope you all like me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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12. 65

    Tusitala Tomposted 12 years ago

    Who says vegetarians aren't liked?   What a generalizaiton!   Two of my best friends ever are vegetarians.  I've never found that inconvenient or troublesome.

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13. 60

    nightwork4posted 12 years ago

    in general i don't dislike people for what they eat, what i do dislike is the people who think they are smarter or a better person because of what they eat.

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14. 85

    SidKempposted 12 years ago

    If you find that "a ton of people" in your life don't like vegetarians, and you are a vegetarian (or want to be), I suggest that you look more closely about how you draw people to you. Many people like or admire vegetarians, or simply don't make an issue about it. I suggest you ask, "what is happening, including, what am I doing, and what is the other person doing, such that they express hatred of vegetarians?" Perhaps you are being defensive or pushy. Perhaps you draw to you people who are uncomfortable and defensive about their food choices, or even their life choices. I encourage you to find friendly, open-minded, supportive people, vegetarian or not. There are lots of us out here!
    
    And I think you will find the same pattern happening among people around any issue of food, exercise, or lifestyle preference.

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15. 67

    ptosisposted 12 years ago

    
    
    Maybe it's the broccoli and beans after-reports. I love beans - but beans give me gas so much I can't stand myself.
    
    I love garlic - but also changes the smell of your sweat.
    
    It's true that the type of foods make you smell different - and it's not just veggie's VS meat eaters. SOG had to eat the local food and not take a bath so that the dogs wouldn't smell a foreigner.  (Yes I meant dogs whose barking would warn the enemy fighters)

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    1. 67

       ptosisposted 11 years agoin reply to this

       "Nazi madman Adolf Hitler farted uncontrollably due to his vegetarian diet" - Washington Examiner

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16. 94

    MsDoraposted 12 years ago

    Vegetarians who are not liked probably cause the hostility.  They sometimes treat meat-eaters like ignorant, cannibalistic diseases waiting to happen.  If they show hatred to people just because they have different eating habits, they can expect to receive some hostility back.  Let there be mutual respect--and love all around.

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17. 72

    Darrell Robertsposted 11 years ago

    I think that people do not like the way some vegetarians present themselves as if they are superior to meat eaters.  I also think that sometimes meat eaters think about the slaughter houses and they feel guilty, so seeing vegetarians may invoke guilt that meat eaters do not want to feel.

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