I'm a vegetarian...why do people comment?
By sedel1027
@sedel1027 (17846)
Cupertino, California
July 1, 2012 8:22pm CST
Last night my husband had a mandatory event for work at a winery. Before attending the event we had limited information - most of which was wrong in traditional military fashion. One piece of information that was left out was the food. Whn we arrive we find out that it's BBQ. Not only s it BBQ but the only non-meat infused side was coleslaw (evn the madhed potatoes had bacon). I told my husband to just eat and daughter (she's 2, doesnt care for BBQ) and I would eat coleslaw and we would split her snacks until we got home We had only planned to stay maybe a hour; the location was 30 minutes from our house and it didn't start until 6, so not eating a lot of food wouldn't be a big deal.
Instead he chose to walk around check in with a few people so we could leave (he later said he was trying to be considerate by not eating). The first 2 people we spoke with had no issue with leavin since they were eating and leaving. However, when they asked my husband why we weren't eating he said that I'm a vegetarian and that our daughter doesn't like BBQ. Here is what these guys said:
#1"how can you be a vegetarian and be with someone in the military ? We like meat". My response was that almost all of our meals are vegetarian anyway, so it wasn't hard to convert and that my husband prefers vegetarian or vegan dinners. (for almost all of the last 4 years we have lived in California, produce is super cheap and easy to get)
#2 "I'm sorry....that you are a vegetarian" which I just laughed off, but I wanted to punch the guy in the face.
My husband says I should be mad that they were trying to break the ice, that the guys are just 'that way', are jerks, and to disregard what they say.
Would you be mad? Why or why not?
2 people like this
6 responses
@allyoftherain (7208)
• United States
2 Jul 12
I would be pretty miffed as well. I'm also a vegetarian and I get comments like that all the time myself. #1) We're made to eat meat! God made animals so we could eat them! #2) You can't get all your nutrition being a vegetarian, where do you get your protein? #3) What do you usually eat?
The last one is probably the most annoying because it still astounds me that people can't think of dishes that have no meat in them. The first one, I'm never sure what to say for but it's usually something to the tune of, "Well, I doubt Adam and Eve were eating their pets in the garden." And the second one is just ignorance about the vegetarian diet. It's actually very safe, and can be entirely nutritionally adequate.
I try to shake it off most of the time. I'm happy not eating meat. I don't miss it in the least.
1 person likes this
@sedel1027 (17846)
• Cupertino, California
5 Jul 12
Thank you for your comment and support. It's really weird to have people comment on my lifestyle - especially here in California lol I had never met anyone with that reaction before. Guess I just surround myself with quality people.
1 person likes this
@allyoftherain (7208)
• United States
5 Jul 12
I guess you do! I live in Texas, and some people here seem to think that I need to live by the stereotype of brisket-loving barbecuing cowboys or something. There are plenty of vegetarians here of course, but I guess people who love stereotypes don't want to read memos.
@sedel1027 (17846)
• Cupertino, California
6 Jul 12
We lived in Texas for about 9 months after being in Monterey, Ca for about 2 1/2 years. We were pretty much in the desert. We had to change our eating habits for the worse just because of what was available to us.
1 person likes this
@oindy54 (3445)
• India
2 Jul 12
First let me say that I am a non-vegetarian. But there is no reason why people should give you those stupid and nasty comments. Apparently some people have nothing to do except COMMENT. They seem to have an opinion about everything. Why don't such people just keep their opinions to themselves! I would be as mad as you if I were in a similar situation. The kind of diet you choose to have is entirely your personal decision. Why should someone say he is sorry that you are a vegetarian! He obviously tried to show his sarcasm by such a statement. Sadly, some people are incorrigible and they will never mend their ways but I felt bad to read that they have commented like this. Just think it's your life, your choice and forget about these jerks. Your hubby is right. Just ignore them.
1 person likes this
@sedel1027 (17846)
• Cupertino, California
5 Jul 12
Thank you oindy 
I believe that was my husbands point - that the guy was just sarcastic. I'm just not used to being treated that way. I don't surround myself with people that act that way.
I believe that was my husbands point - that the guy was just sarcastic. I'm just not used to being treated that way. I don't surround myself with people that act that way.
@Dominique25 (9460)
• United States
2 Jul 12
Yeah i would be upset as well. So many people have their misguided feelings about vegetarians. It's sad that they often voice them as well. There always seems to be someone who has something negative to say. It can be really hard to ignore those types of people and at other times it's a good idea to speak up.
@sedel1027 (17846)
• Cupertino, California
5 Jul 12
Had the situation been different, I would have said something. I'm not a person to just keep quiet lol However, since I know these guy already don't like my husband (he is injured so he can't work out with them and he is exempt from almost all of the training), I held my tongue.
@subhojit10 (7375)
• India
6 Jul 12
Yeah even i have often witness this situation wherein people throw potshots on people having veg. i mean what is such a deal with people having veg.
They are also normal people as non-veggies.
@Kashidanga1971 (1354)
• Bangladesh
2 Jul 12
Vegetables helps us keep a bouncy mood. It helps us realise truths and totality.
1 person likes this
