What is with the challenges?

[MuseRider]

Man, I had no idea this would happen and was so totally taken aback by it I had no response either time. Twice in one evening, TWICE I had the challenge issued to me. Someone overheard me speaking with a friend at our symphony rehearsal. I was asking him about where he found some things since he is a vegetarian. The next thing I knew someone said, "I hear you are a vegetarian now. Good luck with that. I will be sure to remind you the next time I see you wearing leather shoes." WHAT? I understand what they are saying but why did they feel the need to make this comment? The other came after rehearsal, "I would just bet that your saddles are made of leather hypocrite." I was stunned by this. WTF is this all about? These are not enemies who are looking to fight with me, they are (were?) friends. Is a meatless diet threatening? These are not cattle raisers, just regular folks, music teachers in fact. Why? Does anyone know what this is all about?

I could really not care less what anyone says but am seeking some answers about the why of it and best responses since I fail to understand why it is any of their business.

[silverweb]

1. I think they do feel threatened in a way.

There's been a lot written about environmental and ethical reasons for being a vegetarian or vegan, not just health reasons. I think a lot of meat eaters feel like they're being attacked and judged because of this, so they look for any way of striking back.

It's exactly like anti-environmentalists who don't want to modify their wasteful lifestyles, so they justify themselves by yelling that environmentalists are hypocrites unless we all give up modern conveniences and live off the land. I actually had one such person tell me he hoped that I would have to "eat fire ants off a stick to survive."

It seems irrational, I know, but I really think it's the defensive attack of a conscience that's been poked.

[Ignis]

2. I think most people don't like to be reminded of their choices.

It's far easier to "do nothing" and continue to eat meat than to take an ethical stand for oneself. People don't like to have your choice "rubbed in their faces."

I know, I know--that's ridiculous! But that's how many meat eaters feel. And if you want to understand why they feel that way, I recommend the following book:

Living Among Meat Eaters by Carol J. Adams. There's some stuff in there that I found a little wonky, but my girlfriend absolutely loved the book. She came from a family that was 100% opposed to going veggie, and she had to deal with a lot of guilt and snarky comments at family dinners, and it helped make her transition into being vegetarian much easier.

Hang in there! :hi:

[nankerphelge]

3. Defensive mechanism...

I encounter it frequently, and I am not overt or preachy. At some level people know that there are problems with the inhumane nature of a factory farmed animal diet. People don't like admitting they're wrong - if they can say that someone who is a vegetarian uses leather, they can dismiss or rationalize their own bad feelings about what they're doing. The best response for these people is to have the non-leather option an point out that your shoes, belt, saddle, etc. aren't leather. Leather is easier to eliminate than the meat in your diet.

[flvegan]

4. Ask them if they even know what a vegetarian is.

Most vegetarians have eliminated animal flesh from their diets, but not all animal products from their lives. A proper answer to the charge of "hypocrite" would have been "I'm a vegetarian, not a vegan you dumbass."

[Ignis]

5. Or perhaps ask them if they're wearing any chicken leather?

I mean, since they eat chickens... :eyes:

People are just strange.

[Brazenly Liberal]

6. Another perspective

I think there are a couple of things at play here. First, let's assume someone who says something that ignorant and confrontational is not honestly looking for info on vegetarianism, so educating them would be, imo, a waste of time. YMMV.

1. Believe it or not, they might just be making conversation. It seems there have always been groups it is socially acceptable to ridicule and if we don't like it, we should "get a sense of humor." Right now, we're one of them. It doesn't help that even our Presidential candidate has used "no vegetarians in this campaign" as a throwaway line to amuse workers at a meatpacking plant. It's us and blondes, apparently. For people who fall into this category, I either ignore them or fling 'em a look. I was raised to be a pretty good look flinger and a "what could you possibly be talking about" look, complete with head tilted to one side like a confused beagle, usually shuts them down.

2. Some people are just assholes. When they're not making snarky comments at you about your diet, they're being jerks to someone else about something else. At one time, they heard that tired old leather shoe comment and in their clueless way thought it was freaking brilliant. They're thrilled you came along and gave them an excuse to repeat it as though it were their own sparkling wit. The adult thing to do is to ignore them. The much more fun thing to do is to put on a big smile and say in your most friendly voice, "Oh, that's right. I nearly forgot. Next time I saw you saying something stupid, I was supposed to remind you that you're a moron who should keep his mouth shut in public."

[MuseRider]

7. Thank you all

for your answers.

So far this has not happened since then. It was so odd to me.

I will assimilate all your responses and pick and choose when the time is needed.

[chatnoir]

8. I've been asked the same snarky thing a xillion times

And to them you are either a) a hypocrite if you do indeed wear leather or b) an extremist if you do not.

It's almost a no win situation with these ppl.

[MuseRider]

9. LOL

You are right about that. I had not thought about it that way.

Whatever, I am very proud to be a vegetarian. I certainly feel better emotionally and physically. I don't know how you can beat that!

It took a good long while to be able to get my mind set properly but once it was it was easy easy easy. I can't imagine eating meat now and it has not been that long.

Thanks. I will stay happily on the "hypocritical,extremist" side thank you and I will feel eco and animal friendly and satisfied while doing so. :)