Guest guest Posted January 25, 2005 Report Share Posted January 25, 2005 someone said it here a while back. When someone hears you are a vegetarian right away it puts them on the defense in their own mind. Feelings of guilt come in, and to deal with that they give you a strong offense.Everybody's personalities and situations are different. I read some hysterical responses here in the group, but they may not all be possible depending upon who you are talking to. Ya know what the best thing to do is? It's nothing. just explain it however you want, and if anyone gives you any adversity, or causes you any grief, give them a thankyou in your mind, as they have just given you a big chunk of light and taken some of your karma away. There is no way to fight these people, and in the end you will be the winner. Blessings, Chanda/Maria - GeminiDragon Monday, January 24, 2005 8:16 PM Re: Re: Best ways to deal with meat eaters? Hi denise I have a friend in Mt. Vernon, Iowa and she has a hard time being a vegetarian there. Are you near that area?..Donna organic_homestead <organic_homestead wrote: Marie, I know exactly how you feel. At my last job, my boss said being a vegetarian was unAmerican. And here, in Iowa, a co-worker's husband asked us, " don't you want to be a part of the food-chain? " I've also had people a religious diatribe on why eating meat is a christian duty. Well, I shock them even further by telling them I'm not christian. I feel that most people who are hostile towards those who are different are that way because they feel threatened. People who feel threatened will either use humor or dogma to overpower their target. I'm sure these meat-eaters would never admit to feeling threatened. A couple of responses I give when I'm faced with an ugly interaction. When I'm feeling kind and gentle: " I respect what you say and eat and I only hope that you can respect my personal choice on what I eat and how I choose to live. " When I'm feeling sarcastic or dismissive: " Buddhists (and other religious groups) have been vegetarians for centuries and they live perfectly, healthy lives. " - or- " I don't support the inhumane farming practices and mass murder and filthy slaughtering conditions and until I can raise an animal myself and kill it, I won't eat meat. " When I'm feeling like a know-it-all vegetarian: " Actually more studies show that a vegetarian diet high in fiber and plant protein reduces risks of heart disease, cancer, and diabetes and that there are more risks to eating meat, especially due to the filthy slaughtering practices kept today. " And of course the best suggesting with dealing with an overbearing know-it-all is to just walk away. When I first joined this group, some of us would post on a regular basis silly things meat eaters would say to us trying to tell us we're " wrong. " It was good for me to get it off my chest so I didn't hang on to the feelings and then when I re-read it on the list and people's responses I had a good laugh and felt much better. I hope that helped lighten things up for you. I'm sorry that things can be so difficult but do hang in there. The most important thing is that your husband and son are loving and supporting and that is all that matters. You know that you are doing the right thing for yourself and family. Denise , " Marie " <countrydreamingspirit> wrote: > > Hi all! > I'm new to this board, but must say I really enjoy being here! > I was just wondering if any of you have suggestions on how to deal > with all the overbearing, know-it-all meat eating people in the world > who are > so quick to tell you how wrong you are for being a vegetarian. I would > think that being a vegetarian coupled with my intense belief in > kindness and compassion for all creatures would bring out a kinder, > gentler side to those around me, but in many cases, it brings out the > opposite. I'm not very outspoken in my beliefs unless asked. I'm > non-confrontational in most circumstances. I just feel very alone in > many circles, including work and my extended family. Thank goodness my > husband and son are with me on this and are devoted vegetarians and > animal lovers, too! > Any insight on this would be most appreciated! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 25, 2005 Report Share Posted January 25, 2005 Donna, I just looked on map quest and see that Mt. Vernon is on the eastern side of the state, near Cedar Rapids. We're probably about 4 hours apart. I work in Carroll, which is a town of about 12000, west of Des Moines. I've had people snear and recoil from me when I tell them I'm vegetarian, as if I just said I had leprocy or something. I just laugh. I've gotten to the point in my life that I can't care what everyone thinks about me. In fact I try to be different and " shocking " as it might actually open someone's mind just a little bit. Your friend is very close to Iowa City. Iowa City is a college town (University of Iowa) and seems to be very liberal, from what I've read. There are quite a few vegetarian/vegan restaurants there and some grocery co-ops. Ask her is she's ever eaten at the Red Avocado? Also, James and I started up a as we were moving out here hoping to find people like us. If she's interested in can respond to you privately with the information. Although it's hard being away from my comfort zone of accepting friends back in Portland, I just remind myself that the more people are around us, the more accepting they may become. My co-workers already think of me when they order pizza for lunch or when we have potlucks. And I think I'm the first vegetarian they've met! Denise , GeminiDragon <thelilacflower> wrote: > I have a friend in Mt. Vernon, Iowa and she has a hard time being a vegetarian there. Are you near that area?..Donna > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 25, 2005 Report Share Posted January 25, 2005 Hi Denise, I will ask her about the Red Avocado restaurant. She does have a hard time with many people in her age bracket, she's about 58 yrs old. I know she has a hard time finding the dried ingredients for mixes so I buy them for her out here and mail. I was born and raised in calif and there are tons of vegetarians here. Not so true 25 yrs ago when I started. Thank you, Donna organic_homestead <organic_homestead wrote: Donna, I just looked on map quest and see that Mt. Vernon is on the eastern side of the state, near Cedar Rapids. We're probably about 4 hours apart. I work in Carroll, which is a town of about 12000, west of Des Moines. I've had people snear and recoil from me when I tell them I'm vegetarian, as if I just said I had leprocy or something. I just laugh. I've gotten to the point in my life that I can't care what everyone thinks about me. In fact I try to be different and " shocking " as it might actually open someone's mind just a little bit. Your friend is very close to Iowa City. Iowa City is a college town (University of Iowa) and seems to be very liberal, from what I've read. There are quite a few vegetarian/vegan restaurants there and some grocery co-ops. Ask her is she's ever eaten at the Red Avocado? Also, James and I started up a as we were moving out here hoping to find people like us. If she's interested in can respond to you privately with the information. Although it's hard being away from my comfort zone of accepting friends back in Portland, I just remind myself that the more people are around us, the more accepting they may become. My co-workers already think of me when they order pizza for lunch or when we have potlucks. And I think I'm the first vegetarian they've met! Denise , GeminiDragon <thelilacflower> wrote: > I have a friend in Mt. Vernon, Iowa and she has a hard time being a vegetarian there. Are you near that area?..Donna > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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