Best ways to deal with meat eaters? Hi denise

[Guest guest]

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!

 

 

 

 

 

[Guest guest]

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

>

[Guest guest]

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

>