Other questions about vegetarianism

Post Reply New Topic

Ok, I will reword what I wrote as it probably didnt make much sense.

1) Do you think that if a person is vegetarian or doesnt eat a lot of meat and someone cooked them meat, and was offended when they didnt eat it... does that person (the person who served meat) have a right to be offended?

2) do you think that a vegetarian should feel guilty if they are with someone who is eating meat, and that person thinks that vegetarians are on Moral High horses, and then the vegetarian feels guilty about making the meat eater feel uncomfortable about their choice to eat meat?

.

why would they be offended, they didnt realise they were vegetarian and now they know

lol i dont think anyone should feel guilty, just eat.

no and no, avoid guilt by speaking your preference to others

I'm a vegetarian (except that I eat fish, which actually has a word for it, it's called piscatarian) and I have found that being vegetarian makes some people angry, even if you never talk about it or do anything to make other people feel guilty. I don't know if it's because they do feel guilty of their own accord, or if it's because deep down they think you are judging them.

But I don't think that a person who serves meat to a vegetarian should feel offended if the vegetarian doesn't want to eat it. People have a right to eat whatever they want.

On the other hand, the chef Anthony Bourdain, who is famous for liking all kinds of animal products, like intestines, etc. says that vegetarians don't know how to appreciate hospitality. I think there's some truth to that, but once you haven't eaten meat for years, meat is quite disgusting.

I am a seafood eating vegan-ish person.

A gracious host allows their guest freedom, would you force a drink on a non drinker? or someone who has stated they are driving?

If someone eats meat near me it is between them and the beast they are eating and nothing to do with me however nauseous the smell of seared flesh makes me. I am tired of them making excuses, apologies etc...

I find many meat eaters incredibly hostile to even the idea of a rejection of meat eating, it is their problem not mine.

peace j

to OP: no, and no.

yes, meat eaters can be very hostile toward vegetarians .. i think bee is on the money about it.

I'm Lactovegan and it may be annoying when I say this no, that not too, but I don't think it's offending.

I'm used to meateaters, so I'm not offended or guilty, but I must say that meat smells horrible!

There are some famous vegetarians, like His Holiness The Dalai Lama, who choose to eat a meat meal that has been prepared for them to avoid insulting the hosts.

It depends a great deal on the circumstance. If you are the honoured guest in, for example, a Mongolian family gur/yurt, it would be far more polite to at least taste the special meal they prepared than to inadvertently offend them and create bad relations between that family and future international visitors. If a family of poor means goes out of their way to make you a special meal then appreciation is expected for their personal sacrifice of food and money for your comfort and entertainment. If you are having a meal at someone's place who knows you are vegetarian then they may simply have forgotten yor preferences and will more than likely feel bad about it.

Like Bee33, I think many people have some understanding that another living being was killed for their dietary fancy. They are eating the flesh of another being. Something that had blood pumping through it's veins and thoughts going through it's brain.

I am not really one to comment because I have no qualms pointing out to family the economic, environmental and health advantages of going veg. It is not unusual for me to go into great detail in describing the journey of the piece of meat sitting on their plate.

But it all comes down to personal choice and we can not tell people what to do unless it is illegal or unethical.

Personally, I found it offended more people when I refused to drink an alcoholic beverage than asking for a vegetarian meal.

For some cultures the vegetarian diet is a totally alien concept. In their families and communities, nobody would ever consider turning down meat, EVER. When you try and explain in great detail they still don't understand, sometimes they think there is something wrong with your head. It's hard and you just have to excuse their misunderstanding. And sometimes you just have to compromise. If it's good enough for His Holiness then it's good enough for me, strickly for diplomacy.

I'm referring to personal experience from travels off the tourist trails. Sitting in huts, caves and tents with families who earn as much in 1 year as I earn in 1 day. Drinking salty yak butter tea that makes you gag, being served the choicest slab of pig lard on a banana leaf as the honoured guest of tribal ceremonies. Urgh! The guilt doesn't stick with you forever.

It is a very different matter when they try feeding you a protected species. That's where I draw the line, no diplomacy. They should be made to feel guilty about killing a protected animal. I report them.

For those who know you, and know you're vegetarian, especially if you have politely reminded them you don't eat meat when they have invited you to dinner, forget about them. They're probably antagonising you or don't give a toss about your comfort and needs.

India is a great place for veggos! lots of vegetarian options. Many hindus and buddhists are full vegetarian and vegan. Perhaps you can try religious or philosophical reasoning.

Some autistics and aspergers suffer severe bowel irritation/inflamation and digestive problems, sometimes worse after consuming animal products and by-products. So perhaps health reasons will help them understand.

I'm not diplomatic when it comes to white westerners, they know what a vegetarian is. It's easier to be blunt once so they remember than apologetic when they keep forgetting. In the case of family, I make dinner for them and everytime they're totally blown away by the flavour and variety. If it's a BBQ I bring my own veggie burgers and a salad to share. So much easier.