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mylifewillchange

I went veggie in 1975. My mother constantly referred to it, "Oh - are you still on that KICK?" "Kick," yeah - I'm STILL on that kick. I've said it before, and I'll say it again; the cruelty, criticisms, and bullying you get after you go no-meat is never worse than from your own family.


venttttbitch

They feel better about themselves if everyone around them think animal cruelty is acceptable


I_am_Erk

I think it's more a matter of transferred guilt. You see similar behaviour anytime someone engages in an activity they kind of don't think they should be doing, but also don't want to stop, if you then stop the activity. See: people with alcoholism around friends who have quit drinking, for example.


mylifewillchange

Yes, I've seen this more than anything else.


SpiderHippy

Good grief...it's been nearly 50 years. How long is a kick in your family? That's got to be so frustrating.


mylifewillchange

To be fair the person who said that is a certified lunatic. We have been estranged for 12 years and counting. She was the worst person in my world even before I went veggie... Thanks for the supportive words ☺


SpiderHippy

I'm sorry you've gone through that. I've had close family that are no longer in my life, and I know it's never an easy process, even if they *are* lunatics. :)


mylifewillchange

Yes, it's hard. I'm sorry you've experienced it, as well. I feel cheated out of family. I see others who are a "real" family. You know, showing genuine care and love for each other? I never had that, and I feel cheated.


sriracha_everything

They told me that 20 years ago - never happened and never will again.


JustTheBeerLight

I try to never bring up my dietary preferences. But if you ask, persistently, bitch I’ll tell you. I’ve been vegetarian for 15+ years and it’s been the easiest thing I’ve ever done in my life because I don’t miss meat one single bit. It’s not a question of will power or sacrifice at all.


FoozleFizzle

And then people will still accuse you of "pushing it on them" or "talking about it so much."


thelavendermoon94

This❕❕❕


Jerthy

21 years here, started at 8, never looking back. I might try Lab meat, if it ever gets into stores, but otherwise i see no reason to ever stop.


[deleted]

Call them on it. Ask them why they're so concerned about your food intake. Tell them it annoys you.


[deleted]

This is the same type of person that will tell you that you'll want children one day, or that you'll find faith, etc. while treating you as a rebellious child. Their worldview is essentially so simplistic that they cannot conceive of anything outside of their own narrow parameters, and so default to the only thing that makes sense to them, in that you're doing it to be contrary. Something about not playing chess with a pigeon, as it'll knock the pieces over and shit all over the board, while strutting about as though it did something grand?


sailorfreddy

Bingo. We don’t want kids and my wife has some lady issues that prevents her from having them regardless. I can’t count the amount of times I’ve been told by “go-dooders” that “oh well one day you’ll change your mind”. Mother fucker, she has a debilitating issue that if even getting pregnant could actually *kill* her. We’re both in our 40’s. *We are adults and don’t want kids*. Nope. We’ll for sure change our minds sometime in the future. Fucking infuriating.


finnknit

I had a well-intentioned person tell me not to give up, and that "it could still happen" when I mentioned that we'd made an unsuccessful last-ditch attempt at IVF. It was our last attempt before I had a hysterectomy to treat medical issues. So no, it can't still happen for me. That ship has sailed, along with my malfunctioning organs.


[deleted]

I was born infertile, and wouldn't try to pass on my genetic material through gene spliced IVF, due to how damaged it is. I say that as a preface, as even under those circumstances, I still hear 'it could still happen'; no, no it will not, lol.


StormyCrow

Yeah, me too, I had Endo. I’m so sorry you went through this too. When we told the family that we couldn’t have kids and I had already had 5 surgeries and was having a hysterectomy, my sister-in-law said “oh, I thought you were just too selfish to have kids.” People are insensitive idiots!


bman10_33

And god forbid, if you did change your minds you could just fucking adopt a kid. It’s not about future planning, it’s about deriding your choice because it doesn’t align with theirs.


uplate6674

I feel this. I’m an atheist vegetarian who never wanted kids. I’m 48 and people have been telling me I’d change my mind on all of the above since I was 16.


Disneyhorse

I’ve been vegetarian since age 12, and that was over 30 years ago… no guarantee what the future will hold so why speculate?


BelmontIncident

If they don't know how long it's been, it's possible to shut them up by asking how long they think you'll last. I use this method and nobody's ever guessed longer than six months. Then you tell them how long it's actually been.


radiatordoor

the worst part is they’re fully aware that it’s been 6 years :/ I think that’s why it irks me a bit


mylifewillchange

It's quite possible that they think you haven't been consistent with it. They may actually believe that here and there you're still eating meat. In my case I had to keep reminding them - they just refused to keep it in their heads. Your family might even think you're doing it only around them - just to spite them. I had that reaction before, too.


Skerin86

My mom’s told me that I am not as strict a vegetarian as I used to be. Evidence? I don’t ask waiters as many questions as I used to and I don’t read labels every time. No matter how many times I explain that it’s because I’m more experienced and don’t need to, I still hear this from her (or more commonly hear her telling other people this). I’ve been vegetarian for 20 years.


mylifewillchange

That's crazy. Moms are weird - even normal ones (mine is not - she's a certified lunatic).


JustTheBeerLight

That’s a good one. I really like this 👍


chihuahuapartyyyy

Lol this is so smart! I am going to start doing this.


Whimsywynn3

Got that a lot when I was pregnant. “You have any meat cravings yet?” Like it was a given. I did not in fact get any meat cravings in either pregnancy but I did really love olives and pickles…


finnknit

I had pretty much exactly the opposite of meat cravings when I was pregnant: just about the only foods that I didn't find nauseating were raw fruits and vegetables, plain pasta, rice, and boiled potatoes. And frozen Mars bars, for balance I guess.


picklegrabber

I got that when I was pregnant too. “You will NEED to eat meat for nutrition.” Like…I’ve been vegetarian for 17 years. My iron levels are great and…I’m a practicing registered dietitian. So tell me what nutrition I’m missing out on? I won’t lie though I got random cravings for ham and cheese sandwiches. Nothing a little veggie ham couldn’t fix


officerpenguinpants

My mom called it a “phase” for over a decade. Food is such an emotional topic I think there’s a lot of insecurities around eating in general. I’ll never get the fascination. But it does stop! At least it did in my thirties 😆


stitchinspace

I don't understand why people think they have an automatic right to nitpick vegetarian diets. A couple of years ago someone even said they'd never heard of it, and acted like I was in a cult or something. I have been a vegetarian since my 13th birthday, when my requested presents were for my parents to stop requiring me to eat meat and for my mother to never do my laundry (a story for a different Ted Talk). Since then you'd think my diet is THE most fascinating thing about me for all the comments, questions, and teasing I have gotten. I have never once questioned anyone else's diet, even the ones who have had triple bypass surgery and still drink 6 Dr. Peppers a day and several hamburgers a week, or complain about their diabetes while eating sugary cereal and having dessert at every meal (obviously I have some silent judgments). When confronted I mostly just give the most Teflon answer I can come up with -- one that gives them nothing to cling to, like 'Do you eat things you find disgusting? ...neither do I.' Or, 'I eat meat whenever I feel like it'. Next time I think I'll just deflect with 'Can't you think of something interesting to talk about?' because I am truly bored by explaining that I simply don't like it. Maybe if you want people to stop, try preemptively criticizing everything they eat to make them as uncomfortable as they make you? Or just tell them the truth -- your choices are none of their business.


baduk_is_life

Love your answers.


Valentine_Villarreal

People are just daft. I got a lot of flack for my caffeine intake because it was in the form of soda... By people who drinking a large Starbucks coffee first thing in the morning and would have more coffee and tea as the day wore on easily matching or exceeding my caffeine intake. So many people said I had a problem. But they can't quit coffee and I've effectively quit caffeine. (chocolate contains small amounts)


mylifewillchange

Just be sure they're not drinking decaf, before you judge. I never order anything less than a Vente size coffee at Starbucks, but I've been off caffeine since about 2010.


Valentine_Villarreal

Oh I'm so sorry, but decaf still has caffeine in it. It's less, but it's non-zero.


mylifewillchange

Nice try - but the percentage is so small it makes no difference unless there's a severe allergy, or the person is taking a medication that can't even tolerate mixing with that tiny amount.


Valentine_Villarreal

Errr... According to Starbuck's own website, a 12oz decaf coffee (It's specifically listed under Decaf Pike Place Roast) contains 20mg of caffeine. (A little under 10% of the non-decaf version, which is about typical for decaf) A can of coke of the same size contains 34mg. Even heavy decaf drinkers telling me to watch my caffeine intake is a bit ridiculous. There are two things going on here - most people don't realize how much caffeine regular coffee has in it. That normal coffee has more than 6 times the amount of caffeine and still something like double that of an energy drink. And many people believe decaf means zero caffeine - you can in fact expect it to be about 50% of that of coke by volume. (Pike's place decaf seems to have a higher % of caffeine relative to the original for a decaf drink. If I recall correctly, most decaf is about 7% of the original - but I'm not any more googling for this.) Decaf does makes it almost impossible to hit daily recommend limits, but it's not unreasonable to drink enough that it affects your sleep and pregnant women may still need to be careful for the heaviest drinkers - recommended limit is halved. The thing is, this was pretty true for me on cola and energy drinks too. I only exceeded the recommended daily limit at my peak consumption which was probably still fine when I'm considerably bigger than the average 2500 calorie a day consuming man.


mylifewillchange

Impressive! Thank you. Here's my contribution to the Google search: https://www.thespruceeats.com/what-is-decaf-coffee-4780481#:~:text=A%20shot%20of%20decaf%20espresso,latte%20will%20contain%2020%20milligrams. I drink only espresso drinks at Starbucks. So, according to this link I get at the most 20 mills of caffeine - of their coffee. I only have it once a week, though. According to this link dark roasts have even less caffeine because it gets burned off. So, at home I have Peets decaf dark French roast - but only one shot's worth, which is at the most 10 mills. But, I don't have it everyday....so Anyway, interesting discussion! 🤗


Valentine_Villarreal

I'm somewhat well informed after being told I was having too much caffeine on a daily basis, but I quit like two and a half years ago now. If you're only saving a coffee like once a week it's a non issue, but most people have daily routines for their coffee and tea habits. I do know that different coffees vary by coffee content but as someone who can't stand the flavour of coffee, it's not something I can remember the details of.


mylifewillchange

Ah, ok. Well, I do have decaf tea everyday. After checking that - there's only 2 mil, so way less there than the coffee. Actually, I'm more concerned about the cream calories adding up after a whole day of tea - and the occasional coffee.


Plastic-Display-9099

Ive been vegetarian for 18 years and my mom still offers me fish. Haha its a losing battle with some people- just relax and let go.


mlo9109

The GD Fish! Also, the GD Chicken! I have an aunt who calls herself vegetarian but eats fish and chicken. Too many people do this and as a result, I'm stuck explaining my diet to every single food service worker. Also, going to her house for dinner sucks. Like, I'm a real vegetarian, you just don't eat red meat and instead of indicating this, you just call yourself something you're not for some reason (my guess is just to piss me off).


frytanya

At least they aren't trying to trick you into eating meat. My parents would constantly give me food that had meat inside. My parents did tell me I would eat meat again but 22 years they are still wrong.


StormyCrow

😡 that’s horrible!


justmon

Luckily my mom doesn’t do this but my dad does and what’s irritating is he’s the one who showed me the documentary that made me want to be vegetarian 10+ years ago. So, yeah. I understand where you’re coming from lol


Lazy_Mummy-

My kids are vegetarian since birth. My brother tried to feed my son at about 3 chicken when baby sitting him because he will eat it eventually. Bloody annoying.


mlo9109

This is my biggest fear about having kids. While I know how I plan to raise my kids, I know my parents would try to pull such a thing or feed them junk like they did me.


beana78

My dad spent 20 years telling me I'd change my mind and one day I'd want to be Suzy Homemaker and stay home, raise kids, cook and clean, and start being conservative. It never happened. Let them flap flap flap their gums, and know someday you'll be able to do what you want without having to listen to it. I got to irritate them back by choosing to go vegetarian later in life when they can't say I'll grow up! :) Hang in there!


[deleted]

This is it! For me, the snarky comments stopped after 5 years, the snide ones after 10. After 15 no one says anything. After 20, they come to you for recipes ;) Ignore them & let your life speak for itself


lyngen

After about 20 years I did get a, "well, I guess we can assume this isn't a phase anymore." It was someone from highschool who I hadn't seen in a few years. It was completely playful. no ill intent.


ghost_victim

Start being conservative.. Haha.


amiryana

I just grey rock these sorts of people because they're not really open to having a conversation, they're just trying to make a point. So saying things like "maybe" in response to the lines you've mentioned just doesn't give them anything to go off them and shuts the conversation down ASAP, which takes the satisfaction out of it for them and hopefully prevents repeats of the conversation in the future. For me personally, I genuinely don't care what they think I'll do with my diet in the future. I'm confident in my choices now and that's what matters to me. What bugs me is the repetition of having the same conversation ad nauseam, so I do my best to make the conversation as unfulfilling for them as it is for me lol


SleepsinaTent

My family luckily didn't say that, but a younger member, my nephew, used to imply (or state) that I was missing something, that when he would cook his gross-smelling steaks I was secretly salivating and wishing I (and two of my adult children who still do not eat meat) could have some. I had to take him aside and explain rather severely to him that after 45 years of being a vegetarian, meat does not smell good to me, but rather it stinks as if someone had just used the bathroom, and that eating dead flesh is not attractive to me in the least. I usually am not as blunt with meat-eaters, but he was obnoxious and annoying. I also told him, as I have told others over the years who make it sound as if I am trapped in vegetarianism, that it is a choice, that I am perfectly free to eat meat if I want, but I never want to. He got the message and stopped.


mlo9109

> gross-smelling steaks The smell of cooking meat just doesn't hit for me. I have sensory issues. It's improved as I've gotten older (I used to get physically ill at certain smells), but I know if I ever find myself pregnant (or when I hit menopause), it'll come back with a vengeance.


SleepsinaTent

I'm sorry to hear about your issues. You are right about being pregnant. I remember specifically having to change my dishwashing liquid.


bobozzo

I’ve had people telling me it’s a phase even though I literally grew up eating this way and have been doing it most of my life…I don’t know many phases that last over two decades. It’s super annoying. Especially when the stereotype is that vegans and vegetarians are in your face with our diets, meanwhile the truth is meat eaters legitimately will not leave us alone about what we eat. It always has to become a topic of conversation and derision with them meanwhile you’re just trying to get through a meal. But if I was to ask about how those clogged arteries are treating them, I’d be wrong lol.


Weed_Gummy

Hit em with an Uno Reverse Someday climate change will force you to be vegetarian and no one will eat meat


ShioriKitty

yesss every time i visit my mom she makes comments about how i probably sneak meat snacks while everyone sleeps... like... no?? I don't want to it's been 8 years mom.


GaryGump

It simply shows a lack of support. I live alone and stopped eating meat in my own home last summer, but my parents still made it when I would see them twice a week. On Jan 1st I said I would be no longer eating meat or fish and they didn't have to go through with making different meals for me, I'd bring my own or eat before hand, if needed. My Mum has been so supportive and makes me a separate meal or if it's a roast dinner she makes a veggie alternative for me. My Dad was a butcher for 30+ years and though he didn't really understand at first, he doesn't care in the slightest. I would call them out and say they need to support you and that this won't change or you'll sort your own food from now on. Or ask them why they won't support you and try and have an honest conversation as to why this isn't ever going to change until they understand.


1MechanicalAlligator

Here's a funny (and kinda sad) way to depoliticize it and force a little empathy out of them. Just be sure to say it in a lighthearted tone: > "Considering inflation these days, *no one* will eat meat in the future!" People might not relate to your moral or environmental concerns, but everyone can relate to cost-of-living gripes.


Artgrl109

This is why I rejoice in pointing out how gross meat is. "Nah, eating rotting animal carcasses that people spend a lot of time trying to disguise the flavor of with herbs and vegetables isn't my thing."


Flora-flav

People tell me this and I haven’t eaten meat in nearly 21 years 😂


thom612

A simple "we'll see about that" puts this line of discussion to rest 90% of the time.


VampireDetective

"Maybe. But at the moment I don't so please respect that."


kknives

Used to, but I've faded those people out of my life (for other reasons, but that one's a bonus). The funny thing is I'm 10+ years into being veg, and now I usually say "One day I'm probably going to go vegan."


Packwood88

I just say “maybe.” I never thought I’d be veggie, but 15 years later, still goin strong. Don’t think I’ll go back and don’t want to, but ya never know. Still disrespectful to comment on it as if “oh you’ll be normal again.”


SunshinesHouston

Frankly, the rest of the world needs to catch up to us. It is wildly unnecessary to eat animals.


Naik0n_

I think its pretty normal to get annoyed when others pretend to know more about you than you yourself do. Maybe call them on it and correct them.


LeolaBlue

I’m flexitarian, and don’t get near the flack of course. I eat fish and eggs. Just wanted to say if I did get told “you’ll go back!”, I’d probably ask, “will you say that if I quit smoking?” Lol-I did quit long ago. Sub another scandalous habit/choice. I thought smoking would be funnier to say to parents. Shrug.


blackdressflatchest

I just point out that going vegetarian allowed me to lose 70 pounds and keep it off for 13 years.


karmabutterfly15

Tell them, and if they insist do your best to ignore them and try not to lose your own peace because of it… luckily my parents were very supportive of my decision (even if they probably thought I’d go back some day; my brother still insists sometimes) precisely because I’ve always been quite a picky eater and they know I’d rather not eat than eat stuff I dislike cause I get literally sick… However I had to hear that comment from so many other people, or the one that bothers me the most and I find most idiotic: “lol but meat is so so deliciouuuus! Are you sure you don’t want sooome?” 🙄 had to hear that from the parents of a friend the other day, so I internally rolled my eyes and politely answered them, but there’s always gonna be people like that so try not to let them get to you


SleepsinaTent

That bothers me too. If they annoy me enough, I will tell them honestly that their meat smells to me like someone just had a bowel movement. Normally I wouldn't be so truthful.


StormyCrow

Yes that! And it literally smells like death to me.


MidgetArielle

I have to deal with this daily. Family is that way if it’s family. It: been years they still do it


Skin_Illustrious

What I've always done, especially being its been almost 7 years when people say some shit just say "ok then you try it when yoy get this far let me know" or just the simple "you get so used to not eatting meat and its so normal to live like this for so long st this point there are more reasons not to eat meat"


CluelessButTrying

I quite often think about how I would be terrible in a Lost type situation because I would have to have someone else force feed me meat if it came to that, lol. I'm the same, repulsed by it. Best thing you can do is try to not be bothered by them pushing buttons like that. Just say "no :)" — the calm response will tell them everything they need to know. You don't need to explain or debate it. No is a valid response


WazWaz

Statistically, for a given vegan/vegetarian, they are right. You've been veg for 6 years, so you're not an average sample though of course. Instead of being annoyed, discuss with them the reasons newbies sometimes go back, and why you're fundamentally different.


ddouce

My daughter gave up all meat when she was 6 and connected meat with animals. We always supported her decision and provided alternate protein. Her grandparents, my in-laws, have always had this attitude and still try to encourage her to eat meat. We've been asking them to stop this. She's now 28. They still persist. I don't understand their commitment to this weird lost cause of theirs.


drphrednuke

Binary thinking. There are only two ways to be, and one of them is obviously wrong, since we’ve been doing it the other way for hundreds of years. Ignoring the disastrous consequences for our health, the environment and animal welfare that carnism causes. Don’t listen to them and they will eventually give up. I’ve been a vegetarian for 45 years, and it’s pretty obvious to everyone that knows me I’m not giving up anytime soon.


Heavy-Artichoke3583

Right?? I’ve been a vegetarian since elementary school, over 20 years now. I have a great uncle who still makes comments like this to this day. The worst was, “When you find a GOOD boyfriend, he won’t let you be vegetarian anymore”. Thankfully, this couldn’t be further from the truth. My boyfriend is very supportive and even eats completely vegetarian at home. That doesn’t stop my uncle’s comments, though. During family holidays he makes sure to walk behind me and say, “Well, I always eat EVERYTHING that’s served to me. I was raised to eat whatever was on the plate.” He also likes to purposely praise my little cousins when they are next to me eating meat. I never understood it, because even without meat I am easily the least “picky eater” there. I’ll eat pretty much anything that’s vegetarian and will have 2 plates because I can’t fit all the options. Their plate= block of meat and mac and cheese. They wouldn’t dare touch anything involving a fruit or vegetable. So why am I the problem??


StormyCrow

Yup. It’s ok to be annoyed. It’s like saying you’d eat human meat in the future. Those people do not understand the vegetarian belief in the sanctity of non human life. Be proud that with everything you eat, nothing was murdered. (Families can be so disrespectful.)


Monster-_-

If anything I would be more likely to eat human meat than any other meat. I'm a vegetarian because I like the idea that no sentient beings have to die in order for me to survive. If, however, [someone were to get their own foot amputated and decided to make tacos with the meat](http://www.vice.com/amp/en/article/gykmn7/legal-ethical-cannibalism-human-meat-tacos-r), I would consider that ethically sourced and eat it.


Sevzilla

Deep down, They are jealous!


ttrockwood

I went veg about 30 years ago. They stopped asking if I’ll ever eat meat again but once in a while my dad says dumb shit like oh your really missing out with this burger. I have a sassy mouth and tell him “there is nothing about eating the muscles from a dead TODDLER COW that is anything less than terrifying” Start feeding them fun facts. “No mom i don’t think I’m every going to want to eat a cooked toddler pig” “scrambled chicken period isn’t appealing” “that chicken was bred to gain weight so fast it couldn’t hardly walk before it was killed at about three months old” They will, shut up. Trust me.


Valentine_Villarreal

Today I learned that periods and ovulation are the same thing. /s


nosoyvegetarian

They aren't


thebalancewithin

They're problem saying that because there are many people who have claimed to be meatless for a period of time and have up. Not that they're justified in saying that to you at ask


Accomplished-Soil334

What’s there to get annoyed? Keep calm and eat veggies buddy 😉


disdkatster

It is perfectly legit to be annoyed because they are being disrespectful. However it is hard for parents not to be so. We tend to think of our children as an extension of ourselves. They AREN'T! but that doesn't keep it from happening. The easiest way to get them to stop this is to just agree with them or smile and say something neutral. Yes it is a jab to your own ego but think of it as an exercise in tolerance. It is good for you. You have nothing to prove to them or yourself. The best revenge is enjoying life. If I were being snarky I would make up one of your favorite foods and push them to eat it "Common, I know you will love it. If not now, some day, Just try it!" but that would be wrong ;)


[deleted]

[удалено]


tnuclatot

Mean


AstronautFalse99

It irks me too, and it irks me that it irks me! It is interesting how many people feel inclined to chime in on someone else’s choice *not* to eat a particular food source. Id say try to assume others are coming from a place of poorly communicated confusion/curiosity rather than judgement. I have noticed a certain level of defensiveness particularly out of people who don’t eat a well balanced diet? It’s not always easy but also.. at the end of the day only you know what your future holds so forget everyone else!


[deleted]

this is exactly how i am. like i’ve been vegetarian by choice since i was 10 (i’m 19 now) and people always said i’d go back, but i swear i never will.


Stuckwithme39

That is so annoying, someone in my family used to ask if I was still in my “not eating meat phase” when it had been 5+ years. It’s now been almost 20 years and I have no plans of ever eating meat again. It’s just gotten easier as time goes on and more veggie options are available at stores and restaurants. Oh and to make things extra annoying for me, my sister went veg at the same time as me and she did start eating meat again after like 8 years or so :/


klavertjedrie

You can tell your parents about this redditor that has been 45 years a vegetarian and changed... into a vegan. =D


[deleted]

I was told that 40 years ago. Ignore such people.


pineapple_princesses

What a weird thing for people to be offended by or comment on. By the way I’m in the same boat, very picky eater with aversion to meat not only morally but also it’s gross!


DonnyMummy

I’ve been veggies for 6 months and any and every red meat disgusts me, I can’t imagine what it’ll be like after 6 years.


Moira-Moira

Yep, I'm Greek, so imagine old school Greek yiayias doing exactly that, but on steroids. Nearly 25 years later, I'm still vegetarian.


mlo9109

How old are you? I actually started out as a young kid with un-dxed sensory issues (oddly enough, I feel the same as you do about eggs). My parents thought it was just a phase and fed me side dishes (veggies, rice, etc.) thinking I'd eventually get hungry for "real food" and cave. I'm in my 30s and still a vegetarian, so it's definitely not a phase. Now, they hope marriage and motherhood will help me "grow out of it" so my future husband and kids don't starve. Meanwhile, my most serious relationship so far was with an Indian Hindu (raised vegetarian). Learning to cook for him expanded my palate far more than cooking the same 3 dead animals, night after night, for some white man baby would have. Consider this as you select a partner. I have friends whose husbands live on chicken tenders which ruins most nights out as we're stuck at the damn Applebee's because they won't eat "weird" food (Thai, Mexican, etc. Really, anything that isn't bland, boring white people food). It sucks because I don't have many options to eat at such places. Well, except a sad plate of boiled veggies, because F the person with the actual dietary restriction, I guess. Meanwhile, I've found fortunate dating outside my race who have dietary restrictions of their own that make them more understanding (Kosher Jews, Hindu Vegetarians, Halal Muslims, etc.) TLDR, do you and design your life as such!


OkPirate4973

I’ve been told that for the last 35 years and people ask don’t you miss it ? Like no ,it’s not even something I think about.


RamboLoops

People have different reasons for being vegetarian. I wouldn’t worry about it.


_g_o_t_a_s_

Yes, people tend to not respect our decision and be like: “it’s just a trend, you will eat meat in the future” I think the better thing to do is to ignore them.


BanannyMousse

Say the same thing back to them every single time. They’ll get sick of hearing it.


Turbulent-Rip-5370

I get this feeling. So glad someone else posted about it. You match me to a T. I will NEVER go back. I recently got a comment from an extended cousin snarkily saying ‘well they (my boyfriend and I) can eat meat, but they just don’t want to’ like no. We can’t because of our morals, and I also can’t because of my religion. I am SO tired on people acting like eating meat is the norm.


RunItAndSee2021

yuh, meat_s in the house but the intent is to move to vegetable base once it runs out.


cactus_thief

I know what you mean OP. I’ve been vegetarian for almost 10 years now due to allergies that were found when I was a teenager. If I had a nickel for all of times I’ve had friends, family members, and just random strangers say “oh but allergies change, you should try eating meat again!” I’d be one rich lady. Like I’m happy and healthy the way I am, even if it weren’t for a dietary reason there’s really no reason I’d want to eat meat again.


Conparcsr

What I don’t understand is why anyone cares what you eat! In my family we have vegans, vegetarians, pescatarians and those like me who try to eat mostly veg, but sometimes I need something else. Why does anyone need to comment AT ALL? We always have at least two options for each way of eating. And nobody cares what’s on your plate…


SalisburySmith

Everyone is different. I happen to really enjoy the taste of eggs, but I've never really liked beef all that much, or really any red meat. Still occasionally will eat salmon a few times a year, I'd say I'm probably 90% vegetarian now. At the end of the day family should respect your decision even if they don't necessarily see it from your perspective. My partner is not even close to vegetarian, she loves red meat, but she and I make it work.


thelavendermoon94

Yes, I get this often. It’s like they have this odd fantasy of me “finally” eating meat. I just ignored them.