What do you say when someone asks why you are vegetarian?

[Gertie, Please use clickable text links for book titles! :-)]

Not the long explanation you might give while writing, but the short verbal response you give when someone asks why you don't eat meat.

[Jess]

I usually respond with something general like "I went vegetarian for all the major reasons that people choose to go vegetarian: My health, the environment, and animal rights." If they ask me more, I'll elaborate. I never respond with anything that sounds judgment or confrontational, since no one likes being spoken to that way, and it's never going to win anyone over.

[Gertie, Please use clickable text links for book titles! :-)]

I think tone of voice is pretty important.

[Josh]

I usually just tell people it was for health reasons. Those who I know better I will go into more detail for.

[H]

I usually quote George Bernard Shaw: 'Animals are my friends... And I don't eat my friends.' Or I say I am vegan for a variety of reasons: ethical, environmental, health etc.

[Jon]

Jess wrote: "I usually respond with something general like "I went vegetarian for all the major reasons that people choose to go vegetarian: My health, the environment, and animal rights." If they ask me more, ..."

Hear hear! I think only a soft approach does any good.

[H]

Has any of you been met with severe criticism after being asked about your eating habits?

[Jess]

Once in a while somebody comes back with an unprovoked criticism or insulting remark. I usually ask them to be respectful and non-judgmental since I never give people a hard time about what they eat, and I expect the same courtesy. It's pretty rare that that happens, though. Overall I try not to surround myself with people who would act that way in the first place. :)

[H]

That's refreshing to hear, Jess! I come from a culture where food=love, and when I don't eat their food because it's not vegan, people get upset. I try to explain myself, but they try to offer compromises. Like eating something egg-glazed, or with chicken stock, as if I would suddenly change my ethics there and then.

[Trish]

Gertie wrote: "Not the long explanation you might give while writing, but the short verbal response you give when someone asks why you don't eat meat."

It depends on how it is asked. If it's confrontational I've learned to give shorter and sweeter answers like :"I no longer feel comfortable eating something that has a face." If the question is asked by someone who TRULY wants to know, then I might elaborate my reasons...which are health, environment and of course animal rights.

[Trish]

Lunar Lunacy wrote: "Has any of you been met with severe criticism after being asked about your eating habits?"

Yes! I have some friends of friends that are truly ignorant on the subject of Vegetarian/Vegan diets/lifestyles. The worst it has EVER gotten was when I got into a heated debate with a male friend of my husbands. I ended up challenging the man to show me his all his medical records for heart/diabetes/cholesterol, etc..and I would show him mine. I bet him that my records were better then his - even tho I'm not 'skinny'. I also told him to never again insult me to my face. I consider Vegetarianism like my religion and I would NEVER intentionally go after someone because I didn't approve of their religion.

[Miriam]

1. I don't agree with mass murder
2. I love animals and see them as my equals (and I don't believe they exist for humanities selfish desires)
3. I believe that we are naturally herbivores and there is extensive evidence to prove so

[Gertie, Please use clickable text links for book titles! :-)]

Welcome. :-)

Corpses indeed! Not that we are "allowed" to use that word without crossing some line, even though it is simple fact. A lot of people find it distasteful to be reminded of what they are eating, but then that just shows their reality isn't lined up with what they want to believe.

[Gertie, Please use clickable text links for book titles! :-)]

Oh I don't have an answer here... I tell folks "for ethical reasons" or "I don't want to kill something just because it tastes good", depending on audience. They don't like that second one, but I guarantee if meat didn't taste good most of the world would be vegetarian.

[Booklover Butterfly]

Generally I go with the whole "ethics, health, and environment" line if the person asking is being nice about it. I have had a few people get kind of snarky or condescending with me about it, so I've said something a little snippy like "I don't eat things with a face."

I very much like that George Bernard Shaw quote: "Animals are my friends... And I don't eat my friends." I think I'm going to use that in the future.

[Tui]

I say, its "for environmental and compassionate" reasons.
I am always being offered dolphinburgers by my friends, because they know I'm a marine environmental activist.
I refer to meat as "carrion" and dairy as "cowpus," but when talking to my husband only.
But I do not ever try to "convert" anyone. I detest the behaviour of those vegans who thrust their views on others with all the obnoxious religious zeal of the old Christian missionaries. It does not help at all. I believe we should lead by example. I keep as fit and healthy as I can for my 64 yrs and that makes a point by itself.
I swim and ride my bike for hours and climb mountains and just love being alive and healthy, without cruelty.