When people find out you're a vegetarian I swear the first thing everyone says is "But plants have feelings too." Seriously people, I'm not even going to go there. That's just dumb so shut ya mouth. :)
The next thing is "Well what do you eat if you don't eat meat," it's like everyone's brain turns off when the vegetarian topic comes up. HEEELLLOOO people, I eat everything but meat. DUH. It's like as soon as the topic is broached or someone finds out - you become an alien or people start acting like you have some infectious disease. Here's a sample first conversation between a vegetarian and a non-veg.
Veg: Hi, I'm a vegetarian.
Non: (takes a few steps back) Uh. Hi.
Veg: What's up?
Non: (a look of disgust spreads across their face) You don't eat meat?
Veg: Nope.
Non: (look of disgust still clearly visible) Why?
Veg: I don't believe in the cruelty/killing of animals for food.
Non: But you believe in killing plants?
Veg: Plants don't have feelings.
Non: (clearly pissed off) You don't know that! They can totally feel you cutting them.
Veg: You're an idiot.
Non: You're weird. I'm gonna get a cheeseburger.
I think the funniest conversation I've had with someone was when they claimed I was hurting the environment by "eating trees because trees give us oxygen." I'm not kidding, they said that. Okay, first of all: I don't eat trees. WHO EATS TREES?! Thats just weird. Second of all: People, lemme tell you something. YOU are hurting the environment. I'll share one statistic I came across earlier today, "If all Americans went meat-free just one day a week, it would save gas emissions equivalent to 46 million return flights from New York to Los Angeles." Just let that sink in for a little bit.
Another funny argument I have come across was with a boy who said that he was healthier than me because he ate meat. Excuse me while I walk away from my computer for a few seconds because even recalling the conversation is getting me a little worked up. Okay, back. So, fact - people who choose plant based diets are not only more healthy but are also less at risk for life threatening diseases such as cancer and heart disease. Look it up, you'll see.
A little advice for future vegetarians: laugh at people because it really is funny the things people think of to argue against you, you are clearly in the right - they just have too many hormones in them from all the meat they consume to have a rational conversation with you, take a whiff of the person you are talking to - if they are perspiring then they probably are giving off a meat like stench, smile - because you are going to live longer and because you probably weigh less.
Okay friends, I'm going to leave ya with a link. Don't watch the video if you just ate/plan on eating ever again - just pause it and read the sidebar. And then think a little for me.
**A little disclaimer - I don't hate people who don't partake in a vegetarian lifestyle. My dad, brother and boyfriend are all hardcore carnivores and I still love them. I just enjoy my life sans meat and also enjoy advocating for that lifestyle.**
Wow! From one "recently I've changed my lifestyle to vegetarian" to another, I love your blog!!! I, too, have had crazy conversations (just today actually) with people when they find out I don't eat meat. The look of disgust followed by them trying to rationalize with me that one can't possibly survive on plants alone. It's quite funny actually. It's harder for me because I'm told I'm way too old to change my status to vegetarian. So,now there is an age limit on vegetarianism!! Well, you're never too old to save a life! I also give Angel full credit for this epiphany that brings me to admit, "Yes, I can survive without eating meat!"
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