The Types of People Veggies Deal With

It's been 17 years since I stopped eating meat and let me tell you, in those 17 years I've come across every kind of person you can think of when it comes to my being vegetarian.

THE DOCTOR - You know the one who suddenly has their masters in health care and repeatedly reminds you that you are likely lacking in several key nutrients, particularly protein. The one who needs to educate you on all of the healthy reasons they eat meat whilst omitting all of the proven bad things meat does to our bodies, especially when eaten in excess. This person can be frustrating because they seem like they're coming from a good place but have absolutely no idea what they're talking about except what they've read on the internet maybe twice about protein. 

THE NON-BELIEVER - You seriously don't eat meat? How about chicken? Not even fish? Fish aren't animals though! These types find it very hard to believe that you could survive without eating meat and can't wrap their heads around what a diet without meat would even consist of assuming you likely consume freshly mowed grass and leaves off of trees. I discovered these people more in the start of my journey rather than now as there is a plethora of information now available to us and frankly, a lot of vegetarians and vegans among us. 

THE ONE WHO DOESN'T UNDERSTAND THE ETHICS - Do you want a bite of my fish taco? I made this amazing pasta sauce with beef, you should try it. These people are obnoxiously pleasant and simply don't understand that your decision to abstain from meat comes from an ethical standpoint. They're also becoming more rare with the movement becoming more mainstream.

THE AGGRESSOR

These are the ones we run in to the most and are the most frustrating to deal with and frankly, the most ruthless and ignorant. These types of people will argue with you until they run out of breath, defending meat and doling out very reason they can think of why farm animals are nothing more than walking strips of bacon or juicy steaks. They're often aggressive in their defense and in my experience will undoubtedly resort to name calling. These people are also known to show up at events discussing veganism / vegetarianism and set up a bbq to cook steaks intending to discourage and insult us. Here's why I think that is...​

I like to break these types of into two different categories, the ASHAMED and the BULLIES. Both of these types of people will react to your insight in a very similar manner but come from completely different places with their anger and resentment.

THE ASHAMED

Have you ever been told by someone that you were overreacting which you recognized already but hearing it made you even more upset / angry? That's how I like to describe these people. Perhaps they're scared of change and don't know where to start. Perhaps they believe in climate change and the damage meat is causing our environment or they've agreed to ignore animal sentience for the sake of their plates but deep down, they have some level of guilt. These people will often lash out when you try to discuss with them why they should attempt to give up meat but they are also more eager to discuss than the next type of person I will speak about. We all feel shame when we are doing something that we know is not right especially if we continue to do it, it's a natural human emotion however one that should teach us something and I believe that's where their rage comes from. Deep down they know they shouldn't be doing it but have not taken the leap to try and make a change which leads to resentment towards those who have and advocate for animals.

THE BULLIES

Ugh, the name calling I've endured for trying to have a discussion with someone like this. Someone who doesn't care what you say and sees you as some kind of wimpy tree hugger that they just can't wait to rip into. These are the types that will immediately resort to calling you names, insinuating your lack of intelligence, and feverishly defend the fact that an animals only purpose is to be at our disposal. 

Somehow, caring about the environment bothers these types but what especially bothers them is that you care about farm animals' well being. My goodness, the fact that you are compassionate to the plight of animals that are raised in factory farms for food is the ultimate insult to these people. They constantly make jokes about animals being "steaks" or "bacon" because they've managed to completely detach themselves from the idea that these are actually living creatures. These people want nothing more than to criticize you, demean you, and tear you down and are known to show up at protests and gatherings belittling or being aggressive towards protesters. Also, these people probably have other aggressive tendencies in their lives (IMO) that manifest themselves in other situations. These are not the kind of people I would associate with anyhow so their nonsense and bullying is water off my back, but for some, it can be deeply troubling and hurtful to be on the receiving end of a meat thirsty bully on a tirade.

All we can do is educate and continue to spread the message planting the seed of compassion everywhere we go. Are we going to get bashed and belittled along the way? Of course, but it shouldn't steer us off the road we've chosen to take. Anytime you do something that a larger majority of people do not do or fully comprehend, there will be push back. It's important to face all scrutiny with a smile and really stand by that message of compassion even in the face of the absolute opposite from a bunch of jerks.

What type of person did I miss or have you encountered on your vegan / vegetarian journey?

HAPPY VEG