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Hunting
Started
by Quinne
on December 21, 2009
What do I say to hunters? They always bring up the argument that the deer population is so out of control that if they don't hunt, the deer will starve. So it's their MORAL obligation to save them (by killing them).
I'm surrounded by hunters. Most of them are aware of my sensitivities and don't talk about it with me, except for my boss. He has no other life, no hobbies except hunting and butchering, so all he wants to talk about is this or that experience on this or that ranch (which he went to for the one and only reason to hunt), or how much sausage they made last weekend. It's nauseating.
I can't quit right now, I NEED this job, but seriously, it's poisoning me from the heart.
I guess I just need a pep talk.
Hey Quinne,
I'm in almost the same boat as you. I work at a Fish and Wildlife office in Florida, and EVERYONE here hunts. Not only that, but the public comes in here to get hunting licences and ask questions. Before becoming vegetarian I could console myself with the fact that if someone is going to be eating meat, at least these animals have good lives before they're killed. They're not on farms, they're not pumped full of hormones, etc....now I can't even use that justification. What really got to me was that yesterday I had to help a woman get a deer depredation permit. If you don't know what that is, basically if someone has a farm or crop of some kind, and the deer are eating it, they can get permits to kill the deer...no limits, no seasons, just wholesale slaughter of the deer. I wanted to both cry and scream yesterday when that happened.
I'm actively looking for another job right now. Like you I can't just qut, because I need this job, but it hurts to have to come to work everyday now, with the new understanding I have.
I honestly have no suggestions on how to handle this, other than to try to remember that everyone has to come to this place on their own. I've only been vegan for about 6 weeks, so for 32 years I was a meat eater...I know how easy it is to justify to yourself. When they subject does come up, just take a deep breathe. If you can, if your boss is not a complete a$$, try to have a talk with him. Maybe explain that you're not trying to tell him how to live his life, but that because of your beliefs this is not a subject that you wish to talk, or hear about. Hopefully with a little patience he'll stop...in the meantime, do as I am and start sending out resumes. And if you need a friendly ear that understands exactly where you are, feel free to friend me and email....
How about telling your boss all about menstrating, giving birth? Something that would be icky to him.
A good response to a boss like this is: oh, I'm sorry I did not hear you, I'm trying to do my job.
Try steering him away from the parts you don't appreciate. Ask him how far he hiked, what the weather was doing, if he has pictures of the views. That might put you in the catagory of "good listener", which may not be where you want to be.
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