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Lack of support and/or ridicule from friends
Started
by Sharna_
on January 2, 2013
Hi everyone! I've been a vegetarian for about a year and a half, and a vegan (for the most part) since August 2012. I was just wondering how other people deal with friends who do not support your lifestyle, and 'friends' who tease you, put you down and talk about you behind your back. I've removed some of these 'frenemies' from my life, but it's hard when they get their friends to take photos of meat and tag your name on the photo (ie: on Instragram, where you are unable to untag yourself). I'm just interested to see how everyone else deals with these kinds of situations, the bullying does make me stronger but I'd love to have more support than hate, as I'm sure we all would :) Thanks! Sharna x
Hey there! The biggest advice I can give is to first of all, be confident with your decision to live the kind life and know that no matter how much ridicule you may receive, you are following your heart and making decisions for both you and for the well-being of animals:)The best thing you can do in these situations is educate these people; to take a photo of meat and tag you is just ignorance. Introduce them to documentaries such as "Vegucated" (http://www.getvegucated.com/) and "Forks Over Knives," plus books such as Alicia's and Jonathan Safran Foer's "Eating Animals." If more people were educated on what is really going on in regard to factory farming, I feel that more people will not only understand your lifestyle choice but may even change their own lifestyle. Hope this helps, stay strong:)!
You're not alone! I've been a vegetarian for about 9 years now and have had to deal with silly people ever since. Coming from South Texas where bacon is found in every vegetable and steak is on the daily menu, I know how you feel! Just know you're doing the right thing for your body and your life and be happy about it. Eventually they'll either get used to it or get bored. Or maybe they'll get a brain and try some good food :)
Ask someone to take photos of you eating vegetables and fruits and tag your friends back!
Thanks everyone for your advice :) It's nice to know that I'm not alone in this! I've explained over and over to people that I'm vegan for compassionate reasons, and because I don't believe in using animals for our own selfish gains (and bellies!). But I just get the typical responses back, ie: "Plants have feelings too, that's why I eat meat" and "You're interferring with the circle of life". I would love to be able to educate them, but they have no desire to listen to me and would rather stay ignorant.
I'm just happy that I'm doing the best I can for animals, and for my body! :) I think my best bet is to find new vegetarian/vegan friends who are passionate about the same things as me :)
Thanks guys!! x
Oh I soooooo relate to this. I am a brand new vegan (still transitioning....make mistakes once in a while) and while my family and friends try to understand, I get the feeling that they think I am just plain crazy, and even like I'm judging them. Which I am NOT. It's to the point that I feel GUILTY for not partaking in their burgers. I know this decision is a personal one, and even if I have to walk the road alone....it's worth it! No animal will suffer because of me ;-)
Hello! I sure don't eat like my family does (or several friends).They make big hearty meals, they eat seconds or thirds. I find that my "kinder" diet has been chicken and fish with almost no more red meat. I find myself trying new vegetables and cooking with them for each dinner. And I'd like to work on getting away from dairy (I think I am lactose intolerant). I have almond milk with my cereal in the morning, I prefer to use cruelty-free beauty products - they don't understand some of these choices.
But they try to support my healthier habits and it might be rubbing off on them. I think just being positive makes a difference. They will see you are content and healthy, their remarks might be simply because they don't see your view on subjects. I wouldn't abandon friends who don't share all my views on things. But if they are downright mean about things, then I can see taking a break from them.
Dear Sharna, We're some new friends for you. As you can read, we have gone thru a lot of the same things you are. Thank goodness my meat-eating ( a lot of meat) husband understood and respected my choice to eat vegan. He did get it that "I don't want animals to suffer just so I can eat them. I think that one of the cruelest choices I can make is to let anmials suffer so that I can use cosmetics made from their agony." Everybody's different. I would legislate that all humans be vegan, but I can not do this. I accept that I cannot force another to do this. Next best thing is to educate and show by example. Some people will take t
hat step to change and others won't. I never understood about our cross-species brethren until my early 40s, when I got a dog. I never began to be vegan until my mid-40s. I am 65 now. I've rescued several street dogs since my mid-40s. Everyone can change. They just have to want to do so. thanks for reaching out and sharing your current status. Strong lady! Keep your brain working as it is and reaching out and communicating and I think that what is hard now will become much smaller in hindsight.
Oh yeah...I forgot to mention that you are a GOOD person, Sharna! ...and KIND!
Sharna, that's terrible. I'm transitioning to more veggie diet (hard with meat eaters but I'm getting there) and won't tolerate animal cruelty such as product testing, breed cows for indefinite milking (I drink soy or almond milk), starving carves for veal. I'm also very kind to environment- recycling, re-using, composting, etc. Also I don't purchase items from unethical companies and use natural skin products and cosmetics only (some of my collection has beeswax and that's the only animal product I will use on skin- no carmine, no urea, etc). I get a lot of flack from more family members than anyone else for "my hippy lifestyle and views". So be it if they want to be closed minded that's their choice, I know that I'm happy being me and I'm improving into a more kinder person by the day. You're fine, you're a good person and you have a wonderful community of friends here. BTW I'm assuming you have Facebook (I don't know how Instagram works), if you do you can report them for "offensive photos and remarks".
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