Thanks for an article in support of meat…and a ‘Demolition Man’ reference.

I too am primarily a meatatarian (“It’s a personal choice”). I don’t hate vegetables…but I think they all pale in comparison to the taste of some well cooked meat. Shrimp, Prime Rib, Buffalo Wings, Philly Cheese steaks, Tacos….all essential parts of my meatatarian diet. I couldn’t imagine living without meat…it would be an awful existence.

I used to think that, too. I swore I’d never, ever be a vegetarian until one day it happened.

For some reason, I just lost my appetite for meat. And now the thought of me eating it seems gross, but not because I have a problem with the idea of people at large doing so.

I couldn’t do it…I have never ate salad in my life, I only like about 3 vegetables and I just got word that potatoes aren’t even really vegetables. I order everything I get with pretty much just meat and cheese. I support and understand my vegetarian friends, but I feel they are missing out at cookouts and nice restaurants.

I really don’t mind vegetarians all that much, and i’ll even sacrifice going certain places and ordering certain foods (i’m nice enough not to order a porterhouse steak while eating with my veg friends). But, what vegetarians don’t seem to realize is that the more they go veg, the more they’re inconveniencing the people around them and should be more grateful for their friends’ sacrifices (a simple “thanks for changing what restaurant we went to” would work). Also, many “unenlightened” meat eaters don’t want to hear depressed sighs when we order a cheeseburger and don’t want to be lectured about how our refried beans were cooked in animal lard. And ditch the snooty attitude, so many vegetarians (more so for vegans) come off as arrogant because they claim their moral superiority, and it really makes people dislike the entire movement. Seriously, what you do with your own body is not my problem, but when you try to guilt or inconvenience the rest of the world into your ideology, you become as much of an evangelist as those “backwards religious fundamentalists”.

Now wait a minute, guys. I know for a fact that there are those of us who don’t impose our dietary choices on others, or look disdainfully upon meat eaters as if they have leprosy.

I don’t lecture people about what they eat, period. I know there are those that do. But don’t lump us all together like all vegetarians are judgemental and pretentious. We’re all waiting around for some horribly carnivorous individual to dig into a ribeye steak so we can throw blood on them.

Also, I don’t think that all vegetarians see themselves as part of a “movement.” I certainly don’t. I just don’t eat meat, ok?

I’m reading plenty of judgement and snooty attitude here. It goes both ways.

I seriously have no problem with you if you don’t eat meat… As long as you have no problem with me eating meat. My experience with vegetarians has varied, but much of the negative feelings toward vegetarians is because there is a large and very vocal group who feel that their vegetarianism is a “movement”. My vocal vegetarian friends are the ones who i have a beef with, no pun intended. The ones who don’t eat meat, but aren’t constantly trying to convert me get no malice or ill will from me.

I guess the problem is there are plenty of people who will find ways to be obnoxious because think they know better ways to live then everyone else. Some people probably do it because it makes them feel superior. But I hope that at least half of them have good intentions, even if they are being douche bags.

I’m not better than you for being a vegetarian and you’re not better than me for not being one. It’s really stupid that people need to feel superior in some way or make personal life choices into to some epic, social battle royale.

I also have issues with people who are vegetarians and date non-vegetarians trying to force their significant other to “convert.” Or, conversely, meatatarians who want their vegetarian honeys to start eating meat again (I’ve heard of this phenomenon). If someone chooses to change on their own terms, that’s one thing. But we all should respect how others live their lives, including their dietary choices.

I think you hit the nail on the head… Same thing goes for religion, politics, and everything else ideological. I think the main reason that vegetarians have a negative stigma to the rest of society is because of the vocal vegetarians (PETA and the like) dominating the discussion. We never really hear from the people like you who are non-judgemental.

I don’t know of any meat eaters who go around trying to make vegetarians feel bad about their food choices. It’s almost always the other way around. They seem to think they can guilt and intimidate people into doing things their way.
Guess what?
The more condescending they get, the more meat I’m going to eat.
Give me a dirty look when I order a steak and see how long it takes me to get a lobster tail to go with it.

Oh, trust me, there are always people out there making other people feel bad for their choices and the way they live their lives.

There aren’t meatarian groups and there’s no meatarian cause (unless you count the Beef or Pork Councils, heh) but there are people who are bothered by others who are vegetarian because they assume (as I’m afraid you are doing) that ALL of us are intent on making everyone eat vegetarian or else live with the hate stares and judgement. And then there are some people who think all vegetarians are uber tree-hugging hippie children and they have a problem with that. Just realize that for every jerk who makes you feel persecuted there are plenty of people who don’t care about what you’re eating one bit.

Like my teacher in second grade used to say, the squeaky wheel gets the most grease. In other words, you remember the ones who gripe, complain and judge because they’re the ones “squeaking” the loudest. But don’t dump that hate on those of us who mind our own, ok?

I know of plenty meat eaters who make me feel crummy for not eating meat. It never ceases to amaze me. I don’t really care; I have a vegetarian boyfriend and we happily avoid meat products together. But we hang out with Konrad and his lovely wife and go to places that serve lots of meat and find something we can eat.

Maybe you’re not Drinky…maybe you’re a meat industry person.

Lisa, I do not assume that all vegetarians and vegans are a bunch of arrogant people trying to intimidate others into doing things their way. Many of them do have an ax to grind, though, and they never hesitate try and make others feel bad if they eat meat. That’s just my experience, though. I could not care less if someone is a vegetarian and I don’t know many meat eaters who do. If we have an attitude towards some vegetarians, it’s more than likely backlash for the arrogance we’ve encountered from the more radical element among them.

I understand what you’re saying but in reading some of the responses (more so under Jenny’s post) there’s an air of hostility that seems more generally directed than being specifically towards the types who are seen as the offenders. It reads as though you and others who have left comments ARE attacking all vegetarians, even if that’s not your intent. So I felt compelled to defend other vegetarians who aren’t guilty of those things. I have several friends who are also vegetarians who like me don’t judge others just for eating meat and who also don’t think they’re better than them.

But I like healthy debate, so I’m not totally complaining. :)

All I can do is go from my own experience. I’m sure there are plenty of vegetarians who are more than content to live and let live, but the ones I’ve encountered have displayed vocal contempt for anyone who isn’t inclined to share their beliefs.

hahahaahhahahaha this entry was funny Konrad.

Though I’m sure it brings up valid points, I’m not even going to read Jenny’s response because I’m content being completely ignorant to the other side of things.

Beef. It’s whats for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Mmmmmmm….

It is funny, although it pains me to know your true feelings, Konrad. Can’t we all just get along? ;)

I find it amusing when people who are in the vast majority make themselves out to be a persecuted class. I suppose everyone wants to be the victim. I’VE GOT SOME MEAT FOR YOU, KONRAD!!!

What I find amusing are people who deny the obvious.
You think there aren’t vegetarians who step over the line and try to force their beliefs on other? Perhaps you need to get out a little more often.

The only people I’ve seen step over the line and give folks grief over what they eat are the meatheads. I occasionally read news stories about the latest nutty PETA statement, but that has no bearing on my life at all. I’ve never experienced these dirty looks and snotty attitudes from vegetarians that you’ve spoken of. I’ve only experienced the disbelief and disgust of carnivores. I do have experience on both sides of the line, which is why I’m so confident in stating that you and Konrad are the Abbot and Costello of wrong.

Speaking of PETA, did you see this?

PETA Killed 95 Percent of Adoptable Pets in its Care During 2008
http://www.consumerfreedom.com/p...

Though to be fair, I’ve read that this article isn’t entirely accurate and the website that produced it is very questionable. In this study they neglected all of the pets that were returned to owners or transfered. The correct percentage of animals euthanized by PETA in 2008 is supposedly 23% rather than 95%.

On another note, I don’t recall ever being unfairly criticized for being a meat-eater by any of the vegetarians I know (both of my brothers, several friends). I also haven’t seen any instances of or heard any stories about the vegetarians I know being victimized by a meateater. I haven’t asked though.