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Re: Top 50: Comments from non-vegans
Hmm..I didnt vote, but what the response I encounter were more like questions about why I go veg, and the where I got my nutrients from kinda stuff.. and not those harsh comments.
From the poll results, I figured that the highest actually goes to "where u get ur nutrients from?" "What do u eat?" kinda questions, just like some of those I m asked about too. From what they are asking, i think many omnivores are still not very informed about a vegan diet.. I guess it will be very important to try to spread information about benefits and how to live healthly on a vegan diet.
Some ppl may overeact because they feel that they are being attacked personally, like when we do when our own lifestyle is being challenged.. so maybe a milder and tactful conversation may help. After all, we should love all humans and animals the same;)
All in all this is a great poll which can help us understand non-vegans better and in turn try to help them transit to a veg diet:)
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Re: Top 50: Comments from non-vegans
Sometimes the questions start out as innocent questions, but sometimes they turn to wind-ups/teasing.
Sometimes if you answer the questions honestly, the twist your words, which doesn't help.
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Re: Top 50: Comments from non-vegans
"26) I eat animal products to be on the safe side [Try to read something about all the health problems associated with consuming animal products – an average meat eater is sick 10 years of his life.]"
I'd love to know where this comes from. A fantastic statistic.
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Re: Top 50: Comments from non-vegans
this is the most useful thread tome i love it..nds that was probably the most useless post i have ever done:)
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Re: Top 50: Comments from non-vegans
Blooming eck!!! think I ticked most of those, mind you my fav is and the most often one I get " So what do you eat then?? ... Lettuce leaves??" Oh boring!!
Love and light
Xxxx Stormy xxxX
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Re: Top 50: Comments from non-vegans
A good comment came from a taxi driver, "vegetables have lives too", I was really ashamed at the time....I know he was trying to wind me up as he is a meat eater but I just couldn't think of any thing to say.
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Re: Top 50: Comments from non-vegans
"'Vegan food' is an oxymoron". I got that one from my friend at school.
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Re: Top 50: Comments from non-vegans
Quote:
madcat
A good comment came from a taxi driver, "vegetables have lives too", I was really ashamed at the time....I know he was trying to wind me up as he is a meat eater but I just couldn't think of any thing to say.
How about, "I'm paying you to drive not talk". Sometimes omnis forget we are consumers too and as such deserve decent service in taxis, restaurants and shops regardless of our dietary preferences!
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Re: Top 50: Comments from non-vegans
I had someone ask me "But what do you eat?", after he had just seen me eat:
Baked potato with ratatouille
Sandwich (with Cheatin' Turkey and stuffing)
Roasted chestnuts
Crisps
Satsuma
Banana
Pear
Mince Pie
Realising his mistake he said "Beans, I guess you can eat beans, right?"
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Re: Top 50: Comments from non-vegans
my bf's grandad had a go at me today. he said "man has been eating meating for ever" and he simply REFUSED to believe that i was getting nutrients and that "we need meat or we don't have all the right nutrients in us!" he's a harmless bloke, but he was CONVINCED i wasn't getting nutrients, yet he's the one with type2 diabetes, overweight and respiratory problems....sometimes its best to just take the abuse :o
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Re: Top 50: Comments from non-vegans
Quote:
Skajen
my bf's grandad had a go at me today. he said "man has been eating meating for ever" and he simply REFUSED to believe that i was getting nutrients and that "we need meat or we don't have all the right nutrients in us!" he's a harmless bloke, but he was CONVINCED i wasn't getting nutrients, yet he's the one with type2 diabetes, overweight and respiratory problems....sometimes its best to just take the abuse :o
I run into that a lot. People who state the same "argument" over and over and refuse to consider the possibility that there might be another way of looking at things. That's why I changed my signature ;) .
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Re: Top 50: Comments from non-vegans
The nastiest comment I got was in our local subway, we'd been customers there since it opened. When I told the woman serving I didn't want cheese she asked why not and I told her as a family we were all going vegan. She said that I was being cruel (to my daughter now 3). My family keep telling me that she has changed and she's got no energy, which I know is complete and utter b****cks. They are trying to worry me into giving her dairy and eggs again. I just nod my head and ignore them.
Surely every parent pushes their beliefs on their children be it veganism, religion whatever. I never 'choose' to eat meat as a child it was put on my plate and I ate it but I don't keep complaining that they forced their opinions on me, I just accept they did what they believed was best for me at the time.
Another stupid comment I heard was via a fellow member of the local veggie's and vegans group. She recently organised a meal out and called one place, when she asked for vegan food the chief said 'Well if you want to eat like that I can't be held responsible if you get ill' needless to say we are not eating at the aforementioned establishment! Since over 99% of sickness and food poisioning comes from meat, fish, shell-fish, dairy or eggs it would have to be a pretty grotty place if they could manage to make a vegan sick!
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Re: Top 50: Comments from non-vegans
Quote:
Skajen
my bf's grandad had a go at me today. he said "man has been eating meating for ever" and he simply REFUSED to believe that i was getting nutrients and that "we need meat or we don't have all the right nutrients in us!" he's a harmless bloke, but he was CONVINCED i wasn't getting nutrients, yet he's the one with type2 diabetes, overweight and respiratory problems....sometimes its best to just take the abuse :o
I've had smokers telling me my diet is unhealthy. How is it possible to be so stupid and still live?:rolleyes:
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Re: Top 50: Comments from non-vegans
the other day to me "go on have a (milk) chocolate - its christmas!!"
:(
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Re: Top 50: Comments from non-vegans
I was greeted Christmas Eve with "What are you going to eat?" even though I had brought succotash and sugar maple pecans with me, and there were other foods appropriate for me to eat. If I couldn't gorge myself on several platefuls of animal products apparently I was going to be hungry. And then as I was eating my plate of delicous food - not bothering anyone - my smoking, overweight sister starts giving me a hardtime - I just finished eating and went to hang out with the kids.
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Re: Top 50: Comments from non-vegans
If someone asks me about my diet/lifestyle, I'll share my experiences and give out a few facts. If an omni is interested, willing to listen, and is open to consider my point of view, I'll have a friendly debate.
However, I pick and choose my battles carefully these days . . .
I used to debate and sometimes argue with ALL omnis, and furwearers, and hunters . . . I've tried to share my opinions, show them the truth, and offer good arguments to support an animal-friendly lifestyle . . .
But now, I don't bother to debate with people who refuse to listen and consider other points of view. I refer them to websites with all the facts -- whenever they want to become informed, the info is there for them to read at their leisure.
I've had very few friends (outside of the internet) who were vegetarian or vegan and I've even had a few who supported "respectful" hunting, and yes, even some who bought commerical fur . . .
But, I find that I am becoming less tolerant of people who selfishly disrespect animals. I no longer have anything to do with people who hunt (the only "respectful" hunting is not hunting at all.) I only have one friend now who still buys fur on occation, but, she knows I think it's evil and gross and so usually, she remembers not to wear any of it when she's around me (I think she got sick of the dirty looks, eye rolling, and open bashing coming from my mouth, teehee!)
Everyone has a right to have an opinion. But, not every opinion is right.
Veganism and kindness towards animals is the way to go, no matter what ignorant people have to say about it!
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Re: Top 50: Comments from non-vegans
Quote:
Korn
45) We need animal products for protein, iron, cholesterol, Omega-3, sinc, calcium etc. [No, we don’t. Try a book!]
][/b]
Wow, I'd never even thought of trying a book!!! All these new foods I've tried since going vegan.... seaweed, seeds, hummus... now books!!
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Re: Top 50: Comments from non-vegans
:) Yesterday I actually heard of a woman who had these weird cravings during her pregnancy - for.... wallpaper!
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Re: Top 50: Comments from non-vegans
Korn, excellent list with great comebacks that won't antagonise people!! Really helpful.
When I tell people im vegan they often say;
'It must be really hard eating out, doesn't it affcet your social life having to be so careful'
To which i usually reply, 'What social life?' :D No, i usually list all the things im doing that week and ask them if they want to come along!! :D
I also notice that people start looking at me very closely and feel able to make personal comments about my physical appearance, like; 'Is that why your so thin, cos your vegan, do you eat enough?' The implication here is that im only vegan cos im starving myself. I resent this a little but usually reply by taking their comment as a compliment, i.e: 'It's nice to be slim but i've always been this way. A vegan diet is very healthy, which is great but i actually went vegan for compassionate reasons. Today, i've eaten...' :cool:
I must admit, i do sometimes feel like retorting; 'yeah, i'm slim and healthy cos im vegan, do you rekon your (insert: rude/ bad tempered/ whatever) cos you eat meat? ' :o I know, I know. But i never say it. :p
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I always get some kind of comment about salads, like eating salad all the time must get boring, or what do you eat besides salad
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Re: Top 50: Comments from non-vegans
My friend, bless her is an omni and she said 'I respect what you do but I couldn't do it cause I'm too damn selfish'
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Re: Top 50: Comments from non-vegans
I think the worst comment I've gotten was, "I don't get vegetarians and vegans, one person can't change the world." Poor guy...
Also, "...you can't get enough protein without meat or dairy." :rolleyes:
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Re: Top 50: Comments from non-vegans
Quote:
princessemma
My friend, bless her is an omni and she said 'I respect what you do but I couldn't do it cause I'm too damn selfish'
Funny...I became vegan because I'm so damn selfish.;)
Quote:
June
I think the worst comment I've gotten was, "I don't get vegetarians and vegans, one person can't change the world." Poor guy...
10 million can...
Quote:
Also, "...you can't get enough protein without meat or dairy." :rolleyes:
"Oh really? I guess magic sustains me, then! Beware my POWAHS!"
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Re: Top 50: Comments from non-vegans
Quote:
"Oh really? I guess magic sustains me, then! Beware my POWAHS!"
:D I've got to remember that one!
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Re: Top 50: Comments from non-vegans
Quote:
Korn
:) Yesterday I actually heard of a woman who had these weird cravings during her pregnancy - for.... wallpaper!
What was it I heard? A co-worker who is pregnant had a midwife tell her that these cravings are a sign of... low Iron, I think? And not that uncommon. I might be mixing this up a little, but it was something like that (paper in general, I think).
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Re: Top 50: Comments from non-vegans
The old stand-by that fish don't feel pain/distress is a crock. Just as the idea that animals don't have emotions is complete twaddle.
I think some people choose to believe otherwise to justify eating meat. As was pointed out earlier, "Ignorance is bliss"!
I saw David Attenborough interviewed once and he acknowledged that even spiders have their own individual personality traits. I wouldn't go so far as to say insects experience emotion, but who knows?
Just to be safe, I never squish anything... ;)
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Re: Top 50: Comments from non-vegans
When I talk about not eating animals and not testing etc I hate it when people say stuff like " Well humans are the stronger more intelligent species!" saying that that makes it all ok.
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Re: Top 50: Comments from non-vegans
A woman recently told me that if your muscles are aching you should drink milk or cream to take the ache away. Something to do with lactic acid buildup.... :eek: :D
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Re: Top 50: Comments from non-vegans
What an annoying, stupid thing for someone to say fiamma! What annoys me is when someone non-vegan says something like that, it is so ludicrous that I am lost for words. I am literally left speechless, when really I should be putting them straight!
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Re: Top 50: Comments from non-vegans
I've learned to choose my battles wisely - this woman has made me lose my rag on a couple of occasions already (she owns the pet shop under my flat) so I just smile sweetly - arguing with her is like talking to a brick wall. She is blind ignorant and can get kind of nasty too. As they say here, "buon viso, cattivo gioco", meaning "inside I am raging but outside I am calm and smiling" :)
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Re: Top 50: Comments from non-vegans
I know that feeling only too well! :)
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Re: Top 50: Comments from non-vegans
that nonsense about how we have canine teeth is one of the things that annoys me the most and also that its natural to drink milk.
yeah, sure it's natural to drink milk, our mothers milk. not some other creatures mothers milk and if they go on drinking that till they are old then they wonder why their bones are deteriorating, well what do they expect if they keep on drinking food meant for a baby when they are a fully grown adult, serves them b****y well right !!
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Re: Top 50: Comments from non-vegans
Quote:
fiamma
A woman recently told me that if your muscles are aching you should drink milk or cream to take the ache away. Something to do with lactic acid buildup.... :eek: :D
that kind of remard just makes me laugh now! in fact the more i think about someone actually saying it the more funny it becomes. try and think how ludicrously funny it is next time you see her coming, you will naturally smile - and she wont know why :D
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Re: Top 50: Comments from non-vegans
That's a good idea! I think I'm stalking you cedarblue, I actively search out where you've been posting! :)
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Re: Top 50: Comments from non-vegans
i'd like to think its me but i'm afraid you just want me for my avatar:(
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Re: Top 50: Comments from non-vegans
Quote:
cedarblue
that kind of remard just makes me laugh now! in fact the more i think about someone actually saying it the more funny it becomes. try and think how ludicrously funny it is next time you see her coming, you will naturally smile - and she wont know why :D
Edit... I will smile :) Great avatar BTW cedarblue :)
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Re: Top 50: Comments from non-vegans
Quote:
cedarblue
i'd like to think its me but i'm afraid you just want me for my avatar:(
Oh, it is you, but aswell as that you have that little something extra, no-one else has! :)
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Re: Top 50: Comments from non-vegans
"OH! That is why you are so thin/pale/weird/ don't take caffeine."
Ugh.
I myself do not preach to people who eat free range or hunt *cringes* It is wrong to kill animals but it is better that they have a better life, and, as these are people I love, it is better that they eat better meat.
p.s. My fiance just came by and said "What are you guys veganising about?" hahahhaha. Sorry, hope that falls on silly ears.
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Re: Top 50: Comments from non-vegans
Ok......and let me say up front.....I kept my cool & didn't slap her....but wouldn't this have made you furious? (or was I over reacting?)
The checker at the market, looking at my stuff leaned over and WHISPERED!!! To me......."Are you a vegetarian? Me too."
WHISPERED!!!!! Like it's something to be ashamed of...in NY CITY...in the year 2006!!!
I just smiled and said "Vegan, actually"
But all the way home I was mad!! :mad:
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Re: Top 50: Comments from non-vegans
mostly people say to me "well i don't know the animal, so i don't mind eating it."
or "but it tastes so good!"
or "but we are meant to eat it!"
i just look at them like they are so lame... i don't even waste my breath on them... much