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I was a vegetarian for a long time. It started with health concerns and morphed to ethical concerns. I noticed that a lot of people are hostile when you say you

I was a vegetarian for a long time. It started with health concerns and morphed to ethical concerns. I noticed that a lot of people are hostile when you say you are doing it for ethical reasons (e.g. for animal welfare or environmentalism), but are satisfied with the idea that you're doing it for your own health.

hjek 8y ago
> I noticed that a lot of people are hostile when you say you are doing it for ethical reasons (e.g. for animal welfare or environmentalism), but are satisfied with the idea that you're doing it for your own health. When you start talking about ethics, it requires other people to consider pain and suffering they may be complicit in, and that will of course make people defensive. If it's just some odd diet, then you're just talking about your own preferences, which are less likely to upset anyone. Not saying you shouldn't talk about ethics, but of course people are more touchy about that.
- jshaqaw 8y ago
  I desperately try not to talk about my vegetarianism with others as it is a personal matter. It’s amazing how many people who would never social question another person’s beliefs in say religion feel free to jump in and aggressively debate my dietary choices. “Aren’t plants alive too, etc...”. Prostletyzing vegetarians are I’m sure annoying but on my side I would love the basic respect that other personal ethical choices are given to mind my own business.
kzrdude 8y ago
Health reasons was what they said. I'm simply impressed by those that explain why they switched instead of other ways of handling their crisis of confidence.
- code_duck 8y ago
  I’m happy to explain or defend my dietary choices, but it gets tiresome. Often it’s not positive socially, depending on the environment. Currently I have severe medical dietary restrictions (celiac, food allergies) and even that is difficult to explain to some people who question my decisions and want to debate my needs.

hjek 8y ago

> I noticed that a lot of people are hostile when you say you are doing it for ethical reasons (e.g. for animal welfare or environmentalism), but are satisfied with the idea that you're doing it for your own health. When you start talking about ethics, it requires other people to consider pain and suffering they may be complicit in, and that will of course make people defensive. If it's just some odd diet, then you're just talking about your own preferences, which are less likely to upset anyone. Not saying you shouldn't talk about ethics, but of course people are more touchy about that.

jshaqaw 8y ago
I desperately try not to talk about my vegetarianism with others as it is a personal matter. It’s amazing how many people who would never social question another person’s beliefs in say religion feel free to jump in and aggressively debate my dietary choices. “Aren’t plants alive too, etc...”. Prostletyzing vegetarians are I’m sure annoying but on my side I would love the basic respect that other personal ethical choices are given to mind my own business.

kzrdude 8y ago

Health reasons was what they said. I'm simply impressed by those that explain why they switched instead of other ways of handling their crisis of confidence.

code_duck 8y ago
I’m happy to explain or defend my dietary choices, but it gets tiresome. Often it’s not positive socially, depending on the environment. Currently I have severe medical dietary restrictions (celiac, food allergies) and even that is difficult to explain to some people who question my decisions and want to debate my needs.