Omnis say the darndest things!!

[reb_granger]

What is the weirdest thing that an omni has ever said to you?

I was sitting quietly eating a veg. ham sandwich, when my friend asked me, "If you are vegetarian, then why do you have to eat pretend-meat? Isn't it hypocritical?"

I guess I was just too flabbergasted to reply coherently. I must have said something about vegetarians not being saints, not having renounced their temptations, and that meat tastes good and if there are cruelty-free alternatives available, then why gorge on the cruelty-dense stuff?

Okay, I know I did not carry it off well, but as I said, I was just too flabbergasted to offer a proper explanation.

How would you answer such a question?

And again, what is the weirdest thing that an omni has ever said to you?

[Erin Pavlina]

When I first went vegan I was all into explaining myself and why I was vegan, and also why I thought everyone else should be vegan. So one day I was having a conversation with a co-worker about veganism and she said, "But we're carnivores. Our eyes are in the front of our heads, so we're predators." The logic escaped me. She said, "Lions, tigers, owls, etc all had eyes in the front, while prey had their eyes on the sides like bunnies, small fish, antelopes, etc."

I was too flabbergasted to respond properly. But later that day when I got my wits about me and realized that sharks have eyes on the sides of their heads and they are predators. And I just thought of all kinds of examples to prove her wrong. If only I'd had my wits about me.

Another weird thing was a friend of mine who said, "Breastfeeding isn't vegan." Lordy.

[Blinky]

Deb_Granger,
I would have responded simply with "Because it tastes good". What other reason do we need beside that? Why does she eat what she eats?

By the way, I've been asked that question as well, and I think I just responded with "because I was raised eating meat and the meat substitutes seem more familiar to the way I was raised to eat. Not sure if that's the "right" answer, but it's the truth. We all like to carry with us a little bit of our past and what's familiar to us.

I think the answer to your question was obvious to your friend. I think people sometimes like to try to trip us up.

[EricP]

If someone questions you for eating "Veggie-Ham" or a veggie food that looks like meat, you can always tell them that you don't want to offend meat-eaters by eating something that THEY are not familiar with. Vegans don't only eat salad you know :p

It's sad to say this, but I get dirty looks for eating tofu, because people know it's tofu! Eating "veggie-meats" helps Vegans like myself to blend in with omni. In addition to that, many Veggie foods are made to be eaten practically. For example, what other form could tofu scramble be in? How about TVP? (Yes, it DOES look like ground beef). Veggie-Ham fits nicely in a sandwich.... could you imagine eating it in cubes? :)

Eric

[reb_granger]

Actually, these omnis seem to think that vegetarianism is a form of self-denial, and somehow they get rudely shocked to discover that it's not so! I suppose they can't come to terms with the fact that a vegetarian who has so willingly chosen the path of self-deprivation should guzzle down anything resembling the delicious normal food that they eat ;-)

Erin, the breastfeeding remark must have left you stunned! My friend had a similar thing happen to her. She had attended some environment-related event with her two kids, and somebody told her that it's unvegan to have children (because this will further burden the already over-burdened Mother Earth). The interesting thing was, this lady had two kids of her own, and another one on the way, but when my friend questioned her about that, she answered, "Ah, but I'm not vegetarian."

Has anyone else had a brush with omnis who ask weird questions?

Oh, by the way, Happy New Year!

[Lucy S]

I've also experienced a breastfeeding-vegan comment (closer to three or four). I've been asked how I could call my 11 month old a vegan while she is breastfeeding. My response has been nothing. I refuse to engage anyone on such a level. I really believe they are just trying to denigrate my beliefs. One person really wanted to argue the point with me.

Another winner: "But you have to kill broccoli to eat it". Also not worthy of a response.

I should add that I am willing to discuss veganism with people who are interested, but not when they just want to ridicule my beliefs.

[EricP]

Hello Lucy,

I wanted to say that you've made an excellent reply. "Filtering" out the true questions from outright rude ones would be a much better way to handle the situation, since anyone who argues that "breastfeeding isn't Vegan", or "Fish isn't meat" really don't want to understand a thing about our lifestyle.

On a side note to you Lucy, what Vegan foods do you feed your 11 month old (cereals, etc). I'm sure my wife would get a kick about knowing there is another Vegan mother raising her child in the same city and finding out how your little one is doing (Just in case you are wondering, we do NOT have any Vegan friends :( ).

Regards,

EricP

[Lucy S]

Hi EricP,

Our 11 month old is doing great. She's been growing well since birth, putting on weight steadily. She's doing all of the things she should be doing at her age and is happy. So far, I'd say she's a poster-child for the pro-vegan cause!

She is eating all kinds of things now . Particular favourites are soy-"yogurt" (So Nice brand), mashed avocado, bread with margarine (Earth Balance), and we have just introduced some Yves deli slices (the "turkey" ones, which she gobbled up quite happily). She likes mixed things like stews. Oh, and pasta. And... I could go on and on. Send me an email if you (and/or your wife) want to chat some more about it (sportza@sympatico.ca). We don't have any vegan friends in the city either, and certainly don't know any vegans with kids. How old is your baby?

[CarlaJ]

On the 2nd, my friend and I were looking for a new place to eat for my birthday. I called a new "expensive" blues restaraunt in our town. I said, "hi, I was wondering if you have any vegan dishes on your menu. Vegan means NO meat or dairy- like a strict vegetarian." She says, "let me check. I'll be right back." She comes back and says, (and this is the truth!) "ok. We have many dishes that do not have any meat or dairy. First of all we have MANY seafood dishes! Some of the sauces may contain cream, but you could ask for them without."

By now I'm looking at my friend dying laughing trying to add in a "ok" once in a while so the girl doesn't realize I'm histerically laughing.

"We have: crab, tuna, salmon, and many other choices. We also have many chicken dishes. Once again, your problem would be the sauces used, but you can ask for them without the sauce. We also have a teryaki stir fry that would also be without meat and dairy. Any other questions?"

I couldn't breathe. I managed to spit out a "no, and thank you" before hanging up.

[EricP]

Thank you for sharing that story Carla. I'm sure every Vegan has had the same experience... I know I've had many situations like the one you have mentioned.

It baffles me that many omnis don't consider fish and chicken as meat. What would you call it then? :confused:

I recently purchased "body butter" from the Body Shop here in Canada and without opening it I contacted their customer support to ask if it contained any animal ingredients. A day later the quick reply came back said that it contained Lanolin (usually obtained from wool, etc) and therefore is not Vegan. For those who don't know, the Body Shop is big on "no animal testing", so I replied to customer support something along the lines: "How can you preach against animal testing and still allow them to suffer for your lotions...". To my surprise this is the reply I received : "We are not a Vegan company, therefore we do use animal ingredients." and "we are always trying to find alternative ingredients to replace the animal derived ones". I no longer shop at the Body Shop anymore.

Omni companies like the Body Shop and others either refuse to see that there ARE alternatives to animal ingredients, or simply do not want to spend money using cruelty free ingredients... Oh well, it's their loss.

Does anyone agree / disagree with what I've said? Please reply.

Regards,

EricP

[Erin Pavlina]

I agree Eric. I think a lot of companies simply don't understand that you can't stop at "no animal testing."

That's why I always preach about supporting pure vegan companies. It cost them a lot more money to make their products, and consequently, they must pass on that money to us. We have to pay it if we want them to stay in business. It's the price of being vegan today. Hopefully, in the future, vegan ingredients can be found more cheaply. Until then, I'll pay $2.00 for one donut, while my omni friends get one for .55 cents.

[EricP]

Thank you for your reply Erin.

When I became Vegan, I thought "Wow, I can't afford becoming a Vegan because it's just too expensive", but now I can justify
almost any price for a Vegan alternative.

The thing I like most about Vegan products is that most of them don't contain harsh ingredients or chemicals, so not only are you helping our little animal friends with our purchase, but we are also being nice to our bodies! ;)

EricP

[Lucy S]

It is a shame vegan products are so much more expensive, however it is worth it. Having a baby, I consider it even more worth it to pay the extra money for vegan, non-toxic cleaning products. I can't imagine having the usual stuff around the house, let alone spraying and spreading it all around where she crawls and plays. Aside from the vegan issue of course.

I was at a mother-baby group a while back and the other mothers were talking about how harsh they found their babies' shampoos, how their little heads were getting dried out, etc. Not a problem I've ever had with the vegan stuff I buy for my daugther!

Fortunately, I like to cook and bake, so we don't "suffer" too badly by not being able to afford vegan baked goods or other prepared foods. And we live in a major city, close to a number of good vegetarian restaurants. And well-stocked health food stores. Makes life easier and we don't have to feel too odd going out to eat (and it saves a lot of questions and concerns about what is put down in front of us).

[CarlaJ]

I used to work at the body shop. I mainly worked at one in Michigan and then one on 5th ave. in New York. I also no longer shop there. I feel they completely misrepresent themselves.

Also, don't waste bringing in any empty containers for recyling. Both stores I worked at threw away what customers brought in.

[EricP]

Hello again Lucy!

It's funny that you mentioned the shampoo and being harsh on babys head... I always hear of this sort of problems with other peoples babys (non-Vegan), but we don't have any such problems with our daughter!

I guess the term "Parents know best" was coined from a Vegan parent ;)

Regards,

EricP

[EricP]

Hello Carla,

Thanks for your comments.

Regarding your comment:
"Also, don't waste bringing in any empty containers for recyling. Both stores I worked at threw away what customers brought in."

This is quite a shame. Companies like that shouldn't even take recycled materials in if they are going to throw it out. They are providing no service by throwing recycled materials in the trash..

shame, shame, shame.

EricP

[reb_granger]

It's the only vegetable with a beak and feathers. This feathery vegetable is known to make clucking sounds when tickled. There, I know a lot more about vegetarianism than you guys :D

Seriously, the things people say...

"If you can't get your B12 from the food you eat, then you must review your diet. A diet that relies on supplements can't be a proper diet at all." (this came from a doctor, by the way)

"What will happen if, in the course of breastfeeding your baby, you run dry? Will you give her cow's milk then, or will you deprive her of her most basic right, just to prevent a cow from suffering?" (my mom; the implication was that I'd value a cow more than my baby)

"KFC should have lean chicken for health-conscious individuals, preferably baked rather than fried. For vegetarians, it can introduce, um - well, let's see - fried carrots?" (a college boy presenting his views on how KFC can increase its market share; he was being facetious here, and worse still, everybody laughed)

Vegetarian: Animals are my friends and I don't eat my friends (quoting George Bernard Shaw). How can you claim to love animals and eat a hamburger?
Non-vegetarian: Well, plants give us oxygen. If you eat plants, it must mean you don't like to breathe.
:rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

[EricP]

How many of you have had a luncheon at work, where you order the only "vegetarian" dish on the menu, only to find that they have put grated cheese on your salad and what's better is your coworkers telling you that it's "no big deal, just remove the cheese and eat the salad"? :eek:

This is the equivalent to asking someone that dropped their gum on the floor to "take the stuck-on hair and other debris from the gum and stick it back in your mouth..."

Some omnis just don't get it! :(

EricP

[Lucy S]

When I was pregnant, I was asked (multiple times) if we would be raising the baby as a vegan (duh, of course). There was the implication (sometimes stated flat out) that we had no right to force such outlandish beliefs on our child (it isn't right to do so). I could barely hold my tongue when someone who was Catholic was saying this to me - she and her husband will of course raise their children Catholic, without thinking that they will be forcing their beliefs on their children (including the belief that exploiting animals is okay). Argh...

My use of Catholicism as an example is just because the person involved is Catholic - I am not denigrating any religion - just the idea that my beliefs don't qualify as valid enough to pass along to my child.

Eric - I do believe it must have been a vegan parent who coined the phrase "parents know best" :)

There is also the assumption (on the part of my father-in-law) that they time will come when my daughter wants to eat turkey (this was at Christmas one year). I suggested that, knowing it had been a living animal that was murdered, she very well might decline to eat it. He didn't like my using the term "murdered". Well, it was, wasn't it?

[EricP]

Lucy,

You brought up a great point: "I could barely hold my tongue when someone who was Catholic was saying this to me - she and her husband will of course raise their children Catholic, without thinking that they will be forcing their beliefs on their children (including the belief that exploiting animals is okay). "

I think it's time that non-vegans should learn the truth:

1. We are not harming our children by choosing a Vegan lifestyle.... but giving your kids meat, is as bad as giving your kids a cigarette (they will eventually suffer in the long run).

2. Eating from a vegan diet is NOTHING like eating animals... our food does not fear for it's life, it doesn't feel pain, it doesn't think and it does not cry.

3. Vegans are very caring human beings. We care about animals, the environment, our health, and this worlds well-being.

4. Vegans are NOT stupid. We choose to be Vegan because we understood the reason behind it... for some compassion, for some health, for some a good nights sleep. It doesn't matter why we are Vegan, what matters is that we are Vegan.

5. Vegans want to live! How does an extra 10 years to your life sound?

6. Do I need any more reasons???

The truth is that a Vegan life is a better life, so why wouldn't anyone want it?

EricP

[Mystican]

On the subject of what omnivores say (or might say), here's the last question in the FAQ of V1 (a vegetarian fast food place in the UK; you can visit their site at: http://www.v-1.co.uk/ ):
Q. Would you consider serving a meat option for meat eaters who come in with their veggie friends?
A. No.

:D This really made me laugh out loud, literally. It reminded me of the last part of Erin's "May I Take Your Order?" article ( http://www.vegfamily.com/articles/order.htm ). I thought it was very funny, and very appropriate. No unnecessary explanation, just a simple, direct, and honest answer to a clueless question. Not a rude answer, either, just one blunt enough to make someone realize how silly the question really is... I mean, I don't really know of anyone who has deeply held beliefs about avoiding vegetarian food, who *must* have meat with each and every meal or they will have violated their moral principles. (Maybe I just haven't met that person yet? :rolleyes: :D )

On a slightly more serious note, but still in the same vein, I don't know if many omnivores realise that things don't work quite the same way in both directions... that our having beliefs against animal exploitation and consumption doesn't exactly equal the "not having" of such beliefs. (Like I said above, I don't know of anyone who has strong ethical beliefs *for* animal exploitation and consumption. Anti-veganism? :eek: )

Namaste,
Erik

[Lucy S]

I remembered recently an article I read several years ago now in the Globe and Mail (Canadian newspaper). It was an interview with Bryan Adams (Canadian rock star and "vegan"). EricP's post reminded me. It was a lunch interview and Adams- a self-proclaimed vegan - ordered a pizza with cheese on it, saying that he wouldn't eat the cheese, it was just for flavour! According to the interviewer (this was a Jan Wong interview if anyone is familiar with the G&M), he proceeded to eat the cheese.

I've never appreciated Adams' music, so I found this hilarious (and I still tell people the story), but I also am angry at this type of behaviour. It just makes it harder for real vegans who would never consider eating cheese or allowing it on our food for "flavour".

[EricP]

Lucy,

LOL to your Brian Adams post. The "dumb" things that vegans do is almost as bad as the dumb things that omni's do or say.

I had a question for you folks: I know that Vegetarian products almost always contains dairy and/or eggs, but would they also have ingredients which are derived from animal bones (ie. gelatin) or from wool (ie. lanolin)? The reason I'm asking is that I keep finding "vegetarian" foods that don't have meat, dairy or eggs, but will have ingredients like Vitamin D3... :confused:

Erin, maybe you can help on this one?

Regards,

Eric Polsinelli

[Erin Pavlina]

Yes, a lot of companies and especially restaurants use the word "vegetarian" and think it means no chunks of animal flesh.

I remember finding out that the chinese place we went to when we were just vegetarian used meat broths in their rice. We didn't even think to ask!

I also once ate at a mexican restaurant and ordered a vegetarian tostada with no cheese or sour cream. The beans were made with pork! I was so sick, I never made it out of the restaurant. When I asked the waiter why he said the beans were vegetarian he said, "Pork IS vegetarian." Lordy.

[EricP]

Thanks Erin...

You know, if Vegan was an allergy, we would not have to worry too much about having beef broth in our rice, because then you can get the store/restaurant in a lot of trouble for being careless.

I use the "allergy" line a lot when I get food, because then the store manager will "really" see if their food contains animal in it.

Regards,

Eric

[Lucy S]

I have to admit to using the "allergy" excuse at times, too. I don't like doing it - I'd rather "normalize" I guess would be the term, the idea of veganism ("hey, we exist - get used to it and be able to answer the questions"), but in some situations I am either too tired or just get the feeling that it would be easier to say "I have an allergy to milk, is there any dairy in this" or something similar.

Unfortunately, "vegetarian" seems to have no standard definition. Lots of vegetarian things have animal meat in them; lots of vegan things have animal products in them (arghhh!). Tom's of Maine is one example. Their toothpaste containers say "no animal ingredients" but one of the ingredients (propolis) is tree sap collected by bees. Argh!

[EricP]

I didn't know about the Tom's of Maine toothpaste... :eek:

Time to check my toothpaste tube when I get home...

Shouldn't their be a law protecting vegans from having to eat animal derived ingredients when they SHOULD NOT have been in our food in the first place? "no -animal ingredients" sounds like a firm statement... it's not "may contain animal ingredients" or "no-animal ingredients (except for the boiled cow bones)".

This is a very frustrating issue that I hope we can all find a solution to.

Regards,

EricP

[Muse]

i just joined and though i am NOT a vegan but i quite like idea and most certainly see its benefit, but i was just reading it is a bit unfair to call people who arent Vegans "omni's". Drawing this sort of line is not a beneficial thing, nor is trying to tell everyone why they should be vegans, if someone asks the benefits i can see but it is unfair for a person who eats meat to force it upony you, isnt it the same thing the other way around, I dont wanna start a huge debate just wondering

[EricP]

We are using the term "omnis" in this post because it's short, we understand what it means & it beats using the term "cruel-uninformed carnivore" ;)

Hope that explains it.

P.S Please don't be offended, it's just an easy term to use.

Regards,

EricP

[Lucy S]

What should we call them? "Non-vegans"? Would that be any different, really? Think of the topic of this post - it is about what people who are not vegans say that make us vegans go "duh" or scratch our heads or grit our teeth, depending on the comment and our personal reaction to it at the time. It's a place where we can get support and perhaps blow off steam to like-minded people (since a lot of us don't know many other vegans). I'm sorry you find the term "omni" offensive, but I'm not sure you've really explained yourself well. I don't see how using the term "omni" in this thread makes you feel that vegans are trying to force veganism upon you. If you want offensive terms for non-vegans, I can come up with them, believe me. But, I wouldn't post them here or anywhere (or say them to any but another vegan) because I don't want to offend people.

And you have to expect that a vegan site is going to be pretty pro-vegan and that if you are not vegan you may feel that what you read on the site is trying to convince you to become a vegan. I wouldn't read a non-vegan family (or other) site without expecting to see messages that suggest to me that I need to include animal products in my diet/life or I'm denying myself/my child health or some other "right of passage" (i.e. my poor daugther will never know the "pleasure" of roasting gelatin-containing marshmallows over a camp fire). In fact, the other parenting/family sites I read are pretty pro-meat/omni and anti-vegan.

[EricP]

You tell it Lucy!

Everything you said is EXACTLY true.

:D

Regards,

EricP

[reb_granger]

Muse, the vegans on this board are *not* forcing their beliefs/lifestyle upon anybody. We are simply discussing our experiences in a light-hearted manner.

The word 'omni' is a generic synonym for 'non-vegetarian'. It is not considered offensive, not even by non-vegetarians in general. If anything, it may be considered mildly humorous. Vegans are also sometimes referred to as herbivores, but most if not all vegans would definitely not take umbrage to such a term. It does not imply that we graze in the fields all day long ;)

By the way Lucy, I really liked your answer!

[Lucy S]

Thanks, guys!

Not only are we herbivores (and I for one am very proud of it), but we also eat "rabbit food".

[EricP]

Don't you just love the way Vegans support each other? It makes me all warm and fuzzy inside. ;) LOL

Regards,

EricP

[reb_granger]

Well, I like these message boards because the people here are warm, friendly and supportive. Believe me, there *are* veggie sites where you can see vegans at their cattiest worst.

[CarlaJ]

I agree. An omnivore is an omnivore. All it means is they eat meat and vegetables. I think it's offensive if someone calls them carnivores because obviously they don't only eat meat. I think everyone on this site is very respectful.

[reb_granger]

Strangely, many of the omnivores I know feel very flattered when they are referred to as carnivores! It's unfortunate that, in most societies, meat-eating is associated with masculinity and heady hot-bloodedness. The word 'carnivore' is often received as a compliment, because it supposedly signifies aggression and ferocity, two attributes that are considered preferable to passivity and mildness. This is why people sometimes assume that vegetarianism is a "woman's thing". Very sexist, isn't it?

[EricP]

You are so right!

Last summer I heard a radio commercial from Maple Farms Meats (I'm pretty sure it was them), and they had "Joe the Butcher" giving advice to 'real men' and telling them that men don't eat tofu, they eat a slab of dead cow instead.

When I first heard this commercial I thought it was a joke, but then I heard it again, and again... I heard it so many times on one radio station that I actually STOPPED listening to that radio station! (You would too if you heard how ignorant the commercial was).

Honestly, if "real men" are so caught up on eating meat, they should follow in their ancestors footsteps and beat their chests and grunt like cavemen. Me... I choose compassion.

EricP

[reb_granger]

Y'know, it just goes to show how threatened the meat industry feels by the growing incidence of vegetarianism (and the growing number of men choosing tofu over animal carcass), for them to make such outrageous claims. Clearly, they've realized that vegetarianism is a force to be reckoned with, which is why they're using such cheap advertising tactics in a bid to perpetuate the offensive stereotype that vegetarian men are not "real men".

[EricP]

Yes, it is offensive, but not as true as Peta's ads which claim that eating meat causes impotence! Now how about that for a shot at "real men"? ;)

EricP

[Lucy S]

I think it is despicable the way the meat industry (and dairy and egg industry for that matter) push their products on people. They try to make it a matter of machismo, or "cool" (i.e. those stupid milk-mustache commercials). All the time getting government subsidies and using their powerful lobbies to hide the truth about the health consequences of eating their products (let alone truth about how the stuff is "produced"). Do you know/remember some years back the dairy industry (in Canada) was fighting to make sure soy and other non-dairy "milks" could not use the word "milk"?

Well, that is the end of my rant. My baby wants a book read to her. :)

[EricP]

Good morning Lucy,

Catch-phrases like: "Milk, it does a body good" or "There's a little MacDonalds in everyone" are used as a ploy to alienate everyone who doesn't it eat/drink their product. The meat and dairy industry promote their products like cigarettes, but unlike tobacco ads, the meat and dairy industry tries to go after children (and often with great success). What really upsets me is the fact that unlike tobacco products, animal derived products don't have labels on them telling people the health risks of eating the product. Instead, they have pretty logo's and "facts" which try to convince you that the product is healthy.

Imagine how many people would stop eating meat if it came packaged with a little picture of what colon cancer looks like, or contained facts on heart disease... now that would be progress (but it may never happen).

I'm done for now...

P.S Erin, I spend WAY TOO MUCH time on your web site (and I'm loving it!)

Regards,

EricP

[Lucy S]

Hi Eric.

I love (haha) the McDonald's phrase. Every time I hear it I think "yup, there is a little McD's in everyone because once you eat it, that garbage never leaves your system - it just sits in your body, slowly killing you"".

So many lies, so many lies...

[EricP]

LOL

Thanks for the laugh Lucy. :p

And to think that people actually pollute their childrens bodies with that crap. Yikes.

[reb_granger]

Check this out:

Federal judge dismisses obesity lawsuit against Macdonald's (http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/news/archive/2003/01/22/national1234EST0632.DTL)

Besides being a health-robbing demonic juggernaut, Macdonald's is also ethically bankrupt. And don't even get me started on KFC! I believe they were running an advertisement somewhere that encouraged people to "save a cow and eat chicken instead".

GRRRR :mad:

[reb_granger]

Oops, sorry...that was supposed to be McDonald's...not MacDonald's

YAY!! I'm so proud of not being able to spell that terrible word!! :D

[EricP]

"And don't even get me started on KFC! I believe they were running an advertisement somewhere that encouraged people to "save a cow and eat chicken instead"."

KFC said that?!?!?! OMG, that is low... very low.

I guess the only joy I get from McDonalds is watching their stocks plunge :D ... hey, didn't they close a few stores?

EricP

[reb_granger]

Well, I experienced enormous joy when I heard that McDonald's would have to pay 10 million dollars to vegetarians, for deceiving them into believing that their beef-containing fries were vegetarian.

Well, I'm no longer dancing with joy. McDonald's is now trying to give a lot of the settlement money to organizations that are actually *anti*-vegetarian. In fact, there is this researcher who is seeking to prove that pregnant vegetarian women must include eggs in their diet, or their children will be born choline-deficient. Apparently, he also recommends that women eat red meat to prevent their iron levels from dropping.

This fellow is being partially funded by the Egg Board (duh). And McDonald's wants to fund the rest of his study with the money that is specifically supposed to further the interests of vegetarians.

Disgusting.

[alexis]

here's a darn thing my boyfriend's telling me now...in a war we all will suffer cos we don't eat meat....well EXCUSE ME!!!! I thought in a war you get only alot of veg but hardly any meat cos there's a lack of resources to waste on animals?????Good God, he is SO deluded....his idea of a moderate lifestyle is milk, meat and veg with a larger ratio of meat....ICK!!!!

[reb_granger]

You're right. Animals and animal products are generally pretty expensive in wartime, but that's only if you intend to purchase them. If you intend to kill them for yourself (stone down birds, trap and slaughter rabbits etc.), then of course, you don't need to pay anything. I'll bet that your boyfriend wouldn't be willing to kill his own food!

[EricP]

Rebecca,

"I'll bet that your boyfriend wouldn't be willing to kill his own food!"

You know what, I don't think 90% of the world meat eaters would have the "guts" to slaughter an animal themselves to eat. The fact that they are blind to the animals suffering allows them (meat-eaters) to have a distance where they can dissociate themselves from taking responsibility for the death of that animal. It's all pretty sad.

EricP

[vegmom2]

I have just been reading and haven't finished all of this thread but was having a good laugh as i can completely relate to so much of this and it feels so good!! I went to a barbque where they said they would have vegan dishes so here it was: beans with BACON, potatoes with BACON sprinkled on top and spinach salad with..you guessed it BACON!! I had to eat chips. I love the gum comment someone made when vegans are asked just pick it off!!! Also, my mother in law actually put in some effort to by some vegan spring rolls at the farmers market. Well i swore there was chicken in it and was freaking out when she said she thought it was tofu, but i just wanted to be sure and when i looked carefully confirmed it was tofu, but the father in law mocked me and went and got me a magnifying glass--like i have the problem!! He also cut out articles saying how sickly vegan children are and how i am killing them etc. etc. UGGHHH!! Yet the mother in law smokes and suffers from colitis and irritable bowel syndrome and is the most pessimistic person i know.. She says that you can't solve all the worlds problems and that i shouldn't care basically. Lordy!!!
help these people!! Shelley:D

[EricP]

Shelley,

Your story about the bacon is soooooooo common! Every time I order something for our lunches at work, salad seems to be the only choice, and then it gets to me with cheese on it!!! I usually go hungry those days.:(

Regards,

EricP

[vegmom2]

Just was reading the rest of the thread now and was thinking about the McDonalds advertising and i recently saw a billboard with a child writing the letter m in the alphabet like the mcdonalds m--also, i was in our grocery store called save on or overwaitea in Canada, and it had as a toy, a hog raising farm with stalls and a metal shed and pigs and piglets so your children can practice factory farming at home--UNBELIEVABLE i have yet to look up the company, elko i believe and send them my 2 cents and talk to the management about such a sick toy--so the new toys won't be farm animals and barns but factory farms--thats good, normalize it early so that we can cure compassion young and have heartless adults--perhaps elko is linked to the meat boards somehow??:confused: shelley

[EricP]

Wow, Factory Farm toys!!

I never thought people could go that low, but much like the rest of the "meat-eating world", they just don't care.
:mad:

EricP

[alexis]

reb, well he's gone to survival camp before and there's been suff i heard of, like how they killed a python and skinned it...YUCK!!!
i dunno about the factory farming toys....down here, if you asked any kid where his food came from he'd tell you it came from the supermarkets...:D That's how urbanized we've become...;)

[reb_granger]

Oh, okay. Well, personally I'd rather settle for lettuce than a python! :D

Meat-eaters are fond of presenting us with ridiculously hypothetical situations in order to prove that our diet isn't the best survival strategy. E.g. What will happen if you are stranded on a boat, in the middle of who-knows-which-ocean, and the only way you can stave off starvation is by catching and eating fish? Duh.

In your boyfriend's case, well, we all know that Singapore's not going to go to war any time soon, and even if it does, hey - tofu is cheaper in Singapore than chicken! :D

Also, people who are not cannibals will suffer terribly in prolonged periods of drought and famine, when sometimes the only substanstial source of sustenance is human flesh. Does that mean we must all start eating human corpses? ;)

[alexis]

thanks alot reb, next time i'll just remind him that during the japanese occupation, people lived off sweet potatoes and rice...and that meat was something that no one on the streets could get....DUH!!! haha....

[andywiggum]

TRUE STORY!!!

I was at work and someone said,
"wait so you can't eat sausage?"
So I said,
"Yes I can! It grows on a sausage tree."
He actually thought about it and said,
"It does?"


Man, it was very classic....grrrrr...how could you actually think sausage grows on a tree? even for half a second...i mean that's the biggest problem is that people seperate animals from food, instead of making the conection. they are eating dead animals!

[EricP]

haha nice story Andy!

I'm a little off topic here, but did anyone receive Peta's magazine in the mail with the Caveman on the front wearing a fur coat and the caption reads "What century are you living in"? (or something like that)... :D

I thought that was so true. I've always considered fur-wearers to be just like cavemen. And to think the rich wear dead animal skin as a status symbol.

Now that's funny!

Regards,

EricP

[Lucy S]

So many gross stories/examples, so many... (and some of them so nicely showing the ignorance of the speaker).

I was once in a supermarket with some friends, who at times liked to be vegetarian, but I don't think they ever had any strong ethical tie to it. We were walking past some of those big freezers in which they store dead animal body parts, I was averting my eyes, as usual, and one of them grabbed a poor lamb's leg, held it up to hers and made some joke that I was supposed to find funny. I said I didn't - it was the leg of a lamb that had been raised and murdered in fear and I thought it was horrid. I was (semi) ridiculed for taking things so seriously and told that I should "lighten up".

Some people will never understand. It is disappointing when it is friends or family. Even more so when they liked to make claims about being "enlightened".

[EricP]

Lucy,

It sounds like you should have your friends watch the video "Meet your Meat" from Peta. If they still joke about the poor dead animals after watching it, then their head's need to be examined.

I'm glad you spoke up for yourself.

Their ignorance will come back to them eventually.

Regards,

EricP

[vegmom2]

I get the 'lighten up' thing to!!! Another story...When i was sitting at a restaurant with 3 others and they were fascinated by why i became vegetarian so i told them for ethical reasons as well as environmental and my 'good' friend said, well i've heard they pee on vegetables and that there are lots of pesticides on them and the soil isn't healthy--UGGHH so she knows that much about veges. but no thought about WHY the soil is unhealthy and WHO puts pesticides on veges (ie multi corps.like monsanto/genetic engineering which she has not even heard of!!)--and as far as the pee, well they don't just pee on vegan vegetables!!!:rolleyes:
Oh yes and i get PETA's mags. Eric so i know the one you mean and i agree!!

[reb_granger]

I loved that sausage joke! :D

[reb_granger]

I actually made someone watch the video. At the end of it, she calmly turned around and said, "That can't be true. It's all special effects."

Blimey.

[EricP]

"It's all special effects"????????? You have got to be joking! :eek:

There nothing fake about those animals suffering. Peta has some other "fake" videos she should watch, like the pig beatings, or the nerve gas tests on dogs, or the circus cruelty... yup, lot's of fake videos for her to see.

EricP

[reb_granger]

Sad, isn't it? People will say anything to rationalize their eating habits. That video drove me to tears. I couldn't even sit through the whole thing. And there she was, knowledgeably commenting on how advanced film-making has become ("You musn't believe everything you see, you know. Technology is very advanced nowadays - all those sound effects are clearly artificial.").

[EricP]

Rebecca,

I guess your friends comments about the "special effects" confirms that meat-eaters aren't as intelligent as vegans ;)

The only technology I see on those videos are the machines of death.

EricP

[reb_granger]

Originally posted by EricP

The only technology I see on those videos are the machines of death.

EricP [/B]

Well said!

[vegmom2]

Fake videos?!?!?! Good Lord...although i asked a guy at the supermarket today if there was any fresh baked bread without animal products and he looked at me confused and then said, what do you mean??? Another tear jerker video is called Witness about a tough New York guy who adopts cat to catch a chick and then ends up loving the cat and ends up crusading for cruelty against animals re. the fur industry--it was AWESOME and every human being should have to watch this fake film along with all of PETAs fake films--it also had Sarah Mclaughins In the eyes of an angel in it--check at your local veg. association--that is where i got the copy i saw--although it can be bought for $20US.

[reb_granger]

Thanks for the recommendation, Shelley! But I don't understand - why would he adopt a cat to catch a chick? :confused:

[vegmom2]

Well, he was a construction guy or some blue collar type who was just not someone at all you would expect to have a heart and didn't at first and then he adopted or looked after hers, i can't remember exactly, but it just took an ironic turn of events...in fact the first 10 min of the movie i could not see how this guy was the hero the movie was supposed to be about...that is what makes it so heartwarming is that it is a total shock to the viewers for this tough New Yorker, macho guy to show a soft side and crusade against animals--it is brillilant really and everytime i go to the veg. society store i check for it but it is usually loaned out--you would not expect this guy to care so much and then to totally crusade for them including getting an old ice cream truck and going down the streets of NY at night with a loudspeaker and movie screen he installed on the side of the truck to show the horror of what the animals go through to get killed for the clothing industry--it also shows peoples expressions when they see it and most are moved to tears--like i said, amazing guy--true story of course--done in a documentary format. Shelley

[vegmom2]

Just another 'omni's say the darndest things'-i went out to a restaurant with 4 omnivores tonight who all ordered chicken and one soup with shrimp and i ordered the Belgian stir fry that had tofu -shocked they had tofu:D and when it was my turn to order the waitress said concernedly,"you realize there is tofu in that?" :rolleyes: Lordy!!!

[reb_granger]

LOL!!

[alexis]

um...is there something THEY are missing out here? What is wrong with tofu....
i received an e-mail from my God sister who opposed to my being vegan,it was from this woman who claimed that soy nearly killed her...she keep saying all that crap about how all girls and women are eating soy thinking it was so healthy but no one warned her that she shouldn't eat too much cos she had a thyriod disorder and ovarian cysts and that nearly killed her so she was saying that meat is the best and if we all knew what was good for us we'd stay away from soy cos it's a gimmick of the veg oil industry to make money out of they 'by-products' they get. i mean like 'HELLO!' i think Asians have been eating soy for years and years before we even knew how veg oil was made, and it most definately IS NOT a by-product of any kind of industry. And if she did her research AT ALL, she would KNOW...
Well on a more positive note, a comic shop is selling these tofu shaped toys that are sooo cute...it's called To-Fu and they look like little people with blocks of tofu for heads... :D

[vegmom2]

Love the To Fu toys!!! Very cool!:)

[vegmom2]

just had to add this where i thought it would fit in--my BELOVED inlaws babysat for us today and when we came by it was lunch and he offered us vegetable soup--homemade,--with organic TURKEY broth...when will they ever get this??!!.....:confused: :confused: :rolleyes:

[EricP]

Vegmom,

Don't you just hate when that happens? :rolleyes:

EricP

[alexis]

maybe they weren't thinking...you know, some people think it's ok to put chicken broth in soups cos they don't see any meat in it...i don't know how to explain the mentality, but it's just this way...well just give them a good recipe for vegetable broth...maybe they'll get the message...:)

[vegmom2]

well, we have never seen eye to eye, they weren't there for our wedding, (we only gave a few days notice that we were eloping in the mountains and they were not going to cancel a golf game they had preplanned) or the birth of either boy(they had to go to Hawaii instead), said i should not sleep with my babies, i nursed too long, have only babysat maybe 15 times now in 4.5 yrs and only for 2 hrs. max. , and now they insist i need meat--and they NEVER let it go--so when i say beloved, i use the term lightly--actually i can barely stand the constant battle between us and them and having to defend my EVERY decision--its extremely tiring--anybody else--whatever--but family makes it harder because , in this case, they are the kids only grandparents--just nice to vent:)

[EricP]

Yes, it certainly is nice to vent.

Trust me, you aren't alone on this one. I'm sure many people face the same stress.

Relax, take a breath and forget about it ;)

Regards,

EricP

[vegmom2]

i know, thank you:D :D

[alexis]

Ooch, they sure have pretty strong opinoins...well if they are entitled to their opinoins, you're entitles to your's and if they can ignore your beliefs, i don't see why you shouldn't have to right to do the same as well... ;)

I saw a real cool thing today, my friend borrowed a nutrition book for her Food and Nutrition project (yes! it's a subject) and it's by this guy called Dr Michael Sharon. In the first chapter he started dissing meat saying that it is NOT a food humans should be touching because it is very unnatural what with the hormones, chemicals and all. Then there are several chapters where he reccomends eating other foods like brewers yeast(?) to replace meat as they are more ideal and stuff like that...nice.. it's quite anit-meat but sadly not anti dairy...

[Lucy S]

vegmom, I feel your pain! My father-in-law isn't quite that bad, but oh brother, does he ever try my patience (and that of my husband). The last time we visited (before they moved overseas after finally getting the grandchild he apparently wanted for years and years - another story altogether), he spent about 10 minutes selling us on the merits of an automatic egg cooker he has. To a couple of vegans. Charming.

My mother was (semi) horrified when I mentioned in her hearing several months ago that we would be taking our daughter's soother away from her after Christmas ("when she's teething?" implying that it was cruel to remove a source of comfort that in reality Abby has never used very much and only under a limited set of circumstances), but kept asking when I was going to wean her. Umm... earth to mother - Abby is far, far more attached to nursing than to any soother, and umm... it's good for her! She shows no signs of being ready to give up mommy, but weaned herself away from her soother a couple of months ago.

[EricP]

Don't worry Lucy, the 'experts' (a.k.a In-laws) are not always right :D

You let Abby decide on what she wants to do.

How is your little walker doing anyways?

EricP

[Lucy S]

Abby is doing great, after being sick and teething for a week or so. I'm going to send you and Kelli an email as soon as I get a chance.

[EricP]

:D :D :D :D

[Lucy S]

I should add that I try to let the advice people have felt so free giving me go in one ear and out the other. But when it is family, it is hard not to get so annoyed. The number of times I've clenched my teeth and not said anything. Christmas 2001 I almost got up from the table and walked away from dinner because of some stupid anti-vegan things (in his mind "jokes") my father-in-law was making (regarding the baby - I was about 8 months pregnant at the time). He is so annoying! But now he lives in Spain, so we don't have to talk to him very much.:D

[EricP]

I'm dreading going to visit my brother-in-law this summer because he always make comments about how good BBQ meat smells when people are cooking it... I find it very offensive, and he always make 'jokes' like that around us.

It bothers me more that he does it in front of his kids, and when Jasmine grows up, he will NOT be saying those things around her.

Regards,

EricP

[vegmom2]

so are you saying Lucy they moved away AFTER you had your baby or was it a different grandchild?? If it was yours then good Lord, they seem similiar to my inlaws!! And the egg cooker--pleeeezzee--i always get the fish stories how he caught a big one! Maybe you are lucky they moved, i am thinking of moving away from mine and if they moved it would save me the trouble!!:D :D And i am glad you and Abby have a delightful nursing relationship--it is the best thing and not one to be rushed. Oh and Eric, I too dread those summer bar b que 'jokes' and that everywhere you go you smell dead meat cooking--i find it as repulsive as 2nd hand smoke!!

[Lucy S]

Yup, after we had the baby. The went on vacation (4 months) to Spain right around the time I was due to give birth, too. When they lived near by, they visited twice, both times for about an hour, maybe an hour and a half. The second time, he had his nose buried in a newspaper the whole time. It's a shame to say it, but we don't mind that they moved. I just feel bad for my daughter. I had visions of something more for her, after hearing about how much he was longing for a grandchild.

[EricP]

It is too bad Lucy, but it's better than Abby only seeing them once a year for short, uninterested visits... right?

EricP

[Lucy S]

Yeah. It has been speculated that he will be more interested in an older, more interactive child (versus a baby). We'll see. As long as he keeps his anti-vegan "jokes" to himself.

Fortunately, most of the rest of our relatives are quite good about the vegan issue. We are very lucky in that regard.

[vegmom2]

That is too bad Lucy about her grandad and time will tell if he will come around!! It is great you have support from the rest of your family--i got a cold and my father in law said, 'boy you sure have been getting sick alot , i wonder why that could be?' (twice in a year for a week)--and you could just 'taste' the anti-vegan sentiment--i should have said 'well it must be my VEGAN DIET!!:rolleyes:

[alexis]

amazing how people can be so biased sometimes huh? What about non-vegans who are dying of heart disease, cancer and other icky hings? Don't THEY see that as well or are they blind?

[Lucy S]

The sentiment that humans have to eat animals in order to be healthy (or "normal") is just so ingrained in our society that it is crazy! It is so hard to argue against with some people - because some people refuse to question their own habits or beliefs (I'm being polite, because quite frankly I just want to write that they are too ignorant, closed minded or even stupid to be open to new ideas).

I'm healthier than I have ever been, being on a vegan diet, even through pregnancy at 35 and breastfeeding (when of course a vegan diet can't possibly be adequate). But, if I get the sniffles - whamo! must be my vegan diet. Sure. That's it. What about all of those meat-eaters that get colds, the flu (let alone diet-related illnesses)? Hmm... makes you think. Or not.

(Lucy's morning rant)

[EricP]

Thanks for my morning laughs Lucy!!

It's funny how sick all the people here at work get. It's soooo common to see members of my family with colds five or six (or more) times a year, while I get sick two times a year (at most), and it's usually when I'm stressed out about something, NOT BECAUSE OF MY DIET.

My coworkers always complain how sick they feel; how much their stomach hurts (after eating meat-burgers); that they feel weak; dizzy; achy; have high cholesterol; high-blood pressure; blah, blah, blah. All I can do is shake my head, because I know their problem are ALL food related. I wish they would learn from their mistakes, but how could they with flesh rotting in their stomach :confused:

(Eric's Morning Rant :D )

Regards,

EricP

[duckie1978]

I agree! I am always getting people telling me how unhealthy a vegan lifestyle is, how I will be hurting my chances to have kids and will hurt them by being a vegan. But when I got my first "adult " physical a few weeks ago (you know, checking my cholesterol, blood sugar etc) and I am in perfect health without even trying.
Everyone in my family has something wrong: diabetes (90% of them), high blood pressure, had triple bypass surgery, gout, etc. But I am the "unhealthy" one! Sometimes I can't win with my family. At least they are more understanding than my in-laws. They've already implied that they would feed any kids we might have meat and dairy because that's what "normal" people do.
They feel that my lifestyle (which includes tattoos, brightly coloured hair and piercings) is foolish and can't understand why I would "make myself look ugly" and cause so many problems when we go out to eat. I am sorry but I refuse to go to a restaurant where I can't eat anything! They have brought me to seafood restaurants where I sat and watched them eat because the kitchen could not get my order right. I was able to get plain pasta ($15!) but they kept covering it with cheese! My inlaws told me to eat around the cheese. *sigh*

I hate eating out and tend to stick to homemade meals or easy things like pizza when I get take out. One time everyone ordered pizza and my husband and I got a small pizza to share that was vegan. My father-in-law made fun of me, doing the same thing all omnis do "Mmmm I LOVE eating dead animals blah blah" and said how terrible it was to eat like that because there are no choices. But what does he do? Decides he wants some of our pizza and eats most of it. Hey thanks Dad I wasn't hungry! (There is no vegan food in their house-they think sugary peanut butter on white bread is vegan.) My father-in-law always does that too. He will say how terrible my food will be and then eats half of it. It drives me nuts because, usually, I only make 1 serving, if I make more it is usually to save for another meal. At least he could say he was wrong and jumped to conclusions.

Thanks for letting me vent. I love my in-laws but they are very set in their ways and no one else can be different. They raised all of their kids to want to conform and be like everyone else.

[EricP]

ha ha, That's a classic "Your eating vegan food... can I try some" syndrome! All the vegan food get's eaten by the non-vegan and they leave nothing for you. :mad:

"tattoos, brightly coloured hair and piercings" :cool:

Regards,

EricP

[vegmom2]

Oh you guys crack me up!! This is a hoot:D :D No where else can we vent like this and i can SO relate to all of these stories--its nice (unfortunately) to know others deal with the same meat eater tales. I know meat eaters that are always sick yet like we've all said, when WE so called uninformed-not normal-not-conforming people get sick--its our diet:confused: :confused: How the---OH, just thought of another one, my always sick cousin has 2 always sick children, 4 and 1 and the 1 yr. old was getting so many ear infections (couldn't be dairy could it:confused: :confused: ), she had her operated on to put in a tube. And now the same child who is never healthy is on meds as she calls it for her, well reflux they call it, and she throws up every time she drinks her milk from her bottle, so my cousin says, 'i better take that bottle away as the sucking makes her sick--she will just have to take her milk from a cup':eek: and the 4 yr old drinks oil because she is so constipated that when she goes to the bathroom, my cousin has to clean it as she calls it an 'oil slick'. This same 4 yr. old almost had an operation on her bladder because she has so many yeast infections--but they decided on meds. instead. Oh and the 1 yr. old gets oil for her constipation along with her meds......my cousin is a bright teacher and when i told her some of my research findings, she got defensive and said she did her own research and people can't survive without dairy...poor children!!!

[Erin Pavlina]

Tell your cousin that her statement of "People can't survive without dairy" must of necessity be false, otherwise how come you're alive and kicking and so are millions of other people who don't eat dairy?

[EricP]

OMG! That's horrible for your cousins kids! I think once vegans rule the world :D , feeding kids meat and dairy will be considered child abuse because these parents are intentionally making their kids feel awful with the things they shovel in their mouths.

You should suggest she visits this site for some proper education ;)

Regards,

EricP

[molly]

"They say now that plants feel too, so vegetables can feel pain. What do you think about that? Are you going to stop eating entirely now?" I've gotten this one a couple times this year already.

[alexis]

you know, my family raised me to be conformists like them, but boy were they disappointed when they realized what i'd be like, first i wanted to be a writer, then a dancer, then a musician and the lastest bit of my ambitions is to have my own line of vegan foods...i think i confirmed their idea that i'm a HUGE disgrace and embarrassment to the family when i announced that i was going Vegan and i'm gonna start my own line of vegan food in Singapore...Sigh, to think how close minded some people can be...never mind, i hardly talk to them now and i won't bother with any 'family contact' when i move out...if i'm to be a disgrace to them, i'll go ALL the way...so i won't bother with THEIR comments on my food...:mad:

[EricP]

Molly, I've had "intelligent" people ask me why I eat ANY food because I'm eating living bacteria on the food, so I'm killing something.

These comments don't bother me any more, because they are so incredibly stupid, they shouldn't have been asked in the first place.

Regards,

EricP

[molly]

I know; I just want to shake my head & walk away sometimes. But I try to politely say something about being willing to discuss the topic if they want to have a serious conversation. Because it IS a serious topic & they shouldn't make light of it (which is what they are doing when they make stupid comments like that) just because they don't understand-- or don't want to!

[Lucy S]

In response to vegmom2's story - you've got to wonder what the doctors were thinking! Or not thinking, as the case may be. It just shows how little medical professionals (as a rule - don't want to offend any medical professionals out there) know about nutrition, the value of changing one's diet to treat various illnesses, etc. I mean, those kids are ripe for a change of diet to see if that helps their problems. Wouldn't you rather give your kids a dairy alternative (because there are a few... ask anyone with a dairy allergy, let alone us freaky vegans) than have them undergo operations, take lots of drugs? Well, I would. Unfortunately, I know people who would rather just pop the pills.

And, unfortunately, most doctors receive very little nutrition-related teaching in medical school. It shows. I know more about nutrition than most of the doctors I've ever had to deal with.

I've gotten lots of the "you have to kill broccoli to eat it", "what about the bacteria you eat", etc. comments. I don't even bother responding any more. They are stupid, insulting comments and show that the person making them only wants to insult my beliefs and has no interest in a rational conversation.

[vegmom2]

yes it is sad, and although i haven't had the bacteria on food thing yet (thank God, i don't know what my face would have looked like:rolleyes: ) but i have had that the farmers pee on our vegetables and that one cracks me up because they pee on EVERYONE'S vegetables, not just vegetarians!!!!--if they in fact pee on them at all!!! my worse concern is that they allow cow manure on them and thus we get sick--gotta run, my 2 yr. old just came to destroy this---

[infinity]

On the eating vegan ham sandwich you could simply say you are eating because it tastes good and you will eat anything that tastes good to you if you know it is vegan. It just happens to look like ham.
On the breastfeeding comment. Of course it is vegan. The breastmilk contains only human substances (assuming the mother is eating healthily). The mother's milk is from the same species as the baby's specially formulated for the baby.
It is frustrating when people make these ignorant comments.

[duckie1978]

I just remembered an "Omnis say. . ." situation I was in and thought I would share it with you all.

During an ethics & morality philosophy class I took as an undergraduate, we read Peter Singer (wrote Animal Liberation-incredible book) and discussed "animal rights" and vegetarianism. A very narrow minded male in my class declared that all vegetarians were sickly people and were not healthy, that they are stick thin people. I stood up in class and was like "Do I look sick to you?" (mind you I am a healthy robust female) I was so angry that this person would think that even though they had never met a vegetarian (that he knew of) in his entire life blew my mind. My professor, who was so cool just for picking Singer to read form our textbook, backed me up and read off all these stats from various sources about how healthy the lifestyle was for humans, animals and the environment.

One other time, I made a friend online, who, when they met me, was like "Wow, you're a vegetarian? you're so fat." Like everyone who is a veggie is very thin, come on! (When this happened, I weighed 128-I had been starving myself and purging any food I did eat because I wanted to be thin, something I have never been.) *sigh* Sometimes you can't win with them.

[alexis]

Way to go...i think it's kida offending thaat people thing vegans are thin and unhealthy...
My friend offered me some Lay's potato chips the other day and right after i ate them my thigh broke out in this horrible rash complete with pin head like blisters and the angry red color... then she casually mentioned that the chips had sour cream in them...I could KILL her...she knows i'm allergic to milk...and i wasted my time to see a doctor who told me it was an alleergic reaction and sent me out of the office after like two minutes... stupid omnis...

[reb_granger]

If she did that deliberately, it was terribly inconsiderate of her, to say the least. Did she apologize or express any regret at what happened?

[alexis]

she told me she 'didn't think it would be so bad'...apparently she thought that milk only causes my nose to get really runny and stuffed up...i told her that next time i would be the one buying the chips...well the rash is almost gone now, but i would love for her to go through what i had when it was real bad...

[Lucy S]

Alexis, it sounds like you were far more gracious about it than I would have been. I hope she has learned a lesson.

[alexis]

I'll bet she has...she had a horrid shock when she saw how bad the rash was....:rolleyes: