Why do people freak out when you say your a vegetarian/vegan?

They always say that you have to eat meat to live. Why? I've been living for five years now and feel just fine as a vegan. I don't need meat to live. Where did we all get the idea that we need meat to live?

People have been conditioned by western society to believe that meat is central to our diet. In fact, in Eastern culture meat is rarely eaten and people are generally much healthier there. People like to stick to what is familiar and what they know, hence when people say they're veggie and that being veggie is healthier, a lot of people can't accept that as it goes against how they've been brought up to think. People tend to freak out at anything unfamiliar,as they feel threatened by what they don't understand. The best way to deal with it is answer any questions people ask about being veggie, but don't force any views on them as that makes them worse and less likely to be interested.

They think it is a slur against humanity! They think it is unatural to not want to eat dead animals. They think we are lacking in proteins and essential vitamins, all of these things can be obtained from a vegetarian or vegan diet!!! I don't know why they get so steamed up about it, their guilty concience getting to them maybe????

I agree with you--I've had a lot of people ridicule me for being vegan. I don't really like talking about it. My reasons are for health (high cholesterol. It's gone down, btw! yay!) and somewhat for animals as well. I cringe when people ask me why I'm vegan, because I don't want people to feel like I'm preaching to them.
I don't, 'cause I don't like being preached at.
I know I've been very hurt by people in my family and social circle that have been unwilling to accept my lifestyle choice, and I wish that more people would be open-minded.
I feel so much healthier with this lifestyle and I have a sense of accomplishment from it. Why would someone not be happy for me for that? It hurts, you know? I'm not the type to go scream PETA phrases at unsuspecting victims.
If someone likes what they see in my life, great. Go vegan. But if that's not for you, don't. I'm not one to judge, so please don't judge me. I'm vegan because I want to reduce harm, not cause more by inducing social rifts.
Thanks all
Eve

I personally think that they are simply jealous......because they too wish they could stop eating meat, but are too lazy to actually do it.

I don't know why anyone would freak out. Especially now days. Because it is so common. Personally,when I hear someone is vegetarian my first thought is that they must be very healthy.

Americans, generally speaking, have this wonderful idea that if it's out there it's meant to be eaten. That means beef, chicken, lamb, and even opossum (believe it or not). You really don't need meat to live--it's just the culture telling you that. So when someone freaks out about you being what you are tell them right out that yes, you are vegan, you do not eat meat, and you are doing just fine without it. If they have any concerns about your health since you are vegan (I got those a lot when I was vegetarian) explain that you get all your nutrients from other sources and that the food you eat is tasty as well as good for you. Good luck!

That's a good question and I get that same response often. I think its cuz we are different and they just aren't secure enough to handle people being different. If they are friends their little brains start going, "oh crap...does that mean we can't go out and have a good time...is this person going to try to make me a veg head???"
Sometimes when they ask the age old question...."how do you survive without meat?" I answer..."how do you survive with it?" Usually shuts them up.

people are probably intimidated by having to think outside of their boxes. It is clear that plant material alone is sufficient to allow a person or other creature to survive and thrive. I am not a vegetarian/vegan but I do think that it is probably healthier to live that way. Meat consumption is many times more a cultural/menu tradition than necessary--more like a side dish. I wish I didn't like fish, eggs, and chicken caccitore!!!! :-)

I agree with Evelyn! I don't try to convince people to make dietary choices like I do- just the same way I don't try to convince people to do anything else like me. I don't make a point to tell people I am vegetarian unless it has to do with a question about food. For example, my aunt was going to make me a meatloaf supper as a kind gesture( not knowing I don't eat meat). I don't get preachy, and I don't make my choices about food to "saving the world" (posted by jbb1200 above) . I do things for me and what makes me feel comfortable. I am uncomfortable with the idea of eating meat- which is in no way trying to change how others live.

I think there is a lot of miseducation about being vegan/vegetarian.

Because not all but some Vegetarians and Vegans are completely preachy. Often, Out of line preachy. Kind of like people who are Straight Edge. Of course it is an amazing choice to not drink or to not eat meat, but for us who drink and eat meat, we arn't awful people.

I don't freak out. Frankly it is your lifestyle and none of my business. If you were a loved one, I might be concerned about protein but I have come to understand that isn't a significant problem. So enjoy what you enjoy and do so for what ever reason you choose.

However, as a right wing, whacked out, add 10 more pieces of silliness and finish with gun owner who supports hunting, I would ask you for the same consideration.

Good day.

they freak out because they are not completely educated about the diet. Although I was a vegetarian I had to add meat to my diet due to the fact that I developed diabetes. As much a people think everyone should be a vegetarian it is not possible. Wouldn't it be nice if people just did not judge so much. Eat well and be healthy. Keep in mind folks protein come from many sources not just meat.

Because we're waiting on you to launch into how we're awful humans for eating meat, figuring out where to run when you break out the can of red spray paint while we're wearing our faux or real fur trimmed coat, and worry we'll have to endure a canned PETA diatribe on animal cruelty.

I rarely get that response, at least in person (there's a lot of hostility towards vegetarians here in the anonymity of cyberspace.) Perhaps it's the way you present it. Why do you tell people? Is it to show them that you're somehow better than them? Or to open the door to tell them all about how they should be vegetarian, too?

You're absolutely right that we don't need meat to live, of course. Generations of Hindus have proven that and I'm healthy as a horse with 20 meatless years and counting. But as much as we recognize the benefits of vegetarianism, we still have to respect other people's choices. I tell people I'm vegetarian when it's relevant, answer their questions if the have any (because informed people are perhaps less likely to freak out on the next veg they meet,) but really don't try to impose my views on them or insult them for not having made the same choice.

Everyone makes their choices. It seems you are more freaked out about people not being a veg

Nobody has ever said that to me. I guess it depends where you live.

People get the idea they need meat because it is drilled into their heads. The same for milk, if the dairy industry says it's healthy, then it must be right? LOL People are too naive.

I agree with what some of the other responders said...some of it is that they merely accept the cultural norm (that meat is necessary) and do so without scientific facts. Most research that is unbiased (i.e., not funded by the animal agriculture industry) shows that vegetarian, and better yet vegan, diets are more healthy. I also think that sometimes people are in denial and do not want to be "awakened" from that denial...they do not want to know the truth because then they have no excuses. I am also not pro-PETA--I generally find them too extremist--but people assume you are if you're vegan/vegetarian.

BTW, I noticed one person said they started eating meat to treat diabetes...check this out about why vegan diets are better: http://www.pcrm.org/health/prevmed/diabe...

That's a rather one-sided question. I don't see anything wrong with not eating meat and personally, I don't care whether someone decides to eat it or not. I eat meat; I have friends who do not. I have met several vegetarians who asked if I was a vegetarian and then "freak out" when I say no, so in a way, it all depends upon the person. About them saying that you need meat to live, though...you've already proven that as fallacy. All in all, I think people just need to be educated on the subject.

You're right, you don't need meat to live. Most people just don't understand the vegan lifestyle, and feel the need to "freak out" about it. Meat has always been a central part of our culture. I have found that most people who freak out about vegans are right wingers who support hunting.

I lump vegans into the same crowd as people who don't wear the color yellow, or people who walk backwards exclusively. Basically they just arbitrarily decide to do (or not do) something and then go with it.

Yep, you are really saving the world by not eating an egg for breakfast. You are really making a difference by not eating cheese. Keep it up, champion.

Because bacon's good and pork chops are good.

Switching from a herbivorous to an omnivorous consumption pattern during the early evolution of man is what caused our brain to grow much larger than that of other mammals. Meat-eating animals are more intelligent than non-meat-eating animals. Eliminating meat (and thus protein) from your diet is the same as trying to turn back the evolutionary clock millions of years. It is, in essence, rejecting your ancestry and the very thing that makes you human.