Ohhhhhh yeah. My family badgers me all the time, because they think it’s impossible to be a Portuguese vegan. Most of the time I just stand my ground and argue the facts that someone needs to fight for the things that don’t have voices to fight for themselves (i.e. animals and our planet) and that cows and chickens are the same as cats and dogs and that they deserve to be treated fairly because they too have the capacity to feel. People just don’t understand. Really, you can’t push your beliefs on to everyone. Some people are just going to be stubborn and closed minded, that’s just how it is. If that’s how they’re going to be, honestly just drop it and change the topic. All that really matters is that YOU stick to what YOU believe in and don’t let anyone make you believe otherwise.

Oh I get it. I live in Alberta, known for their beef. I also am in a small town… of farmers
People think vegetarians are stupid, but it is just they don’t know the facts. Just smile and nod like I do, unless I don’t like the loud mouth. Sexism, racism, speciesism.

That’s probably why they do it. They have no excuse for what they do wrong, and so attempt to justify their poor choice to those they know do right.

It’s so bizarre. I feel like people know it’s wrong and therefor want to justify their choice to those who have made a more ethical one.

You kinda just need to realize almost every single time you say your a vegetarian, people are going to argue with you and say your wrong not to support abuse (Screwed up isnt it?) Hopefully knowing that will help you become a better arguer lol

The reason I put in how long I’ve been here is to further illustrate how odd it is for me not to be able to jump into a discussion on the fly. Just in case that didn’t make sense to anyone…

The end of next summer will mark 10 years of vegetarianism, as well as 10 years on the Peta2 street team.
Whenever people try to argue with me on my choice, unless I knew it was coming(like an event or a protest), I totally freeze up. I don’t always feel like having a heated argument with someone I’ve just become friends with. After a while of being poked and prodded, I usually smack them with a dozen facts or so. (“Eating meat is natural” is my favorite argument. Humans haven’t been “natural” since we created industry.)
Anyone else like this? Any advise on how to be less awkward about sudden attacks on proper ethics in a crowded bar?