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Author Topic:   being veg is hard....
dorkus_malorkus
Knowflake

Posts: 337
From: Alturas, California USA
Registered: Jun 2003

posted April 07, 2004 08:17 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for dorkus_malorkus     Edit/Delete Message
What are some arguments against eating fish? I mean there are always those people (my dad) that'll say, "well what's wrong with fish, you can eat fish?" blah blah blah and all that the one thing i hate is always having to justify myself, my mom isnt so bad, but i have to live with my dad this summer before college. i have introduced some meat back into my diet because it is so confusing with everyone up in my face about it but hopefully in college things will be differently and i can live by my own choices. just wondering, what are some of your reasons for not eating fish other than mercury and such? and what are some good supplements like flax seed? and what are some arguments in general you use for not eating meat???

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FishKitten
Knowflake

Posts: 486
From: beautiful, hidden mountain village, BC, Canada
Registered: Aug 2003

posted April 07, 2004 09:19 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for FishKitten     Edit/Delete Message
I don't argue about it at all. If someone asks why I am a vegetarian, I tell them that I prefer not to eat anything that has a face or a mother. (That covers fish as well as all other animals.) I didn't stop eating meat for health reasons or because I don't like the taste. I stopped because it is my choice and I have my own reasons for making it. How can anyone argue with that?

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trillian
Moderator

Posts: 1450
From: The Boundless
Registered: Mar 2003

posted April 08, 2004 09:52 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for trillian     Edit/Delete Message
Like FK said, I don't feel the need to justify my choice to be a vegetarian, my responses are generally similar to hers.

Good luck to you!

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Isis
Knowflake

Posts: 166
From: CA
Registered: Jan 2004

posted April 08, 2004 01:04 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Isis     Edit/Delete Message
Actually, while I'm about as far from vegetarianism as you can get, I agree, even though it is your Dad and parents often think that we OWE them explinations to everything, it should suffice to say, "I made a personal decision to not eat meat anymore."

Often trying to "explain" yourself to those who firmly believe in eating meat just invites debate, and despite being a sworn carnivore, I don't think you should have to defend NOT eating meat anymore than I should have to defend my decision to eat it.

gl

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“The good things which belong to prosperity are to be wished, but the good things that belong to adversity are to be admired.” Seneca

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Eleanore
Knowflake

Posts: 237
From: North Carolina
Registered: Aug 2003

posted April 08, 2004 02:11 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Eleanore     Edit/Delete Message
I usually do what the others said; a simple reply and most people drop it. Sometimes, though, it's not so easy, especially with family. I just let them talk and make jokes, etc. I let them know that I accept them even though they eat meat and I don't. I didn't stop eating meat primarily because of health reasons ... it was more of a compassion thing. Sure there are lots of health reasons to not eat meat ... but giving people a lot of facts doesn't usually stop them from asking more questions. If they want facts, do some research from the various organizations for vegetarians and give them a little fact-sheet or something. Otherwise, just let them talk themselves into a frenzy. Arguing usually just makes things worse. I remember I went out to dinner with a group of friends, and one of the guys we were with has always had a major problem with the fact that I'm a vegetarian. He sat across from me and teased me while I ordered my salad and he ordered a rack of ribs. He made a big fuss over how good his meal was, yada yada, "ooh the carcass", etc. all the while poking fun at my salad (the menu was not exactly pro-veggies). I just kept quite and smiled, and made occasional "glad you're enjoying your dinner" type comments ... with sincerity. All the other people at dinner just kinda' stayed quiet and/or ignored him. Eventually, he felt like an idiot. Then he apologized and has never bothered me about it ever since. Maybe I'm just all about passive resistance or something, I don't know, but following my path and enduring other people's antics with a smile usually gets them to stop and show some respect. Live by example, you know?
Personally, I had a harder time giving up fish than anything else. I didn't force it. Eventually, the taste and the smell just grossed me out and I stopped eating it gladly. No one really bugged me when I told them it just didn't appeal to me anymore. I guess it's hard to argue with someone about what they don't eat if they stopped eating it because it was gross to them.

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"You must be the change you wish to see in the world." - Ghandi

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Isis
Knowflake

Posts: 166
From: CA
Registered: Jan 2004

posted April 08, 2004 09:08 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Isis     Edit/Delete Message
See, now that's just rude. People like that give us non-veggies a bad name

To be honest, I'm suprised no one else at the table told him to stfu... :\

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“The good things which belong to prosperity are to be wished, but the good things that belong to adversity are to be admired.” Seneca

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Nephthys
Moderator

Posts: 998
From: California
Registered: Oct 2001

posted April 08, 2004 10:46 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Nephthys     Edit/Delete Message
Dorkus,

I am vegetarian and I don't eat any FLESH nor ANYTHING NOR ANYBODY WHO HAS BEEN KILLED.

I had a thread awhile back asking for vegetarian support. You'll get a kick out of some of the answers I got.......one was hilarious. (the one from 8 degrees)

Click here:
Viral Infection + Vegetarian Support Please


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Eleanore
Knowflake

Posts: 237
From: North Carolina
Registered: Aug 2003

posted April 09, 2004 12:56 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Eleanore     Edit/Delete Message
Yeah, Isis, he was pretty rude but thankfully most of the non-veggies I know are not like that. It's the same, I guess, when veggies try to "reform" the meat-eaters by trying to make them feel guilty or scare them or whatever. Gladly, people like that are pretty rare on both sides.
I'm pretty sure no one said anything because he's one of the cool(?) guys in that group ... you know, the kind that feeds off attention and stuff. (They jokingly call him the alpha-male.) I guess no one wanted to add fuel to his little fire.

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dorkus_malorkus
Knowflake

Posts: 337
From: Alturas, California USA
Registered: Jun 2003

posted April 09, 2004 03:36 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for dorkus_malorkus     Edit/Delete Message
Thanks for the link Nephthys The explosive diarrhea thing was good haha

Great replies all, I feel more confident in my decision to eliminate animal flesh from my diet. I think it is good too because I have been eating better and trying things I wouldn't normally try. My complexion is clearer too

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