Co-worker constantly mentions my veganism.

[LyricGaia]

It's get on my nerves. EVERY time we're around someone, and i'm eating (we're usually around other people on breaks), he mentions that i'm a "vegetarian, Kinda"


I'm not a "vegetarian kinda" I'm a vegan, and WHY does he feel like mentioning this EVERY time we're near someone who doesn't know? Now he has our store facilities manager always on me about how meat's healthy, and about half of the store going on about it.


I really like him, he's one of the sweetest people I know and he doesn't actually *think* he's bothering me, because we do tease each other a lot.


How can I deal with this, with out hurting his feelings or damaging our relationship?

[IrieMama]

Just tell him it makes you feel uncomfortable because so many people think veganism is so radical and out there. Just tell him that you'd rather you tell them, or for them to ask you first.

If hes cool as you say he is. He'll stop, especially because you say he isn't purposely trying to make you uncomfortable. That should do it.

I hate when people rant about how meat is healthy. If vegans were this way to omnis, we'd get a LOT more crap.

[LyricGaia]

I don't have a CLUE why they think we're the "preachy" ones. i've never met an omni besides my dad that didn't preach how good meat was.

[IrieMama]

Exactly, but it's okay for them to shove their beliefs down your throat because it's the "norm" Once a vegan does it, they are radical and going too far.

Pfft. Silly omnis

[Treehugger267]

It's probably best to just straight up tell him in a nice way that it's starting to bother you. Make sure he knows you're not mad at him, it's just you wish he'd not do that. I'm tired and can't think of a witty way to say it, but that would be good if you could pull it off.

[amaroque]

it's probably best to just straight up tell him in a nice way that it's starting to bother you. Make sure he knows you're not mad at him, it's just you wish he'd not do that. I'm tired and can't think of a witty way to say it, but that would be good if you could pull it off.

+1

[ket]

well, maybe he's just the right person to hear some veg*n education? I think that people who tend to focus on vegetarianism might be secretly interested in learning more and eventually becoming vegetarian.

[LiveVegan]

I would be happy to be introduced as a vegan and would love the opportunity for someone to try to slam the "meat is good for you crap" in my face. It is a good time to discuss that it isn't and why the added benefit being that you didn't start the discussion. Eventually they'll leave you alone when they've exhausted all their idiotic un-scientific evidence they could muster. Just saying. Opportunity is knocking...take it and deal them some blows back. You know you're right, fact them to silence!

[Treehugger267]

It would be a bit of a bummer to have it said everytime the person is around or is introducing someone to her like it's her hyphenated name.

[Alicia Avocado]

I HATE that....I go through the same thing and now I have reached the point where I have started another thread asking for printable brochures I can use to hand out to people who constantly ask or comment as I am tired of explaining and then dealing with their 'clever' retorts like:

"....but the meat I buy is organic!"
"....if we don't eat cows they will overpopulate!"
"....well LEAN beef is healthy!!!!"
"....without milk your bones go brittle!!!"

UGH!!!!

[Dave in MPLS]

Do people really talk about cow overpopulation?

-------

The bit that trips me up is 'kinda'. Why does that get tagged on there? You don't sound 'kinda vegetarian', in fact you sound like you qualify as 'full blown' :)

[IrieMama]

My husband doesn't flat out tell people that i'm vegan. But if we go to a restaurant and I'll see a dish doesn't have cheese. I'll order it with no meat or something and he always chimes in "and no cheese!"

I find it sweet :]

[LiveVegan]

Do people really talk about cow overpopulation?

Yea. *sigh* Sometimes. People can be pretty lame. :flush:

[LyricGaia]

He isn't interested in becoming one, he's mormon and he believes that his religion tells him that people are to dominate over animals, and eat them. He like, would even eat a dog if it came right down to it. (I kinda of respect that over the omnis that pretend like dogs are better then cows... at least he'd eat everything equally.)

[das_nut]

I believe that the only solution to this is to append the words "because the gods decree, it is so" to any mention of your veganism.

Examples:

Coworker: <you> can't eat turkey.
You: Because the gods decree, it is so.

C: That has egg, <you> can't have that.
Y: Because the gods decree, it is so.

C: That free promotional keyring is made out of a rabbit's foot. That isn't vegan.
Y: Because the gods decree, it is so.

^- See, it always works.

[LyricGaia]

I believe that the only solution to this is to append the words "because the gods decree, it is so" to any mention of your veganism.

Examples:

Coworker: <you> can't eat turkey.
You: Because the gods decree, it is so.

C: That has egg, <you> can't have that.
Y: Because the gods decree, it is so.

C: That free promotional keyring is made out of a rabbit's foot. That isn't vegan.
Y: Because the gods decree, it is so.

^- See, it always works.


*snickers* it's perfect.

[IrieMama]

He isn't interested in becoming one, he's mormon and he believes that his religion tells him that people are to dominate over animals, and eat them. He like, would even eat a dog if it came right down to it. (I kinda of respect that over the omnis that pretend like dogs are better then cows... at least he'd eat everything equally.)

I am really respectful of other peoples religions, but to say humans are dominate over animals is just so untrue. We are equal to animals, we just happen to be smarter. We are all earthlings.

[PTree15]

But husband does this to me a lot... not when introducing me to new people but when we go out to eat after I place my order he feels feels the need to say, "She's a vegetarian" in almost a hushed tone. It's annoying!

I have a friend who did the same thing, only not in a hushed tone, until I politely asked her to stop. It's not necessary to announce it every time I order out :D.

[MoustacheJohn]

Every time he mentions your veg*ism, I would constantly mention that he seems to permeate the room with smell similar to a mixture of old cabbage and rotten eggs.

[Fromper]

He isn't interested in becoming one, he's mormon and he believes that his religion tells him that people are to dominate over animals, and eat them. He like, would even eat a dog if it came right down to it. (I kinda of respect that over the omnis that pretend like dogs are better then cows... at least he'd eat everything equally.)

I remember a member here on VB a year or two ago who became vegetarian specifically because he/she (I don't remember who it was, honestly) was Mormon, and there's something in one of the Books of Mormon about only eating meat in times of famine. That discussion got us all wondering why more Mormons weren't veg*n.

--Fromper
:juggle:

[Skylark]

You could respond by doing exactly the same thing regarding one of his qualities. Say he plays World of Warcraft. Every opportunity you get, mention he is a "gamer, kinda." He'll get the idea once he gets annoyed enough.

[LyricGaia]

I remember a member here on VB a year or two ago who became vegetarian specifically because he/she (I don't remember who it was, honestly) was Mormon, and there's something in one of the Books of Mormon about only eating meat in times of famine. That discussion got us all wondering why more Mormons weren't veg*n.

--Fromper
:juggle:

Oooooh If I only knew what it said ^.^

[penny79]

we just happen to be smarter.

By our subjective comparison, I guess some people think they are smarter than other animals. I prefer "different."

[Fromper]

Oooooh If I only knew what it said ^.^

Wasn't as hard to find as I thought it might be: http://www.veggieboards.com/boards/showthread.php?t=68355

Here's Wikipedia's take on the matter: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Word_of_Wisdom

--Fromper
:juggle:

[@rno]

I work in a team of 6 people. In the beginning there were also a few people who wanted to make remarks about my veg*ism. In fact, I don't bother, because I have an answer for every (stupid) remark (because of a lifetime experience).

But it started to look like as if I began with talking about veg*ism (like a Jehova).
We discussed it in the group and we decided that we wouldn't talk about it anymore.

Now it is very quiet. No more jokes and remarks about veg*ism.