what gets to me (people at school are ignorant)...

[blue_sparrow]

The people at my school are so ignorant. This is what I get for being the only Vegan Jew (not including my family) in the Ozarks (I hold strong to that belief until proven other wise). The first time someone hears I don't eat any animal products they say "but you don't need to lose weight" or, the more daring ask if I'm anorexic. Anorexia is a state of mind, a mental illness, it has nothing to do with losing weight or starving yourself, those are symptoms. But that's not my point. I'm so sick of being told how skinny I am and how I need to eat meat to gain it back. I'm 5'4 and 125lbs. I am perfectly average! The people I go to school with are just FAT. Just because I eat healthy and exercise on a daily basis doesn't mean I'm trying to lose weight. Does this happen to anyone else?

[animallover7249]

Hi! I know exactly how you feel. Educate them. Tell them how you can live a healthy lifestyle being a vegetarian. Don't get mad or frusterated. They just don't understand. And what people don't understand, they mock. I know how it is- atleast you have your family on your side. Thats more than a lot of us have. :hug: If you ever need to talk, I'm only a PM away!



Part of me wanted to tell you, so badly...if someone says "are you trying to lose weight??" reply with "No, but you sure should" but no..no don't do that!

[animall0versist]

Same here
people at school suck

[death2fairytale]

Sometimes its not worth the headache. If they ask if your anorexic say "No, I eat like everyone else" or something that is not threatening or anger ridden. Same with losing weight "Im not trying to lose weight. Im trying to stay healthy."

[PeaceMaker!]

People at my school are the same way! It does get annoying.I KNOW!
I'm constantly reminded how I'm to skinny. When in reality Im average size.
& they only say that because I hardly eat lunchroom food,because its not vegetarian friendly,but I DO eat! Some poeple are just never going to except us the way we are. Because they wont take the time to listen.
Ive tried to many times to get people to understand why I choose to be a vegetarian,but they won't. So from now on I just don't even listen to them!
Maybe you should do the same. :D

[choc_puddin]

yea, I have the same problem. When I say i'm vegan to people, they give me 'the look'- you know the one. That judgemental look that says "You're vegan because you want to be skinny blah blah" I hate they way that they look at what i'm eating (usually a salad with beans nuts and avocado) and then just rip me apart for not eating enough and starving myself.
I'm vegan because I care about animals. End of story. And yes I may be thin, but its not like I dont eat, I just eat good healthy food and exercise every day. But I'm normal. I eat 'junk' food. Cupcakes. Takeout. Its all good.
I personally think those that are judgemental are just jealous. Ignore them, they're not worth the energy.

[Lydia]

yea, I have the same problem. When I say i'm vegan to people, they give me 'the look'- you know the one. That judgemental look that says "You're vegan because you want to be skinny blah blah" I hate they way that they look at what i'm eating (usually a salad with beans nuts and avocado) and then just rip me apart for not eating enough and starving myself.
I'm vegan because I care about animals. End of story. And yes I may be thin, but its not like I dont eat, I just eat good healthy food and exercise every day. But I'm normal. I eat 'junk' food. Cupcakes. Takeout. Its all good.
I personally think those that are judgemental are just jealous. Ignore them, they're not worth the energy.

Gosh I hate that look! The one you get at restaurants as well: yes, I'm ordering a salad with ONLY oil and vinegar as a dressing. NO I'm not on a weight-loss diet, I'm ordering the only thing cruelty free on your menu!

Well said. I agree with everything you posted.

[choc_puddin]

Gosh I hate that look! The one you get at restaurants as well: yes, I'm ordering a salad with ONLY oil and vinegar as a dressing. NO I'm not on a weight-loss diet, I'm ordering the only thing cruelty free on your menu!

Well said. I agree with everything you posted.


Dont get me started on restaurants!!!! If the only thing vegetarian on the menu is a salad, then its the only thing we can have. Jeeze. Do they expect us to cave in and order the prime steak or something?
Lol I think I have a lot of issues with non-vego people who just dont get us.

[Glorious!]

I know exactly how you feel blue_sparrow! I'm the only black vegan at my school and I get accursed LOOK everytime I pass a group of my old friends. Because all of a sudden being vegan is a "white thing" :wall: I can't get a darned one of them to see that having compassion for animals and honoring life has nothing to do with race! *sigh* Ahhh highschool gotta love it.

[death2fairytale]

I know exactly how you feel blue_sparrow! I'm the only black vegan at my school and I get accursed LOOK everytime I pass a group of my old friends. Because all of a sudden being vegan is a "white thing" :wall: I can't get a darned one of them to see that having compassion for animals and honoring life has nothing to do with race! *sigh* Ahhh highschool gotta love it.

Dont worry when you get to college you will find many black vegans (like me!:nana:) and people who just dont give a dang what u eat (and the vegan selection is way better!)

[Glorious!]

Dont worry when you get to college you will find many black vegans (like me!:nana:) and people who just dont give a dang what u eat (and the vegan selection is way better!)


*shakes your hand* You are the first black vegan besides myself that I have ever met. :p
College is only ten months away! I can't wait.

[Mrrple]

I'm not vegan, I'm vegetarian but I get the same reactions. Not only from people at school, but family as well. They all say 'OMGZ YUR SO SKINNY YOU NEED TO EATZ MEAT NOW KAY?!" and it's just kind of annoying. I've made a lot of enemies defending myself against these stupid attacks, especially the attacks that accuse me of being anorexic.

Don't get angry, that's the mistake I make every single time.

[HalfInsane]

I've always had some people say that I'm too skinny (you know, the kind of people who should really be losing weight themselves...) but the fact is my weight is exactly where it should be. But I know for myself that my weight is fine and that I'm not starving myself, and if someone wants to accuse me of being too skinny it doesn't get to me; they're obviously just sadly misinformed lol.

[confused923e]

Hmm... It'd be nice to have someone call me too skinny... I understand why you guys would be mad... but what's better... being called too skinny or "anorxic" or having someone say with that look... "Vegetarians are skinny, and you definately not"....hmmm...:grr::stinkeye::brood:

[trying_to_be]

ive avoided this problem by not telling pople im veggie. it really never comes up in conversations with teenage boys :P

[Zaff]

ive avoided this problem by not telling pople im veggie. it really never comes up in conversations with teenage boys :P

I say I'm vegan loud and proud :D I strut when I wear my "Mean people wear fur" PETA t-shirt,lol

"I know exactly how you feel blue_sparrow! I'm the only black vegan at my school and I get accursed LOOK everytime I pass a group of my old friends. Because all of a sudden being vegan is a "white thing" I can't get a darned one of them to see that having compassion for animals and honoring life has nothing to do with race! *sigh* Ahhh highschool gotta love it."

I'm black and vegan :D It's wierd cause people always act like it's an odd combo. However, I think there's another black vegan at my school because I remember her wearing a PETA hoodie or something. I'll have to ask...