[GNUmoe]

My father is very argumentative (which isn't a problem really, because I am too...it's a fun game usually) but doesn't comment on my veganism very often. The only times he will are when there are plenty of people around.<br><br><br><br>
My brother said to me "would you eat this sushi?" and of course I said "no" because there was raw fish...<br><br>
"Do you think it's very healthy for me to eat?"<br><br>
"Honestly, it's raw fish - I wouldn't think it's great, but.."<br><br>
then my dad cuts in - "oh, don't start that. You ate sushi when you were his age." then when I turn around and look back he's exchanging 'she thinks she's all that, but she's a hypocrite' looks with everyone.<br><br><br><br>
the same thing happened when someone asked me about eating lamb the other day.<br><br><br><br>
this happens all the time, and I think I handle it gracefully...but I need other opinions. I'm going to my nanny's house in a few days and they are all extreme Italian meat-and-cheese-eating people. They're also much more critical about lifestyles and there are about 200 of them. Should anything be said in response to this?

 

[marina13]

how about saying, "maybe i did, but now i know better"<br><br><br><br>
i come from an extreme meat & cheese culture as well, and my relatives never comment on my food - after 10 years, they're used to me not eating meat, and see that i'm still alive and healthy. i would say if anyone starts to give you crap about what you're eating, maybe say a sentence or two as to why you aren't eating what they're eating (i learned what how beef affects your body, how it depletes the environment, how veal calves are kept, etc.). that way, you aren't going into *too* much detail so you're not perceived as preachy, and, if they ask you more about it, that's a good thing as well.

 

[Eclipse]

I think mind games are involved. If they ask you about veganism and then don't want to hear about it, what are you supposed to do?.

 

[aotto08]

I don't think that is hypocritical. You just know better now, and your tastes have changed.<br><br>
Next time he's eating a peice of cake or some junk food, ask him if he thinks it's healthy. If he says no, ask him why he thinks it's ok to eat it then. That should get him to shut, or sound like an idiot with the "but it tastes good". "Well you said yourself it was bad for, you still eat it....how hypocritical is that?"<br><br><br><br>
From dictionary.com<br><br><div class="quote-container"><span>Quote:</span>
<div class="quote-block">hypocrisy<br><br><br><br>
n 1: an expression of agreement that is not supported by real conviction [syn: lip service] 2: insincerity by virtue of pretending to have qualities or beliefs that you do not really have<br></div>
</div>
<br><br><br>
NOT, "Oh she ate something years ago and doesn't now, because her beliefs have <b>changed</b>."

 

[IamJen]

Well said, aotto.

 

[Astarte]

Appropriately prepared sushi of the proper grade is a relatively healthy thing to eat (provided there's not too much mercury), but not eating it now when you used to eat it certainly doesn't make you a hypocrite. Next time it happens I'd just tell them to get off your back. They can't whine about what you say when they directly ask you what you think. As long as you're not making unsolicited criticisms about their food choices (and you haven't mentioned doing so) it's only common decency to leave you alone about your's.

 

[Sauteedbeans]

I can't believe some family members can be so rude and mean to their own children or siblings. I would think a parent would be proud of their children for being health and humanely conscious.

 

[GhostUser]

Just FYI. All sushi is vegan. Sashimi (raw fish) prepared with sushi is of course not. Sushi is the gingered rice and may be served with anything from meat to vegetables.

 

[Savannah]

i think if my parents ever said anything like that to me in front of a group of people that I would tell them how much i don't appreciate being baited like that or talked to like that so as to embarrass me in front of others. i think that the real question is why your father would put you in that spot in front of other people. my own parents would never engage in that kind of thing. perhaps that is the question you should be asking him directly: what compels him to do it?

 

[MZCsmpsns]

<div class="quote-container"><span>Quote:</span>
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by <strong>sarahjayn1980</strong> <a href="/forum/post/0"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style=""></a><br><br>
Okay. I used to "use the restroom" any time, any place. Knowing this, my parents put diapers on me. Eventually, I mastered the most marvelous of modern marvels, the toilet. Would your parents consider me hypocritical for no longer ****ting my pants? Or for potty training a babe more than one second before, I myself, voluntarily used the toilet?</div>
</div>
<br><br><br><img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/images/smilies/laugh.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title=":lol:"> Well put.<br><br><br><br>
If I were you I'd just say, yes I used to eat that, but I don't anymore. And leave it at that. If they continue to badger you, let them know no further explaination is necessary. (unless they're honestly curious and want to have a mature conversation about it)