[JordanF]

Hello,<br><br><br><br>
I am an experianced vegetarian and i love being one, and yet still i have some of my family who are against it, my cousin thinks vegetarians are completley stupid, and he always says to me 'animals were invented to eat' and all that rubbish, my Grandad forever lectures me over it to, and in all honesty i am sick of it.<br><br><br><br>
What i usually say is 'an animal doesn't have to die in order for me to live,' that sometimes shuts them up.<br><br><br><br>
Do you know anything i can say that will shut them up?<br><br><br><br>
Thank you

 

[JordanF]

Or sometimes i just tell them its my choice so get lost!

 

[jeezycreezy]

Oh man.<br><br><br><br>
I have tried soooo many different things over the years and the only thing that ever really worked to get stupid omnis, family or otherwise, to shut up was:<br><br><br><br>
"I have twenty pounds of dynamite strapped to my body. If you say one more word about meat I'm gonna blow your s**t RIGHT the f**k up!"<br><br><br><br>
But that's an extreme example that might not work in every situation.<br><br><br><br>
Honestly there's little I could suggest in a single post, I'm afraid, other than it would probably be easier to get a new family.<br><br><br><br>
I thought the book Vegan Freak had some good strategies in it.<br><br><br><br>
I find sometimes the only thing you can do is grin and bear it and then ***** about it in the "Stupid Things Omnivores Say" thread.<br><br><br><br>
Cheers!<br><br>
TJ

 

[Amy SF]

Hi Jordan.<br><br><br><br>
Check out this thread.<br><br><br><br><a href="http://www.veggieboards.com/boards/showthread.php?t=31286" target="_blank">http://www.veggieboards.com/boards/s...ad.php?t=31286</a><br><br><br><br>
It's called Witty Responses to Stupid Things Omnivores Say, sort of a follow up to the aforementioned thread. Some of the responses in this thread may actually help you out. But I do think you're on the right track with your own "it's my choice" response.<br><br><br><br>
And you'll notice that the thread I linked to was invaded by a troll at one point, and the Stupid Things thread as well (or at least Part one; we're currently on Part two). I must say, there's something about our having to deal with people who don't understand our diets that makes omnis crazy. Like they can dish it out, but they can't take it. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/images/smilies/dizzy2.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title=":dizzy:">

 

[Michael]

I would just tell them it's personal and that you don't care to discuss it. Works for me.

 

[jeezycreezy]

<div class="quote-container"><span>Quote:</span>
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by <strong>Amy SF</strong> <a href="/forum/post/0"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style=""></a><br><br><br>
Check out this thread.</div>
</div>
<br><br><br>
I see no link?<br><br><br><br>
I can't seem to find it in a search.<br><br><br><br>
Sounds like an interesting thread.<br><br><br><br>
Help a brother out. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/images/smilies/smiley.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="">

 

[Amy SF]

<div class="quote-container"><span>Quote:</span>
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by <strong>jeezycreezy</strong> <a href="/forum/post/0"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style=""></a><br><br>
I see no link?<br><br><br><br>
I can't seem to find it in a search.<br><br><br><br>
Sounds like an interesting thread.<br><br><br><br>
Help a brother out. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/images/smilies/smiley.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title=""></div>
</div>
<br><br><br>
oops. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/images/smilies/blush.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title=""><br><br><br><br>
I added the link.

 

[Marie]

Say "Please pass the peas!"<br><br><br><br><img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/images/smilies/tongue3.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="">

 

[Nishani]

<div class="quote-container"><span>Quote:</span>
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by <strong>JordanF</strong> <a href="/forum/post/0"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style=""></a><br><br>
Do you know anything i can say that will shut them up?<br><br>
Thank you</div>
</div>
<br><br><br>
When it comes to family, probably nothing will shut them up permanently <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/images/smilies/smiley.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title=""> but just sticking to your convictions and appearing healthy and happy will speak volumes in the long run.

 

[Tesseract]

I was going to suggest some version of "STFU, and pass the rolls while you're at it," but I see TJ and Marie together have beaten me to it.

 

[Pescas]

Good for the animals, good for the environment and good for me..OR just ignore it. I ignore that **** at every single dinner =)

 

[bigdufstuff]

When someone passes on cake to try and lose weight they don't need to explain their dietary choice. So why should you unless you are willing and want to?<br><br><br><br>
Just tell them its your choice and leave it at that.

 

[Bonoluvr]

I want to tell them to shut the F* up but i just ignore them. my mom still thinks i'm crazy and i am a grown woman with kids of my own, who btw she tries to encourage to eat meat everytime she sees them, but of course they don't, but anyway, just ignore, and swear in your head at them......LOL

 

[becca23066]

You should just say something like, i dont lecture you about slaughterhouses and the leather industry etc, so why do you feel the need to leture me about doing something good? although, if its family, i can appreciate that you might just want to grin and bear it, and then rant on here!

 

[jonjan]

I had this with family for a while too... it can be challenging to respond mindfully.<br><br><br><br>
steps to try...<br><br><br><br>
1- are they really interested or caring... or are their comments out of trying to justify their own choices?<br><br><br><br>
- if they're really caring, then show them solid information. take 1 single point, and get solid info, and show them. then do it for another single point. Soon enough they'll start to see that their feelings aren't based on solid ground. this has helped me some times.<br><br>
And if you show them information and they don't wnat to see it, then it suggests that they don't really want to know the truth... and they are arguing for different reasons...<br><br><br><br>
2.- if they are arguing but don't want to see information, then you could tell them that you'd like to discuss it, when they are open to listening.<br><br>
If they continue to argue, just gentle state that you are fine, and you'd be open to dicuss it when they are able to listen.<br><br>
If they keep arguing, then keep that reply going.<br><br><br><br><br><br>
I think we need to keep in mind that it can be difficult for others who fear discovering that their diet is causing hurt. And if they think in terms of 'right'wrong', then they fear discovering that their diet is 'wrong'.<br><br>
It's like a kids feeling threatened who throws a tantrum.. they're just a little batty from feeling threatened. The calmer we are, the better the situation.<br><br><br><br>
I personally think witty comebacks are often a bad idea... the other people are trying to start a fight, and when we make witty comebacks (if it's out of frustration or anger or resentment), then we show that we agree to view the situation as a fight. Just don't do it, it's a trend of raising walls and us-them, and throwing stones.<br><br><br><br>
Be glad for where you are, and don't play along with a 5 year old calling you "poopyhead"... or to an adult saying anything else that's similar <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/images/smilies/wink3.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title=""> it's challenging at times <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/images/smilies/hug.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title=":hug:">

 

[NightFox87]

You can just say: "Yes, but we have the choice not to eat animals." That's what I say.

 

[Bios]

I haven't actually said it (because I think JonJan had the right of it, being combative about it is counterproductive), but I'm always tempted to ask one of the 'animals exist to be eaten' crowd what the skunks are for; or the slime hags; or whatever other member of the animal kingdom even the most die-hard meat-eater wouldn't touch.

 

[Tesseract]

Ask them what mosquitoes and fleas are for. Or the ebola virus, or any other pathogen, for that matter.

 

[granolacruncher]

<div class="quote-container"><span>Quote:</span>
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by <strong>Tesseract</strong> <a href="/forum/post/0"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style=""></a><br><br>
I was going to suggest some version of "STFU, and pass the rolls while you're at it," but I see TJ and Marie together have beaten me to it.</div>
</div>
<br><br><br>
I think I'm going to try that one at Thanksgiving. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/images/smilies/wink3.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="">

 

[UseHerName]

"It's a personal choice, and I'd rather not rant and preach about it, for both our sake's. Now, about that Coke you were about to go buy me..."<br><br><br><br>
I just added in the last part as something random. You can change it to whatever.