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Still Made Fun Of At 28

Tuesday, 26 January 2010, 8:55 | Category : Vegan
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I went veg when I was eleven. I had the support of my parents and a best friend who went veg two years prior. That was all the support I needed at that age to keep me on track even when I had the rest of the 7th graders and some extended family making fun of my decision.

It turns out that at 28 years old, life isn’t all that different now. It’s seventeen years later and being veg is much more common. We have our own food sections at the supermarket. We have our own fashion labels. We have health and science on our side. We have the environment and animal welfare on our side. And yet, being made fun of is still a pretty regular occurrence. Inevitably some omnivore at the table will ask for bloody rare meat while laughing in my direction or make some comment about an animal dying while smiling. It hasn’t gotten old for them, even if it became boring to me over a decade ago. Happily, I’m made fun of less now than I was in grade school. But the only reason for that is because most of my friends are veg. Among my omnivorous friends, the topic comes up again and again. And I’m not the one starting it.

My husband is new to the veg world. He hasn’t taken the total plunge. He eats meat maybe ten times a year and only if it’s free range. No factory farmed products for him. He is baffled by people’s lack of understanding and their need to make fun of people who make eating decisions based on their ethics. Why should anyone be the object of ridicule when they are living by their beliefs? His opinion – He thinks people are intimidated by those who live by their values. So few people do it. He’s not even veg and he gets made fun of!

I agree with him. I can’t think of another reason to push so hard against a decision that effects no one but me. Anyone else have a thought? Are you still made fun of years later? Why do you think that is?

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  • http://olivialindquist.com/blog/ Olivia

    Thanks for this post. I’m transitioning to veg, and will be visiting my family in a few weeks. I think part of the reason I’m hesitant to finish my transition before the visit it because I don’t want to hear their teasing. (I was veg for a few years in high school and was frequently razzed.) Having the online community definitely helps.

  • http://olivialindquist.com/blog/ Olivia

    Thanks for this post. I’m transitioning to veg, and will be visiting my family in a few weeks. I think part of the reason I’m hesitant to finish my transition before the visit it because I don’t want to hear their teasing. (I was veg for a few years in high school and was frequently razzed.) Having the online community definitely helps.

  • Alyson

    Olivia – I totally understand. And I congratulate you for making the transition to being veg! Sadly, being different always means your choices will be a topic of conversation. But, what I didn’t say in my post is that over the years many omnivores in my life have become veg or drastically reduced their consumption of meat all because they knew/talked to a vegetarian. You will inspire others who value your convictions. Some will make fun and they will do it because they don’t know how else to talk about it. But you are a hero to animals, to the environment and to your own health. I don’t even know you and I’m thrilled!

  • Alyson

    Olivia – I totally understand. And I congratulate you for making the transition to being veg! Sadly, being different always means your choices will be a topic of conversation. But, what I didn’t say in my post is that over the years many omnivores in my life have become veg or drastically reduced their consumption of meat all because they knew/talked to a vegetarian. You will inspire others who value your convictions. Some will make fun and they will do it because they don’t know how else to talk about it. But you are a hero to animals, to the environment and to your own health. I don’t even know you and I’m thrilled!

  • SG

    Sometimes I get teased a little by my family or close friends and that is usually not mean-spirited teasing and i don’t mind it. Sometimes though, total strangers, will relentlessly tease and make comments and I have to ask them “why are you so concerned with what I am eating?” I attended XMAS dinner at a close friends house and a very obese cousin of hers constantly chided me all night. I had to ask that we not discuss it over dinner and then later on, he made a comment about me not being healthy and I said “Oh *I’m* not healthy?” I not once brought up the fact that I was vegetarian or commented about anyone else’s food. It seemed just my presence was enough of bother? Ugh, it was not fun.

  • SG

    Sometimes I get teased a little by my family or close friends and that is usually not mean-spirited teasing and i don’t mind it. Sometimes though, total strangers, will relentlessly tease and make comments and I have to ask them “why are you so concerned with what I am eating?” I attended XMAS dinner at a close friends house and a very obese cousin of hers constantly chided me all night. I had to ask that we not discuss it over dinner and then later on, he made a comment about me not being healthy and I said “Oh *I’m* not healthy?” I not once brought up the fact that I was vegetarian or commented about anyone else’s food. It seemed just my presence was enough of bother? Ugh, it was not fun.

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