Why do people hate vegans? Vegans are hated because they shine a light on moral inconsistencies, they’re vocal about animal rights, and they inconveniently challenge treasured customs and traditions.
That’s quite the concoction of objections when it comes to veganism. I mean, there’s just no escaping it. If you’re vegan, you know that there’s a lot of hate out there for people like us.
And the hate runs deep. Malicious at times.
This post will share some examples of how the general public views vegans before diving into the 3 reasons people dislike vegans based on some interesting studies.
Towards the end of the article, we see whether it’s possible to shift this negative perception and what vegan businesses should consider knowing these issues.
What does vegan hate look like?
Cobra Kai, a TV series sequel to the original Karate Kid movies, is one of my favourite shows. However, 2 core characters, Johnny Lawrence and John Kreese are carnivorous senseis that take regular shots at veganism to portray their masculinity.
As film review website Looper put it, “How many tofu jokes can one show make before it’s just too much? “Cobra Kai” seems intent on answering that question.
Then there’s more on-the-nose vegan hate, especially in the culinary industry.
The late celebrity chef Anthony Bourdain once wrote in his book, Kitchen Confidential:
“Vegetarians, and their Hezbollah-like splinter-faction, the vegans, are a persistent irritant to any chef worth a damn.
To me, life without veal stock, pork fat, sausage, organ meat, demi-glace, or even stinky cheese is a life not worth living.”
Gordan Ramsey was a little more direct, saying:
“If the kids ever came up to me and said, ‘Dad, I’m a vegetarian,’ then I would sit them on the fence and electrocute them.”
Ironically, Gordon recently went on a health kick transforming his body and doing Iron Man competitions — and he attributes much of his success to removing milk and cheese from his diet.
And of course, the keyboard warriors are hiding behind fake profiles, making it their life mission to lurk on every vegan blog post, Youtube video, social media post and online forums to attack vegans. I’m not naive to know it goes both ways for this sad behaviour.
Beyond media, demeaning vegan jokes are plastered on t-shirts and bumper stickers.
And perhaps the most painful form of anti-veganism is in-person interactions.
When I first became vegan, I got constant snarky comments from friends when we were out in town or playing sports.
And even when I tell people I’m vegan for the first time, it’s met with defensiveness and sometimes criticism straight off the bat.
This general dislike towards vegans has been so prevalent that it even has a term, vegaphobia, coined by researchers Matthew Cole and Karen Morgan in a 2011 journal.
So why are people vegaphobic? There are generally 3 reasons.
Reason 1 – Vegans break the happy state of cognitive dissonance
Cognitive dissonance is the mental discomfort we experience when we simultaneously hold two or more contradictory beliefs, values, or attitudes.
For example, you might believe that eating meat is morally wrong, but enjoy the taste and convenience of eating meat. In this case, cognitive dissonance would occur because you’re experiencing conflicting thoughts and feelings about your dietary choices.
Read more: I Love Animals But I Could Never Give Up {Insert Blank}
I believed that people were genuinely unaware of our choices’ impact on animal suffering. But when I reflect on this, it’s not a lack of awareness. We’ve become insanely skilled at compartmentalising animal exploitation and what we consume.
Back in the day, there was no way I would let myself think about hen’s throats being slit when I was devouring popcorn chicken at KFC.
What vegetarians and vegans represent shines a light on this internal conflict which forces us to face our moral beliefs. The natural response? Do-gooder derogation.
Do-gooder derogation is the act of putting down someone because they’re trying to improve the world. It’s a way of coping with the cognitive dissonance by making fun of people living their values.
Remember that student in high school who always wanted to do the right thing? They’d get called a goodie-goodie, the teacher’s pet, a Dibba dobber just because they were trying to do better.
In this context, it wasn’t cool to be good. Goodie’s got in the way of fun. So bullies would tear them down. Furthermore, seeing others do good makes us feel insecure and uncomfortable.
We may all agree that it’s desirable to act morally, yet we may differ in opinions on right and wrong. In a 2011 study about do-gooder derogation, researchers Julia A. Minson and Benoît Monin found that moral conduct toward any cause, whether modest or significant, might be annoying and ridiculed rather than respected and admired.
They discovered that 47 per cent of respondents had a negative view of vegetarians, with 4% using words like “weak” or “malnourished.” Vegetarians were negatively linked with 45% of respondents in terms of unpleasant social traits such as self-righteous, aggravating, and insane.
We all care about our moral identity. So morally motivated individuals may be troubling to the mainstream media and trigger resentment — not just towards vegans.
In a 2015 study, researchers Cara C. MacInnis and Gordon Hodson discovered that both vegetarians and vegans were treated more unkindly than environmentalists, that vegetarians were regarded more favourably than feminists, and that vegans were evaluated similarly to feminists.
The study also found that vegans who are vegan for animal rights purposes were judged more harshly than those who are vegan for health or environmental reasons. Those who are vegan for ecological reasons were evaluated more severely than those who are vegan for health reasons.
This shows that ethical concerns are particularly sensitive when disrupting cognitive dissonance.
Reason 2 – Vegans are vocal about veganism
The loud minority of vegans make it seem like every vegan is attacking omnivores for their choices.
We’ve heard it a million times;
“How do you know if someone is vegan? They’ll tell you”.
Read more: Do You Feel Like a Preachy Vegan?
The reality is, being vegan impacts every consumption choice you make. When you’re ordering food and drinks or buying clothing or furniture, there’s a high chance animals have been exploited in the process. So you need to state your intention to avoid those choices.
Then you have someone like me, whose profession is to write on a vegan blog, so veganism comes into the picture again when people ask what I do for work.
It’s hard to escape your identity of being a vegan, even if you try.
Okay, but what about the animal activists who are proactively vocal about veganism? How do these actions influence the perception of vegans?
To answer the question, we first need to understand moral reproach.
Moral reproach is the disapproval of another person’s actions, usually done in an emotional way. It’s often used as a means to influence a person’s behaviour.
Moral reproach can be effective, but it can also backfire and make the accused more resistant to change — or straight-up hate in the case of veganism.
This makes sense. It’s uncomfortable to be held accountable for your actions, especially when your moral identity is questioned.
Back to the do-gooder derogation study. It was observed that meat-eaters generally believe that vegans see them as morally inferior. And the stronger the belief (increased evidence of moral reproach), the more negative vegans are viewed.
In other words, the more vegans hold non-vegans accountable; the more vegans are hated.
What’s fascinating is that in a follow-up study, they found that vegetarians and vegans do look down on omnivores somewhat, but nowhere to the extent that is perceived. Therefore vegan derogation is a preemptive strike against a vastly exaggerated threat.
It’s human nature to strike first to protect ourselves from a potential threat. Meanwhile, in the case of vegans, they’re not actually as “aggressive” and “emotional” as their stereotype would indicate.
So whether vegans protest, call out family at the dinner table, or try to avoid conflict altogether, the generalised perception of moral reproach drives anti-veganism.
Reason 3 – Vegans inconveniently challenge the status quo
Eating animal flesh is deeply rooted in traditions and customs. I remember when I visited my heritage country Ghana as a teenager, my uncle slaughtered one of his goats to prepare goat soup in honour of our arrival. For him, it was an act of gratitude and love for being connected with family.
This is just one of many examples, whether it’s Sunday roast or barbecue, first date with your future partner, thanksgiving turkey, or making recipes passed down from generations in your family. Some of our fondest memories are created from consuming animals.
Then vegans come along and present a direct threat to these beloved traditions. There’s a term for this; threat theory.
Threat theory is when people perceive an out-group as a threat to their way of life. So when vegans try to influence the meat-eating majority, it’s seen as a threat to their traditions and customs.
It doesn’t matter how veganism is presented or how non-threatening vegans come across. The message is always received as a threat to the status quo.
Veganism is always going to be inconvenient to the meat-eating majority.
Religious and political beliefs also influence anti-veganism.
According to the study mentioned earlier, exaggerated bias exists toward vegetarians and vegans among prejudice prone individuals. Those with a strong right-wing ideology/conservatism were associated with more negative attitudes toward vegetarians and vegans.
The assumption here is that vegans are seen as less compliant and more of a threat to people who hold these beliefs.
The impact of anti-veganism
Vegaphobia is real. But how does it translate to experiences?
In addition to the standard stereotypical vegan jokes and bullying, a study found that:
- One-quarter of vegan subjects said that a friend cut communication with them soon after announcing their veganism.
- Anxiety about revealing one’s vegetarianism/veganism was a problem for over one-third of veggie and vegan participants.
- Over 40% of vegetarian individuals and over half of vegan respondents reported experiencing everyday prejudice, preparing for potential discrimination, and employing coping strategies.
I can certainly relate to the first 2 points. Without a doubt, my veganism had changed some personal relationships, especially when I initially transitioned. It was my fault as much as it was theirs. Sad but true.
And telling people that I’m vegan to this day brings me anxiety, especially after knowing the subconscious resentment towards us “do-gooder” vegans.
I can’t say I’ve experienced any vegan discrimination and evidence backs this up.
According to the same study where vegetarians and vegans claimed to experience daily discrimination, the results differed.
Although omnivores dislike vegetarians and vegans, they didn’t indicate they were less willing to hire them than other groups.
In fact, people were more inclined to hire vegetarians than atheists, drug addicts, and immigrants. And participants were more ready to hire vegans than immigrants or drug addicts. Participants were also more willing to rent to vegetarians or vegans than other target groups.
Despite the animosity, omnivores acknowledge positive qualities in vegetarians/vegans when protecting assets such as businesses or real estate. Perhaps because of their “restrictive” food habits, vegetarians/vegans are perceived as disciplined and responsible, which may be desirable in hiring or renting situations. Go figure!
So what can we gather from this?
For one, the impact of anti-veganism or vegaphobia shouldn’t be taken lightly. It’s real, and it can have lasting effects on our relationships and mental well-being.
On the flip side, not all is lost in the vegan/non-vegan relationship. There’s some underlying respect that can actually benefit vegans.
Is it possible to shift the negative perspective of vegans?
It’s unlikely we’ll see any significant shifts in how vegans are viewed. However, just like any discrimination or dislike, every interaction is an opportunity to create a new reference point.
For instance, I’m a black person in a predominantly white community. Locals haven’t interacted much with people of colour, so they have some pretty strong biases based on what they’ve observed in the media or heard from friends.
Regardless of the pre-conceived idea someone might have about me; I look at each connection as a chance to create a new precedent for them.
The same approach can be used for vegans. The first thing is to accept that most people will likely feel hostile towards you for the reasons outlined above. Now you have a choice. Validate the perception or create a new one.
Regardless of what cause you’re fighting for, overcoming the “do-gooder” perception is hard enough. But to then be condescending, aggressive or smug will piss anyone off.
I can’t tell you how many times someone has said, “when you first told me you were vegan, I thought you’d be uptight and annoying, but you’re not like one of those vegans.” Not quite the response we’re after, but hey, it’s progress!
As for non-vegans annoyed by the existence of vegetarians and vegans, it’s worth reflecting on why you feel that way. Sure, you might fundamentally disagree with veganism. Or, more likely, you’re experiencing some level of cognitive dissonance that you’re fighting to maintain.
Either way, confront your feelings, and hopefully, we can start to see more respectful and positive dialogue between vegans and non-vegans.
Tens of billions of animals are slaughtered each year in the U.S. alone for our sensory pleasure. And every consumption decision we make directly influences the number of animal deaths. It’s confronting to face the magnitude of this suffering, and it’s why many people go vegan.
How should vegan businesses brand themselves?
Knowing what we know now about vegan perception, is it wise for business owners to use vegan in their brand name?
It comes down to who you’re targeting.
If you’re trying to reach vegans, then sprinkling vegan throughout your branding will be clarifying and trustworthy to that audience. As a vegan customer, it’s a relief to see the business I’m engaging with is openly vegan. I know I don’t have to ask questions about their offerings making for a much easier experience.
However, if you want to reach vegans and non-vegans, leading with veganism could potentially alienate a good chunk of your customers.
For example, at the beginning of 2022, we decided to split our recipe content into a new website called Heartful Table. We did this because our goal is to help everyone interested in eating more plants create simple and delicious plant-based recipes, and we wanted a more approachable name (i.e. not the word vegan) to reach these people.
While The Minimalist Vegan is a place for people who are interested in the topics of minimalism and veganism.
With that said, the decision as to whether it’s best to be “obviously” vegan or not for your business is not black or white. In fact, vegan entrepreneurs are divided on the approach. Some prefer clarity, while others prefer to be more “stealthy” with their activism.
It is, however, worth giving some serious thought to knowing the potential impact.
Why do people hate vegans? Your thoughts
The bottom line is that there will always be people who react negatively to change, especially when it comes to something as personal as consumption decisions.
But we have a choice: we can either validate their perceptions or create new ones. With enough effort, we can slowly but surely shift the conversation from hate to understanding – and eventually, compassion.
If you’re vegan, have you experienced vegan hate? How have you dealt with it? If you’re not vegan, have you felt annoyed by vegans? Why? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below.
My co-workers and I had alot of fun drinking beer and eating steaks and ribs throughout our city. Once a vegan joined our group, it wasn’t fun anymore. I left the group for one without veganism control.
throughout most of history, animals have been hunted and farmed in a more or less humane manner and I don’t think eating meat has posed a moral dilemma. It’s only more recently with the advent of industrial animal Agriculture and slaughter, that farm animals have been treated cruely. That’s where the moral issue has arisen. So a lot of the comments here about the natural human inclination and desire to eat meat is beside the point, in my view.
Emmmm… nope! You have it completely wrong, I hate vegans because they try to interfere with my life. I hate vegans because they have lot of media and lobby power and they’re gonna end banning meat at some point.
1- You’re not breaking any cognitive dissonance in me. I eat meat very consciously, because it’s healthy and it contributed to our evolution.
2- Totally agreed, you’re activists, therefore we hate you.
3- You don’t challenge any status quo. You are the status quo! You are with the media, politicians and big companies! Do you understand now why we hate you?
Oh, and I’d like to make a distinction here. There are two types of plant-eating guys here:
-Type 1, Vegetarians: People who just eat plants and don’t disturb anybody else. I have no problems with these guys, they eat whatever they want and don’t bother me about it. It’s their choice, and I respect it.
-Type 2, Vegans: Fanatical religious people who try to impose their sick world view to the rest. Here are the guys I have a problem with. Leave me alone.
healthiest diet is the balance diet.
A thought provoking article. I’m not sure myself whether some of those reasons are quite right, but I think Reason 3 is on the right track in the sense that I suspect people see vegans and veganism as a threat to community success and safety.
Humans have always eaten meat and will do so preferentially when possible. I believe that deep cultural traditions have developed over time that protect and support hunting and meat-eating as key strategies for human survival. Put simply, people sub-consciously view veganism and vegans as threatening group success/survival and hence will act instinctively and almost irrationally to censure vegan attitudes. This is why I think it extremely unlikely that “strong” veganism will ever appeal to more than a fringe group, at least not for some time to come.
I’d suggest that the better way forward – ie to gain broader appeal – is to move away from strong veganism towards a more inclusive and weaker formulation. My own attempt at that is to cast veganism as a rights-based justice movement, but not a movement that directly seeks legislative backing for a prohibtion on all animal use. Instead, I think the notion of a set of basic rights for other animals could constitute a guide to behaviour (as a core ethical framework, perhaps).
In such a manner, everyone can be brought into the “vegan” fold, or more exactly be encouraged to seek justice for other animals whenever we can. “Whenever we can” simply becomes a point of discussion and agreement, but will ultimately rest with the individual. No-one gets judged for how vegan they are, nor do we worry about vegan purity. What’s the point, when that continues to be a dismal failure?
I am vegan and I am the only one in my friend, family, or work environment. Except for my daughter who is vegetarian, we decided to go vegetarian at the same time. I was vegetarian since 2015 and just recently went full vegan 7 weeks ago. People question me a lot why am I vegan? I get weird questions and comments. I get the vegan hate. Even from family members, but honestly I don’t care, because I know I’m doing the right thing for me. I have deeper thoughts on it than most. They just don’t seem to understand. Then they say I need my meat! I can’t live without meat. I’m like okay. I try to not make it an issue, but it really is a lifestyle apart of who I am. And I would never change it or go back to the so called “normal” way of eating. I love all creatures and we don’t have a right to make them our pleasure.
Ironic. I’m cool with people being Vegan, I just don’t understand why they need to scream it at people who believe different than them.
The key in our ever diverse universe is tolerance of one another.
Meat eater, vegan. Gay, straight. Christian, Atheist.
And some of us, don’t mind the thought of sacrificing animals for food. Animals do it to each other everyday. That’s where the moral card falls off.
Likewise, humans also used to eat other humans. You should read about how they prepared the first versions of Menudo.
there’s nothing wrong with eating meat if the animal is raised, hunted and killed in an ethical manner. that’s not what’s happening now. farm animals are being tortured. most of the comments here are not addressing that point at all.
I don’t yell at anyone or even mention the issue much except to asked how the person feels about the abuse of animals going on at factory farms. then I drop the issue. but, yet, I think a little bit less of the person.
I’m perfectly okay with veganism, so long as they don’t try to shove their beliefs right into my face. As someone who’s absolutely infatuated with dairy, I find it really annoying when vegans try to get me to quit milk chocolate and other dairy-containing foods I love just for moral reasons. And although most vegans I know do not talk trash about those that eat meat and/or dairy like me, some are. And those that do tend to take it way too far for me to handle. So it’s not that I’m against veganism, but instead am fed up with them trying to push their beliefs into me
Good read.
I would be fine with eating meat if I lived in the time of the native American Indians or if I could get meat from ethical hunters. the problem now is that virtually all meat comes from factory farms where animals are terribly abused. even the “certified human” label is not to be trusted. I don’t want to be part of the abuse.
I was always a vegetarian and i have turned vegan only in the last 6 months, but every step i get snarky , derogatory comments
comments from close family, friends, pretty much everybody (even ones i have met for the first time at dinner tables)
I hope your husband eats normal stuff
I don’t want this vegan shit (when invite for dinner), you better eat butter etc.
You have become so weak, since you have turned vegan you should consult a dietician
Your cheeks have turned hollow, this veganism sheganism that you are doing you better check that..
It’s very strange that i will never call them out fir eating animals, having dairy etc. I keep my mouth shut not coz i am scared but just in geber i know when somebody is sensitive about these topics. But it’s amazing how everybody thinks that i am So wrong and so stupid. I don’t feel at all that anybody thinks that i have a do gooder attitude. They think it’s a fad or i am just plain mad. Only a couple of people who are not vegans have expressed any sort of understanding.
I would not put up with people making these kinds of comments.
For me, I hate vegans that push veganism onto others. I honestly don’t mind vegans that focus on their diet for health and other reasons, but as soon as they look at others and judge them for eating meat or a product from an animal, whether vocally or not, that’s when it draws the line. As soon as a vegan steps up, they can quickly be shot down and then play the victim. The comparison between a school kid and a protester is a stretch; it’s not because you’re doing the right thing, it’s because what vegans do is pathetic. I appreciate your viewpoint and enjoyed your blog, but I groaned in many parts because of the apparent bias. Besides, animals already eat each other; why can’t humans do that? It’s the food chain for a reason. Meat helps boost your iron, dairy products such as milk contain a collection of vitamins, protein, and elements, and it helps with bone structure.
Honestly, you’re mad for the wrong reasons. The argument that animals eat each other doesn’t account for humans being the only species to cook its own food. I would like to see how eating dairy is natural to other animals (after the first year of life). I would also like to understand how naturally one would just eat any meat raw. If we are like other animals, let’s see start eating raw meat. Wait a second—That’s not possible because our teeth weren’t designed for that? Go figure.
Exactly not only is her comment TOTALLY ignorant, it’s insulting and the exact reason this article was written. To me it’s very sad people create that dissonance in their food sources. I have a colleague who continually makes fun of me while she’s incredibly overweight, has diabetes, and her husband is 60 and has had two heart attacks. And has anyone stopped to think where this meat/dairy campaign came from? Could it be the trillion dollar business that is the meat industry? Think outside the box- who needs cows milk to survive? Wait for it… baby cows. Crazy!
Why is it you are reading this article exactly? Why does it matter to you WHY someone chooses to go vegan? And why do you feel the need to shoot a vegan down exactly? Not all animals are omnivores in fact the ones that are have a totally different digestive system than humans. The majority of your herbivore animals are what you consume. You feel judged, then that is on you. Every day I wish that people would CARE about the egregious cruelty that goes into factory farming. Where trillion dollar corporations create anti-gag laws about exposing the immense cruelty that goes into SENTIENT beings. Why is that? Because if it is exposed many people would not eat meat. Instead, most meat eaters I know choose to avoid this because they do not want to know. Hence the cognitive dissonance in the article. Aside from the rape and torture we put these animals through, the world cannot sustain what is happening. 70 billion land animals are slaughtered for consumption. If this was so “natural’ why do the largest meat-eating countries (hint US, Argentina) have the highest heart disease, obsesity, diabetes, cancer, and hosts of other diseases more than any other country? No one is going to change your mind- I encourage those who utterly and selfishly refuse to give up their meat consumption please do not attack us, nor complain when we get hit with ZOONOTIC pandemics (SARS, EBOLA, COVID, AIDS, all zoonotic) because they rrefuse to care or listen. Research Blue Zones, and check out EAting our Way to Extinction for more factual statistics. But even then, I am sure you won’t listen because humans tend to create their own narrative when it fits their dysfuncitonal narrative. 70% of the amazon rain forrest is gone, 98% of animals that go to slaughter are pumped full of anti botics (75% of antibotics made go to animal ag) and forget the absolute torment we put these critters through every day. 1/3 of earths water, and the land used to feed these animals (humans consume 5% of the crops while 95% are consumed by farm animals) I don’t normally spew at meat eaters, but my latest attitude- if you’re gonna spit this nonsense out, be prepared for what you get back.
What I do as a plant based eater is to push on to animal eaters the fact that 80 billion innocent animals are cruelly slaughtered every year. You’ll be aware of that but it doesn’t seem to concern you. Without a psychopathic slaughterhouse worker people wouldn’t get the animal on the dinner plate. So it’s not about us, It’s about animals without a voice who can’t object to having their throats slashed. Their brains blown out or being sent to the gas chambers. It’s this barbaric system we are trying to get across.
I’m sorry, but if your response to having your beliefs and morals challenged is to lash out and cling desperately to your cognitive dissonance, then yes I do look down on you. I know that’s not the way to change minds, that compassion and understanding is, but I simply don’t have patience for grown adults that act like bratty toddlers. Having hate against someone because they’re doing the right thing is just pathetic. You seem to have a much cooler and patient head on your shoulders than me, so more power to you and I hope you can continue to give level headed responses to antiveganism and convert some along the way.
That’s the issue though.
Y’all think you’re doing the right thing when you’re not.
Animal cruelty is understandable as something you would fight against, but animal consumption aversion is not the solution. I can accept someone who wants animals to not be tortured, I can’t accept someone whose “right thing” is not aware they’re weakening their own people.
Face it: you can’t fight a vegan with fists in hand and lose, the moment you slap them they’re already on the floor. But somehow, that is the right thing? At any point any enemy who wants to get you to war will go to war with your country, and you’re going to be in danger of extinction in seconds.
You’ll have to see the ugly way why your choices are not the right thing, the fact you think you are is what makes y’all be repulsed by normal people.
To eat meat is the most normal thing in the world. Death is normal and crucial for the ecosystem. Y’all trying every second to destroy an ecosystem older than our species is going to be found with criticism, and you better like it: you’re a minority because you’re not right.
It’s like hearing a mass murderer saying “your honor, killing those kids was the right thing, but the vocal majority will disagree with it with their cognitive dissonance”.
You’re not, right. But you being vocal that you are just makes us normal people stay away from y’all more.
You could have a reason 4, some people are just ignorant. But reason 2 is HUGE!!!! If at every meal you hear a comment about maybe an egg or dairy choice, it’s annoying. Shaming people for something that they don’t feel like is shameful is enough to have the opposite effect. It’s important to let non-vegans to initiate the questions and if you shame them then they don’t want to talk to you.
Also, vegan restaurants are usually terrible. Specifically when they try to replicate a meat dish, it almost never works. Vegetarian dishes never try this and can be quite delicious.
I have no problem with the animal rights component as I volunteer for local shelters and rescues. I try to cut out as much as I can with my Mediterranean Diet. Also as a progressive liberal, getting into loud discussions at group functions is not a fear of mine.
The only thing that gets annoying is trying to plan a cook out or large meal with vegans. Omg, you know your aunt is never going to understand mayo is not in your diet. Or someone is going to try to make a vegan dish and still make a mess of it. At least they are trying, don’t be a dick. Pick your battles at the picnic table. I have been lactose intolerant my whole life and I know I will have to just pick cheese out of things even though everyone “knows” about my restriction. C’est la vie.
what a relief from the norm!i just discovered your blog and I was so happy to read an intelligent thoughtful article written from such a positive point of view.
i try. i try so hard to fight the good fight, be a good steward to the earth. i know it is important to create a positive attitude towards veg life but it can be so hard. i’ve settled on just being a good example and doing my own thing. (like the mac and cheese in previous comments- well done!) the social price we pay is high.
those who believe need to support each other and stay the course. your words are helpful!
Hi Maggie, I feel you. It’s a challenge, especially when being vegan impacts every consumer choice. Setting an example through actions is always a safer bet, although I hope we can continue to have meaningful and open dialogue to move things forward.
Thank you for your kind words, efforts and for taking the time to comment.
I not sure it’s vegans they hate, it’s more that they feel us vegans think we better than meat eaters. But we know this is a lifestyle choice and do not judge others for not choosing the same path.
I have loads of amazing friend that are not vegan or vegetarian, I wish they did not but would never push my views on them, as they do not put me down for my decision to be a vegan.
But haters will always hate 🙁
Good point, Julie. It goes back to the combination of do-gooder derogation and moral reproach that creates the perception of righteousness and ego. I, too, have many non-vegan friends and get along in harmony.
Regardless of whether someone is vegan or not, I value people who are open and non-judgemental above all else. Thanks for sharing your experience.
Hi Julie, we really do live in a world where haters will always hate, unfortunately. I’m a meat eater, but I don’t hate vegans for being vegan, only if they are jerks. I assume so many people hate vegans because of the negative stigma that “all vegans will kill you if you eat an animal because you’re doing nothing to save the Earth,” so as soon as you tell someone you’re vegan, that’s their reaction, and I really hate that. I have vegan/vegetarian friends, and they’re all so sweet. I hope the stigma will soon be removed, and vegans can live in peace without hate from people.
Hi Michael,
Mate, you sure do the rounds-of-the-table with the variety of topics you put up for discussion. The latest is a cliff hanger – “Why are vegans hated?” Because the vegan movement gets right up and personal, often in the faces of meatatarians. We expose the hypocrisy shown by carnivores…”Aw honey, look at that lovely cute innocent lamb in the stall, how cuddly.” “Yeah, I’ll have it on my dinner plate tonight thank you very much.” Meateaters don’t like that we relish our status that we are the victims. With furrowed brows, they consider vegans are vociferous and annoying, holier-than-thou, self-satisfied and evangelical. In western society, vegans experience discrimination and bias on a par with other minor groups.These displays of enmity towards vegans represent a puzzling escalation in hostilities, just as a consensus is starting to form that eating less meat would almost certainly be better for everyone – and the planet. Of course on the flip side of the coin, vegans demonise meat, when and were possible. Add that conundrum to grocery store shelves stocking total plant based sausages, schnitzels, chicken nuggets and cheese, is it any wonder that carnivors are left fuming and scratching their heads. Even conglomerates like Nestle and Kellogg’s are moving into the plant based meat alternatives earning millions of dollars for their share holders. I honestly believe, (perhaps not in my lifetime) that consuming red meat will be placed in the same categary as tobacco smoking – a vice enjoyed by a number of people in full awareness of its negative health consequences. But as our numbers grow beyond being “the minority,” perhaps the worst thing we could hear from meateaters is that we were right.
Hi Frank! Yup, I’m locked in a bunch of topics at the moment 🙂 Your articulated response adds incredible value to this conversation, so thank you. I align with your prediction, although I’m hopeful the shift will happen in your lifetime.
Hi Frank, the good news is the WHO already see red meat consumption as the same as smoking tobacco, they’re both classed as class 1 carcinogens!
Loved reading this. Some examples which occured to me:
Once I told a friend of mine I’m vegan he immediately said “then what do you eat..hay?
Another in my family. A nephew on knowing that I am vegan replied ‘I love your way and wish I could do it but cannot. But after all I am not a meat gobbler’ Another nephew tried veganism but gave up after a few months.
A niece this time from another family. When they visited me few years back I made it a point of showing the miseries and cruelty of slaughtering animals for food. One fine day her mother called asking me to stop this when they visit cos back home the niece started crying on knowing the cruelty done. She threatened me to stop or else they quit visiting. BUT knowing this she wouldn’t turn vegan. Crocodile tears!!
I do not hesitate showing I’m vegan whenever occassion arises. Couldn’t care less what people think of me. On the other hand some praise crops up once in a blue moon like ‘ I’ve never met an individual of your age 81 who is vegan’
At hospital for a surgical intervention I tell them I am vegetarian cos the agency who supplies meals do not know what vegan means. But they oblige. They supply me with vegetarian dish. I leave uneaten non vegan.
Hi Joe, reading about your experiences struck me, especially when dealing with family as a vegan. It can be a touchy point.
It’s surprising that hospitals don’t have dedicated vegan options. I suppose it depends on the location and hospital. Thanks for sharing.
As with everything else, especially in the U.S. where I live, meat-eaters believe we are going to take things away from them. They look at us as being very evil people, they won’t even read about Veganism nor are they willing to believe in compassion for all sentient beings.
I “teach” in a very subtle manner … For instance, when I go to a potluck I usually bring a large and deep pan of my much loved Mac ‘n’ Cheese, and I also bring copies of the recipe. People ask who made it, I confess, then they ask me what kinds of cheese I used in the sauce. My reply, as always – “It’s all plant-based”. They won’t believe me, so I hand them a copy of the recipe. This is how I believe carnivores and omnivores learn about Vegan cooking/ Veganism in a kind way. People don’t need to be hit on the head, they just need to be able to ask questions and talk about Veganism with someone who’s patient and thoughtful.
Hi Carol, I love your approach to leading through food experiences. You must make an incredible Mac ‘n’ Cheese to garner such a response from non-vegans. Well done! There’s much to learn from your example. Thanks for sharing.
Great article. Being a vegan in an omnivorous world, I’ve realized pretty quickly that answering questions about my diet is best left vague unless discussing with friends, family, or other vegans. I try to say “just a personal choice,” or “seems to really work for my lifestyle.” If I were to call attention to concerns most vegans have like cruelty or environmental concerns, it can be misconstrued as “you’re not concerned if you’re not living like me.” There is no way passive enough to discuss it. Sorry for the long comment. Loved your article.
I resonate with this so much. I’m glad you’ve managed to save yourself some trouble. It’s even more awkward when you try to be vague, and people dig for clarity, leading to the same frictional outcome. Thanks for sharing!