Why do people criticize vegetarians?

I think b/c they are afraid of change. Anyone who does anything different is up for public scorn. And a majority of people who eat a Western diet based their food aroud "meat and potatoes". So I think that the haters are actually afraid of trying something different (ie. vegetarian diet) and displace this fear and create anger.

But also, I think people like feeling superior.

I made the mistake of getting soy milk AFTER I went and got my food at the eating commons and stood in line with some sausage and eggs on my plate. Unfortunately there were some girls in line who wanted to make sure I knew how unhealthy my choices were, then they were so kind as to let me know in detail how sausage was made. And incase I didn't really get what they were saying, they slipped a fun PETA brochure into my backpack (I have a broken clasp so I can't close the smallest section) so I could read more about it when I got back to my dorm I suppose.

I don't criticize anyone for their choice of food-- I just get annoyed and uncomfortable when I'm bothered about my choice. I mean, I have just gotten done with morning practice and I was starving, I would have eaten pine cones if thats what they were serving.

I know all vegans don't do that, but when I think of vegans, I think of how I felt when I was in line for that disgusting soy milk. (Speaking of, whoever mentioned rice milk before in another forum.... THANK YOU!)

I just started buying organic soy milk. I just put it on my cereal for now. I also buy the flavoured (vanilla). I figure it's a start. Little changes are the best way for me. I still eat my steak occassionally, but I try eating more veggies and fruit as well. We have started eating way less red meat than we used to.

sorry you had a bad experience maddie, i dont criticize people who eat meat either, i think it is just a personal opinion if you decide to eat it or not.

I love soy milk on cereal, i am not a fan of just drinking it though. little changes are always good, i just decided ine day I was done with meat and that was the end of it, i am slowly eatingless eggs and milk but that is the tranisition part for me.

Right. I did the same with coffee. I still have 1-2 per week. But deciding you're done with something and making the internal change is what's important... but back on track ...

Why are people so critical of vegetarians?

Anyone who does not follow the mainstream is up for general criticism. That does not make it ok but many people are simply not comfortable with the unknown.

Forget what others think. Be true to yourself. People have hang ups and there is no argument that will change them. Ignore the negative stuff. Be yourself and do what is right for you. There is no explanation for poor behavior in people.

well put antigone!

They may just be jealous because they can not discipline themselves like others. I'm not a vegetarian, but I think it would be a very healthy way of life and I admire ones that can have the discipline or even just don't care for meat.
Some people don't like certain foods but that doesn't mean they should be criticized for it.

I think that some vegetarians, too, can tend to be a little snobby and higher-than-thou at times. This is by no means a general statement. But perhaps vegetarians need to look at and examine their level of preach-y-ness. This might turn people off and increase criticism for the movement in general.

people often criticize that which the cannot understand. for that reason it is often wiser to not advertise one's preferences or beliefs (especially since these are things that are themselves susceptible to change).

the preachyness that rooter is referring to is how people perceive the expression of an uncommon belief (otherwise it just goes by the side as a statement of the obvious .

I can’t speak for Americans, but in South Africa and Australia meat is consumed in huge proportions - often 3 times per day. Bacon and eggs for breakfast, toasted ham and cheese for lunch, and lamb chops for dinner to give an example.

People are conditioned to eat this way. And with society’s lack of tolerance for extremists, vegetarians are often seen as ‘making a statement’.

I’m vegan for health reasons, and believe you me - I don’t advertise this. People just don’t understand that one can actually be healthy if you eat healthily.
But anyway, the point I’m trying to make is that anything out of the ordinary is too much to handle for most people. I think it has a lot to do with one's social IQ.

I am not actually a vegetarian, since I do eat fish occasionally, but I have gotten a lot of flack for it. I live in Kentucky, and there are a lot of meat eaters out here. I don't preach about what people should or shouldn't eat, but I do get scoffed at now and then for my choices and told how unhealthy they are. I personally don't eat meat other than fish for many reasons, fortunately, there are many new restaurants opening up that have lots of vegetarian items. Anyhow, I understand how it feels to be treated like an outsider just for your eating choices.