How do I explain to my dad that being vegetarian isn't terrorism?

Amy Turner10 MemberOP

20 messages
joined Jul 2003

#1 · Oct 10, 2003

So, I haven't eaten meat in about 10 months now—though I was actually phasing it out way before that. My dad, who’s usually pretty chill but can be a bit much, totally took this as some weird phase and stopped making meat dishes altogether, which was fine by me! I even told him, "Hey, go ahead and cook meat if you want, I'll just whip up some tofu or grab something else," 😁 but lately, he's been going full drama queen. He's actually calling me a terrorist and saying he needs to take me to a therapist! I keep trying to point out that my vegetarian coworkers are perfectly healthy and sane, but he won't hear it. He's dead set on the idea that I'm going to literally turn into a carrot or, god forbid, a head of broccoli one day.
How am I supposed to make him understand that some people just care about animals? Or that there are plenty of meat substitutes out there (I still eat fish, for Pete's sake!) and that meat just doesn't taste good to me, even if I grew up in an American household where meat was everything?
HELP ME!!!!!

stormylynx14 Active Member

69 messages
joined Dec 2005

#2 · Oct 10, 2003

Head over to "The World Around Me" and look up the threads started by REVENGER4N. You'll find plenty of examples of vegetarian "terrorists" 😉 along with a mountain of other anti-carnivore arguments and various links on vegetarianism. Just a heads-up: those discussions aren't for the faint of heart 😉

darkbison81 Active Member

169 messages
joined Feb 2003

#3 · Oct 10, 2003

Amy Turner10 said:But lately, he—who’s always been one to exaggerate and turn everything into a massive drama—has started calling me a terrorist and saying he’s going to drag me to a psychologist. I keep trying to point out my vegetarian colleagues as examples, emphasizing that they are perfectly healthy people both physically and mentally, but it’s clearly not enough for him. He’s still dead set on the idea that his daughter is eventually going to turn into a carrot or, in his worst-case scenario, a head of broccoli.
How on earth do I explain to him that some people genuinely care about animal welfare, that meat substitutes DO exist (I still eat fish, for heaven's sake!), and that I just don't find meat tasty, even though I grew up in a classic Midwestern meat-eating household...?
HELP!!!!!

1. Fish is an animal. 😉 Its meat is meat; let's try to be consistent here.

2. Just as not every anarchist is a terrorist, and not every anti-globalist is a terrorist, being a vegetarian doesn't mean you have to be militant to the point of terrorism. If you can show through your behavior that you are a normal, healthy, and mature adult (which means not forcing your views on others or trying to "re-educate" everyone around you), your dad will eventually realize this isn't some phase or obsession, but a thoughtful, brave choice. Once he sees that, he'll likely back off out of respect. But honestly, a lot depends on how you handle yourself. If you can stay calm, rational, and grounded when discussing this, he'll probably trust your judgment more.

3. If you don't want to eat certain meats simply because you don't like the taste, you don't owe anyone an explanation. Taste is deeply personal; nobody can argue with what you enjoy eating.

4. If your dad actually believes you're going to transform into a carrot or a piece of broccoli, maybe you should be the one sending him to a psychologist. 😁

5. And finally, just because you come from a traditional American family doesn't justify anything. You have your own palate. It's not like every Texan is required to love BBQ just because of where they were born. 😉

Amy Turner10 MemberOP

20 messages
joined Jul 2003

#4 · Oct 11, 2003

darkbison81 said:1. fish is an animal 😉 its meat is meat; let's be consistent here.

I totally get that, but if I actually stopped eating fish, I think I'd have a total meltdown! Plus, it's just so delicious. Seriously. And honestly? I feel so blue whenever I try to cut back on things like pâté, deli meats, or steak.

Thanks for the advice, though!
🙂

darkbison81 Active Member

169 messages
joined Feb 2003

#5 · Oct 11, 2003

Amy Turner10 said:I totally get where you're coming from, but honestly, if I cut out fish, I’d probably have a total nervous breakdown. Besides, I love it. It’s delicious. And I feel miserable when I try to settle for just some canned meat, deli slices, or cold cuts instead.

Thanks for the advice, though!
🙂

You want to know what the most painless way to handle this is? In my opinion, don't go around announcing you're a vegetarian. Don't start preaching any slogans. When someone asks, just tell them you aren't a fan of certain foods—and list everything, right? Mention the beef, the deli meats, the pepperoni, even things like those veggie patties or sour grapes (don't just stop at meat). 😉
Once people get used to the idea that you just don't care for stuff that everyone else loves, they'll be much more open to actually talking about whatever philosophy or lifestyle choice is driving your diet.
Just take it slow and play it smart. 😉 🙂

Alexander Parker69 Active Member

117 messages
joined Mar 2003

#6 · Oct 11, 2003

Amy Turner10 said:How on earth am I supposed to explain to my dad that being a vegetarian isn't the same thing as committing acts of terrorism?

1. Whatever you do, don't go introducing him to REVENGER4N. 😁
2. If he's from the deep rural South, consider it a massive victory if he just thinks you're eccentric or unwell rather than some kind of radical extremist. 😁
Bar, speaking from my own experience dealing with older folks from the Midwest... a friend of mine spent some time out in a tiny little farming town in Kansas. He said they just couldn't wrap their heads around it. It was nothing but comments about how you were "unhealthy" or "not right in the head." 😁
And then, after all that judgment, they’ll serve up this "tiny little snack" of meatless food that wouldn't even feed a small platoon. I suppose they figure since you aren't eating meat, you have to eat ten times the volume just to keep from collapsing from starvation. 😁

Anonymous Veteran

3.6K messages
joined May 2005

#7 · Oct 12, 2003

Even after seven years, my parents still give me this look whenever they think I might finally "come to my senses" and start eating meat. Honestly, if someone asks, just don't even mention you're vegetarian. That’s how I handled it—I used to be really subtle about it. Once, when someone gave me a judgmental stare, I just told them I was allergic to animal proteins because I really didn't feel like getting into a whole debate about my lifestyle choices. At the end of the day, what I eat is my business.😉

Tyler Lopez14 Newcomer

3 messages
joined Sep 2004

#8 · Oct 12, 2003

My dad was just as stubborn about me eating meat, even though I kept plenty of fish, dairy, and eggs in my diet. Honestly, trying to argue with him felt like shouting into a void. I’d point out how many people across the globe have never touched meat, or explain that nutrition is all about balance rather than just consumption—especially since most Americans in developed areas are actually overdoing the meat intake anyway. It didn't really matter. What actually worked was simply refusing to pick fights while remaining firm in my choices. Having my 78-year-old grandmother on my side helped, too; once she saw I wasn't starving or getting sick, she backed me up. Eventually, my dad gave in, though it took him about two or three years to get there. It also certainly didn't hurt that I wasn't living under their roof. Since you are, things are naturally going to be tougher for you. Good luck.

Amy Turner10 MemberOP

20 messages
joined Jul 2003

#9 · Oct 12, 2003

I’m actually feeling a bit more optimistic after all this. There are some pretty solid tips in here...

Now I just need my friends to stop hunting me down through my apartment with horseradish and quit planning to sneak up on me just to smear pâté all over my face! 😁

Robin Collins5 Member

25 messages
joined Mar 2005

#10 · Oct 12, 2003

You don't have to be a terrorist to make a point.😁
A friend of mine doesn't eat meat—not out of conviction, mind you, but simply because she doesn't enjoy the taste. She constantly finds herself at odds with those militant vegetarians—she tells me she sometimes feels a genuine sense of pity when she can't just indulge in a decent bratwurst or some thick-cut bacon just to get her blood pressure up a notch. But since those activists tend to view her dietary choices as their personal responsibility, she ends up being forced to listen to their endless, exhausting lectures about morality and ethics.

Gary Lee53 Newcomer

8 messages
joined Jun 2003

#11 · Oct 13, 2003

I’ve gotta say, I actually find you vegetarians pretty cool... 👍 😁

Amy Turner10 MemberOP

20 messages
joined Jul 2003

#12 · Oct 13, 2003

Robin Collins5 said:You don't have to be a terrorist to make a point.😁

Yeah, good luck explaining that one to my old man! 😁 😉

Laura Green8 Newcomer

5 messages
joined Sep 2003

#13 · Oct 13, 2003

My parents are pretty open-minded about this stuff, but my community? Not so much. To avoid getting into heated arguments with some pretty narrow-minded neighbors, I used to make up excuses—saying the food didn't suit me or that I was allergic to meat or something. But lately, I just can't bring myself to perform for anyone. I feel like if you believe in something, people should respect that, just like I respect their convictions. So, I’m sticking to my guns. Honestly, I think it’s for the best. People might give you grief for a while, but eventually, they get over it. That’s just how the world works, I guess...
Regarding your parents, maybe try educating them? Lay out the facts from a scientific perspective. Try to show them there's absolutely no connection to terrorism or any health risks. Facts usually go a long way if you're persistent enough.
Good luck!

Anonymous Veteran

3.6K messages
joined May 2005

#14 · Oct 14, 2003

Laura Green8 says:
My parents are pretty tolerant about this stuff, but the people around them aren't. To avoid getting into arguments with certain primitive types, I used to make up excuses, like saying I was allergic to meat or something. But lately, I just don't feel like performing for anyone. If you believe in something, others should respect that, just like you respect their beliefs. That’s why I’m standing my ground. Honestly, it’s for the best. People might nag you for a bit, but eventually, they give up. That's just how the world works...

Yeah, I totally went through the same thing. Over time, your folks will eventually accept the reality of it. Mine did, though they still give me grief whenever we hang out. They’re great to me, but I just got tired of explaining why I don't eat meat, so I'd tell them I was allergic just to shut things down. Otherwise, they'd just keep pushing. I was already sick of those same old repetitive questions... I even have a long-time friend who knows I don't eat meat, but every single time I visit him, he tries to tempt me with sausages or pepperoni. It's so frustrating.
It is funny, though—I've noticed something with my parents. Ever since I stopped eating meat, they've actually started eating much less of it themselves, even if they still think a "real" dinner isn't complete without a steak on the plate.
At least my husband never gave me any crap about it, haha!😉

Michael Perez5 Active Member

81 messages
joined Nov 2004

#15 · Oct 14, 2003

Hey Amy Turner10... I think you're acting like a total terrorist 🙂 so maybe I should introduce you to my buddy Rewenger4u 😉

Just shoot me a DM

Ashley Ramirez41 Member

19 messages
joined Dec 2003

#16 · Oct 14, 2003

Laura Green8 said:Just show them the proof and convince them it’s got nothing to do with terrorism...

I mean, maybe it *does* have something to do with it—just in a negative way?😕

From what I can tell, every single terrorist we've dealt with so far has been a total cannibal. Honestly, I'd love it if someone could actually give me a single example to the contrary...😁

Nathan Collins2 Active Member

68 messages
joined Feb 2006

#17 · Oct 14, 2003

Edward Wright34 said:As far as I can tell, every single terrorist we've dealt with up to this point has been a cannibal.

😲 😁 And where on earth you got 😁that idea from? 😁

Amy Turner10 MemberOP

20 messages
joined Jul 2003

#18 · Oct 14, 2003

Michael Perez5 said:Hey there... you're a total terrorist 🙂 and I'll just have to introduce you to my buddy Rewenger4u 😉

Just shoot me a PM

What is everyone talking about with this Rewenger guy? Is he some kind of manic meat-eater or something? Now I'm just confused...😕 😕

So, I went to the doctor today and asked if cutting out meat is actually bad for me. He said it's super harmful. Damn! He told me I need to eat it at least once a week...
That's what happens when your tastes and beliefs don't match the crowd, right?
Knowing how stubborn I can be, there's no way I'm giving in... my views are mine, and I expect people to respect that! I am so over the daily brainwashing about how I'll get sick and die within 24 hours if I don't eat a little steak... It's probably just because people here aren't used to this kind of diet, so they automatically see it as something wrong or totally crazy.

🙂

Anonymous Veteran

3.6K messages
joined May 2005

#19 · Oct 14, 2003

You seriously need to switch doctors; this guy is clueless. At the very least, he should actually know what he's talking about. It's like if you eat fish every single day—you're going to get used to it, but that doesn't mean it's good for you. Take my advice, haha, hang in there!

Casey Palmer5 Regular

470 messages
joined Jan 2016

#20 · Oct 14, 2003

Amy Turner10 said:I went to see my doctor today and asked how bad it would be if I just cut out meat entirely. He told me it’s actually really harmful... damn! He said I need to eat it at least once a week.

When did this doctor even graduate med school? Like 1820 or something????
I know a few doctors who are strict vegetarians. Why? Because it's healthy. Of course, that's only if you actually follow some nutritional guidelines. Being a vegetarian isn't just living on potato chips and chocolate😁

How do I explain to my dad that being vegetarian isn't terrorism?

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