Vegetarians and vegans - Can/would you date a meat eater?

[dodgersmom11]

Can/would you date a meat eater? Do you prefer your partner eat meat or not? Why?

I have not eaten meat for 19 years, I basically don't remember my life with meat. I always thought I HAD to be with someone who didn't eat meat... but I found so far anyway, with those people, that's all we have in common. I realized its far more important for someone to RESPECT me for it, I could care less if they eat meat. They just have to understand why I don't and be OK with it.

Of course, they have to prove too they are also big animal lovers.

[Malcom_Reynolds]

I'm a meat eater so I'll answer in the reverse situation.

It depends on their reasoning for being a vegetarian/vegan. If they try and get high and mighty about not wanting to hurt animals, then no. Same thing with arguing that the idea of eating animals is wrong. I've had debates on this which I won't go into, but it would likely turn into an argument with a bad outcome.

Most other reasons I'm OK with.

If it's a religious reason, that by itself is not an issue, but it would probably lead to a discussion about religious differences.

Uncomfortable with the idea of eating flesh: To each their own.

Simply doesn't like meat: I'm not one who'll ever question someone who doesn't like a particular food, I don't like strawberries.

Just how you were raised: Again to each their own.

No particular reason just a personal choice: That's how I am with alcohol so yeah I'm fine with that.

I will just simply add at the end here, you will have an easier time waxing my legs than trying to get me to become a vegetarian.

[dodgersmom11]

I'd never ask you to become one or try to convince you but it was a interesting answer. Nice to get a different view

[Malcom_Reynolds]

I will say that it would make cooking for each other interesting.

[Anonymous]

I dated a vegetarian once, and let me tell you, it was a pain in the butt.

Going out to eat was the worst. So much food accidentally having meat in it and therefore having to choose between being annoying and sending it back or being hungry and paying for uneaten food...

I tell you what, that might be something you are used to, but its not as enduring as you might think on them. Eventually, the whole "no meat" thing is going to become an issue.

I suppose it worked pretty well with us because I don't normally eat red meat. But for serious, I ain't doing that again.

[dodgersmom11]

Well I don't ever expect anyone to cook for me etc, I take care of myself. When I go out to eat, I have no issues. I will just pick something out if I need to but I have never had it. Where I live, its more common to not eat meat so they are more used to it around here. As long as he respected me and let me do my thing, I'd respect him and there would be no issue. Respect goes along ways

[MilaPohstro]

I am a huge animal lover myself so I would also want them to be one. I don't care if they are vegetarian or not. More than likely they will not be, I have not met one male vegetarian where I live. As long as you don't have a problem with me not eating meat like I don't have a problem with you eating it then okay.

[dodgersmom11]

Agree. I know it seems so RARE in guys. Most guys judge me though, they make jokes and such so I know right off the bat they don't respect it so it won't work in the long run

[lucky24]

its hard to find more male vegetarians because we are pressured a lot more into eating meat. You have no idea how many jokes I have heard about being a vegetarian some are pretty funny though :D

[dodgersmom11]

I don't mind jokes at times, but it gets really annoying. My friends/family have known me nearly 2 decades of no meat and STILL ask me "what do you eat then" and such, they always make snide remarks when I order food at resturants "oh ya miss, no meat has to be special" and it gets annoying. I would not put up with that in a BF. it makes me want to smack my friends lol

[lucky24]

lol that's nothing, I have friends who would be eating a burger and if they see me they take out a piece of lettuce and offer it to me saying well I can't share the burger so you can have this

or go to a barbecue and they ill point at the grass and say look how much food we prepared just for you

along with what do you got against trees man, eating things that can't run away shame on you

they are pretty funny I can't lie lol

[MilaPohstro]

QA: Yeah, I sit at lunch with two males, and 6 females. One male is very accepting to anything any never asked me why and and the other looked at me like I told him I was a cannibal. All my females friends were like cool except for one who told me one day when I couldn't find anything to eat get a chicken sandwich. I told her I was a vegetarian and she said so. -_-

[CeepSmiling]

I am similar to you. I honestly couldn't care less if my partner is vegetarian or not. My fiance eats meat at least once a day. As long as my boundaries are respected, she's respectful to me and my habits, I'm fine. Of course, yes they have to love animals.

[dodgersmom11]

How long have you been meat free?

[CeepSmiling]

Since the 6th grade. So I guess... about 8 years? Best years of my life. lol

[lucky24]

im a vegeterian and I don't think I can date anyone that eats meat cause if we had to live together I really don't want to open the fridge and find it full of meat//hear the sound of meat being cut at home. Other thing is beef is against my religion so if I'm dating someone there is no way I can tolerate her eating beef or using leather products.

[dodgersmom11]

That makes sense. Especially with the religion part. I am like that too but really not sure I'd ever live with someone anyway... but I guess I am used to it as my entire family I live with now, eats meat. I however could never ever live with or date a hunter.

[lucky24]

i am against animal cruelty as well so if she eats meat, buys fur and other animal products its like she doesn't share my moral values which will make dating a bit difficult.

[dodgersmom11]

Agree, I would not date a fur wearer or buyer. I think a lot of meat eaters may love animals but they don't really grasp the full effect of meat in the diet and its effect on animals so they keep eating it and its fine by me. I mean, I used to eat it. I am not perfect... but I totally get your point :)

[lucky24]

i think most people get it but people love to turn a blind eye to things that don't directly affect them. Its human nature.

I used to eat meat as well but one day I randomly decided I won't eat meat anymore for no reason at all and its been about 16-17 years since I ate meat (not counting accidental ones which I didn't finish)

[palek]

Vegetarianism is most assuredly a form of neurosis on a par with bulimia or OCD. As long as she was willing to enter into therapy for this perverse disorder I would stand by her.

[dodgersmom11]

Wow... never heard such nonsense before... we obviously would never be a fitting match LOL. I would never seek therapy for something that effects no one else but me and I decided to do it myself

[palek]

Much like the man with a mordant fear of eating cream of wheat, or one who believes himself to be a poached egg you've let go your grip on reality and taken your place amongst the finger-sniffers.

[dodgersmom11]

I'd never heard of those things, no idea what you are yammering about but whatever. This question was not directed at meat eaters anyway

[palek]

You'll eat nothing "with a face" but have no qualms in stuffing an "ear" of corn or "head" of lettuce into your quivering misguided gob whilst innocent corn and lettuce families wait hopelessly for their lifeless daddies and mommies to return not knowing you've gobbled them down your gullet with a flourish. You vile fiend!

[dodgersmom11]

Not the same at all. This debate is over. I again did not ask for a meat eaters opinion and its going way off topic. Go argue elsewhere with someone who wants to. I do not care to defend my choice to you as its none of your business.

[Misty_04]

I have before but I honestly found it frustrating and upsetting though I never showed it. I didn't used to care at allbut the last year has showed me that I need someone with similar morals and not a "I don't care" attitude.

[dodgersmom11]

But did the guy you dated truly respect your beliefs and it still wasn't workable? I guess growing up with all meat eaters and most of my friends eat meat, its normal for me. It makes me sad but I would never get on someone's case as I would not want them on mine. Sometimes similar works better for others :)

[justjumpit4]

I'm mostly vegetarian. And every so often, I'll be vegan for periods of time. But I do it because it makes me feel good. So mine is health stuff. Not that there's anything wrong with meat, I just don't personally enjoy it much when I occasion eat a bit.

But yes, some one who loves meat wouldn't be a problem for me, I'd date them :)

[TheUglyOne]

Well, as you said, both need to respect each others beliefs, and not try to convert the other. If that happens, there shouldn't be any problems.

[dodgersmom11]

Agree but I was just taking a poll. I know some veggies are only into dating other veggies. Some are OK with either

[TheUglyOne]

True, and some meat eaters are adverse to dating vegetarians and especially vegans.

[dodgersmom11]

I have to say, as weird as it sounds and no offense to my vegan friends, I'd pick a meat eater over vegan anyday :)

[TheUglyOne]

Really? May I ask why?

[dodgersmom11]

Sure. They just seem to be more on the "extreme" end of things, don't get me wrong, not ALL are like that but the few I have met, are so obsessive about animal rights etc and my one friend would lecture me about all the ingredients in my food and how they were animal products. It drove me insane! Now, some meat eaters may be like that too, and those would also be never. We have to meet half way. I think vegans think they are better than vegetrians

[lucky24]

i have to agree with you QA, I find vegan a bit too extreme and I would be a bit concerned about their health too because I don't see vegan diet being very healthy

[dodgersmom11]

I agree lucky. As a vegetarian, I need to take a b12 pill and get more iron/protien than meat eaters but I can only imagine what nutrients vegans also lack

[TheUglyOne]

Interesting. I noticed that too, except among the Jains, but I try not to generalize about anyone.

[Anonymous]

I'm mostly veg. I don't usually prefer it and probably only eat it a couple times a month if it's prepared a certain way and taste great. So no it wouldn't be a problem unless theyre eating it every day, but maybe I could work around that. I would still prefer them to be semi veg or full is fine as well.

[hot_princess7]

grammar check! *I couldN'T care less

I am a vegan and I will date a guy who eats meat as long as he isn't a jerk about our differing opinions about animal consumption.

[Anonymous]

My friend who's a vegan has dated meat eaters, she didn't seem to have a problem with it too much, besides the occasional lecture.

[dodgersmom11]

I'd smack someone who lectured me haha! In 19 years I've never once got on anyone;s case for eating meat. I am happy to explain my beliefs though if they ask. That's very cool about your friend though. Glad they had no problems