How ignorant am I?
By CanadaGal
@CanadaGal (4304)
Canada
May 25, 2008 12:18pm CST
Go ahead... tell me... I can take it. Especially from the zealots and lurkers and trolls.... come out, come out, where ever you are!!! 
Here's the situation that will enlighten you all in my ignorance:
I went to a free bbq at my local MP's London office yesterday. The idea was to celebrate and thank the emergency services personnel in our community, such as police, firemen, and ambulance attendants. Of course, while there, I schmoozed a bit with some fellow constituents.
One of these constituents was a woman named Mary. Nice lady. Very "earthy". She even took a picture of my sons and I with our MP, Irene Mathyssen... or at least, she tried to. lol. Mary had eaten before coming to the bbq, because she is vegetarian, and has been for about 5 1/2 years now (and she wasn't aware that veggie burgers were also available).
Without giving specific details, Mary was telling me and a few others, about how she used to eat meat until she learned more about how the killing and slaughtering of the animals is not done in a humane manner here in North America. I admitted that I had no idea of the process, but had seen some videos on you tube of some inhumane skinnings of animals for their pelts.
And here is where I became an ignoramus... I said something along the lines of, "I'm not the one who has to see or do the killing, so I'll keep on eating meat!" 
I really do love eating meat though. 
Have you said something ignorant to a stranger before? What was it? Do you wish you could take it back? Or are you good at biting your tongue?
Had I been around certain friends, I know they would have laughed at my comment, because of the sarcastic tones in which we tend to communicate with each other. However, this same sarcastic (and sometimes crude) sense of humour can get me into trouble. Yesterday was another fine example of that.
Here's the situation that will enlighten you all in my ignorance:
I went to a free bbq at my local MP's London office yesterday. The idea was to celebrate and thank the emergency services personnel in our community, such as police, firemen, and ambulance attendants. Of course, while there, I schmoozed a bit with some fellow constituents.
One of these constituents was a woman named Mary. Nice lady. Very "earthy". She even took a picture of my sons and I with our MP, Irene Mathyssen... or at least, she tried to. lol. Mary had eaten before coming to the bbq, because she is vegetarian, and has been for about 5 1/2 years now (and she wasn't aware that veggie burgers were also available).
Without giving specific details, Mary was telling me and a few others, about how she used to eat meat until she learned more about how the killing and slaughtering of the animals is not done in a humane manner here in North America. I admitted that I had no idea of the process, but had seen some videos on you tube of some inhumane skinnings of animals for their pelts.
And here is where I became an ignoramus... I said something along the lines of, "I'm not the one who has to see or do the killing, so I'll keep on eating meat!"
I really do love eating meat though.
Have you said something ignorant to a stranger before? What was it? Do you wish you could take it back? Or are you good at biting your tongue?
Had I been around certain friends, I know they would have laughed at my comment, because of the sarcastic tones in which we tend to communicate with each other. However, this same sarcastic (and sometimes crude) sense of humour can get me into trouble. Yesterday was another fine example of that.8 people like this
17 responses
@hockeygal4ever (10021)
• United States
25 May 08
LOL... I always joke with vegetarians that my forefather's climbed to the top of the food chain for a reason so I feel obligated. Oh well, so you made a faux pas! No great loss. If she's that narrow minded perhaps she could use something to wake her up! I'd guess she can understand that being a vegetarian is not everyone's bag. You weren't rude or anything so I see no harm!
@CanadaGal (4304)
• Canada
25 May 08
Oh she was very nice... but I saw a startled look on her face when I made that ignorant comment.
3 people like this
@ambkeb (782)
• United States
26 May 08
I dont think that was ignorant! You are just speaking your opinion. I have to agree...I dont know what I would do if I couldn't eat meat. I love my steaks! I also should be honost...I do know how they slaughter...the cows anyway. We have a slaughter house close by. This is going to sound bad, but most of the time farmers will take in their sick cows. Not the disease ridden ones that will hurt us to eat their meat. But sick ones that they can not sale to another farmer. Those are the cows that the slaughter houses tend to use the most. Atleast the one here. What they do here though isnt as inhumane as I've heard that others are. They give them a shot of stuff that puts them out. Supposedly it doesnt hurt them. They were going to most likely die anyway.......So I say why not...bring on the steaks
2 people like this
@ambkeb (782)
• United States
27 May 08
Yeah there are those that specifically raise for meat. I am in a farming community and people raise cattle to breed, and then sale to those who are needing milking cows, or cows to raise for meat. Also, they are starting to use the manuer (more then they are chicken) for fertilizer.
2 people like this
@CanadaGal (4304)
• Canada
26 May 08
Mmmmm... steak!
I guess some farmers would being in their unsellable livestock.. but I would also think that a lot of the cattle are raised specifically for their meat too. I mean, other than the milking cows, what other purpose do they have?
1 person likes this
@MrNiceGuy (4141)
• United States
26 May 08
I don't think that was an ignorant statement but a matter of preference. To me, it doesn't matter how they kill the animals because those animals are bred and raised to be eaten anyways. Cows are treated inhumanely but now they are killed by a quick kill blow to the head.
2 people like this
@CanadaGal (4304)
• Canada
26 May 08
I was raised by the Christian faith, and part of that is the understanding that the animals and plants are here for us to eat. How they got from the fields to the table and then into my belly was never an issue.
1 person likes this
@raijin (10345)
• Philippines
26 May 08
I love playing with other people's minds, most of the times what comes of my mouth can be stinging for I said it half-truth and half-jokingly(?).
But it depends on the topic, really. I won't quickly butt in if I know the conversation is too sensitive to laugh at, that would really make me look ignorant and rude.
And as for the slaughtering of meat or poultry, I guess that really depends. In some places, there are even some worse people who do the worse process of slaughtering meat. Take Fois Gras (fat liver) for example, how they treat those fowls and ducks just to obtain their preferred delicacy..
But it depends on the topic, really. I won't quickly butt in if I know the conversation is too sensitive to laugh at, that would really make me look ignorant and rude.
And as for the slaughtering of meat or poultry, I guess that really depends. In some places, there are even some worse people who do the worse process of slaughtering meat. Take Fois Gras (fat liver) for example, how they treat those fowls and ducks just to obtain their preferred delicacy..@CanadaGal (4304)
• Canada
26 May 08
Ah yes, the force-fed animals to make "liver pate" were discussed briefly as well. I've never liked pate anyways. ;)
2 people like this
@Hatley (163776)
• Garden Grove, California
26 May 08
oh yes this pleasant lookingyoung woman kept asking
me where things were in 'Vons and I finally said,
for heavens sakes just read the signs above our heads,
and in a sad young voice she said, I only wish I could
and then me and my big mouth, I saw the white cane and'
I felt about an inch tall. I said,"I am so sorry, I did'
not realize that" I found another place to go as I was so
embarassed. So we all do it at some time of another,partof
being human I imagine.
2 people like this
@CanadaGal (4304)
• Canada
26 May 08
OOOPS!!! Oh my!! (but I hope you're able to laugh at yourself about it now 
).
).2 people like this
@moonlitmagikchild (22181)
• United States
26 May 08
ive accidentally talked about how people have too many brats (kids) and that if they know they will come out sickly that i dont think its right to keep on having kids knowing the odds.. my cousin has her first kid that is like allergic to EVERYTHING food wise and so she barely can feed him anything.. and then they had another kid and she has a lot of probs being allergic to things too.. they have to give her first kid breathing treatments and etc.. the one reason im not having kids is because i know they could come out sickly and i dont want to put a kid through that.. well anyways when i was saying all of that i turned around and she was behind me.. opps..
one of the million things i have done wrong
2 people like this
@CanadaGal (4304)
• Canada
26 May 08
Ooops is right! That happens to all of us... and we see it in the movies all the time, when one person is griping about someone, and then they say, "They're right behind me now, aren't they?". Murphy's Laws at its finest! lol!
Murphy's Laws at its finest! lol!1 person likes this
@lingli_78 (12822)
• Australia
25 May 08
i had done that as well in the past... i say something ignorant to a stranger and the person just look at me bewildered... i didn't do it intentionally though... the words just slipped out my mouth before i can stop them... but i never get into trouble for that... take care and have a nice day...
2 people like this
@CanadaGal (4304)
• Canada
26 May 08
I didn't get into trouble either, but maybe I should have? lol. Afterall, it was rather ignorant of me. And yeah, the words just tumbled out and I had no chance to stop them.
1 person likes this
@Pose123 (21635)
• Canada
25 May 08
Hi CanadaGal, I think we have all done that at sometime or other. I still eat meat, but am cutting back for the very reason you mention. The treatment of animals, as well as the slaughter is very inhumane, and a far cry from from the way they ere treated on the fmily farms a few decades ago. Blessings.
2 people like this
@CanadaGal (4304)
• Canada
26 May 08
I haven't looked into it... for the time being, I'm good with this "ignorance is bliss" status for now.
1 person likes this
@skinnychick (6905)
• United States
25 May 08
I have been known to say stuff like this in my time. That exact phrase actually. I do love meat myself. She can't expect everyone to share her view on meat especially at a BBQ, where I'm sure there is plenty of meat around. I don't think talking about those kinds of things are too appropriate at a picnic anyway. I don't think you should want to talk it back, it's your view and your entitled.
2 people like this
@CanadaGal (4304)
• Canada
25 May 08
Oh, it's my view, and I don't really wish I could take it back... but it DID make me sound ignorant. I'm just trying to laugh at myself here... I kill me sometimes!
2 people like this
@novataylor (6570)
• United States
26 May 08
I think that what you said pretty much reflects the way most of us feel and I don't think that it was such a horrible thing, really. The fact is, we DON't have to see it, thank god, 'cause if we did, we'd all be vegetarians, I'm all too sure. But, yes, I've put my foot in my mouth countless times. Sometimes things just leap out before I ever have an inkling they're even there in the first place! And usually, although the words might be harsh, they're true of how I feel. I've said before, sometimes we don't even know how we feel about something until we hear the words coming out of our own mouths. Forgive yourself, darlin. I'm sure she didn't hold it against you. It wasn't really that bad, anyway. It could've been much worse, you know.
2 people like this
@CanadaGal (4304)
• Canada
26 May 08
Worse? Yeah... I could've shoved a beef burger down her throat... or worse yet... a hot dog... because goodness knows what was in THAT!!! hahaha!
1 person likes this
@sparkofinsanity (20471)
• Regina, Saskatchewan
25 May 08
It's a good thing she was a veggan and didn't just lean over, bite off your tongue and feed it to the dogs! LOL
So you put your foot in your mouth. Did you open it again and change feet?
Sometimes it's hard to get out of situation like that. I get myself in them all the time with my sense of humor, but I've learned to blush on command and that always makes people feel sorry for me and pat me on the head and say things like "It's ok dear, I understand, no harm meant". I'm not a dog and don't like being petted on the head - but hey whatever works to get me past the moment! LOL
2 people like this
@CanadaGal (4304)
• Canada
26 May 08
It was AFTER my faux pas that I asked her to take the picture for me. Kinda like my "peace offering"... letting her handle my $150 camera. So I think that helped ease whatever tension that was there.
1 person likes this
@whiteheron (4222)
• United States
28 May 08
Hi there... I don't eat meat but since I eat fish and eggs, I am not exactly a vegetarian, but even if I was, I do not think that the woman should be upset with you for having your own food perferance.
It was honestly not the right venue for her to be talking about the butchering practices especially when there were others who were trying to enjoy their meals.
That was, too me, a little rude.
It is honorable that she took care of her needs without violating her beliefs but trying to make others feel guilty for enjoying their meals does not sound like a kind thing to do.
It sounds like you responded as you felt like you were being put on the defensive and were perhaps feeling a little guilty about your food practices.
@kenzie45230 (3560)
• United States
25 May 08
I'm sure that she is used to hearing comments like that. My son and his girlfriend are vegetarians for the same reason and they get comments like that from friends and strangers all the time.
2 people like this
@CanadaGal (4304)
• Canada
26 May 08
I'm not sure she is used to it quite yet.. there was that look of surprise on her face.
1 person likes this
@grammasnook (1871)
• United States
26 May 08
Well I believe we have all experienced this very short disease, what disease do you ask? "open mouth insert foot" I dont think it was ignorant It is okay to have different opinions and speak your mind as she spoke hers. Have a great day and keep on being yourself.
2 people like this
@CanadaGal (4304)
• Canada
26 May 08
The reason I consider it ignorant, is because I didn't first consider how she felt, and my comment wasn't necessary really. Oh well. It allowed me a post for mylot, eh? 
1 person likes this
@drknlvly6781 (6246)
• United States
3 Jul 08
I didn't, but my boyfriend did. This was in high school. My little circle of friends was sitting at the regular lunch table when one of them showed me a paper saying that she had contracted Chlamydia. She said she knew that she got it from her boyfriend, and when it happened she didn't want to have se.x with him. I asked her why she did it then. She said they were over another friends house and she was stuck there because she didn't have bus fare. She wanted to go home really badly but chose to lay down next to her man. My boyfriend, who hadn't heard us, asked us what we were talking about. My friend had only gotten to not having bus fare when he yells "Shoot, I'd do anything for bus fare." I could have went through the floor. I pulled him off to the side and told him the situation, including the part about the Chlamydia. He turned red as a beet and apologized. That's what happens when you shoot off your mouth when you haven't heard the whole story.
1 person likes this
@II2aTee (2559)
• United States
19 Jun 08
Well.
There is this lady who works in my library who I hadnt seen for a while.
On one of my visits I saw her and noticed her hair was MUCH shorter than it used to be.
So, to be nice, I said something like "Betty I love your hair that length! What a fun summer time look!"
Well. She stood there for a moment and finally said "Actually this is my hair growiung back from the chemo therapy. I had cancer."
Sooooooo..... I havent been able to bring myself to set foot in that library since.
1 person likes this
@edgyk8inmomma (2157)
• United States
28 May 08
I got one worse. I prepared a ham for dinner when my ex sister in law and her husband came for dinner. Not bad right?
They are Muslim.
2 people like this
