Why Do People Have to Lie About Being Vegetarian?

Tweet

I find it strange that when you tell people you're a vegetarian, they usually complain that you can't get enough protein, etc. Or some people will say that they tried it and then they got sick and their doctor told them to stop (um yeah, sure). And then some people just say that they'd love to do that but don't have the willpower. And still others will just flat out lie about it! One of my cousin's had a girlfriend before who said she was vegetarian. So she says that she'll bring the vegetarian dish. And then I end up making dessert since I figure the main course is covered. She comes in with chicken! Okay, chicken is not a vegetable people. And neither is fish. If you don't believe me on how stupid this sounds to vegetarians, just think about this... what if you started calling sea lions vegetarians? I mean, all they eat is fish! Oh wait, that doesn't sound right? They're still carnivores? Exactly! And then one of my friends always likes to say she wants to become a vegetarian, but she just doesn't know enough recipes. They've got the internet now, so that's a horrible excuse. But anyway, I bring her some cookbooks. And then we go out to Subway and she tries to pretend she wants something vegetarian, but she hates vegetables. So she gets the sub with the iceberg lettuce and some shredded carrots, that's it. And then she complains vegetarian food doesn't fill you up, lol. Now she always seems to eat either before or after I come over. Which I told her is ridiculous, just eat when I'm there. Everyone else I know has no problem eating meat in front of me, if she really feels that guilty she could just stop eating it all together. Reminds me of my Indian coworker who sneaks out to go get a burger late at night so his parents don't see him eating it. Now my mom, who had been vegan for probably 7 years (she always says 10, but I've only been vegan for 10 years and she changed her diet quite awhile after I did). She goes to a party and on the way picks up food since she says they won't have anything. I never do this, because it's just rude. I will sit there and eat chips and fruit instead. But I still offer to go in with her, and she says no. So I sit in the car. Later, I find out from someone at the party that the reason she didn't want me to go in is because now she gets the veggie patty sandwich, which has eggs in it. When I confronted her about this, she tells me that the regular veggie sandwich isn't filling enough because they won't put enough on it. I don't buy this because I've been to every Subway in our area and they put plenty of veggies on it. And then she tries to sit in the other room at the party, but I walked in and caught her eating ice cream cake. I ask her about this later too, and she acts all shocked that it has dairy in it. She claims no one stopped her and told her it wasn't vegan. I told her it's pretty obvious, it's an ice cream cake and if it were a vegan one likely there would have been a huge deal about it. I don't care if people are omnivores or vegetarian or vegan or whatever. I'm not one of those vegans who even goes around trying to convert people. I get annoyed when religious people do that to me so I won't go around doing that type of thing. My coworkers always say they like that I'll bring stuff in for a pot luck or something, but I won't force people to try anything or try to make them feel guilty. Yet for some reason my family and friends still feel like lying about it. I don't get it. Why even lie about something like that? I don't even see the point. Sorry to rant but maybe someone can explain this to me.