In regards to eating meat

[Monica]

As a vegetarian, I have been the end of countless jokes about eating baby animals, and people telling me that they just ate such-and-such meat. What is the purpose of that?

Me too. I have wondered that too. And they often embellish it with lots of details, like they're just really trying to rub it in. "Oh that steak was soooooo juicy and delicious! And I like it rare...bloody...you should have some! You could almost hear that cow mooing, it was so bloody and fresh. Yum yum!"

It just seems mean. Can anyone explain the psychology of these actions? Why do they do it?

I have tried to explain why so-called 'zealots' do what they do: they are trying to save lives.

Can someone explain to me why meat-eaters sometimes feel compelled to make a point of telling vegetarians the details about their enjoyment of meat? I truly would like to know the motivation behind it. Maybe I can understand them better, instead of thinking they're just mean.

huge reason why humans continue to eat meat. I understand it to a certain extent. I continue to eat certain things because of taste too--or rather habit I think--such as the occasional bowl of ice cream.

I actually don't think it's taste, because meat has very little taste. It's the seasonings and preparation that are so familiar. That's why when transitioning to veg, it's popular to make the same familiar dishes, like lasagne and enchildadas, sans the meat. The overall taste and texture are the same and one hardly misses the meat at all....once they actually try it! But there is a huge mental block against even trying it, in many cases.

Rational arguments (in the sense of relating information) don't seem to have much traction either.

Very true. It's not a rational issue. It's more emotional.

Great quotes, Diana!