It’s interesting to note the different kinds of replies I get from people when I mention the fact that I don’t eat meat. It is not something I blurt out after saying “Hi,” but when the subject of food or dinner habits are brought up, I mention it when it seems like a natural thing to do.
Some people just nod and continue the conversation, like it’s the most natural thing to hear, which makes me happy and comfortable. Some people ask questions, some people starts coming with explanations for why they themselves eat meat, and some people give me the phrase “Oh, I could never eat stop eating meat!” – it’s the latter group I want to discuss in this blog post.
I do not tend to believe that I can know how other people think or feel, but I have said and meant those exact words myself. Only four or five years ago, I would say that I understood and agreed with those who stopped eating meat, but I would never be able to do it myself. Meat was simply to integrated in my habits and way of life – not to mention very tasty!
This is something I am tempted to answer when I get the “I could never…”-comment – to let them know that I have been there myself and to show them that there is a choice even when you think there aren’t. Now, saying that you don’t want to quit eating meat is an honest reply – and I would never try to inforce my views upon those who aren’t interested. But I do believe that those who say they aren’t able to quit, that it is simply not possible, aren’t aware of the fact that it’s simply not true. I have experienced it myself.
The problem is that this is a slightly sensible subject for some – the line between information and preaching is very, very fine. And I’m afraid that mentioning my experiences with the matter would be considered “preaching”. We are so afraid of being “preached at”, that clearing up a misconception is enough to be seen as a propagandaist. That makes me sad.
I do believe that most people who eat meat have a) not taken a conscious and well-thought descision to do so and b) is not aware of the conditions the animals live in and what effects our high consumation of meat have on the environment. But how can we let people take a conscious choice if we can’t even inform them of facts and experience without being labelled “preachers”? Is it a defence mechanism so that people don’t have to take what we have to say into account? Are many people afraid of information and knowledge that might force them into reconsider their safe and well-known way of life? And how can we explain this -and other aspects relating to industry meat – without coming across as preachers or know-it-alls?
