I have got the impression on this forum that vegetarians in the US get weird reactions about not eating meat, as if it is really unusual. I am from the UK and it is certainly not just a small minority of us that don't eat meat. I believe it is around 10% for women, less for men, here. Does anyone know any stats on this? Is it really less common in the US to be vegetarian or vegan? and how about other countries?
Yes, it is less common (I believe the figure is something more like 3% in the US, but I am not sure -- Google it), and yes it is also taboo, meat-eaters give you strange looks and try to argue with you over it, trying to justify their own selfishness.
haha 70% indian isn't it strange that meat eaters think a personal choice not to eat meat is somehow a cue for them to get defensive? i doubt that many of us would challenge them unprovoked about their meat eating, but i have lost count of how many times a week i get asked "but why are you vegan? what's wrong with eating meat? but i could never do that!" etc.
we have a lot of mexicans moving into our country, just like you have indians moving into yours. many indians dont believe in eating meat (correct me if im wrong), thats probably why your numbers are higher. mexicans, however, put meat or lard (refried beans) in almost all of their dishes. its interesting in how different cultures moving in affect our own. ps-i had no idea there were so many vegi's in the uk, for some reason i thought we had more, but i guess that makes more sense, as how we have so many meat industries here.
I think Britain is just generally more open minded plant-based diets. Not necessary because of immigrants*, but initiatives like 'five a day' fruit & veg which encourage us as a culture to be more aware of healthy eating, and being fat/unhealthy is looked down on. Here quorn is generally marketed as a tasty low fat food, rather than specifically a 'faux meat'. We've also got a pretty good track record for animal welfare. The RSPCA has been going for over a century, and the vegetarian society for eighty years or so. People have just become accustom to it. Even omnis will consider more humane meats. *who come from very diverse countries, and are not all inclined toward vegetarianism (certain religious groups in India do advocate vegetarianism, but just as many don't ... otherwise why would there be so many meat dishes in traditional Indian cooking?) Ignorant stereotypes really bug me.
