AITAH for making a vegan cry and have a meltdown

Image credit: Pixabay (This is example image – Not the actual photo)

When Diets Collide: A Heated Online Debate

In a world where dietary choices often spark intense debates, a 33-year-old vegetarian finds herself embroiled in a fiery online confrontation after calling out a vegan for making outrageous comparisons. The situation escalates when the vegan’s friend lashes out, claiming the vegan is having a meltdown over her own ignorance about animal byproducts in cosmetics. As tensions rise, the vegetarian grapples with whether her blunt response was justified or if she crossed a line. This story resonates with anyone who’s navigated the complexities of food choices and the passionate opinions that come with them.

Family Drama Over Dietary Choices

A 33-year-old woman, who identifies as a vegetarian, recently found herself embroiled in a conflict that escalated quickly due to differing dietary beliefs. Here’s a breakdown of the situation:

Personal Dietary Choices: The woman has been a vegetarian for years and is comfortable with her boyfriend’s meat-eating habits, as long as he cooks the meat himself. She finds the smell of meat unappealing.
Online Conflict: A post comparing meat-eaters to pedophiles sparked her outrage. She responded to the creator, expressing that such comparisons contribute to the negative treatment of vegetarians and vegans.
Escalation: A woman, identifying as a vegan, confronted her, labeling her a murderer for not adhering strictly to veganism. The vegetarian woman defended her choices, explaining her sourcing of dairy and eggs from ethical farms.
Counterarguments: The vegetarian questioned the vegan’s knowledge of the products she used, suggesting that if she was going to criticize others, she should ensure her own lifestyle was flawless.
Aftermath: The vegan woman reportedly had a mental breakdown upon realizing that many of her beauty products contained animal by-products. A friend of the vegan reached out, expressing anger towards the vegetarian for her comments, claiming they contributed to the vegan’s distress.
Response to Criticism: The vegetarian stood her ground, stating that the vegan’s meltdown was a result of her own ignorance and that she should reconsider her judgmental attitude towards others’ dietary choices.
Reactions: The friend labeled the vegetarian as heartless and demanded an apology, while the vegetarian felt justified in her response and questioned whether she should apologize at all.

The situation highlights the complexities of family drama and conflict resolution surrounding dietary choices. The vegetarian woman is left contemplating whether her bluntness was warranted or if she should have approached the situation with more sensitivity. As she reflects on the incident, she wonders if an apology is necessary or if she should maintain her stance on the importance of informed dietary discussions.

In conclusion, this story illustrates the tension that can arise from differing beliefs about food and ethics, and the challenges of navigating such conflicts in a respectful manner.

This is Original story from Reddit

Image credit: Pixabay (This is example image – Not the actual photo)

Story

Let me explain it all. I, 33F, am a vegetarian. I do not care about what other people eat.

My bf eats meat; the only deal is that he cooks the meat because, after all these years being vegetarian, the smell does repulse me a bit.

Anyway, earlier today I saw a post about how meat eaters, as they were called, were being compared to pedophiles. I was disgusted by this and told the maker that he is the reason that we, as vegans and vegetarians, get attacked. A woman attacked me later on, saying I was a murderer because only vegans were pure.

I explained to her that I get milk where the calves are not removed and eggs from chickens that have more roaming space than my dogs do in our apartment. Well, that was clearly not enough, and it was somehow my fault that baby animals fell without their mother and how I was eating babies. Not bad meant, but when there is no rooster… no babies. And the owner has no rooster.

I got annoyed at her and asked her if she even knew about everything she was talking about. I asked her if she even paid attention to her shampoo, conditioner, make-up, nail polish, etc. If her products were even vegan.

Because if she was going to attack other people on their diet choices, she was arguing with several people; she had to first make sure she was perfect. Apparently, that is where it went wrong. The lady stopped responding.

I just shrugged it off until I got a PM several hours later. A friend of the vegan lady lashed out at me, saying how her friend had a mental breakdown finding out that her make-up and other products were not vegan. The vegan lady apparently was throwing tantrums, and her friend couldn’t calm her down.

This is where I might be the AH. I told the friend that it was the vegan lady’s own fault. She decided to verbally attack people on the internet on a very inappropriate comparison, and she was calling people murderers.

Now she could join the murderer club for not even knowing about it all. And that maybe if she stopped judging people on their diets, her meltdowns wouldn’t happen. The friend called me heartless, a monster, an AH, and that I would burn in hell. And I should apologize.

In my opinion, I don’t think it is my fault that the lady didn’t even know that a lot of products contain animal by-products. I also don’t think I should apologize for sharpening her knowledge.

AITA? Could I have brought it on a bit less brutally? Or at least apologize? Should I apologize?

Edit: Thank you, everyone, for the answers. I’m still reading through them all. For those who said it was made up, I wish… it was my reality suddenly, though. I have both ladies blocked and am not going to bother.

After a look at their profiles, it showed they were older than me. And having a meltdown tantrum… no. The last bit of information I got from the friend was that the “vegan” lady was screaming how I ruined her life.

I can’t say thank you on each single comment, so I do it in big here. Thank you very much.

View the Original Reddit Post Here

Summary of Reddit Comments

The top Reddit comments indicate a strong consensus that the original poster (OP) is not at fault (NTA) for the situation with the vegan woman. Many users criticize the woman’s aggressive behavior and hypocrisy, suggesting that her emotional breakdown is a result of her own actions rather than anything OP did. The comments highlight a broader disdain for self-righteousness without self-awareness, emphasizing the importance of consistency in one’s beliefs.

Verdict: NTA

Expert Advice for Resolving the Conflict

Conflicts over dietary choices can be emotionally charged and complex, especially when they touch on deeply held beliefs. Here are some practical steps for both the vegetarian woman and the vegan woman to consider in resolving their differences and fostering a more respectful dialogue.

For the Vegetarian Woman

Reflect on Communication Style: Consider how your words may have impacted the vegan woman. While you have a right to defend your choices, a more empathetic approach could help de-escalate tensions.
Seek Understanding: Try to understand the vegan woman’s perspective. Acknowledge her passion for her beliefs, even if you don’t agree with her methods. This can help create a more constructive conversation.
Clarify Your Position: If you feel comfortable, explain your dietary choices in a way that emphasizes your ethical sourcing and commitment to animal welfare. This can help bridge the gap between your beliefs.
Consider an Apology: If you feel that your comments may have been too harsh, a simple acknowledgment of her feelings could go a long way. You can express that you didn’t intend to hurt her but wanted to stand up for your choices.

For the Vegan Woman

Practice Self-Reflection: Take time to reflect on your reaction and the standards you hold for others. Consider whether your expectations are realistic and how they align with your own practices.
Engage in Open Dialogue: Instead of labeling the vegetarian as a murderer, try to engage in a conversation about your beliefs. Ask questions to understand her choices rather than making accusations.
Educate Yourself: If you were unaware of the animal by-products in your beauty products, consider researching more about ethical sourcing and the complexities of dietary choices. This knowledge can empower you and reduce feelings of distress.
Seek Support: If you’re feeling overwhelmed, reach out to friends or communities that share your values for support. This can help you process your feelings in a constructive way.

Moving Forward Together

Both women can benefit from approaching the situation with empathy and a willingness to listen. Here are some additional steps they can take together:

Set Boundaries: Agree on respectful boundaries regarding discussions about dietary choices to prevent future conflicts.
Share Resources: Consider sharing articles or documentaries that explain each other’s perspectives. This can foster understanding and respect for differing choices.
Find Common Ground: Focus on shared values, such as compassion for animals or environmental concerns, to build a foundation for future discussions.

By taking these steps, both women can work towards a more respectful and understanding relationship, allowing for healthy discussions about their dietary choices without escalating into conflict.

Join the Discussion

Image credit: Pixabay (This is example image – Not the actual photo)

What do you think? Would you have handled this differently?
Share your thoughts below! Vote: Do you agree with Reddit’s verdict?