divingyogini
Contributor
My dive buddy and I are both vegan-vegetarians . . . we'd love to be on a live-aboard dive boat with other vegetarian divers.
We've been on 3 live-aboard dive boats, and each time, the other divers have made harsh remarks about our eating habits and also about the fact that we don't drink alcohol. We're hesitant to go on another live-aboard because of the strangely-harsh reaction our eating and non-drinking seems to bring about (even though we absolutely never talk about our vegetarianims or sobriety, and NEVER push it on other people).
We try to be very civil members of the liveaboard community, but for some reason, all three times we've endured gossip and rude jokes about our lifestyle.
Has anyone else had this type of experience?
We are feeling that we should try to organize a live-aboard dive boat for vegetarian divers.
Aloha,
Dee
Yes, people feel that because you don't do something you're passing judgment on their lifestyle. I never even liked to call myself a vegetarian and would just say that I don't eat meat. I will say that over the past 18 years attitudes have changed, and I've found less hostility, but I have had lots of encounters in the past.
Immediately I would get defensive reactions from some people even though I would explain that I made a personal choice for myself and I respect the rights of others to make the same choice. People would press me as to reasons: Is it health? No, in fact a strict vegetarian diet without fish is probably less healthy than a predominantly vegetarian diet with occasional fish. Then finally pressed I would say it's because of my spiritual beliefs and would get pressed with the what religion are you question. Finally when I had had enough of the grilling and told the truth and said I was Catholic and following my personal interpretation of the "thou shalt not kill" commandment it would simply infuriate people enough to finally leave me alone. I really hated that it would come to that because the interrogations felt invasive. I mean, who cares if I don't eat meat - more meat for those who do.
I would imagine the same goes for abstaining from alcohol. I've only known a handful of people who "just didn't drink" but yet still went out and had fun with others and did not pass judgment. But I've encountered others who were quite judgmental about alcohol. Plus, I have known some hardcore vegans who would make a stink about others eating meat, so I know sometimes people expect that reaction and so they go on the offensive.
It sounds like you do your best to respect the choices of others though, so it's sad that you've encountered others who don't respect yours. I've found that's often a sign people have some discomfort or lack conviction about their own choices, so they can't accept that someone has made a different choice.
My husband (an omnivore) explained that it is implicit judgment. By not eating meat you are communicating that you think it's wrong. But big deal. I also find country music just plain wrong but that doesn't mean I expect others to give up their music choices just because they don't suit me.
But, over the past 18 years, people's attitudes have become far more accepting. I would just communicate with the liveaboard that you've encountered some hostility - maybe they'll even let you talk with the other people on board before you book to decide if you'll get on.