Do you speak up uninvited?

[beancounter]

At the supermarket today, I saw a young girl grab a soymilk. Her mother objected saying "I'd wish you'd get real milk". The mother mentioned both calcium and protein, and the daughter countered her mothers objections with facts from the nutrition label.

I haven't spoken up uninvited in decades, but I felt like it today.

I said "excuse me ma'm. I've been a vegetarian for over 25 years, and I've never had any health issues"

She gave me a look and countered "well you're not a 13 year old girl".

So I just nodded politely and was about to walk away and she said "thank you for your input". But obviously she didn't mean it.

In any case, I hope the daughter realized from this brief exchange, that she isn't alone.

 

[Amy SF]

That was a nice thing you did. I wouldn't feel comfortable speaking up like that to strangers. *blush*

 

[Blobbenstein]

she'd have a point about protein if it was almond milk. I don't think that has much protein in.

 

[KLS52]

I guess it would depend on my mood and whether or not I was feeling confident, but if I was prepared with something to say and felt like I wouldn't sound like a lunatic, I might speak up.

I think that was cool and appropriate that you said something, beancounter.

 

[beancounter]

Thanks everyone.

If I had been in a feisty mood I might have countered "well I have an 11 year old son whose been a vegetarian his entire life"

But she was obviously hostile to the idea of veg*ism, so I didn't push it.

 

[Chryssie]

I don't usually speak up unless I am asked a question which happens occasionally. Sometimes the grocery store cashiers are curious about my purchases and I will explain things then. I am not a confrontational person and generally just keep quiet. I MAY have spoken up in that situation if I felt the child was in need of some support; it would depend on how brave I was feeling at the moment.

 

[Blobbenstein]

dairy milk is vegetarian though.

 

[beancounter]

dairy milk is vegetarian though.

I chose to general. The point I wanted to get across was that eating veg*n foods wasn't going to leave her malnourished.

 

[Blobbenstein]

It's a good point to make, although you have to be more careful maybe with a vegan diet.

I would take any information from a stranger with a big piece of salt myself. The girl will probably have to do some research if she wants to convince her mum, and even then her mum can dismiss a lot of websites as being full of propaganda.

 

[Everleigh]

I think you did the right thing speaking up.It's good for that mother to perhaps think about.Maybe she will think about what you said later because when those things tend to happen we kind of react first and think later imho.

 

[thefadedone]

I wouldn't have the guts to speak up like that , but I think it's admirable and great that you did.

Thanks everyone.

If I had been in a feisty mood I might have countered "well I have an 11 year old son whose been a vegetarian his entire life"

But she was obviously hostile to the idea of veg*ism, so I didn't push it.

That would've been awesome though!!

 

[Calliegirl]

It depends on my mood, but I do it somewhat often, usually when they are looking confused at all the choices. I do it most often in Trader Joe's though, people there seem to be much friendlier. I also ask people questions about things they are buying if I notice something interesting in their cart. I once asked a lady what some green leafy veggies were that she was buying. She was nice about it and even told me how to cook them.

When I buy a vegan snack, if the cashier or...well anyone looks interested in it, I'll open it and give samples. I once shared some Almond Dream Bites with a security guard on my way out of the store.

 

[Wolfie]

I think it's awesome you did that and I bet the girl does too. Sounds like a pretty smart kid, coming back at her mom by reading the label. I'm not usually one to say anything and draw attention to myself but certainly will if I feel strongly about a subject. I had a "discussion" with a store employee about pit bulls today when he made a stupid comment. Not sure I won him over at all but maybe I won over other customers in the vicinity.

Sorry, not trying to high jack your thread. I think it's cool that you spoke up.

 

[Forster]

Sorry to be a contrarian but it would have annoyed the holy living hell out of me if someone butted in on a discussion/argument between myself and my child, besides sounds like the child was holding her own. Would any of you have wanted someone to butt in on the outside chance you were arguing with your kid who wanted to drink cows milk? I can see it now, "excuse me sir, but I've drank regular milk my entire life and I've never had any health issues". Not all omni parents are Neanderthals, many will actually listen to their kids arguments on such things, outsiders getting their dander up isn't going to help.

Now, me being me, I would have just taken the opportunity to get myself a couple of half gallons of soymilk whilst they were arguing.

 

[shyvas]

Sorry to be a contrarian but it would have annoyed the holy living hell out of me if someone butted in on a discussion/argument between myself and my child, besides sounds like the child was holding her own. Would any of you have wanted someone to butt in on the outside chance you were arguing with your kid who wanted to drink cows milk? I can see it now, "excuse me sir, but I've drank regular milk my entire life and I've never had any health issues". Not all omni parents are Neanderthals, many will actually listen to their kids arguments on such things, outsiders getting their dander up isn't going to help.

Now, me being me, I would have just taken the opportunity to get myself a couple of half gallons of soymilk whilst they were arguing.

I also don't like people to get involved when uninvited. Regardless of who is right or wrong it is not the thing to do.

When I'm waiting at the check out, I often have people who ask about the soya products that I have purchased. I'm always happy to discuss them.

 

[Clueless Git]

In any case, I hope the daughter realized from this brief exchange, that she isn't alone.

I reckon that end may well have been achieved, BC.

 

[Clueless Git]

Not all omni parents are Neanderthals, many will actually listen to their kids arguments on such things, outsiders getting their dander up isn't going to help.

Facts only cause offence when facts are not what is wanted to be heard.

 

[Spang]

Alternately, and a lot less diplomatic, you could have told the mother that her daughter is not a ******* cow.

 

[Moll Flanders]

Good for you Beancounter.

I probably might have spoken out in a situation like that and would have tried to do it in as polite a way as possible. The mother obviously didn't want to listen to facts, it shows how much brainwashing the dairy industry has achieved.

 

[KLS52]

It depends on my mood, but I do it somewhat often, usually when they are looking confused at all the choices. I do it most often in Trader Joe's though, people there seem to be much friendlier. I also ask people questions about things they are buying if I notice something interesting in their cart. I once asked a lady what some green leafy veggies were that she was buying. She was nice about it and even told me how to cook them.

When I buy a vegan snack, if the cashier or...well anyone looks interested in it, I'll open it and give samples. I once shared some Almond Dream Bites with a security guard on my way out of the store.

I want to run into you when I'm shopping.