Veggie men dealing w/ chastising "manly" coworkers
So I've recently started a new job 3 months ago, I'm working pretty closely with this team of 5 others on a project that will take most of the next 9 months. We do a lot of work w/ the military, just helping their building save energy, nothing to do with the violent aspect. I mention this b/c a lot of our staff are ex-military since the boss figures they could communicate well and understand the client. Which I agree with. Though couple of these guys are also fulfilling the stereo-typical manly American: republican, truck-driving, hunting, meat-eating, Nascar-watching, etc...
Me on the other hand: I got into this energy business b/c I'm an environmentalist, which is also one of the reasons I don't eat meat, I'm predominantly a pacifist (another reason I'm veggie), and of course I'm a vegetarian. So far I've gotten chastised for driving a Prius, which I've had for 8 years now (and we work in the energy efficiency department for god's sake), and of course being veggie seems like such an oddity to them. I don't really get why it's funny at any level of depth. I understand there's a stereo-type that eco-veggie dudes are pussies and shall be mocked for not being real men. But it's pretty lame, I feel like I'm in friggin middle school again and I'm getting peer pressure. I also have a genetic disease (CF) which I haven't come out about, but it also has given me a short skinny body that looks like I just graduated college (I'm nearlly 33 now). None of which is helping me in gain respect, kind of makes me feel like a kid, which I'm not digging.
This stereotype seems odd, considering when I stopped eating meat 9-10 years ago I had been in this pretty large social scene in Philly with lots of punk and hardcore kids going to these crazy underground shows, with a Huge population of veg*ns in it. It was like cool, people respected that you stood for something. Then again we probably all were social misfits who couldn't relate to typical society, and vice versa.
Anyway, this has been bugging me a lot recently and I'm not sure how make it stop without coming off as a dick, pussy or some kind of fun killer. Any of you guys dealt with this kind of situation successfully?
“Stand up for what is right even if you are standing alone”
I say this, realize there will always be some men and women who are MEGA STYLE DRAMA QUEENS. They will do anything to stir up drama. It's immaturity at their finest.
You tell your boss on them that are creating a very bad environment at work. The boss is responsible.
When someone teased me about being a veggie I told them go eat your cholesterol ridden food. Don't care what i do.
If they still keep it up I say bring in some of the most delectable mouth watering vegan food for your lunch and make sure to rub it in their faces (by them just seeing you eating it). :> :> After a few weeks bring in enough vegan food to share with them.
You know some of it is jealousy. Some of your coworkers know they cannot go on a vegan diet because they can't do it so they throw resentments toward you. Some might even want you become a meat eater again.
Disraeli said: Never complain, never explain. If you don't respond to the baiting, or give a bland, not-going-there response, the situation quickly dissipates. Don't defend your choices (you have nothing to "defend"), but don't play their game either. You know who you are. And when you know who you are, and are secure in that, a lot of outside stuff becomes less impacting.
What excellent advice from yabbitgirl! I totally want this framed somewhere!!
Men are funny sometimes, in that if they like you and find you interesting they pick on you.
My advice is simply to be yourself, work hard, remember that you're there to do a job, and not worry too much about being an "outsider".
If it's completely unbearable and hostile then stand up for yourself. But if it's typical straight man joking and carrying on, it might be your cross to bear and you can own it. I sometimes play along with someone whose ribbing me and agree with them and have fun with it. Fortunately though for me it's rare. Sooner or later they will realize you are who you are, you're unique and they like that about you, even though they are threated by you.
You will never be like them or "one of them". Own it. Work with it. Know when to be quiet and when to speak up. Be true to yourself.
Pages