I thought it a bit strange to fill a little ones head with thoughts of dead animals as she passed the meat section in Coles?

She said it very loud so other customers could hear her clearly...

"we don't need that, those are yucky dead animals"

i'm sure her DD didn't understand and i don't know why a parent would like to fill a child's head with thoughts of dead things or she was probably just saying it to get others shoppers attention.

I found it offputting, keep your opinions to yourself, if u don't like meat, thats fine, but so rude to say that people who do love meat are shopping like me

we love our lamb

I don't know that I could ever use the 'love' in connection with meat, vegetarian or not.

I think the mother in question is determined that her daughter will be a politicised vegetarian, but she's starting a bit early to indoctrinate her.
I also think she's an ASW.

I occassionaly tell my kids they are eating dead animals because they are. Hasn't stopped them eating meat. I don't see why that woman was wrong?

I don't really see what she did wrong. I often had a running commentary with my kids before they could talk without even realising I was talking out loud.

The truth is they are dead animals and she finds them yucky. I don't think it was that bad.

How is it different to putting meat in the trolley and saying "here's some yummy lamb we will have for dinner?"

She can raise her children with any beliefs she sees fit. No different to a mother taking her children to church.

She must be introducing vegetarianism.

She sounds a total w*n*er given the age of the child, but I actually agree that children should be told that meat is the flesh of dead animals (just like ourselves).

If the kids find that idea grim and offputting, they should be taken to an abatoir just to reinforce it!

I don't get why people get worked up over such inane things.

Once at the supermarket I told DS that magarine was made with stuff they found in the gutter Wonder if anyone ever started a thread about the whacko who told her kid that.

I can understand wanting to tell your children exactly where their meat, milk etc. comes from, but telling a 12month old that meat is yucky dead animals is just a little off.
When she is old enough to understand, then tell her where meat comes from and use the right words.

*shrugs* it is dead animal. We're not vegetarian but I tell my kids the truth. Probably not at 12 months but then I don't find dead animals 'yucky'.

Meh, each to their own. She is probably just a proud vegetarian.

I do that same, I talk to my baby about how much yucky sposies smell and Im gald we use mcns when we go into a change room and all I can smell is those things. He is 10 months old LOL



PMSL sounds like something I would tell my kids

There's no getting away from the fact that they ARE dead animals and educating children about it is the right thing to do. She wasn't lying or exaggerating. I guess some people like to fool themselves with the nice little plastic wrappers and different names. I don't see an issue with what she did, but I'm a vegetarian. It sounds like you were just put off by it, but that's not her problem or fault.

You sound like my ASW sister who raves on and on about how bad formula smells. She wont even touch her grandchildren if they are on formula.

As for disposables, does the sh*t smell worse in them then in cloth? sh*t is sh*t, putting it in a designer nappy wont make it smell better.

As for the Op, I agree, she should keep her thoughts to herself if she's in the meat dept, such blatant ASW behaviour is pathetic.

I talk to my DD the whole time we're shopping and we discuss where food comes from - where it grows, how it's processed, what we might cook with it. Yes, I have mentioned to her on the occasions that she has glanced in the meat aisle that we don't eat meat and explained to her that they are dead animals if she asks why we don't meat. She's 2.5 and she seems to cope quite well with this explanation.

If the meat-eaters around me are offended by the fact that I have mentioned "dead animals", that is not my issue. Time to take the blinkers off and realise what they're putting into their mouths. I would never discuss my family's vegetarianism with someone who eats meat, because I don't want to force my beliefs onto them, but I will bring my DD up with my values. Sometimes that means discussing our values in public.

No problem with her discussing meat, and pointing out they are in fact dead animals.

But sounds like the tone, and the use of "yucky" , was a bit off putting. Putting things that way, might just be that she has strong views. But could be the start of putting a lot of intolerant ideas into a young child's head.

I try not to say that food is yucky, or let my girls do it. Yes, you might not like it, and that is fine. But to loudly say it's yucky is a bit rude to the person who cooked it, and a bit rude to people happily sitting there eating it.
Same thing in a supermarket really. No we don't eat that, but other people do. Fine.

DS and DD know that meat is from Animals... but i think calling it yucky is a bit harsh tho...


DH was asking DS if we should get a goat as a pet, and he got all worried and said "Jersey will eat it" (Jersey is our dog)... we said "oh no she wont" then he said "Yeah goats have meat in them"... LOL...

What is your problem? Meat is dead animals. She thinks its 'yucky, well thats her personal preference. Would you like her to pretend she likes it and thinks its fabulous so as not to upset other shoppers who are listening to her talk to her daughter?
If you are offended by meat being called dead animals that is your issue.

No biggie. She has her opinions as do we all. Besides, they are dead and look yucky!


I think she was a vegan using her daughter to make a point to everyone around her subtly.

Intolerant ideas? You mean ethical ideas.

Why would you find it off-putting? Meat IS dead animals...


See I think that is as ridiculous as me telling you to keep your opinion on lamb to yourself.

I have no problem with people who don't eat meat. Personal choice.

Quietly mentioning to the child that no, we don't eat it, because we find it yucky. Fine.
Proclaiming loudly around people who are obviously buying meat ... yes I do see that as a bit intolerant. The child being at dinner at someone else's home, who happens to have a meat dish, and the child declaring loudly "ooooohh yucky!!!"

Tolerance is accepting other people's choices/beliefs, and not putting them down.

I don't see the problem. We tell DD we are eating cow all the time (actually when I tell her we are having steak she goes "Yum cow!" )

As for the ASW comments? Whatever distracts your child in the supermarket so you can get it over without a fuss IMO.

Reminds me of Descentia's Z announcing in the supermarket that the meat aisle smelt like poo

I work with a lady who when she cooks lamb tells her 3 year old daughter, when the lamb is in the oven, "see baa baa black sheep cooking". She also refers to body parts as what they are...penis, vagina and anus.

im a vegetarian, and I HATE with absolute vehemence these political vegetarians who loudly dissapprove of other ppls choices and start spouting their crap in public [much as i hate fanaticism of any kind ].

Now I dont Like meat or seafood myself, it doesnt agree with my system and the taste and texture disgust me, same as the taste and texture of brussell sprouts does.... It doesnt stop me from cooking it for my family [my partner and kids all eat meat] I just wear gloves when im handling it. [i have to admit, i dont like cooking red meat cause the smell to me is horrible, but DP does the red meat at home when we have it. ]

My DD #1 when she was 2 yo was visiting my parents place, and as we walked past the chooks in the yard, she pointed and said "chicken!!! YUM YUM YUM!!" i think its normal and healthy for kids to understand where their food comes from - i dont sit them down and lecture them about slaughter houses or anything like that, but we do explain that chicken and lamb and beef come from farms where the farmers raise the animals and then they are killed and the meat is sold at butchers and supermarkets... same as Milk comes from cows on the farm and then bottled and sold in the shops, and vegies come from the ground etc etc....
I think the main thing to ensure is that it is explained in an age appropriate manner. I dont understand how anyone can not educate their child enough to know that milk doesnt just come from the shop. [and believe me, there are plenty of those that dont know any more than that!]

ANyway - i digress slightly - my main point is, i dont think her opinion was wrong, but it seems obvious that she is a fanatic, and a loud and very intolerant one - i pity all children being raised by ppl like this as they really dont stand too much of a chance for an unbiased education... makes me sad.

ALSO - just wanted to say, no matter her beliefs, what she said was just RUDE! its like going to a restaurant and then commenting on everyones choices in a dearogatory manner.... what is so hard about being polite in public??? i would never in a million years ever say "OH YUCK!" at the dinner table no matter WHAT was on it - i would politely decline certain dishes, but it seems to me to be absolutely attrocious manners to behave the way that woman did!

I feel the same when I see people wearing crucifixes around their neck for all to see! Or women wearing hijabs! Fine, have your religion but don't flash it about for indifferent people like me to see!

SIGH! People and their beliefs! What can we do to crush all personal beliefs being thrown about in public!???

I have a friend who works in child counselling, who at times deals with abused children. She was trained that it's very important we don't dumb it down for kids, or give cutesy names for personal body parts. She said it's very important that a child knows exactly what a vagina, penis, etc is. In her studies, there were cases of child abuse that didn't hold up in court, due to the age of the child and names used to describe 'body parts' in question and the alleged abuse. I guess it leaves room for doubt.

Slightly OT above, but I guess I don't see anything wrong with a Mum saying that it's dead meat as that's what it is. Why sugar coat things.

Sounds like she may have been a few sandwiches short of a picnic, to say that to a child who can't yet speak. Obviously it was for the benefit of the other shoppers, her kid couldn't care less at that age. w*n*ers.


ETA - the word w*n*er is censored now? what's next? the word "stupid"? "Bumhead"? it's a bit infantile EB.

I would probably laugh out loud. I imagine she felt very self satisfied as she pushed her trolly back to her bumper sticker covered car.

Mind you, the political views section on my facebook info states -"never completely trust a vegetarian", lol. I reckon they are all oppressed and anyone that oppresses their animal nature is dangerous...it comes out in other areas.

Oh Vasquez, you would hate me then.

I'm one of those annoying people who loudly comments when people pick up caged eggs in the supermarket.


Thanks for the laugh...

I personally would not tell a 12 month old they are dead animals because they would not understand so what is the point.

People need to stop worrying about what other peoples beliefs are or what they are eating and mind their own business..... Some people are just pathetic. I mean seriously what is the point in causing a scene at a supermarket because someone is getting something you don't like? Does it make them feel any better? Seriously are these people not secretly 5 years old?

This is exactly what i meant, i think there is a right age to tell them where it all comes from.

Are you serious?



Why? Do you think you will shame people into changing their habits?

Ooh me too

DD5 and I were having a very complex discussion in the meat section last week about the difference between free range chicken and caged ones.


Silence is akin to apathy,

OP that lady made an impression on you, who knows she may have also had an impact on someone else as well.

silence is sometimes akin to "your a complete w*n*er but I will choose to stay silent here in this supermarket as I think anyone who feels the need to get political when I just want to buy my tucker is not worth the effort...and probably needs to have some real issues to worry about"

My kids all know where their meat comes from at an early age, I think that's part of educating them. I also teach them that if we didn't eat these animals, then the farmers wouldn't breed and look after them.

I respect those who chose to be vegetarian. I do dislike it when parents who use that loud voice that the whole area can hear. The 'look at me' parents. Your child has great hearing, you don't need to talk to the whole shop, just your child.

I am a vegetarian. This explains why I am an animal in the bedroom

Can i just say it felt terrible, i was shopping minding my own business with my dd and she shouts this out making sure she has her audience cause her own child would not of know what she was talking about, she made me feel uncomfortable for choosing meat.

I still don't think my 3yr old son understands how meat has come to the table yet.

She was using her own child to get her beliefs across to strangers.

So what. They are dead.

Nope. Not at all. Just wanting to point out how ridiculous it is that someone would care what a random stranger in a supermarket says to her child...



Oh, dear! Guilty meat eater! We can't have that! PM me if you want some good vegetarian recipes! LOL!

I commented loudly in the meat aisle about how bullsh*t 'hreat smart' beef is, and why it costs so much more. A little old lady looked ant me and whispered, "I agree!"

I also used to moo when we ate steak.

If this lady didn't like meat, and thought it was so yucky, why go anywhere near it?

Mmmmmmm, yummy yucky dead animal.....!

Perhaps she simply got bored doing a similar thing around the baby formula aisle?!?

Yes i think so

Actually disposables do stink. Cloth nappies contain the smell much better and they are also infinitely cleaner because the poo is disposed of down the correct channels almost immediately rather than festering for 12 months inside a plastic bag.
Off my high horse now.

I really don't see the problem with this woman saying that to a 12 month old.

We are vegetarian and so is our 2 & 1/2 year old Son, and DP's 15 yr old daughter. We have been telling our Son all along that we don't eat meat and that meat is from animals and that's why we don't eat it. And at supermarkets too!
He's been talking since before he was 2 years old and a month ago at child care loudly proclaimed at lunch time "i don't eat meat, i'm a vegetarian!":)
He says it often now and knows why he doesn't eat meat. I think he knows this because we have been talking about it since he was a baby.

I think this woman in the supermarket was simply explaining to her baby why they don't buy meat.

Saying you were offended by this is like me saying I was offended by hearing you talk about how yummy this piece of lamb looked.

Probably because she was going past the meat isle on her way to the next isle!

true true...but maybe you are a vegetarian who has made peace with their animal side.

I imagine that is EXACTLY what a women like this would do...and the nappy section. God help her if she makes comments on someone's bleached tampons, she may well get one stuck between her pursed little lips.

My bold. Are you saying there is something wrong with this?

She wasn't saying it to her baby, she was shouting it to the world, if i talk to my DD 'looks at this yummy lamb' i wouldn't be shouting it out for everyone to hear and then looking around everywhere to see who noticed me saying it.

Try going down the aisle of sposies and shout out at the top of your voice "disposables are yucky" see if you get any reaction from other mums and if u make them feel uncomfortable.

I just think people should be able to shop in peace and not make stupid comments, thats all.

I tend to agree.
She probably just forgot her IM A VEGETARIAN T-shirt and needed some other way of drawing attention to herself I mean really, what was she even doing in the meat section.