Vegetarian: [vej-i-tair-ee-uh n] (noun) a person who does not eat or does not believe in eating meat, fish, fowl, or, in some cases, any food derived from animals, as eggs or cheese, but subsists on vegetables, fruits, nuts, grain, etc.

Notice how the above definition doesn't contain the phrase "only eats salad" or "is crazy." Why? Because, contrary to popular belief, vegetarians aren't crazy, and don't always eat salad.

While vegetarian diets aren't a new concept, some people react in questionable and even rude ways when they find out someone is a vegetarian.

To keep you from making the same mistake, here's a list of a few things that's been said to/asked of a vegetarian, and why you should just...not:

1. "But meat is so good!"

Sure, maybe meat is good, but the meat industry isn't. While some people become vegetarians because they don't enjoy the taste of meat, others do it for ethical or environmental reasons. Sometimes cutting meat out of your diet is a sacrifice, but the positives outweigh the negatives.

2. "You're missing out!"

Again, this might sometimes be true, but overall the positives of vegetarianism outweigh the negatives. I can promise you I don't miss much. Anything I do miss, I'll find a way to make a vegetarian version.

3. Jokes about slipping meat into their food

Regardless of the awkward laugh from the vegetarian, this isn't funny. If anything, this will just keep a vegetarian from trusting you with things they're going to eat. Would you slip tomatoes into the food of someone who hates tomatoes? Think of it like that. You're kind of just being a dick.

4. "But...but PROTEIN!"

Um? Yes, protein is a thing. A thing that can be found in non-meat products. The giant picture above is just a list of the few vegetarian sources of protein, and there are way more where that came from. When all else fails, protein powder shakes, and bars are a quick and easy way we make sure we're getting the protein we should.

5. "You must really like beans."

I'm not completely sure where these ideas come from, but the apparent stereotype is that vegetarians only eat beans and/or salad. I promise that isn't true. As much as I like beans, I really don't eat them very often, and I know the same goes for other vegetarians I know.

TL;DR See chart above.

6. "Did you see *any vegetarian item on the menu*?"

Contrary to popular belief, becoming a vegetarian doesn't make a person go blind. If anything, we're more attentive to menus. If it's vegetarian, we'll find it eventually.

I know you think you're being helpful, but I'm sorry to say you're mostly just being annoying.

7. "Oh, it's just a phase."

I guess I could understand IF the vegetarian was new to the diet, and the phrase was being said by someone they knew well. Otherwise, don't say it. A few weeks ago, I was informed I was just going through a phase. Last time I checked, phases don't last five years with no intentions of changing anything.

8. "You don't look like a vegetarian."

First, this is rude as hell. Whenever this is said to me, It usually means "you're kind of fat for a vegetarian."

Maybe in other circumstances, it's in regards to a vegetarian's sense of style, but regardless, it's not yours or anyone else's place to make that kind of comment. Just because 80% of what I eat is plant-based doesn't mean I'm a size two, thank you very much. That's just not how metabolism works.

9. "That must be why you're so skinny."

Chances are if #9 is being said to you, then #8 isn't.

Regardless, this is also rude as hell. I'm pretty sure it isn't nice to comment about a person's weight regardless of what they look like (unless it's a compliment about them losing weight; I personally will accept those). Vegetarian is not synonymous with starving, thanks.

10. "Plants have feelings too!"

Well...last time I checked, plants aren't sentient. They can't feel or think or comprehend. Yes, they are living, but that doesn't mean the understand that. Therefore no, plants don't have feelings.

Even if a solid scientific argument can me made for sentient plants, the process of creation to plate differs a lot between plants and animals in the United States.

11. "What's wrong with you?"

Once again, rude. Because I understand the horror that is the meat industry, there's something wrong with me? Because I comprehend that a meatless diet is more environmentally sustainable than a diet with meat, something is wrong with me?

Because someone made a decision that differs from your dietary style, something is wrong with them?

Yeah, no.

12. "Do you eat chicken?"

What?? Eggs, dairy; even fish I could understand, but chicken?

In case you missed it: chicken is, in fact, meat. Therefore, vegetarians don't eat it.

If a vegetarian tells you that they eat chicken, then they're actually a pollotarian.

13. "How can you live with eating salad all the time?"

Say it with me: VEGETARIANS EAT MORE THAN SALAD.

Sure, I love a good salad, but to think that's all a vegetarian eats is just...well, stupid. There's still pasta, veggie burgers, sandwiches, soups; almost any recipe can be made vegetarian with just a few tweaks.

14. Comments about them being an animal freak

While my compassion for animals is a large reason why I became a vegetarian, it's not my only reason, and for others, it's not even a reason at all. Some people become vegetarians because of health reasons, a dislike of meat, sustainability reasons; What I'm saying is there are a lot of reasons to become a vegetarian. It's a bit presumptuous to make this kind of comment, don't you think?

15. "Is that meat?"

I get this question occasionally from friends and family that know I'm a vegetarian, and it mostly makes me facepalm. To answer this question for everyone who ever thinks about asking me in the future: no, it's not meat. Yeah, it does look a lot like meat, isn't that cool? It's actually soy/tofu/tempeh/seitan/anything else. Good chat!

Sure, maybe in some cases someone might answer yes, but I'd like to think those who know me know well enough that when I commit to something, I don't just let it go one day.

Sure, some of these comments are well intended, but most of them are just kind of unnecessary.

Personally, I'd like to think I'm pretty good at telling whether someone is being rude or genuinely curious and respond depending on how I take it.

Credit and thanks to Ariel Benson, Nicole Hazlett, and Victoria Rios for helping me compile this list.