vegetarians with leather bags?

[GhstDreamer]

I'm no vegetarian - I love my seafood and chicken but will not touch any red meat, pork or dairy. I love carrying leather bags and wear leather shoes but I refuse to wear leather clothing of any sort and do not like leather couches, car seats, etc. (I kind of find it disturbing sitting on animal hide but that's just me lol) - I love the look but cannot bring myself to wear something that's leather or get a leather sofa. However, I have no problems with fur. It's strange but I think it all comes down to everyone's personal choice - vegetarian or not vegetarian.

I have a friend who is strictly vegan and will not eat or use anything that is an animal byproduct. She makes no issue of me carrying my leather bags whenever we see each other. My BIL's parents are extreme vegans due to their religion - not only do they not eat or use anything that is from an animal but they will not eat potatoes, carrots, etc. any plants that are killed for human consumption. They also make no issues of it when I sitting in front of them eating my potato salad.

 

[Roxana]

Gosh, you made me aware of something I didn't really think of before. I am really against the whole fur-hype atm where I know a lot of dog and cat hair is used for and coming from China (I saw a documentary on this), I try to make people aware of that everytime I see a person I know with these sorts of fur (I ask them where they bought it and stuff). But I never thought about the fact that 'normal' leather may also come from there when we buy it here in Europe.

Djeez, I really am gonna reconsider everything from leather when I want something now. And def. gonna check where it was produced. Luckily I am mostly into LV now, so that is reassuring, lol!

I really hope and pray someday animal rights will be protected more through legislation worldwide....

I didn't want to post anything because I have nothing of much value to add to this discussion, but I did want to say for anyone who is concerned with the way that animals are killed for leather that what you may be thinking of humane is most likely not. For example, the vast majority (please note, not all) of leather coming from China and many other Asian nations is actually cat and dog skin. Also, these producers use other small animals because they are simply easier and cheaper to kill. You can look up videos online (I know PETA has some) about animals being killed for belts and shoes in China, and the animals are alive when they skin them. Bullets are expensive and are unnecessary to kill small animals who, when tied or chained down, are easy to skin and will die quickly. Boiling the small animals is also another popular and cheap method. Seeing as how the majority of leather products available around my home (Ohio) are from China, people are wearing cat and dog leather that were skinned alive while they walk or play with Fido and have no idea where their sneakers came from.

Cows, on the other hand, are of course harder and more dangerous to skin while being alive, so I am assuming that they kill these large animals either with bullets or electrocution prior to skinning. At least, that is what I have read and seen in videos.

Just in case anyone is going to google these clips, please be aware that they are EXTREMELY graphic and may be impossible for you to watch. I know I just sat there and cried when I saw them. I am NOT a vegetarian and I regularly enjoy eating meat but I DO NOT either buy leather products made in Asian countries, or buy from companies that I do not know how the animals are killed. It is much more expensive to buy that Prada or LV bag, but at least I know that I am not carrying around the skin of an animal who was boiled or skinned alive. Also, just FYI, I did some research and Coach uses cowhide killed in accordance with the humane circumstances which are required in the leather industry in the USA.

I know this is long, but I hope that to maybe even one person this information is useful or insightful. I have no opinion on vegans or vegetarians using animal products.

 

[Roxana]

I'm no vegetarian - I love my seafood and chicken but will not touch any red meat, pork or dairy. I love carrying leather bags and wear leather shoes but I refuse to wear leather clothing of any sort and do not like leather couches, car seats, etc. (I kind of find it disturbing sitting on animal hide but that's just me lol) - I love the look but cannot bring myself to wear something that's leather or get a leather sofa. However, I have no problems with fur. It's strange but I think it all comes down to everyone's personal choice - vegetarian or not vegetarian.

I have a friend who is strictly vegan and will not eat or use anything that is an animal byproduct. She makes no issue of me carrying my leather bags whenever we see each other. My BIL's parents are extreme vegans due to their religion - not only do they not eat or use anything that is from an animal but they will not eat potatoes, carrots, etc. any plants that are killed for human consumption. They also make no issues of it when I sitting in front of them eating my potato salad.

Really?? But what is left to eat then??

 

[GhstDreamer]

Really?? But what is left to eat then??

They belong to this sect of Buddhism (I'm buddhist too but believe me we don't belong in the same sect/school of the religion!). They eat berries, nuts, fruits like oranges, bananas, apples, etc. and vegetables that they can eat without having to dig up its roots (i.e. dandelion leaves).

 

[Roxana]

^ Oh, now I get it, seriously I didn't before, lol!

 

[vhdos]

Um, hi. One thing we might want to pay attention before getting excited and punching "quick reply" is the date on a post. Is Roe with us any longer? Possibly in Gambia? Argentina? On the moon?

Thank you chloehandbags for your articulate and measured comments. I don't believe name-calling and "holier than thou" attitudes advance anyone's understanding of the issues at hand. Make your choices and live with them and quit bashing others for not living up to your perception of their standards.

This is quickly becoming a tedious thread. Is there a MOD at hand? Can we just agree to disagree and close this thing? I'm really starting to dislike some TPFers and that is unfortunate.

Poor Second OP--I know you just wanted some friendly advice. Best of luck with your decisions and good for you for trying to think it all through!

Wow, really? I guess I don't take PF threads personal enough to the point of disliking people. I actually thought that this was an interesting conversation. I don't see why people can't just agree to disagree and continue the conversation - rather than closing down what might otherwise be a productive dialogue?

 

[indiaink]

...rather than closing down what might otherwise be a productive dialogue?

Productive?

This topic, like religion and politics, is too close to many people's hearts. When your heart is involved, common sense flees and emotion usually takes over, causing us to write words we wouldn't normally say in person.

I say close the thread. However, I know that a mod has been keeping tabs on this thread and has chosen not to close it, so all we can do is let it die a natural death. I won't be posting again.

 

[ChaChaWeed]

Productive?

This topic, like religion and politics, is too close to many people's hearts. When your heart is involved, common sense flees and emotion usually takes over, causing us to write words we wouldn't normally say in person.

I say close the thread. However, I know that a mod has been keeping tabs on this thread and has chosen not to close it, so all we can do is let it die a natural death. I won't be posting again.

India, you are a wise woman. However, let's face it. We're all being bullied by certain posters on this thread--bullied enough to quit responding. In an open forum posters should be able to express their thoughts without spittle flying across their keyboards or without using passive-aggressive baiting.

I have tried to be respectful and open-minded in my posts and I expect others to respond in kind.

I think posts have crossed into abusive territory--making this thread and forum a very unpleasant place to be. Since the mod you know is insensitive to this, I would love to know which administrator to write. If it seems unnecessary to close the thread then perhaps a reminder to stay on topic and act like grownups is in order.

 

[ahs483]

Very interesting thread. I was a vegetarian for a little while. It got so tiring hearing from people that I'm such a huge hypocrite since I buy leather. i will be the first to admit that it's silly (not eating it but yet buying leather) but it's something I wanted to do just because I felt better about not consuming it (eating it). So yes, I agree, it is almost a little hypocritical, but honestly, if that's what a person does and that's what makes them content then I think that's ok. To each their own, as many of us have said before

 

[Edgy DC]

You're alright. "Hypocrite" is a strong word for something we all are --- struggling with a conscience and trying to reconcile it with how we live in this world. I'm sorry people called you names for that.

 

[Chocomint]

I'm a vegetarian. I don't like buying leather, but unfortunately most quality products that fit my tastes/needs don't come vegan. Tiffany doesn't make a vegan version of their pretty blue makeup bags and wallets, dangit. I'm picky, and have searched high and low for a good vegan purse in the size, style I want, but found nothing.

 

[Hurrem1001]

Very interesting thread. I was a vegetarian for a little while. It got so tiring hearing from people that I'm such a huge hypocrite since I buy leather. i will be the first to admit that it's silly (not eating it but yet buying leather) but it's something I wanted to do just because I felt better about not consuming it (eating it). So yes, I agree, it is almost a little hypocritical, but honestly, if that's what a person does and that's what makes them content then I think that's ok. To each their own, as many of us have said before

Again, this is one of those situations where people don't understand the true definition of what a vegetarian is. I'm a meat eater, and on behalf of other meat eaters (I might get bashed for this) I want to say I'm sorry for people not understanding what a vegetarian is, and giving you a hard time for it.

Whether they are genuinely ignorant of what vegetarianism means, or whether they deliberately choose not to understand is neither here nor there. The fact of the matter is that vegetarians don't eat meat. That's it. Morals don't come into it, animal activists don't come in to it, PETA doesn't come in to it, not wearing or using leather goods doesn't come in to it.

No one should care if you don't eat meat, unless you're one of the people that also choose to condemn the people who do eat meat,and all the while you're using leather products yourself. That's when it becomes hypocritical, and not before.

 

[r15324]

If a person is vegetarian due to moral or ethical uneasiness yet still purchases leather bags, then yes, I would be intrigued as to the logical fallacy upheld by such a mentality.

 

[Hurrem1001]

If a person is vegetarian due to moral or ethical uneasiness yet still purchases leather bags, then yes, I would be intrigued as to the logical fallacy upheld by such a mentality.

I would only question this in the event that they also condemn people who do eat meat, not before.

We're all allowed our own choices, tastes, opinions. As long as we don't voice our double standards it's fine. After all, who's to know? You can be vegetarian due to moral issues, and use leather goods. I don't understand it, but hey, I'm not you. Just keep any opinions about me eating meat and murdering that poor cow/pig/sheep to yourself, that's all I ask.

 

[r15324]

I would only question this in the event that they also condemn people who do eat meat, not before.

We're all allowed our own choices, tastes, opinions. As long as we don't voice our double standards it's fine. After all, who's to know? You can be vegetarian due to moral issues, and use leather goods. I don't understand it, but hey, I'm not you. Just keep any opinions about me eating meat and murdering that poor cow/pig/sheep to yourself, that's all I ask.

Yeah, I'm not saying I've got anything against people who do make such lifestyle choices, it's just interesting to observe others' thought processes and how they make connections differently to the way I do.

On a general note (not directed toward you or anyone in particular), it's also interesting to see the way people are compelled to justify their personal decisions to others (especially strangers with a keyboard and an internet connection) and get so worked up when none of this really matters :/