Dealing with friends insulting me because I raise pet chickens.

[FlockOfBrunettes]

This might be a weird question but I'm starting to hate the fact that my friend makes fun of me for raising pet chickens. She would say things like "Eat your chickens" or "Your chickens don't love you"....

 

[getaclue]

Why does it bother you what she says? If you're happy, it doesn't really matter what she thinks, or says about it. Is she really a friend, other than the chicken thing? Next time she says something like "your chickens don't love you", say something like "but they lay fresh, delicious eggs for me." "Eat your chickens" would be met with, "don't be absurd, I'll eat their fresh, delicious eggs". This is to be accompanies by a look, like she's just lost her mind.

 

[Cloverr39]

I'm probably not gonna be able to give any good advice on how to deal with this, but in my opinion a good friend would see how much you care about your pets. Saying all that on a regular basis is just mean and could really hurt someone's feelings. You wouldn't go around saying that your friend should eat their dog or cat (or whatever pet they may have) just becouse some people in the world eat those animals. And your friend should realize that your chickens are pets and not food. I feel like a lot of people have trouble understanding the difference between pets and animals raised for food.
I have pet chickens too and occasionally someone will make a joke about my chickens being food. I really don't like when that happens. My chickens are not food and they never will be. If one of my friends would say that to me on a regular basis I would really consider if they're worth being friends with.
Have you told your friend you don't like it when she says things like that or that it makes you uncomfortable when she does? I find it pretty inconsiderate to say that to someone who clearly loves and cares about their pets. But anyway, that's just my opinion.

 

[DickMidnight]

just punch her straight in the nose.

 

[Shadrach]

I suggest you reassess your notions of friendship and get a proper friend.
I would go for Dick Midnights suggestion failing all else.

 

[JacinLarkwell]

Either return the comments to whatever pet they have or stop friends with them. Have you told her it bugs you? If you haven't, maybe you should. It could be that she honestly is trying to joke with you and doesn't know you don't like the jokes

 

[Canadian Wind]

Times are changing and a lot of people are finding it hard to keep up nowadays. They cannot grasp the concept that not all 'livestock' is meant for food or can be a pet. A mosquito can be a pet if you so wish. I have a small homestead and I raise ducks, chickens, and rabbits. And some of those just happen to also be pets!

 

[Sally PB]

When I had a dog that needed expensive treatment, a coworker/friend said, "You have enough guns. You can put her down."

That was the end of that friendship. I didn't work with him much longer either.

If you think this person is truly a friend, but is insensitive about this issue, explain how you feel. If they still "don't get it," reevaluate the relationship.

 

[Idaho Chicken Bungalow]

Hang out here more. I had to stop talking about my girls at work because I could feel eye rolls as I walked away. Really, who needs a friend like that. Those are narcissistic behaviors.

 

[DickMidnight]

I had to stop talking about my girls at work because I could feel eye rolls as I walked away

good on you for picking up those social cues.

nothing more annoying that someone who’s entire personality revolves around their hobbies.