As a teenage vegetarian, I have experienced a lot of difficulties on my quest as a non-carnivore. I have gotten comments from my family, friends, family friends : ) and waitresses!
The pressure is tremendous. Your family wants the best for your health. Of course, pressuring you to eat meat when your ideals are so steadfast aren't going to help; just cause more rebellion. But, you have to explain your reasons clearly, but not to the point of ALWAYS bringing it up and annoying other people.
Friends might not understand why you have done it and jokes about it can be irking. You want to make sure your friends know when enough is enough. Explain your ideals but, as I said before, don't push your ideas onto someone else. If they seem interested though, tell them how animals are kept before slaughter and maybe they may be a new vegetarian.
Tell your friends/family/waitress that the best way to help you become a healthy vegetarian is to support you, not harrass you. Good Luck, you're not alone.
