‘Sick and upset’ vegan divides opinion with note for neighbour over cooking meat

If you have to preface a note with 'please take seriously', then things probably aren't going to go well for you.

Unfortunately, one plant-based Perth resident in Australia didn't really think of that when they addressed an 'important message' to their neighbour.

One resident in Perth's northern suburbs of Burns Beach received a handwritten letter from one of their nearby residents.

@Hey Perth/Facebook.

"Hello, neighbour," the note starts off.

"Could you please shut your side window when cooking, please? My family are vegan (we eat only plant-based food), and the smell of the meat you cook makes us feel sick and upset."

Adding: "We would appreciate your understanding."

The letter was signed Sarah, Wayne, and 'the kids'.

The stunned person shared the letter to social media, apparently astounded at the endless depths of audacity their neighbours seem to be drawing from.

And some Facebook users also shared a similar opinion.

One social media user said: "Unfortunately that’s not how the world works. Teach your kids about community and respecting differences but by all means keep up your own choices.

"Your neighbours have every right to cook what they choose in their kitchen, you do not own air. You have every right to cook what you want in your kitchen and know you and your family understand that and respect it and others."

@Hey Perth/Facebook.

The clearly miffed person ended their comment with: "IF someone were verbally abusing you for being vegan then sure but hun you’re making it harder for others to want to see your perspective on this choice."

A second echoed with: "Just because they’ve chosen to be vegan, it’s not your problem."

While a third chipped in with: "The next letter will be don't mow your lawn as it's our food."

Not all were on the side of the letter-receiver, however.

One user pointed out: "A little courtesy goes a long way, it's not like they are asking you to wash their car or clean their house."

Another added: "'I feel like this was a genuinely polite letter, and it’s true the smell of meat is overpowering."

@Hey Perth/Facebook.

They finished their comment by saying: "It would be nice to see some respect for your neighbours, and not publicly trying to shame them for holding strong ethical morals."

So, there you have it.

A snippet of inane neighbourly gossip from Western Australia.

Wouldn't it just be better to let your fellow man or woman chow down on whatever they choose?

Each unto their own, at the end of the day.

Topics: Vegan, Vegetarian, Australia, News

Rachel Lang

Rachel Lang is a Digital Journalist at LADbible. During her career, she has interviewed Aussie PM Malcolm Turnbull in the lead up to the 2016 federal election, ran an editorial campaign on the war in Yemen, and reported on homelessness in the lead-up to Harry and Meghan’s wedding in Windsor. She also once wrote a yarn on the cheese and wine version of Fyre Festival.

@rlangjournalist