# What do you refuse to do out of principle? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [August 6, 2010, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-refuse-to-do-out-of-principle/549428 "2010-08-06T17:56:23Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 9
**Author:** ![Serenata67](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/serenata67/32/10646_2.png) [@Serenata67](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Serenata67)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2010, 2:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-refuse-to-do-out-of-principle/549428/161 "2010-08-10T14:26:38Z")
Refuse to eat pork. Never met a pork product I liked. Yes, that means I don’t like bacon. ---
**Author:** ![Nzinga\_Seated](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/b5ac83/32.png) [@Nzinga\_Seated](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nzinga_Seated)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2010, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-refuse-to-do-out-of-principle/549428/162 "2010-08-10T14:33:48Z")
> [@Serenata67](#): > > Refuse to eat pork. Never met a pork product I liked. Yes, that means I don’t like bacon. Why? What’s the principle? I’m curious. ---
**Author:** ![Serenata67](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/serenata67/32/10646_2.png) [@Serenata67](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Serenata67)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2010, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-refuse-to-do-out-of-principle/549428/163 "2010-08-10T14:55:10Z")
The principle is that I don’t even try new pork products. Of the pork products I’ve eaten, none of them have been appetizing. So out of principle, I don’t eat any pork products. ---
**Author:** ![BellRungBookShut-CandleSnuffed](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bcef8e/32.png) [@BellRungBookShut-CandleSnuffed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BellRungBookShut-CandleSnuffed)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2010, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-refuse-to-do-out-of-principle/549428/164 "2010-08-10T15:28:54Z")
Several people have said they don’t eat lamb. I get the veal thing, and do it myself, but does something similar happen with lamb? Or is it just because it’s a baby animal? ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2010, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-refuse-to-do-out-of-principle/549428/165 "2010-08-10T15:37:25Z")
The wife, a non-vegetarian, won’t eat lamb because they’re too cute. ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2010, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-refuse-to-do-out-of-principle/549428/166 "2010-08-10T15:45:19Z")
I eat veal and lamb. I know. But they are so yummy, and my not eating them isn’t going to stop it. ---
**Author:** ![suranyi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e36b37/32.png) [@suranyi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/suranyi)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2010, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-refuse-to-do-out-of-principle/549428/167 "2010-08-10T15:56:37Z")
> [@Anaamika](#): > > Here’s one. I flat out won’t discuss religion or abortion at work. Religion if you ask me, I will most likely say I am an atheist or on occasion have simply said I was a non-believer. Abortion? Even if you ask me directly most of the time I will say, “I don’t feel comfortable discussing this at work.” People have pried but I stick firm. > > Hell, if you know me at all you’d guess my inclinations but it is such an emotional topic it can’t be discussed. I still remember my normally calm History teacher in HS bawling me out because I dared to say maybe abortion wasn’t that bad all the time. Nice one, dude - taking it out on a 17 YO. That’s a good one, and I’ll add politics to the mix. I’m pretty sure that my boss and I disagree on certain political issues but I make a point to never discuss politics in the office. For that reason I have no idea about the political views of my other coworkers. ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2010, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-refuse-to-do-out-of-principle/549428/168 "2010-08-10T16:02:55Z")
> [@suranyi](#): > > > [@Anaamika](#): > > > > Here’s one. I flat out won’t discuss religion or abortion at work. Religion if you ask me, I will most likely say I am an atheist or on occasion have simply said I was a non-believer. Abortion? Even if you ask me directly most of the time I will say, “I don’t feel comfortable discussing this at work.” People have pried but I stick firm. > > > > Hell, if you know me at all you’d guess my inclinations but it is such an emotional topic it can’t be discussed. I still remember my normally calm History teacher in HS bawling me out because I dared to say maybe abortion wasn’t that bad all the time. Nice one, dude - taking it out on a 17 YO. > > That’s a good one, and I’ll add politics to the mix. I’m pretty sure that my boss and I disagree on certain political issues but I make a point to never discuss politics in the office. For that reason I have no idea about the political views of my other coworkers. I can’t get away from this one. Everyone here is generally on the same side of the political spectrum, and one person is very open about it and loooooooooooooves to talk about politics and every conversation gets hijacked into politics. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![MegaBee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f0a364/32.png) [@MegaBee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MegaBee)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2010, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-refuse-to-do-out-of-principle/549428/169 "2010-08-10T16:12:50Z")
I refuse to… eat meat. give preferential treatment to women. watch the Rocky Horror Picture Show. discuss religion at work. give money to panhandlers. donate to the United Way. shop at Wal-Mart if there’s another option available. ---
**Author:** ![Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2010, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-refuse-to-do-out-of-principle/549428/170 "2010-08-10T17:49:37Z")
> [@newcomer](#): > > Listen or take seriously rap music What does it mean to take rap music seriously? I mean, I don’t like it either, but when you say you won’t take it seriously, what are you declining to do? > [@](#): > > Pay attention to stupid back home cultural protocols or customs May I ask what sort of customs you consider “back home”? ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2010, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-refuse-to-do-out-of-principle/549428/171 "2010-08-10T19:08:24Z")
Ooo, that’s one. I try never to listen to tradition in anything unless there is a valid reason. If you tell me to do something and I say Why? And you can’t answer me, then I have no respect for whatever tradition it is. This sounds harsher than it is. I don’t have a problem with tradition because it’s fun, or enjoyable, or whatever. I mean things like this: When mom died her cousins insisted that they had to feed us. After the wake, they took us out to Dunkin Donuts and bought us coffee and donuts. I asked why this needed to be done. I presumed it was something to do with the death aura, but I couldn’t figure out how. After all, mom had not died in their house. Mom had not been sick in their house. And why Dunkin Donuts? Didn’t it have to be a real meal? Why was one tradition necessary but another could be replaced by a donut shop? No one could answer my questions, and indeed, no one tried. That’s just the way it is. So I went along, and had my coffee, and my donut, and internally rolled my eyes so hard they almost broke. ---
**Author:** ![MsWhatsit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/eb8c5e/32.png) [@MsWhatsit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsWhatsit)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2010, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-refuse-to-do-out-of-principle/549428/172 "2010-08-10T19:19:14Z")
The answer that they were unable to give you is, “Because that is how it was done for the funerals of other loved ones that have died, and doing the same thing now gives us a sense of comfort that helps us in this time of loss.” Presumably they thought that this was so obvious that it didn’t need to be explained and that questioning it was just your way of telling them that you thought it was a stupid tradition. ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2010, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-refuse-to-do-out-of-principle/549428/173 "2010-08-10T19:35:33Z")
> [@MsWhatsit](#): > > The answer that they were unable to give you is, “Because that is how it was done for the funerals of other loved ones that have died, and doing the same thing now gives us a sense of comfort that helps us in this time of loss.” Presumably they thought that this was so obvious that it didn’t need to be explained and that questioning it was just your way of telling them that you thought it was a stupid tradition. Nope. It was more like “This is the way we’ve always done it and we will unquestioningly follow it now.” I know my family, you see. Especially these cousins. ETA: And the funny thing is, my mom, who this was all about, never followed tradition if she didn’t get it. Where do you think I got all this questioning from? Mom picked and chose her religion…and everyone went ultra-traditional at the funeral. yes, funerals are for the living, and no, I didn’t question a thing, but it did bother me. I love my culture, some of it anyway. The good parts. I firmly believe some things should be kept, and even if they had said, “It is to cleanse the death aura from our house”, I would have accepted it. But they didn’t even say that. ---
**Author:** ![MsWhatsit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/eb8c5e/32.png) [@MsWhatsit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsWhatsit)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2010, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-refuse-to-do-out-of-principle/549428/174 "2010-08-10T19:45:12Z")
OK. I can see where that would be annoying. ---
**Author:** ![GusNSpot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gusnspot/32/436_2.png) [@GusNSpot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GusNSpot)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2010, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-refuse-to-do-out-of-principle/549428/175 "2010-08-10T20:14:30Z")
You say you are an atheist and I say I’m a Roman Catholic, we high five and talk about motorcycles. What I am willing to eat is dependent on how hungry I am. What & where I buy is dependent on how much I have to have something to live and / or support my family.` ---
**Author:** ![Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2010, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-refuse-to-do-out-of-principle/549428/176 "2010-08-10T20:22:18Z")
> [@Time\_Like\_Tears](#): > > > [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](#): > > > > Why the Nestle & Chick-fil-A hate from some of y’all? > > I choose not to patronize Chick Fil A for the most part because they would not and will not hire me for any position I was qualified for in their company, based upon the fact that I have visible tattoos and piercings. I understand their position, but also feel that unless someone’s body art is glaringly offensive (depicting lewd acts, bad language, racial slurs, etc) it has no detrimental effect on the ‘family-friendlyness’ of an establishment or even an individual. I think it’s about time we come on into the 21st century already. Hmm. I manage inside sales people, not field, so I’d hire you you were qualified for my team–but you couldn’t move into a field sales position with my company with the visible tattoos or piercings. Shall I PM you the name of my company so you know to boycott them? 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Wingnut\_Guff](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/ed8c4c/32.png) [@Wingnut\_Guff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wingnut_Guff)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2010, 3:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-refuse-to-do-out-of-principle/549428/177 "2010-08-11T03:13:03Z")
I refuse to give my employer my cell phone number. As the businesses manager, I was promised a cellular to conduct business calls and two years later, no phone. I finally jumped into this century and got one for private use two years ago…and those fawkers still don’t have the number. On their dime, I’ll talk all they want, on mine, not a chance. To me, it’s the principle of the matter. Do what you say, and get what you want. I’m a arsehole evidently. Am I justified in my thinking here? ---
**Author:** ![LVBoPeep](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/858c86/32.png) [@LVBoPeep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LVBoPeep)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2010, 3:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-refuse-to-do-out-of-principle/549428/178 "2010-08-11T03:56:18Z")
> [@BellRungBookShut-CandleSnuffed](#): > > Several people have said they don’t eat lamb. I get the veal thing, and do it myself, but does something similar happen with lamb? Or is it just because it’s a baby animal? Thank you - I was reading through to the end hoping someone would say this. I admit, I will eat veal as well but comparing lamb to veal is ridiculous. Unless you are eating baby lamb, it’s not the cute, fuzzy animal you expect. Most lamb is slaughtered at six months or much older (I recently slaughtered one of my own for the freezer and he was delicious at 11 months). That is no longer a “baby” in appearance, in fact that age is just past sexually mature for many breeds. Sheep in general are probably among the most humanely raised meat animals. They do not do well in feedlots or confined areas for prolonged periods of time. They do well on grass and usually are kept on the range or roomy pastures. They require handling that is both attentive and causes little stress to the animal. My own principles are mainly that I don’t pay for cats - not much anyways. Cats should be free or if there is an adoption fee (I did pay $15 once for a damn good cat) it should include vaccines and neuter. Cats are great but also plentiful and easy to procure. ---
**Author:** ![BellRungBookShut-CandleSnuffed](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bcef8e/32.png) [@BellRungBookShut-CandleSnuffed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BellRungBookShut-CandleSnuffed)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2010, 4:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-refuse-to-do-out-of-principle/549428/179 "2010-08-11T04:34:57Z")
> [@LVBoPeep](#): > > > [@BellRungBookShut-CandleSnuffed](#): > > > > Several people have said they don’t eat lamb. I get the veal thing, and do it myself, but does something similar happen with lamb? Or is it just because it’s a baby animal? > > Thank you - I was reading through to the end hoping someone would say this. I admit, I will eat veal as well but comparing lamb to veal is ridiculous. Unless you are eating baby lamb, it’s not the cute, fuzzy animal you expect. Most lamb is slaughtered at six months or much older (I recently slaughtered one of my own for the freezer and he was delicious at 11 months). That is no longer a “baby” in appearance, in fact that age is just past sexually mature for many breeds. Right. I don’t eat veal, because as far as I understand it the animal is force-fed and not allowed to move much to make the meat fatty. That’s just a cruel existence, even for (or especially for) something with little brain. But lamb? I don’t care if they are the fuzzy cute baby ones or not. If you’re ok with killing something for food when it’s an adult, why not when it’s a baby (even if it’s not, as **BoPeep** points out)? Is it because it doesn’t get to have all those years of frolicking in the pasture? Please. I’m pretty sure sheep have a fairly foggy concept of what constitutes “the future,” “the past,” or anything that doesn’t involve, “mmm, that looks like some delicious grass right there.” ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2010, 12:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-refuse-to-do-out-of-principle/549428/180 "2010-08-11T12:30:15Z")
> [@Anaamika](#): > > Ooo, that’s one. I try never to listen to tradition in anything unless there is a valid reason. If you tell me to do something and I say Why? And you can’t answer me, then I have no respect for whatever tradition it is. > > This sounds harsher than it is. I don’t have a problem with tradition because it’s fun, or enjoyable, or whatever. I mean things like this: > > When mom died her cousins insisted that they had to feed us. After the wake, they took us out to Dunkin Donuts and bought us coffee and donuts. > > I asked why this needed to be done. I presumed it was something to do with the death aura, but I couldn’t figure out how. After all, mom had not died in their house. Mom had not been sick in their house. > > And why Dunkin Donuts? Didn’t it have to be a real meal? Why was one tradition necessary but another could be replaced by a donut shop? > > No one could answer my questions, and indeed, no one tried. That’s just the way it is. So I went along, and had my coffee, and my donut, and internally rolled my eyes so hard they almost broke. You sound like a pleasure to be around. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-refuse-to-do-out-of-principle/549428.md?page=8) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-refuse-to-do-out-of-principle/549428.md?page=10)