Vegetarians Unite!

So I have been thinking...
I chose to become a vegetarian under the influence of no one but my own through my own thoughts and decisions. People often ask why, "why don't you eat meat?" I tell them that I don't eat meat for animal rights and for health reasons. I explain how steriods and hormones that farmers put into the livestock get into the body and how it makes people sick. I also explain how I think that it is wrong that animals are kept in ridiculously small pens and are just bred to slaughter or breed again to produce more slaughter-ready livestock.
They then ensue with a barrage of remarks ranging from "hippie" to "pussy." It used to infuriate me to no end, but I have now learned to be better then that and not allow these simple-minded people to get to me. I still do get upset sometimes because I dont tell people they are wrong for eating meat while they feel its ok for them to point at their canine teeth and say "thats what these are for!" I just wish that they would read on the subject matter before making ignorant comments.
I chose to not eat meat and some people choose to eat meat, I respect them for that. They should respect my reasons for not eating meat...thats all I ask.