How bad is it not to prevent someone else from consuming/using something non vegan?

Suggesting alternatives when people are eating/drinking is a really bad idea! People are going to react as being judged for what they eat (because you are!) and turn you off. I believe it makes it far harder to have people want to hear your ideas at other times. They're going to feel much like I do when people tell me how much better meat is compared to my bean dish!

I find people more receptive when food is discussed and I talk about the meals I make, how I prep, how I sub, without being negative about their ideas. I'll bring snacks and desserts. I do offer ideas about how to eat less animal products, and find most people take them to heart. I've converted people to almond milks, trying bean burgers, cutting out eggs and in general, eating more veggies and fruits.

silva said:

Suggesting alternatives when people are eating/drinking is a really bad idea! People are going to react as being judged for what they eat (because you are!) and turn you off. I believe it makes it far harder to have people want to hear your ideas at other times. They're going to feel much like I do when people tell me how much better meat is compared to my bean dish!

I find people more receptive when food is discussed and I talk about the meals I make, how I prep, how I sub, without being negative about their ideas. I'll bring snacks and desserts. I do offer ideas about how to eat less animal products, and find most people take them to heart. I've converted people to almond milks, trying bean burgers, cutting out eggs and in general, eating more veggies and fruits.

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The people whom I make my suggestions to have heard what I have to say about veganism. I don't have much hope I can affect what they eat or drink or do at all apart from by suggesting vegan things before they eat/drink/do something that they may then eat/drink/do instead, and also by obstructing them from eating/drinking/doing non vegan things (which I do without making it apparent that this is my intention).

It's a tough one! I would love to convert more people to eating veggie but I try to do it as lightly as possible, no one likes to feel pushed into things, they have to make their own minds up.

I don't make a fuss about being a veggie but when people ask I'll happily provide them with some hard to ignore facts about how unsusatainable meat eating is for the planet in the hopes it might help sway them. I'm always cooking veggie food too to feed my friends & fam, like Silva says, people respond well to that, I would agree. My in-laws used to cook with quorn mince just for me (very accommodating, how lucky I am) and now they all prefer it over real mince, so I like to feel I've made a good step there

I wouldn't get too worked up over it. By being vegan yourself and advocating the lifestyle you are bound to have some influence on those around you, if all else fails tempt them with vegan goodies!