[BiteSizeVegan]

have any of you found your journey to veganism/vegetarianism had been met with any hostility or just rudeness?

i find that unfortunately many of my fellow vegans (not you guys!) are hostile to non-veggies. this doesn't seem like the best way to help people go veg (or much help to the animals or environment!)

i think ANYONE can be vegan. but i've seen veggies exclude conservatives, religious individuals, republicans, etc.

i'm curious as to other's experiences. i was so frustrated about some vegans' treatment of the veg-curious that i made a vid on

 

[Jennifer C]

I get the idea, but doesn't it also sound kind of elitist to pull baristas in specific tees out as a problem?

I've met "crunchy" vegans who are judgmental but also non-crunchy who are and meat eaters who are and so on and so on.

I've found that being accepting is less about style and more about attitude. I DO totally get the vegan police sentiment (not a fan) but it's hard to apply it to a specific group.

 

[BiteSizeVegan]

I get the idea, but doesn't it also sound kind of elitist to pull baristas in specific tees out as a problem?

I've met "crunchy" vegans who are judgmental but also non-crunchy who are and meat eaters who are and so on and so on.

I've found that being accepting is less about style and more about attitude. I DO totally get the vegan police sentiment (not a fan) but it's hard to apply it to a specific group.

definitely agree Jennifer. and the barista example was tongue-in-cheek. i love many a crunchy vegan. just playfully pointing out stereotypes in an effort to move past them.

and yes, the vegan police are a bit much, no?

 

[Jordy Verrill]

Hey now... I'm a vegan barista, lol. But yeah, I think the small percentage of vegans who have that elitist attitude are a big reason why so many non vegans give vegans a hard time.

 

[BiteSizeVegan]

Hey now... I'm a vegan barista, lol. But yeah, I think the small percentage of vegans who have that elitist attitude are a big reason why so many non vegans give vegans a hard time.

yep yep…it's the same with any group…vegans, christians, etc… the loudest ones are usually the rude ones and they give the whole group a bad name.

now do i *think* rude things about non-vegans from time to time? certainly…but that's another matter.

and i'm sure you are a superb vegan barista, Jordy

 

[silva]

Does the vegan community really have to be totally perfect before we're deemed socially acceptable?
Douchery has no barriers. It effects every group.
Stereotypes also abound. They're there because they stand out, but no reason to believe them.

I do listen to a local conservative talk radio program that definitely makes a point of lumping vegans with liberal democrats.

We used to have more hard core conservative republicans than we do now.

 

[BiteSizeVegan]

Does the vegan community really have to be totally perfect before we're deemed socially acceptable?
Douchery has no barriers. It effects every group.
Stereotypes also abound. They're there because they stand out, but no reason to believe them.

I do listen to a local conservative talk radio program that definitely makes a point of lumping vegans with liberal democrats.

We used to have more hard core conservative republicans than we do now.

i don't think perfection is at all necessary. douchery is in fact an equal-opportunity offender

i try to poke fun at everyone equally all in good humor.

 

[LedBoots]

Does the vegan community really have to be totally perfect before we're deemed socially acceptable?
Douchery has no barriers. It effects every group.
Stereotypes also abound. They're there because they stand out, but no reason to believe them.

I do listen to a local conservative talk radio program that definitely makes a point of lumping vegans with liberal democrats.

We used to have more hard core conservative republicans than we do now.

People here just don't say if they disagree with progressive/liberal ideas. Too many pile-ons and too much ridicule.

 

[BiteSizeVegan]

People here just don't say if they disagree with progressive/liberal ideas. Too many pile-ons and too much ridicule.

that was my point with this video one's political leanings, etc shouldn't matter in the larger picture of saving animal lives. the animals don't care who we vote for or if we go to church, and, if so, which church.

they just want to live!

 

[Purp]

I've never had that problem. Most people just shrug and say that's cool. No one's given me any slack about my veganism at all. *shrug*

 

[BiteSizeVegan]

I've never had that problem. Most people just shrug and say that's cool. No one's given me any slack about my veganism at all. *shrug*

you are a fortunate one

 

[logic]

I don't know about elitist, but veganism is pretty exclusive. Vegans are not, in general, very accepting of even mirror variations of veganism.

 

[Jennifer C]

I've never had that problem. Most people just shrug and say that's cool. No one's given me any slack about my veganism at all. *shrug*

Really? You might be the first person I've ever heard say that! Cool though.

 

[BiteSizeVegan]

Really? You might be the first person I've ever heard say that! Cool though.

right?! there's always an exception

 

[Jordy Verrill]

Really? You might be the first person I've ever heard say that! Cool though.

I've never had much of a negative reaction to my veganism, but I kind of attribute that to the fact that veganism, or more specifically a whole food plant based diet (which I did for two years before committing to a fully vegan lifestyle) has really helped me regain my health a lose a ton of weight, so when people see how much my health and weight has improved they can't really say anything negative to me about how I eat.

 

[Naturebound]

I am under the impression the OP is talking about vegans treating other vegans disrespectfully or harshly, especially new vegans? Or that someone can't be vegan because they believe in something that doesn't align with another vegan?

I haven't experienced too much of this, just a few incidences. One has to do with having a dog that is fed an omnivore diet, not vegan. Our dog was six years old when I went vegan. My husband is still an omnivore and will not even consider the idea of feeding a dog a vegan diet. He has probably invested more into our dog than I have as he has more time to. Our dog has a very sensitive and touchy stomach and is on a very specific diet due to this. It would have been hard to transition her over for these reasons. I was told that this was not vegan and I am essentially supporting the meat industry as much as if I were eating meat myself. I have seen this black and white thinking before and it is unhelpful.

I have also seen people get ganged up on on other vegan forums for beliefs such as being against abortion or being Christian. They were told this does not align with being vegan. Stuff like that.

Other situations involve style of vegan diet. I see a lot of vegans shame other vegans because their diet is not 100% organic whole food etc, or isn't all fruitarian and raw, or whatever other style of eating is supposed to be the right way. The thing is, everyone comes to veganism on a different path and is at a different point in their lives. we should all be encouraging and praising each other for the efforts we are already making to live a life that is more compassionate, healthful, and sustainable towards our earth and animals. There is always room for improvement, growth, etc but we are all doing the best we can right now too, you know?

 

[BiteSizeVegan]

I am under the impression the OP is talking about vegans treating other vegans disrespectfully or harshly, especially new vegans? Or that someone can't be vegan because they believe in something that doesn't align with another vegan?

I haven't experienced too much of this, just a few incidences. One has to do with having a dog that is fed an omnivore diet, not vegan. Our dog was six years old when I went vegan. My husband is still an omnivore and will not even consider the idea of feeding a dog a vegan diet. He has probably invested more into our dog than I have as he has more time to. Our dog has a very sensitive and touchy stomach and is on a very specific diet due to this. It would have been hard to transition her over for these reasons. I was told that this was not vegan and I am essentially supporting the meat industry as much as if I were eating meat myself. I have seen this black and white thinking before and it is unhelpful.

I have also seen people get ganged up on on other vegan forums for beliefs such as being against abortion or being Christian. They were told this does not align with being vegan. Stuff like that.

Other situations involve style of vegan diet. I see a lot of vegans shame other vegans because their diet is not 100% organic whole food etc, or isn't all fruitarian and raw, or whatever other style of eating is supposed to be the right way. The thing is, everyone comes to veganism on a different path and is at a different point in their lives. we should all be encouraging and praising each other for the efforts we are already making to live a life that is more compassionate, healthful, and sustainable towards our earth and animals. There is always room for improvement, growth, etc but we are all doing the best we can right now too, you know?

yep, i'm talking about vegans being rude/exclusive to non-vegans, the vegan-curious, or new vegans.

i have a vegan friend who is very conservative politically and he gets **** all the time from other vegans about his beliefs. he was actually the inspiration for the video.

yes the there is the whole "vegan purity" thing of certain vegan diets being "superior" to others. imho veganism in any form is awesome

 

[Vegan Dave]

I eat my way & let others eat their way. Just like I choose my religion, sexuality, etc. and let others choose theirs.

 

[Purp]

you are a fortunate one

Really? You might be the first person I've ever heard say that! Cool though.

right?! there's always an exception

I've never had much of a negative reaction to my veganism, but I kind of attribute that to the fact that veganism, or more specifically a whole food plant based diet (which I did for two years before committing to a fully vegan lifestyle) has really helped me regain my health a lose a ton of weight, so when people see how much my health and weight has improved they can't really say anything negative to me about how I eat.

I am??:boobies: Wow, I just thought it'd be cool to try veganism, after another family members food allergies came to light, and two other family members moved here, both of them vegan by choice.

 

[kallyho]

I think the general public has to meet a lot of nice, caring and non-judgmental vegans to make up for the ones that are militant, rude and judgmental. Give it time. In every group there are dicks who make it hard for the rest.

My philosophy is to praise everything anyone is doing to move to a place of less animal cruelty. if you ate a meatless meal on Monday I will applaud you. If you read an article about animal welfare and found it interesting I will say well done.

No need to classify people into categories to show how much they care about animals. To me, any awareness anywhere, any enlightenment is moving towards the goal.

Now how did I come by this philosophy?

I was in a veggie restaurant with friends. One of them said that she was vegan. Her partner is, she is not. So I said " Tanya, you are so NOT vegan. I saw you eating whipped cream at the fair and you always have cheese at work functions.|

While I was accurate I just burst her bubble. She was seeing herself as vegan (which she was not), but hell, she was trying. It wasn't my place to destroy her intention. I took a long hard look at what I said and changed my mind on the spot.

So I took up the role of cheerleader and i really hope that makes me one of those vegans who is not obnoxious.