[GhostUser]

Have you ever found that when your trying to explain to people why you're a vegan, they say something stupid (we all have)? I also get answers like "well...chickens are just stupid birds whose only purpose is to be eaten" and when I explain about rennet in cheese, some simply blurt "no there's not" or "that's not true." How do you get through to close minded or uninformed people?

-Chloe

 

[GhostUser]

I believe it's in your approach. For example:

Omni: "would you like a piece of scalloped potato and chicken? Just a bite?"

Vegan: "Ewww no!"

Omni: "Why not? This used to be your favorite."

Vegan: "Do you know how much pus is in that?"

Basically, you've offended their cooking and their generousity.

Many people *do* know exactly what is in their food, but they simply do not share veg*an views on the matter. Many people also get defensive when veg*ans begin insulting their food. Talking about animal cruelty, pus, growth hormones, antibotics, etc *is* insulting their food.

There is a level of respect and maturity both sides need to take.

 

[GhostUser]

at 13 your bound to get pissed off no matter what people are doing. Teenage agnst.

 

[GhostUser]

anger, annoyance, frustration, short-temper, feeling as though you're going to strange someone, everyone gets under your skin...

it's the hormones

 

[GhostUser]

Linkin Park represents that well. *giggle* muahaha.

On to the actual topic. My dad actually tried to argue that since milk is natural I could eat cheese.

wow... just wow... I wasn't going to get into a conversation about the pus content of dairy (especially since AZ is way over the legal pus limit) since they were eating cheese as we spoke. All I said was, "I'm going to go downstairs... and sit.." then I left. hehehe.

 

[GhostUser]

Yep, my family has too many closed-minded people! I just can't get through to them, no matter WHAT I say or do! I show them books, videos, studys, pictures, I tell them excactly why I don't want to eat animals or their by-products, but they STILL think I'm nuts. they even compare veg*nism to drug use! Like first you start out with little stuff, like stop eating red meat...then poultry and eggs, then dairy, then everything from animals...It gets "deeper" and you get "hooked" and "can't stop". That makes me sick...to know that is how they view my choice of living. I could not live with myself if I ate animal stuff, this makes me feel alive, kind and I have a sense of morality. So what do I really care what other people think?? But I do

At least my boyfriend understands...and likes to taste my foods, discuss animal issues with me and all kinda wonderful stuff

He's still an omni though. But I hope that changes when we move in together...

 

[GhostUser]

If you all act to omnis the way that you're say you do, then there is no wonder that they give you a hard time.

No one wants to have their lifestyle mocked, true. but no one wants to be preached at, either.

And, SilverC, that doesn't happen in every zoo. Please research zoos on non-AR websites and find the total story.

 

[GhostUser]

Quote:

Originally posted by CharityAJO

This comment probably belongs in another thread, but ah well: I find that a lot of people associate "vegan" with "natural." For instance, my grandma made me sweet potatoes a while back and put honey in them. I said, "grandma, I don't eat honey." She says "are you kidding me? I figure it's such a natural thing. I purposely used it instead of sugar."

I thought it would go in the "stupid omni" thread. as well. it really fits in both threads. My Dad is so convinced that eating meat is justified because it "naturally appears". But then again, he's very close-minded, and very simple.

 

[GhostUser]

I just politely say no thank you if I'm offered non vegan stuff. Most people I know know that I'm vegan and don't really mess with me too much. I don't make a big deal. I'm very careful in the way others perceive my veganism because I don't want others to be turned off by the idea. If I'm abrupt, short tempered, or impatient with their questions I think that people would walk away with the perception that all veg*ns are this way. Why would anyone want to convert if they don't have positive feelings toward anyone that's veg*n? We definitely must take the higher road in most instances if we are to change peoples attitudes towards eating flesh.

 

[GhostUser]

/standing O for Ruthie.

Now *that* is how to act.

 

[GhostUser]

www.merriam-webster.com is a good site.

 

[GhostUser]

No we don't, apparently.

 

[GhostUser]

Quote:

Originally posted by epski

BTW, you won't find agnst in the dictionary, which is a flaw with dictionaries. If you don't know how to spell a word, how do you look it up?

Anywho, I think someone established that it's spelled angst.

'Scuse the typo. Here's something interesting. If he visits www.merriam-webster.com as previously posted and types in agnst, angst will actually appear. Merriam online has spelling help built in. Go figure. In my opinion, there's really no excuse for folks not knowing the meaning of words nowadays.

 

[GhostUser]

I think that the best way to convert people (OK, I admit, I haven't tried this yet but I'm pretty sure it would work) is to find subtly deceptive and nefarious ways of getting people to read Why Vegan? (Available for free from www.whyvegan.org.) If you're Mom is like, "(Your name here), what you're doing is fanatical and crazy and it's really hard for me to make you meals and it doesn't make any sense... etc...." just say, "Well you have no right to insult my beliefs until you understand them. Either accept what I'm doing or understand it." And then you show her your always-on-hand copy of Why Vegan? (a must have.) Also, when omnis ask you why you're veg*n that's your chance to explain to them, don't hold back! If they say "I really didn't want to know/hear all that" then just say, "Well, you asked!" This works even better if they're persistent. Hand them your copy of why vegan and they might not only understand, but convert. Also, you should memorize some of the facts from the book off hand so that you can defend yourself on the spot. For example, when I went down to breakfast this morning my brother asked me if I would force my kids to be vegan. I said yes. He said, "But a vegan diet isn't healthy for babies!" And I said, "Well, are you an expert on the subject? According to the American Dietetic Association's 1997 position paper on vegetarian diets, 'Well-planned vegan and lacto-ovo-vegetarian diets are appropriate for all stages of the life cycle, including during pregnancy and lactation.'" If you argue with someone long enough, it really just boils down to the fact that veg*nism is morally correct and if you're not a vegetarian it's because you're uninformed, misinformed, lazy or selfish. I made my brother watch "Meet Your Meat" a while back and he chose lazy. My friend says he's seen those kind of things but he's just selfish. My parents don't want to read Why Vegan? because of the gruesomeness of it so they are uninformed.

I think the point I'm trying to make is that we should always have a copy of Why Vegan? close by and we should try to be more aggressive missionaries.