Comments on: how do you explain vegan/vegetarianism to others with out sounding preachy?

By: Richard

Richard — Wed, 27 May 2009 18:04:15 +0000

Tell them this

“I looked into how most animals that are raised for food are treated and processed and decided I didn’t want to be part of that process.”

If they ask more questions, give them short unbiased information. Be able to point that person to the source of the information if they asked how you know. If you can’t back up what you say then everything you say will be discarded.

Be careful they maybe just trying to wind you up. Also if you find yourself giving answers that are more then 30 seconds long, then you are preaching, and the person is going ‘yep, just what I thought, nuts.’

I’ve read the answers up to my post and some have very good information and some are condescending at best, just because the path you choose is right for you; doesn’t mean it is right for everyone.

The best way to win people over is to live what you believe. If you think eating animals is wrong then don’t eat them. How you live your life is more important then what you say. Actions speak louder then words, even if you don’t convert the person over becoming a vegan, you might get them thinking and that is all you can ask.

Now that said, yes I understand you want to shout from the mountain top, LOOK IT’S WONDERFUL UP HERE, SEE WHAT I SEE JOIN ME, BE HAPPY. But, that will turn more people off then lead them down the path.

Hoped it helped and good luck.

By: whiskeyflirt

whiskeyflirt — Wed, 27 May 2009 18:04:15 +0000

politely explain that you have made the choice not to be involved in harming of animals and you based this decision on your own ethics and what you have read you are making the decision just as others make the decision to eat meat. you dont sound preachy if they ask you.

By: natasha c

natasha c — Wed, 27 May 2009 18:04:15 +0000

Just tell people that do to what happens to animals to both raise them for and prepare them afterwards for consumption you are not comfortably with putting it into your body, or something like that. Then if they ask further, tell them exactly what you feel

By: fukawthoridy

fukawthoridy — Wed, 27 May 2009 18:04:15 +0000

Just keep it to yourself its a big problem with everyone who chooses to be dif i dont mid if all you eat is grass i like to kill my own food and try not to eat and store bought processed stuff way dif than you but i see your reasoning but people do what they will and if they are going to find your path its best if they do it on thier own you telling them about the plight of thier chicken si only going to push people away. really not being mean i have vegan pals and they dont bring it up to me cause i am an ass if u attack my dinner plate lol

By: LeiMe

LeiMe — Wed, 27 May 2009 18:04:15 +0000

The happy medium is to say the good reasons why you are vegan…instead of giving the reasons you are not a meateater….your certain to draw more interest if you dont tell people what they are doing wrong but what you are doing right.

By: ret,marine

ret,marine — Wed, 27 May 2009 18:04:15 +0000

well we hominids were eating meat long before veggies,,and the process today is alot better then it was 100 years ago,, why would you have to go into detail,, just say because you want to be vegan,, i will tell you this though, in the 70s i worked for bartlett pears, and after seeing how they were processed i never ate another pear again, i was in charge of the baby food division and never bought baby pears,, you would be disgusted to find out why

By: gabriel bell

gabriel bell — Wed, 27 May 2009 18:04:15 +0000

I often find vegitarianism/Veganism to be something that develops out of ones beliefs, honestly. And think it's fine to be Vegitarian or Vegan. And by the way the way we kill animals for consumption is not a new revilation , Native cultures of america regard the way a person handles the eating of animal to be a reflection of themselves.

You are certainly right that americans in general dont realize that when they bite into that steak the cow was killed via air implosion in it's brain (not very pleasant huh?), Or the popular rise in veal currently enjoyed in cusine. Most Americans don't realize that the calf's that veal comes from, are locked in a immobile cage for a year and fed all fat foods. Then they kill em.

I belive personally that this is really the underlying arguement about meat ,is the way we kill. Now we are complete opposites in that I eat a heavy meat diet , and I don't think you can ever say that there is a right "way" to kill.

Secondly, waste is a problem. as a heavy meat eater i'm very detested at people whom don't finish meat they are served. The animal flesh you ingest has died to ensure your continuance , by wasting meat you disrespect that animals sacrifice, this above all I detest.

Mabye that helped , mabye it didn't but it's the way I look at it.

By: janisko

janisko — Wed, 27 May 2009 18:04:15 +0000

People already know what goes on in the meat/poultry industry. If someone asks just tell them you simply prefer to eat vegan. It's truly none of their business. If you go further or bring up the subject you'll just be trying to convert them and will sound preachy. This is your personal choice and should be kept somewhat personal.

By: wellwadayouknow

wellwadayouknow — Wed, 27 May 2009 18:04:15 +0000

I totally agree with you. I want to preach it from the rooftops sometimes! But, I have learned over the years to only answer if someone asks. I dont try to convert anyone, because it is a waste of breath. Last night, my daughter had a slumber party, and I had to get real creative with the food situation, because the kids that stayed over are meat eaters, and we dont have it in the house ever. So I made a spagetti fondue with dippers of jumbo pasta shells, garlic bread mini rolls, and veggies to dunk. The kids all loved it, and didnt even realize it was a vegetarian dinner. My 12 year old wants to tell her friends about the horrors of meat, but I have advised her not to talk about it to them. I feel like it would put the kids off meat, but the parents wouldnt support that. So I guess we have to just let the uninformed stay blissfully ignorant. Unfortunate,,,,,,,,,but…..how it goes

By: Chef Mark

Chef Mark — Wed, 27 May 2009 18:04:15 +0000

Well I hope this isn't rude but the mere fact that you're even asking this question speaks to your need to "convert" others.

I don't feel the need to "explain" to others why I eat meat.

And on a larger scale, there are many, many other life choices that you don't see people endeavoring to "explain" to others.

This goes well beyond vegetararianism. It's not even about vegetarianism.

It doesn't matter what the issue is…..abortion, the death penalty, killing animals for fur, gay marriage, whatever…….The POINT IS…

The moment you go beyond just living your own life, making your own choices, and minding your own business, is the moment it's no longer about the surface issue, but you're underlying need to have people be the way you are. That intolerance is the root of all prejudice, most wars, and the majority of human conlficts.

Fanaticism always says more about the person than the cause.