- Joined
- Dec 2, 2017
- Reaction score
- 1,209
- Age
- 50
- Lifestyle
- Vegan
Hi everyone.
After reading through the forum a bit I have noticed the recurring theme of family/friends resistance to veganism, often just the idea of it rather than a reaction to it being promoted or pushed in any way. Not just on this forum, but on the internet in general, and to a limited extent in my life.
It's limited for me because I live alone and usually eat alone. This last X mas I went to eat with some friends as I usually do this time of year. A few know I have gone Vegan, as I have told them. They are also big meat eaters - so I figured that there wasn't going to be much in the way of calories from plant based products at the meal, and I made sure to fill up before I went. When I arrived, I was right, a few potatoes and limited greens was all that was available. Had I come hungry, I might have deprived everyone else a chance to eat some veggies, hehe.
No one commented on what I ate, but the host did jokingly make the comment "Not much to eat if you're a vegetarian eh?" with a chuckle.
After dinner I had a conversation with a relative of his, and when I mentioned I was Vegan he got super defensive. I explained to him that I had done my research and why I was doing what I was. At no point did I criticize his or anyone else's eating habits.
As a vegan, how often do you encounter this? Aggressive or defensive behavior on the part of people who are otherwise on good terms with you? How do you address the issue?
I am curious and just started this thread to get people's thoughts.
After reading through the forum a bit I have noticed the recurring theme of family/friends resistance to veganism, often just the idea of it rather than a reaction to it being promoted or pushed in any way. Not just on this forum, but on the internet in general, and to a limited extent in my life.
It's limited for me because I live alone and usually eat alone. This last X mas I went to eat with some friends as I usually do this time of year. A few know I have gone Vegan, as I have told them. They are also big meat eaters - so I figured that there wasn't going to be much in the way of calories from plant based products at the meal, and I made sure to fill up before I went. When I arrived, I was right, a few potatoes and limited greens was all that was available. Had I come hungry, I might have deprived everyone else a chance to eat some veggies, hehe.
No one commented on what I ate, but the host did jokingly make the comment "Not much to eat if you're a vegetarian eh?" with a chuckle.
After dinner I had a conversation with a relative of his, and when I mentioned I was Vegan he got super defensive. I explained to him that I had done my research and why I was doing what I was. At no point did I criticize his or anyone else's eating habits.
As a vegan, how often do you encounter this? Aggressive or defensive behavior on the part of people who are otherwise on good terms with you? How do you address the issue?
I am curious and just started this thread to get people's thoughts.