By
eHow Relationships & Family Editor
Difficulty: Moderately Easy
Things You’ll Need:
- Vegan Cookbooks
- Vegetarian Cookbook
- Veggie Burger
Step1
Decide who really needs to be told. If you know that a particular friend will be very negative, assess if he or she really needs to know.
Step2
Prepare yourself for the deluge. For example, if you are omitting animal products for health reasons, then have at your fingertips all of the documented scientific studies concerning negative consequences of meat eating.
Step3
Keep a sense of humor. Remember, your friends and family mean well. Be patient - this is new to them.
Step4
Have your comebacks ready. For example, if your mother fears you will die from lack of meat loaf, be prepared to point out all of the long-lived vegetarians in history (have a list ready).
Step5
Explain that lack of meat does not make you weak. Point out the numerous athletes, including gold medal Olympic stars, who do not eat meat. Again, do some research. This information is readily available in books and on the Web.
Step6
Tell them about all of the rich and famous people who are vegetarians. This includes beautiful movie stars as well.
Step7
Take your friends out to a really good vegetarian restaurant. Let them see how delicious and varied meatless food can be.
Step8
Buy your friends and family a vegetarian cookbook. If they really like Chinese food, for example, buy them one on meatless Chinese cooking.
Step9
Stay clear of the subject when possible. Don't go out of your way to boast about your new lifestyle.
Step10
Avoid dinner parties and gatherings where you know there won't be any vegetarian food served, and where the host refuses to accommodate you.
Step11
Bring great veggie food to BYO parties. For example, bring veggie burgers or veggie hot dogs to a barbecue. Let people see that you can eat "normally" without eating meat.
Step12
Be firm in your decision. Remember, it's your decision and your body. Other people have their opinions, but that's all that they are.
Comments
chriselen said
on 9/26/2007 I recently decided to try vegetarianism, its been a couple weeks now. My son called me a hypocrite and then later said he was joking with me. I have been a meat eater for 50 yrs and so took his comment light heartedly mostly, but was offended too. It has been a difficult 2 wks and wish I hadnt even mentioned my change in eating habits. I do like the advice here and will definately use some of it to pass off any conversations that arise. I like the comment "well I've heard it is healthier and thought I'd try it and see". Good one !! thanks
Anonymous said
on 8/8/2006 I've been a vegan for a year, after a life of rabid carnivores. I'm 28 now, so I think I can see the issue from both angles, and when I decided to become vegan, I thought about how I should approach it with family and friends. I decided on subtlety, and it's worked perfectly.
Firstly, never make a big deal out of it. It's a conversation killer and/or a debate starter. However, it's going to come up from time to time, so:
When asked "but why, why?" (you will be), you can always avoid a debate or even making a stand by being vague and woolly about your reasons, IE: "Well, I've heard it's very healthy and good for you, I don't know if it's true, I just figured I'd give it a try for a while, see if it agrees with me".
The first benefit of this approach cannot be underestimated!: The reason many carnivorous folk get uptight, confrontational, dismissive and downright unfriendly about vegetarians is that they feel (and in some cases accurately) that they themselves are being attacked or criticized. Vegetarians often explain their choice from what they perceive to be the moral high ground. Now no-one likes to be told (or even have it implied) that they are a bit evil, do they? Likewise, no-one really likes someone who goes around acting all "holier-than-thou" because of their food choices. Sad to say, but some vegans behavior gives us all a bad reputation - try some tolerance guys, or at least some tact! Being aware that there is a lot of anti-meat eater rhetoric out there, our carnivorous friends and family often tend to feel put on the defensive and as though they have to justify their eating of meat. By not even mentioning meat in your reason, not questioning anyones decision to eat it, and not saying that it is "wrong" to eat meat, you will have avoided upsetting or offending anyone, and you will have also presented yourself in a very positive light.
The second and most cunning benefit of this subtle approach is this: you have not said that you have completely changed your eating habits *for ever* and for reasons which others might not immediately understand fully, rather you have essentially made it look almost as though you are just following a fad or temporary fashion in dieting - which everyone can understand. This technique, in my experience, allows people to forget about it and by the time they realize that a year has passed and you are still veggie, they have gotten completely used to it without any awkward transition.
Once this stage is over, you can always go into more detail if anyone really wants to know your complete reasoning. It won't be an upheaval, then.
Anonymous said
on 1/25/2006 I found that one of the most helpful things to do while making the transition is seek out other vegetarians. Ask them for support, facts on vegetarianism, ask to take them out to vegetarian restaurants, etc. It's also a good idea to ask for good vegetarian recipes.
Anonymous said
on 11/22/2005 Your decision is personal, whether it be for health, environmental or moral reasons, you call the shots on what enters your body. In the same breath, so does your family; they want to eat meat? That's fine. You don't, fine. I have found that even the most detailed, factual support documentation will not sway good old Aunt Shirley who has been eating meat and dairy for years. The fact that you are healthier, have more energy and can continue to live normally without meat and dairy is a testament to its benefits. You are the healthy voice of a meatless life!
Anonymous said
on 11/22/2005 Having the information at-hand comes off as preachy. Which is the last thing to do if someone is confronting you about vegetarianism. You can cite your reasons, and if they ask where it came from, tell them if you remember. Otherwise, tell them if they're so concerned with the benefits and deficits of vegetarianism, they should do some research themselves. And never, ever assume people will make concessions for your eating habits unless they are vegetarians themselves. Ask if you should bring a meal or eat ahead of time.