How to Survive Socially as a Vegan

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By mcdaniej
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Survive Socially as a Vegan

Being vegan in a non-vegan world is not only challenging food-wise, but also socially. Many non-vegans have trouble understanding vegetarians, let alone vegans. This article will suggest some ways to ease the blow of being vegan around non-vegan friends, family, and strangers.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

a positive attitude

Step 1

Family:
Vegans come from all sorts of backgrounds. While each individual case is different, a general rule for sharing your veganism with family is to be open but not forceful. If you are just becoming vegan, try bringing it up in a way that does not make you sound judgmental. Some ideas might be: "I'm going to try cutting out dairy and eggs for a while" "I'm taking a break from eggs and milk products. They just haven't been agreeing with me lately" (This could mean those products haven't been agreeing with your body and your conscience)

Start slow. Give the new information some time to sink in. Giving a big speech about your personal reasons for being vegan (be it health, environment, animal rights and welfare, or just to be a rebel) might not go over to well if your audience isn't ready to listen.

Getting through family meals and holiday dinners can be a big challenge for vegans. If you have a chance to eat before going to a meal that you know will not be vegan friendly DO IT. It will save you the discomfort of a hungry stomach in addition to people's question about why you're not eating anything provided.

Patience is key. Depending on your family, you will be bombarded with questions and concerns. "How will you get protein?" "What will you eat?" "Can you eat this? (::holds up sour cream container::)...What about this? (::holds up sausage::)...And what about cheese? How could you go without cheese?"
The answer might be, "Easily, if you'd stop shoving it in my face!"...but play cool and just take the punches as they come, being overly aggressive will just turn people off from veganism and send them into defense mode as well. It will be helpful to know your facts and be able to present them clearly when asked. Do you know where you are getting your protein? (Beans and rice, tofu, enriched seitan, greens, etc...) And more importantly do you know where you are getting your B vitamins? (For some of these are hard to find naturally in the plant kingdoms)
Step 2

Friends:
Much of the same advice can be applied to friends as well. If they are close friends worth keeping they should at least be supporting you in whatever you put your mind to (even if they don't fully understand why you are doing it). If your friends always bully you and make fun of your eating habits and morals, then maybe its time to look into getting some new friends who are supportive and curious about your veganism.

At the same time, a good friendship is a two way street. Don't preach to your friends about the benefits of your lifestyle. Remember actions speak louder than words. If they are observant, they will see the benefits of veganism in your life and then still be able to make their own decisions. And when they are ready, they will come to you with questions. Thats when you have to be ready to answer any questions, thought don't let them grill you (thats where knowing all your information will be essential)
Step 3

Strangers:
Mom always said don't talk to strangers. So should we not talk to strangers or people we don't know all that well about the "V-word"? Again, this should be judged on an individual basis. Usually its safest not to initiate the conversation, but if it is broached try to be open, especially if they are curious. You might get the same questions as those listed above in the family section (i.e. "How do you get your protein?"). One arguing point that always comes up for me is the statement, "But what about plants? What about their 'rights' to exist?". I usually suggest that plants don't have a nervous system, or bleed, or scream when they are cut (though some have argued with me that maybe they do, but we just don't perceive it in the same way we do with animals...so I guess that is up for scientific debate). Anyway, Vegans have to eat something...might as well be plants I suppose. Though I guess you could take it to the next level and be a Fruitarian...;)