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From: Frija (pool-141-151-92-227.phlapa.east.verizon.net -141.151.92.227)
In Reply to: Is it just me, or is the posted by Avian Mooch on August 20, 2006 at 9:55 am:
I think the "preachy vegan" stereotype is one of those that is based upon fact. The first vegans I ever met totally put me off the idea of being vegan, and I was even vegetarian at the time! They made me think that being vegan was a way of life that was very rigid, judgemental, and puritanical. I didn't see how I could be vegan and still be friends with non-vegans, or continue to go to family holiday dinners, or ever dine out anywhere lest my plate had ever touched a meat product. I think that "giving information" to people who don't want to hear it is really counterproductive. I compare it to dealing with people who are very religious (or hold other views contrary to mine)- no amount of leaflets, "information" or lecturing is ever going to convince me that my decision not to follow an organized religion or to live with my boyfriend without being married, or to use birth control or whatever they consider to be "wrong" no matter how convinced they are that I'm going to hell in a handbasket for my choices. If someone wants to eat meat, I don't think that discussing the evils of the meat industry with them is very productive, nor is making them feel bad about what they are eating, especially if the conversation is taking place during a meal as they often do. I have found that many people who act interested in why I am vegan are just trying to start some kind of debate because they think it's fun rather than being genuinely interested in learning more about it. I just had a carnivore friend over for dinner, and I really think that I did more for the cause of veganism by feeding them delicious vegan food than I did if I had spent the whole evening arguing with them or making them read stuff or watch videos. I have gotten my parents to be much more accepting of the idea of veganism by cooking nice things for them, whereas my attempts at discussing the issues met with very strong resistance. I'm just not interested in wasting my energy lecturing at people who are not receptive. It's not that "I don't care what other people eat" because I do, but I don't think that because I have made the personal choice to be vegan that it gives me the right to act as some kind of moral judge on other people's choices. I think there are some vegans out there who feel they have to do this, and that's where the stereotype comes from...
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