What should you do about a vegan who tries and impose their eating style on you?

Question

I am a meat eater and have no problems with this, but this vegan person I know keeps trying to make me go vegan, even though I have explained to them that I accept their choice, but it is not mine.

Answer 1

First:
If you feel that anyone is imposing on you, then the answer is clear: politely confront the person and ask them to stop, and if that fails, then it's your choice to make on whether or not you want to continue seeing someone who can't respect your boundaries.

Second:
As a person who eats meat, I realize that I don't just eat meat. A large part of my daily diet consists of grains, vegetables, fruits, beans and dairy products. As a person that eats from various sources I am able to enjoy all sorts of foods that some of my diet-restricted friends can't. For instance, I really love milk, but I've found that I prefer the taste of soy yogurts over dairy yogurts. I also go to vegetarian and vegan restaurants with my vegetarian and vegan friends, and I've found some pretty tasty meals there that I wouldn't have found at my local steakhouse. I discovered that I really like hummus (hummus is a vegan dish originating in lands that include meat in their diets), dark chocolate (many are vegan), bean burritos, and portabella mushrooms. Does this mean that I'll nix the Shepherd's Pie? Or the sushi? Or even the chops? Probably not. What it does mean, for me at least, is that I can enjoy various dishes wherever I go...because my diet is inclusive. I like to think of it as an equal opportunity diet ^_^.

Answer 2

Start with "You expect me to be tolerant of you lifestyle right? Then what can't you be tolerant of my lifestyle? Or are you a hypocrite?"


Now if that doesn't work, then do this.

After you're vegan person starts in on you, stand up and scream at the person "I CAN'T BELIEVE YOU WANT ME TO DO THAT. IT'S GROSS. NO WAY, I MEAN, GROSS, NO I CAN'T BELIEVE YOU WOULD EVEN THINK I COULD BE THAT WAY."

Then turn and walk away quickly. If anyone asked what happen, just say "It's so gross I just can talk about it."

That will focus a lot of attention on the vegan person, and not matter what they say they will just dig themselves a hole.

Now if someone come back and says that the vegan person said they were just trying to convert you into being a vegan, just say "Yea right, like I'd make a scene over that."

That should put an end to it.

Answer 3

You have already some wonderful answers. I'd like to throw another suggestion into the mix. You say that the cravings hit mid-day, and it's very likely that the cravings are your body's way of saying it needs more fuel, not that it's really craving sugar specifically. I suggest oats. Oats are a very high-energy fuel for your body. My favorite way of eating them is in the form of home-made crackers. The ingredients couldn't be simpler: old fashioned oats (not quick cook), water, and salt (optional) to taste. Oat Crackers: 1 c. Old Fashioned Oatmeal (found at your local grocery or health food store) Enough water to make a paste. Add water a little at a time until the oatmeal starts sticking together. The mixture will be very sticky and can get all over everything if you're not careful. I usually mix it with my hand because I can sort of "knead" it at the same time. The mixture shouldn't be too watery, but should remain pliable. If it gets too stiff, add more water. Next you'll want a cookie sheet, ungreased. Spread the oat "dough" evenly into a somewhat rectangular shape, taking care not to let any area get to thick. If the crackers are too thick, they won't cook evenly and won't get crisp. (I usually place a piece of wax paper over the dough and use a rolling pin. Sometimes I just use my hand.) Next, with a pizza cutter, or knife, evenly score cutting lines across the "dough". You're not cutting all the way through at this point, just about half way through. I'll get about 12-14 crackers usually, but it depends on how big or small you want your crackers. Sprinkle lightly and evenly with salt. Place crackers in an oven pre-heated to 350 degrees and cook for about 20 minutes. (Heat and time may vary according to your oven.) When done cooking, remove from oven and let cool. Only when crackers are completely cool, carefully break apart on the scored lines. Then just slip into a plastic baggie and you have a perfect pick-me-up snack whenever you need it. Variations: When making the dough add about 2T per 1c oats of either corn grits or wheat germ. They change the flavor quite surprisingly, and either are recommended if you intend to spread toppings on the crackers rather than using just oats alone. Also, be sure to drink lots of water. To pull energy from our cells, our body needs water! Happy energizing!

Answer 4

If they really loved you they'd let you eat meat !!! If not part company. An individual food regime is an entirely PERSONAL choice!!!
I am a vegetarian and I'm going to go vegan in 2007. I don't like eating meat and am not thrilled that others do but as Matt said I don't force vegetarianism down my friend's of family's throat's throats!!!!
The only person I do lecture is a persistent Troll in this section who only asks mean and or dumba** questions to be nasty !! ('cos it gives him the h*rn!!!) He shall remain nameless.

Answer 5

This person need to find something else to talk about, or find someone else to hang out with besides you. I'm a Vegan and if people want to talk about that, that fine. If not, thats fine too. Some Vegans don't do well around people who eat meat, if thats the case they should hang out with people who are like them. Most of my friends eat meat, I might not agree with it, and I honestly don't think its ok. However I don't bother them about it.

Answer 6

If it escalated to that, I'd look them square in the eye and calmly say "Why do you keep saying that? I've accepted that you're vegan, and you can't accept that I like meat? Isn't that a double-standard?? You're only tolerant of others who believe in only what you believe??"

Reversing it on them has a really good impact.

Answer 7

you should do the same thing that a vegan should do to a 'lousy meat-eater' that keeps emphasizing how good the dead animal tastes.....
tell them in whatever way they will understand and get the point.....anywhere from polite to embarrassingly loud and ignorant.

Answer 8

I'm a vegetarian, but I don't believe in trying to force my views on others. If the person continues to push the issue after you've already explained your viewpoint, look him in the eye and say, "We've already discussed this, I've told you my answer, and the subject is closed from here on out."

If he won't drop it, get up and walk away. From what you've said, you've been very polite, but there's a time when you have to say, "Enough is enough."

Answer 9

Ask them what is more important to them being your friend or being vegan. I suspect that this person identifies with being vegan so strongly that all they can think about is converting other people to the vegan lifestyle. Ask them to respect your lifestyle choice as you respect their lifestyle choice. If they continue to be unreasonable...end the friendship or throw raw hamburger at them!

Answer 10

Remind them that plants live and feel pain and animals die by the thousands in the harvesting of vegetables. Tell them they have no control over the animals living in their colons and throughout their bodies. Animals eat other animals as a part of nature and we are part of it too. The only difference is we are aware of the pain we inflict and feel guilty as a result of this awareness. Animals won't blink an eye while they devour you; they eat instinctlively.