how do you explain vegan/vegetarianism to others with out sounding preachy?

Question

people will ask me why i am vegan. and i am just dying to tell them about what happens to that piece of animal muscle they have on their plate.but i also am very aware that the #1 thing omnivores dislike about vegans/vegetarians is that they try to convert them. as any one who felt strongly about a certain cause would want to do, i want to send the message out about the horrible reality that comes with the meat/dairy/egg industry that many many people don't realize. but i dont want to give people the message that all veggies do is try and brain wash them. where is the happy medium?

(i mean if i was an environmentalist, i would want to explain to people what could be done to help the earth. its the same thing with wanting people to understand vegan/vegetarianism, you know?)

please no rude answers. only helpful ones.

Answer 1

Tell them this

“I looked into how most animals that are raised for food are treated and processed and decided I didn’t want to be part of that process.”

If they ask more questions, give them short unbiased information. Be able to point that person to the source of the information if they asked how you know. If you can’t back up what you say then everything you say will be discarded.

Be careful they maybe just trying to wind you up. Also if you find yourself giving answers that are more then 30 seconds long, then you are preaching, and the person is going ‘yep, just what I thought, nuts.’

I’ve read the answers up to my post and some have very good information and some are condescending at best, just because the path you choose is right for you; doesn’t mean it is right for everyone.

The best way to win people over is to live what you believe. If you think eating animals is wrong then don’t eat them. How you live your life is more important then what you say. Actions speak louder then words, even if you don’t convert the person over becoming a vegan, you might get them thinking and that is all you can ask.

Now that said, yes I understand you want to shout from the mountain top, LOOK IT’S WONDERFUL UP HERE, SEE WHAT I SEE JOIN ME, BE HAPPY. But, that will turn more people off then lead them down the path.

Hoped it helped and good luck.

Answer 2

My 15 year old daughter has been a vegetarian for over 2 years now and I have been a vegetarian for 4 years. My daughter has a hard time with food at school since there are no vegetarian dishes, but she has already helped at least 4 kids become vegetarian.
When people ask me, I just say, "I don't think you want me to go into detail" while they are eating that chicken sandwich or worse a burger from McDonalds. I say it is a choice that I have made to try and stay healthy and stay away from processed foods. I used to buy range free meat, and I explain that to them, but it got too expensive, so I decided that if I wanted to keep eating healthy, I would have to cut out meat. I would give them a few website addresses that I go to for recipes and information (peta is great, but in this situation, probably not the best idea), that way if they want to learn more they can take the initiative instead of putting me on the spot.
As for all the illiterates who have responded (all that protein did not help your spelling, there is a little button at the top that can help you with that), people don't ask you why you eat meat because that is the norm, just because it is the norm, doesn't mean it is right. People aren't asked "Why do you believe in God", because it is the norm. People aren't asked, "Why do you drive a car?" because it is the norm. There are people all around you who make a choice and think about why they should do something--is it because everyone else thinks that way? Or should I make some changes, decide on my own whether to be religious or find an alternate way of transportation to save on money or pollute less or whatever decision I decide on--not the masses around me. No matter what, I am always around myself and that is who has to be happy with me. This person asked for helpful responses and all most of you did was give her your prejudice. As we grow and become more aware of the world around us, meat eaters will eventually be the minority. Vegetarians will become the norm and then you can answer questions like "Why do you eat meat?"

Answer 3

I often find vegitarianism/Veganism to be something that develops out of ones beliefs, honestly. And think it's fine to be Vegitarian or Vegan. And by the way the way we kill animals for consumption is not a new revilation , Native cultures of america regard the way a person handles the eating of animal to be a reflection of themselves.

You are certainly right that americans in general dont realize that when they bite into that steak the cow was killed via air implosion in it's brain (not very pleasant huh?), Or the popular rise in veal currently enjoyed in cusine. Most Americans don't realize that the calf's that veal comes from, are locked in a immobile cage for a year and fed all fat foods. Then they kill em.

I belive personally that this is really the underlying arguement about meat ,is the way we kill. Now we are complete opposites in that I eat a heavy meat diet , and I don't think you can ever say that there is a right "way" to kill.

Secondly, waste is a problem. as a heavy meat eater i'm very detested at people whom don't finish meat they are served. The animal flesh you ingest has died to ensure your continuance , by wasting meat you disrespect that animals sacrifice, this above all I detest.

Mabye that helped , mabye it didn't but it's the way I look at it.

Answer 4

Well people are going to do whatever they want to do no matter what,that's what I've found out. Whereas it only took one video, Meet your Meat to make me a vegetarian, there were 30 other people in the class room that day and I'm the only person who decided to become a vegetarian. So it's choice. Tell them why you're a vegetarian and let them make up their own mind. Only tell them the effects if they ask you if it's bad for them, if you just go on a speel then yes they will think that you're just being preachy. So just make sure you're not going off on a tangent whenever you speak about it. I tell people why, and if they don't ask, they don't ask. My best friend isn't a vegetarian but when we go out to places, I get a vegetarian burger and other healthy stuff and sometimes she'll ask for some and we'll come to a common ground. It isn't a problem, she has her way to live and I have mine. Your choices aren't everyone elses, you can't push it on them, you'll only turn them off even more. Good luck babe!

Answer 5

I totally agree with you. I want to preach it from the rooftops sometimes! But, I have learned over the years to only answer if someone asks. I dont try to convert anyone, because it is a waste of breath. Last night, my daughter had a slumber party, and I had to get real creative with the food situation, because the kids that stayed over are meat eaters, and we dont have it in the house ever. So I made a spagetti fondue with dippers of jumbo pasta shells, garlic bread mini rolls, and veggies to dunk. The kids all loved it, and didnt even realize it was a vegetarian dinner. My 12 year old wants to tell her friends about the horrors of meat, but I have advised her not to talk about it to them. I feel like it would put the kids off meat, but the parents wouldnt support that. So I guess we have to just let the uninformed stay blissfully ignorant. Unfortunate,,,,,,,,,but.....how it goes

Answer 6

Yeah, it's tricky, right?

If they are asking, they either want to argue or are actually curious what your line of thinking is on it. If it's the former, there's no right way of approaching it. If it's the latter, explain your reasons. I'm sure the real trick is in deciding how to explain your reasons. What makes it tricky is, don't we all really want people to hear our reasons and convert? That's why it's so difficult to not come off as brainwashers when we talk to them. That's what we really want. It's hard to disguise our true intentions.

I have an idea about how to approach the subject. Use the Socratic Method. Ask questions to get them to consider things for themselves. Lead them down the appropriate path.

B) "Why don't you eat meat?"
A) "Why do you suppose a person wouldn't eat meat?"
B) "Health reasons." or "They think killing animals is wrong." or an obvious joke.
A) "Why else do you think a person wouldn't eat meat?" or "What do you suppose the reasons are we think killing animals is wrong?" or "Lets change the subject."

Answer 7

Well I hope this isn't rude but the mere fact that you're even asking this question speaks to your need to "convert" others.

I don't feel the need to "explain" to others why I eat meat.

And on a larger scale, there are many, many other life choices that you don't see people endeavoring to "explain" to others.

This goes well beyond vegetararianism. It's not even about vegetarianism.

It doesn't matter what the issue is.....abortion, the death penalty, killing animals for fur, gay marriage, whatever.......The POINT IS...

The moment you go beyond just living your own life, making your own choices, and minding your own business, is the moment it's no longer about the surface issue, but you're underlying need to have people be the way you are. That intolerance is the root of all prejudice, most wars, and the majority of human conlficts.

Fanaticism always says more about the person than the cause.

Answer 8

People already know what goes on in the meat/poultry industry. If someone asks just tell them you simply prefer to eat vegan. It's truly none of their business. If you go further or bring up the subject you'll just be trying to convert them and will sound preachy. This is your personal choice and should be kept somewhat personal.

Answer 9

It is preachy, it is not judgemental. It is preachy because you think your beliefs are more important and more correct than other people's beliefs. A muslim does not think the bible is the Truth. They believe the Koran is the Truth. What about Jews who don't believe that Jesus died on the cross and rose again. Most people think you are wrong. ps what is really cool is living in the real world not in a delusion.

Answer 10

I don't think there is a way to tell someone why you are vegan without sounding preachy.Other people may think you are preaching,but you're not,you are giving them the truth.It's like if your parents tell your room looks dirty and unorganized,they're not preaching,they are telling you the truth.If you tell people animals are raised in shitty conditions and it isn't right,you are just telling them the truth aren't you.But that may person may take it as you being preachy.Just don't explain yourself,your friends don't need it and your enemies(not saying omnivores are our enemies,just making a point) won't believe(or agree) with you anyways.Most people don't even want an explanation,they just don't understand or agree with you.