Having Effective Conversations About Veganism

by Alora Middleton Hale

Sometimes we’re the ones to bring it up, other times it’s a friend or family member who gets the conversation going. Maybe it’s just me (hi, social anxiety!), but the phrase, “oh, you’re vegan?” can elicit a little bit of fear within me. Sure, I can talk about veganism and what I eat and why, but what if the person asking isn’t satisfied with my answers? What if they have more questions? What if they *gulp* have arguments? I am not a fan of confrontation, and debating is not my strong suit. When I do find myself in situations where I must defend my position, I often find that my mind goes blank. That can be very frustrating! Especially when the topic, like veganism, is so important and something I am so passionate about. So, what can we do in these situations? How can we better prepare ourselves for the conversations that will inevitably come up? Well, because I know I’m not the only one who has experienced this, I did some research.

It can be easy to become frustrated, but it’s important to remember that the person you are conversing with isn’t going to be any more likely to agree with you if you are speaking angrily. Being combative will be met with more of the same.

If the person you are speaking with has an argument for everything, stay calm. Instead of reacting with anger or annoyance, listen to what they have to say and respond logically and respectfully. Arguing back won’t get you anywhere.

Everyone starts somewhere, and many of us didn’t start out vegan. Think back to what it was like before you were vegan. What were your perceptions about vegans? Perhaps you also had an argument against veganism at one point. What made you change your mind? Try to put yourself in their shoes.

When someone can relate to you, they are more likely to feel comfortable with you. Be genuine, build a connection, and share your story. They just might recognize parts of your journey in their own experiences.

Sometimes, people need to come to a conclusion for themselves. Instead of stating your rebuttals to them, respond with a question. For example, instead of “Cows milk is for baby cows.”, ask “Why do you think cows produce milk?”. The process of answering your questions will have them realizing the answers for themselves and possibly even realizing that their actions don’t align with their morals.

Changes take time, and most people don’t go vegan overnight. Have patience and take comfort in knowing you planted a seed that, hopefully, will grow. And if it doesn’t, that’s ok, too. If nothing else, maybe the person you spoke with will be more understanding of vegans they meet in the future.

Lead by Example

We’ve all heard the jokes about vegans not being able to go long before telling everyone they’re vegan. What’s funny about it is, it’s kind of true. Our journeys to veganism might not all look the same, but being aware of the horrors that animal agriculture, climate change, disease, and oppression have brought upon the animals, planet, and our fellow human beings, it can be hard to stay silent. Still, keep in mind that veganism isn’t the only topic most people want to talk about. Instead of constantly bringing up being vegan, lead by example. Let those around you see how choosing a compassionate lifestyle can be beneficial. Maybe one day they’ll ask you about being vegan and you can use the tips in this article to have an insightful and effective conversation that leads to positive change.