Hey all,

So I recently decided to go vegan. My personal reasons for ditching animal products were because of environmental factors, animal welfare, and trying to maintain consistency with the values I hold to their logical ends.

I was curious. I’ve seen a lot of hate towards vegans online, admittedly being someone who partook in that several years ago myself to a small degree. While I’m glad and very lucky people I know closely have been making accommodations for me, I’m also worried about mentioning or bringing it up to people I’m getting to know since I don’t want to rub them the wrong way if they possibly have these notions that being vegan and veganism are a bad thing. Namely when it’s relevant in conversation like people asking me why I read ingredients lists or can’t have something they’re offering me, which I’ve been half-lying attributing to food allergies and intolerances out of worry (I’m lactose intolerant, which helps as a cop-out).

I’m wanting to know what people dislike about vegans, whether they’re based on previous experiences they’ve had, or preconceived notions, and what would make someone a “good vegan” in their eyes. I know I shouldn’t be a people-pleaser, but knowing this stuff would definitely help me gain the confidence to be more open about myself and my personal values to others who don’t necessarily share said values.

Thanks in advance, I’ll try to respond where possible, but it’s going to be a busy day for me, though I do read all replies to posts I make.

  • davel@lemmy.mlEnglish
    1·
    22 days ago

    You can’t really be a good vegan to people who hate vegans: the fact that they’re assholes is 100% on them and 0% on you.

    Their hate of vegans comes from their own hangups. I imagine it’s one or more of:

    1. Their own uncomfortable feelings around eating animal products, which you are reminding them of.
    2. They think that vegans think that they’re “better than them,” and they resent vegans for it.
    3. Some weird toxic masculinity-adjacent thing.
    4. They just hate anything & everything that isn’t normal/consensus, for whatever reason.

    Maybe there are other hangups as well; those are what immediately come to mind.

  • dohpaz42@lemmy.worldEnglish
    1·
    22 days ago

    Don’t live your life to please other people. It’ll make you miserable because there will always be those you can’t please. Instead, define for yourself what a “good vegan” is, and do your best to meet that standard. Everybody is different, and only you know what works for you.

    Also, be forgiving of yourself. Everybody makes mistakes; no one is born an expert at anything. The fact that we still bite our tongues while eating is proof of that. So give yourself grace when you make a mistake; learn from it, and become better.

  • Like the wind...@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
    0·
    22 days ago

    Don’t superglue yourself to burger king counters while holding a tablet playing a meat grinder video.

    Don’t follow random people and film them to ridicule them online for buying McDonald’s.

    Don’t steal homeless people’s dogs and put them up for adoption.

    Don’t block traffic.

    Don’t shame anyone for eating meat and animal products.

    Don’t block entrances to restaurants that serve animal products. Don’t bang on the windows or shine bright lights into the restaurant either.

    Don’t act like words like bacon, beef, venison, sausage, pork, etc. are slurs or swear words.

    Don’t hide the fact that a dish has vegan alternatives, that’s not going to make someone realize it’s Not As Hard Of A Change!!! Those alternatives usually have allergens most wouldn’t expect if it were name the regular way. Who expects soy or nuts in a hot chocolate or chicken nugget?

    Just exist and don’t be a dick. Anyone who has a problem with a vegan just existing is an asshole, don’t waste time with them. But if the association with Those Vegans™ still sucks, then just say it’s your religious belief. But then again if you have the emotional energy, you should denounce and call out the toxic vegans and help destroy the negative impression.

  • iusearchbtw@lemm.ee
    11·
    22 days ago

    Hey, glad you want to be a considerate, conscientious vegan! You won’t upset anyone as long as you follow these simple rules:

    1. Never admit that you are vegan
    2. Never talk about veganism
    3. When people are talking about meat, eagerly participate
    4. Do not eat visibly vegan food in public
    5. If offered meat or cheese, eat it without protest
    6. Do not cook vegan food if serving others
    7. When you see a cow, remark out loud how you want to eat it

    That’s about all you need to know to be one of the Good Vegans. Hope this helps!