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Most vegans, myself included, want to see the lifestyle spread. While trendy, self righteous “hipster” vegans can grate on the nerves of the seasoned cruelty-free crusader, I am of the camp that no vegan is a bad vegan! That being said, I often wonder how I can help spread veganism without coming off as self-righteous, pushy or aggressive—unfortunate stereotypes that have been handed to vegans over the years. I want people to be interested in my lifestyle, but I don’t want to preach to them. Here are a few ways I spread my veganism gently.
Put It In Their Mouth- I mean this quite literally. My favorite way to show that veganism is not only ethical, but delicious, is to make vegan food and feed it to people I care about. Family, friends and coworkers have all had the benefit of sampling some of my favorite vegan meals. Usually, sharing food leads to a conversation about veganism, and why it’s important to me.
Through Discussion- I find certain places—like the dinner table—to be areas you need to tread lightly when bringing up veganism. No omnivore wants to hear about animal cruelty with a chicken leg in their mouth, as much as I would love to tell them! However, slipping veganism into conversation when it’s welcomed and appropriate is a great way to give the cause coverage. Coworker ask about the soy milk I’m slipping in my coffee? I respond with talk about the hormones in dairy or the treatment of the dairy cow. By gauging their response I can usually tell whether it’s safe-ground to continue without being that weird crunchy girl hanging out in the break room with grass in her mouth…
Through action- I’ve never been an activist, but that doesn’t mean I can’t contribute. By volunteering with your favorite animal-friendly organization, you can support the movement. Try visiting some of your local vegan-friendly eateries or coffee shops and ask if you can help out; pass out flyers or get the word out for events. Or, start up your own vegan group! A vegan pot-luck or recipe sharing club is a great way to meet new vegans in your area and get the word out.
