Veganism is a philosophy and way of living which seeks to exclude—as far as is possible and practicable—all forms of exploitation of, and cruelty to, animals for food, clothing or any other purpose; and by extension, promotes the development and use of animal-free alternatives for the benefit of animals, humans and the environment. In dietary terms it denotes the practice of dispensing with all products derived wholly or partly from animals.”
vegansociety.com
When the choice to be vegan is made, some questions start to appear in our daily lives as a kind of test of patience, a challenge to be aware of this decision.
I believe some of these questions are genuinely out of a lack of knowledge and the people who ask them really want to learn more about veganism. However, some of the people who ask them, would ask them in a provocative way and, for that, I have two hypotheses. Lack of knowledge being the most obvious, but it could be out of an inconvenience that afflicts them because they know that our choice for veganism is genuine. Even when many of the vegans just want to do their part for a more harmonious and cruelty-free world, without judgments towards those who did not choose not to be vegans, other people seem to feel affected, in some way.
For this second hypothesis there is not much we can do, just understand that the way people relate to each individual’s differences is particular, but still, necessarily, it must be respectful.
And still, after a few years and being sure of our choice for veganism, we ended up exhausted from answering a few questions, so let’s get to them:
1 – How can you stand to only eat salad?
In general, most human beings’ food is vegan based, so we don’t just eat salads, we eat everything except animals and animal products.
2 – Don’t you think soy tastes like paper?
No. And I can’t understand what makes you have this perception, do you usually eat paper?
3 – But you don’t even eat fish?
No. As I said, I don’t eat animals.
4 – But what about the food chain? We even have canine teeth.
Do you live in the forest, coexisting and fighting for food with lions or tigers, going out to hunt (without weapons) every day for your own food? If so, let’s continue this conversation.
5 – But if the animal is dead already and its meat is on sale, it is better to eat it so as not to waste it, isn’t it?
Do you have any idea how the worldwide animal meat marketing industry works? If so, we can continue this conversation. If not, I suggest you do some research and have more knowledge about it, it will help you to better understand everything that happens before a piece of animal meat is on your plate.
6 – How can you live without meat?
Do I really need to answer you?
7 – And the plants? You also kill the vegetables.
Yes, I am the serial killer of the vegetable garden.
8 – And the proteins?
What about your cholesterol?
9 – When you have children, what will they eat?
They will do photosynthesis with me.
10 – Do you eat HONEY?
I got tired.
11 – Don’t you think about eating meat again?
No.
BONUS – These are not questions but statements, but we can still answer:
I admire you for being vegan but I couldn’t be, I love cheese.
If that’s the main problem, stop eating meat and all other animal products. It’s already a great start and you can marvel at yourself for it.
But, you wear leather boots and jacket.
You can’t imagine how many hours I’ve spent researching until I found brands that used ecological materials (cacti, pineapple, polyurethane, etc.) to buy my clothes and not dress me in the skin of other animals. But, nowadays it is much easier to find these alternatives.
