What Do You Say When People Ask Why You’re Veg? February 4, 2010
I asked that question on twitter yesterday to see what kind of responses people give. It’s a common question veggies are asked when they encounter a new person in a social setting.
Here are some of the answers people gave:
“Lately I have been telling people I am vegan because I believe in non-violence.”
“For animals, one’s health and the environment. Consuming animal products–dreadful, inefficient way of feeding people.”
“It depends on their intention behind the question. I usually say ethics and health.”
All good answers. Although I try not to overwhelm the person by listing more than one reason. I really like the “I believe in non-violence” answer. That’s a phrase usually reserved for humans but this person turned it and made it about all beings.
When people ask me, I have a few quick answers ranging “Because I wouldn’t eat my cat” to “Because in order to be a healthy happy person, no animal has be harmed.” I try to make the answer short while still leaving room for them to ask more questions - hopefully resulting in a discussion.
What is your short answer when the random person at a party asks you why you’re veg?
My reasons are a bit too varied and complex to be boiled down to a tweet. In fact, I did a 4-part series on my blog about it). I guess I could say “ethical reasons” to sum up the responsibility that I feel for the earth, but that would leave out my own health as well as this: to me, vegetarian food tastes a whole lot better than flesh. Of course, there are many veg*ns who disagree, hence the faux chicken, etc.