Everyone asks you. What do you say?
You’ve just sat down to eat with someone. It’s always when you’re out to eat.
And they say, “Why are you vegan?”
The food is on the way, they ordered some kind of chicken salad, and you have to decide where to start or if you even should. You’re thinking, “Am I rude enough to start talking about diseased conditions and puss right now?” What do you care if you spoil their appetite? Isn’t it about time their appetite was spoiled?
But you know that this isn’t the time or place.
What about when it is the time and place? What do you say?
“Which of the million reasons do you want to hear?
What they want to hear is, “I have a heart condition I inherited from my great grandfather that’s very rare and I’m not able to eat meat or my heart will explode. I sure want to, though.”
And they’ll be like, “Oh you poor thing! You must miss it so much. I’m so glad I have a strong heart.”
But really, you probably can’t find ONE reason. They have just started a conversation that is hours long. Do you mention world hunger, cruel slaughter, and unnecessary health risks and premature death? They were probably just making small talk.
What they probably mean is, “Why did you first go vegan?” That’s easier to answer.
One of my good friends has an answer that always nips any more talk or judgment in the bud. She tells the truth and says, “I went vegan for a boy. Thought it would impress him. I found out being vegan made much more sense than liking him.”
