Most people are either vegan or are irritated by vegans. Vegans have such an awful reputation that some of us try not to let people know we are one for fear that we’ll immediately be labeled an insane hippie.

What is it that has made people who choose not to use animal products such a hated lot?

1) Vegans are preachy
Many Vegans don’t ever have to get up on a soapbox because THEY ARE ON ONE ALL THE TIME. No one likes being talked down to with the attitude, “You’re wrong and I need to save you.”

2) Vegans are Know-it-alls
Just because you know an excessive amount of facts on any topic doesn’t mean people want to hear them. “Well, actually, calcium is blah blah blah…”

3) Vegans ruin meals for others
Folks don’t want to sit down to a meal with loved ones and hear, “Do you know what kind of suffering that turkey went through?!”

4) Vegans are self righteous
Everyone hates a holier-than-thou vegan giving them dirty looks or saying something like, “Yeah, I CARE what I put in MY body.”

5) Vegans make people feel judged.
No one wants to feel like their vices are being pointed out. Having a vegan around when you want to eat two cheeseburgers followed by 17 Reeses Peanut Butter Cups makes you feel worse. Same thing with drinking. Can you imagine going to party at a bar with a friend who is just gonna sit there and have water?

So how do Vegans improve their reputation? Here’s each of those points dealt with.

1) Preaching- Just don’t do it. If people are curious about veganism they will ask. Instead of talking at people you have to lead by example. If you look healthy and happy that is the best advertisement for veganism.

2) Know it alls- Keep all the information you know to yourself. And sometimes people will say something wrong and you may just have to bite your tongue to avoid seeming like a jerk.

3) Ruining meals- Don’t talk about why you’re vegan when you’re at the table, even though that’s when people often ask. Just say, “Lots of reasons. We’ll talk sometime. For now, pass some of those delicious looking potatoes please.”

4) Self Righteous- Show humility. You probably weren’t always vegan. This is about an attitude re-arrangement. If someone recycles their clear but not their green glass don’t yell at them about what they are not doing, commend them on what they are. Even small change is change.

5) Judging- We all have our vices and we all gorge ourselves sometimes. Get some comfort food, like tater tots, with a meat eater, and they’ll realize you’re not so crazy.