Dealing With Non-Vegan Friends and Family | Gary Yourofsky Interview

If you’re newly vegan or considering going vegan, one of the biggest challenges can be the reactions of your friends and family. In this interview, vegan activist Gary Yourofsky shares his approach to both non-vegan friends & family and also people who become combative about the vegan message. And check out part II, Gary’s one rule for eating with non-vegans: bit.ly/1wb2inq what are your thoughts on this matter? How do you interact with people of different dietary persuasions? (whether you’re vegan or non-vegan) let me know in the comments!
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*Dealing With Non-Vegan Friends and Family | Gary Yourofsky Interview* if you’re newly vegan or considering going vegan, one of the biggest challenges can be the reactions of your friends and family. in this interview, vegan activist Gary Yourofsky shares his approach to both non-vegan friends & family and also people who become combative about the vegan message. and check out part II, Gary’s one rule for eating with non-vegans: bit.ly/1wB2inQ what are your thoughts on this matter? how do you interact with people of different dietary persuasions? (whether you're vegan or not) let me know in the comments! #veganism #vegandiet #veganlifestyle #garyyourofsky #garyyourofskyinterview #bitesizevegan #non-vegan #meateater #relationships #family #friends #howto #socialsituations

[@genericeric0102]

Some people will not change even if they know what they're doing is wrong.

[@williamgranville6732]

I don't argue with people, I just don't have the patience for it. It's so frustrating to try and educate people who do not want to be educated. However, if you are eating at my house, you are eating vegan, no questions asked.

[@BlystoneTheVeganSkeptic]

My house is all vegan all the time. No if ands or buts about it. I also don't eat with meat eaters ever. I just eat alone or with my wife or at vegan friendly restaurants. If meat eaters come I make a fuss about them eating the victims of their lifestyle in front of me. They will usually order vegan.

[@PippiGlockenCake]

Well done girl. I tend to deal with non vegans on an individual level. I'm still a newbee vegan so most of my friends are carnists. I get plenty of ridicule from the most unlikely people in my life. I distance myself from them accordingly. In the household 3 out of 5 are vegan and the 4th a vegetarian converting to vegan. Being a vegan has really helped me to realize what friendships and relationships are legit. It was the catalyst for me to see that my marriage wasn't a good one. Of course the red flags were apparent for the last year but once I became a vegan, his resentment and my inability to ignore it went thru the roof. I remain friends with some carnist because like Gary said, they are honest about it and some we have not had any real discussion because they are acquainted and not quite close to me yet.

[@BiteSizeVegan]

eric jones this is very true

[@graceshrines]

My Dad went vegan with me :3 So proud of my Papa, especially after 50 long years of eating meat, fish, eggs and dairy. He's so motivated!

[@abbeymclellan6573]

This makes me happy, go dad! And you!

[@lolaengelhart5042]

Gary converted my dad :)

[@toygummybear9397]

Acey Eliza my stepdad has gone vegetarian but my my dad and in laws eat meat wear leather all day lonh

[@yuppers1]

I'm happy for you! You'll have a healthy dad longer :)

[@ElleAngeles]

I went vegan about a year ago and converted my dad too, and it's funny, he's the most conservative right wing guy straight talking guy and has compassion for animals. Compassion is universal no matter who you are, and it starts with what you eat because essentially "you are what you eat, and you become a product of what you eat". :) Congratulations on converting your dad! I'm still working on the rest of my family but after this interview, I might just leave them to it.

[@elena-mo9fn]

My uncle asked me why I went vegan and when i started to tell him he said "never mind, I don't want to get into this argument." Then, he said "well I can't wait to slaughter my cows at home" and I walked out of the room. How can you be so immature and disrespectful at the age of 40? I can't handle it. IM 15. HES 40. He needs to step up and be mature,

[@ZaddyZavid]

yeah i dunt get it either...theres those sayings never trust anyone over 30? u cant teach old dog new tricks.

[@DeusExMachinae01]

+Elena Smith One of the things you learn when you grow up is that grown-ups aren't necessarily grown up. It's an important lesson that puts the pressure on you to strive forward and develop yourself - because if you don't you might end up like your uncle in some other aspects in your life. That being said, it looks like you are already well on your way to become a good human being. :)

[@MyHealthierMe]

such a shame your uncle is still blind :( i hope the whole world wakes up one day! :) honestly i think its the adults that are the messed up ones; they are more brainwashed. young ppl are more receptive, open minded, & kind/ compassionate. teach young ppl about veganism instead :) Peace in

[@HansBjorgman]

If he didn't want to get into an argument, then he shouldn't have been so immature as to start it. Where is the logic in that? Don't want an argument, then don't start/continue it. Duh!

[@user4667]

+MyHealthierMe I have have a friend that is not open minded and is young, he states that all the mainstream music is poppycock and not "real" music.

[@SophFuzzyPeach]

I'm eating vegan for about a month and I had lunch with a friend and she noticed that I didn't have any meat, just veggies and she asked me about it. I said that I was trying out a vegan diet and I felt attacked by the things she said. She even said she would grind meat into my food and don't know if she was joking. I feel that some people get very angry even if you don't say anything negative about their life, they just want to attack you.

[@SophFuzzyPeach]

That's just crazy! To hate someone because they are kind is something I just don't get. For now I'm just focusing on a vegan diet and that works well so that's exciting!

[@BiteSizeVegan]

i think people automatically assume that you starting a vegan diet is a criticism of them not being vegan ***** and they become defensive. honestly, if there's nothing wrong with eating animals then people wouldn't get defensive- it's the fact that they know something's wrong with it that creates the aggression. as humans, myself totally included in this, i think it's common to get defensive when you feel you're being criticized or some flaw in your life is being pointed out. still, as uncomfortable as it is, i welcome this in my own life because it helps me grow and reevaluate my beliefs and practices.

[@BiteSizeVegan]

***** the straight-up aggression and mean comments like grinding up meat in your food, ***** are not acceptable...

[@FruityHachi]

***** "honestly, if there's nothing wrong with eating animals then people wouldn't get defensive- it's the fact that they know something's wrong with it that creates the aggression." i think i will use this the next time when someone will become defensive after telling them about the vegan lifestyle, to see what their response will be

[@BiteSizeVegan]

do it up ***** ;)

[@robbiepotter21]

I had a very odd experience, my dad has been vegan since before I was born and I was raised vegetarian. After going to uni and studying philosophy and it wasn't until I was having to write an essay on the topic that I actually discovered what really happened in the dairy and egg industries. I actually fell out and had a big argument with my dad for not even trying to broach the topic with me all my life and me having to find out the truth in a textbook and subsequent videos rather than my own actually parent. I would of been vegan a heck of a lot sooner.

[@BiteSizeVegan]

wow that's certainly a very unique story robbiepotter21! don't think I've ever heard of that before :) i'd be frustrated too. i'm glad you finally made it to vegan!

[@abetterwheyoflife9237]

the honesty point is amazing... its better to be honest than to be ignorant... i could listen to him talk for hours.

[@andrewsteinke3948]

u vegan?

[@abetterwheyoflife9237]

i am now why?

[@andrewsteinke3948]

Cuz i cant find a girl thats vegan

[@abetterwheyoflife9237]

lol try finding a good-looking guy thats vegan lmfao mission impossible

[@andrewsteinke3948]

it is mission impossible girls i talk to they loose interest when i tell them im vegan they just ignorant asf

[@syerra7520]

I'm 19 now, a newer vegan but I am incredibly passionate. Moving out of my family home is going to be the best thing I do. My mother is appalled with my choice, always pointing out how I'm 'excluded' from family things because I eat fruit or veggies rather then a barbecued corpse. Some people you just can't get trough to. We will have conversations and she will laugh at the suffering of an animal, constantly come at me with the "yummy bacon" response. What can you do, some people have no compassion in them

[@jeremiahwilliams99]

syerra lynn I know how you feel. Sometimes I just want a friend I can eat fruit with on a nice sunny day.

[@paulinamalek1788]

Wow. Sorry for that. But just remember how much animals suffer and you're making the right choice. You are right and you will always be right.

[@Nick-1992-SRB]

Yeah some people just don't have feelings for anyone or anything makes me very sick.

[@oscarcat1231]

It astounds me how many utter ignorant, low intelligence people there are out there and many of us can relate to these being close members of own family. Blinkered, rude, closed minded, don’t do an ounce of research and believe everything those tabloids print.

[@gingercat]

Don't forget you can play hardball too, depending on how housing-secure you are. Play dumb if you have to, ask what part of the pig bacon comes from, is it muscle or tendon? I guess when they drained all of his blood out and dismembered him it makes it more edible for her. Always refer to the bodies as bodies or as him or her. 'I wonder if this one was a boy or a girl? I wonder how old they were, I wonder how far the slaughterhouse is from here.' Wonder aloud about their last days, how terrified they must have been and wonder if they screamed out in helpless panic for someone, anyone to help them before they were murdered. If she continues ask her if she feels guilty and how she lives with the guilt. Play slaughterhouse videos when she may walk in or text them to her. There are lots of ways to fuck with someone who fucks with you.

[@ThenZya]

When people realize I'm vegan, they're more freaked out if anything. I get bombarded with questions like, "how do you live without cheese?" What's wrong with drinking cow's milk?" "What's wrong with eating meat?" "If you were on a desert island with no plant foods around, would you hunt animals to survive?" People have also said, "you know that people are going to continue eating animals even if you're vegan." I've never had somebody try to combat me so to speak, but if someone ever did, I'm confident that I would completely destroy their sorry ass excuses and justifications.

[@BiteSizeVegan]

ha! i love your passion ThenZya ;)

[@03raq]

People will continue eating meat while you're vegan..just as people will let themselves been fooled and manipulated by politics and government.. it's just how it is..the positive side is that more and more people are waking up and the movement is spreading and somewhere I remember I read that actually there's a quite large percentage of people becoming vegetarians and vegans.. that's what count and will make a difference someday. I'm not vegan nor vegetarian yet.. but bumping into these type of online videos and articles definitely motivates me to change to vegetarian

[@mikediz5900]

Monica C thats cool you are open minded to it. Instead of looking at it as a life long change, just try veganism for 30 days and see how that works for you. Thats how I started and 30 days turned easily into a year. I think people think once you switch you can never go back or never eat an animal byproduct for the rest of your life. Not true. Like everything in life you do what you feel is right.

[@Theveganpeach]

I totally agree with Gary, honestly is key. I want everyone to be vegan but at least save me the lies if you aren't going go vegan.

[@BiteSizeVegan]

The Vegan Peach true that :)

[@kaitlynbrady3017]

Amazing how everyone suddenly gets their meat from their "sweet organic farmer uncle who feeds animals a nutritionally balanced diet all four season for their natural lifespan of 20+years until he sings them into euthanasia" once you start talking about animals rights. Oh and they never got to McDonalds or any fast food restaurant. Or any restaurant. They tell themselves the lies thinking we'll believe them.

[@Pinkles666]

"Sings them into euthanasia" haha, I agree you are spot on! I've had versions of that said to me 1000's of times.

[@Rfighter7]

Me and my wife have just lost a bunch of friends and family members yesterday because we're vegan. Its fucking sad. Sure we share and post info on our social media but we don't cram it down anyone's throats. We have been having the toughest time with everyone. And we heard it all from lack of protein, I'm a man I eat STEAK! Your a bunch a tree hugging hippies etc, etc. It sucks bad! Were constantly told were not feeding our daughter the right things and that animal cruelty does not happen. But if there is one thing this is teaching me and my wife is that now Study our ass's off! So we know our knowledge. Were not going to back down from anyone anymore and were fully committed to this life style. We did convert to friends to veganism tho. But it's very challenging. Especially because were both athletes. (bboys/bgirl, or Breakdancers) so Being "strong" means eat an steak. to all the new vegans out there never quit or back down because were not. In the end we win this fight for animal cruelty and the injustice of these industries. Thank you peace! The Collazo family

[@Kina_Fay]

+The Mind Of Rich Exactly the same here. My husband and I post positive things on veganism on social media and no on ever tells a thing... but we once or twice had the "bad idea" of posting a vegan joke, or a video on why eating animals is bad and people just explode with anger... especially our closest friends/family. We get the comments that we think we are superior etc... O_O Well we had no idea showing compassion to other species than humans would label us as such! This video and your comment helped, we needed this. Thanks!

[@mmc5005]

+The Mind Of Rich It is very sad and total ignorant approach to a way to eat. I have a similar problem or I used to have. I never argued with them, rather let people to laugh at me till the time when some of them fell sick . Then they try to look for solutions and started asking questions. I gave them a piece of advice and even managed to convert a couple. However ,there were baby steps taken at first.

[@felixyoung9011]

+Super Beks Im a student living in a shared flat. Both flat mates are fucking obese and having a lot of health issues. Theyre eating meat in every single meal every single day. Everytime they see me eating something without meat they go like: "Oh vegetables and fruit, did you turn gay hahaha?". Im not even fully vegan, but this attidude in todays society - thinking that only fucking obese, unhealthy men, who eat meat all the time and cant run for more than 1minute straight are the real man - pisses me off so much.

[@Rfighter7]

***** Honestly i have no idea whats wrong with people. People hate anything that goes against there beliefs, cultures, life style's, Etc, Etc. I just pay it no attention now

[@Rfighter7]

KinaFay Yep! It was the same thing! You think your better then us Crap! I cant tell you how many people said that to me for being vegan. Like you it was our closet friends and family who did it the most. i just ignore them now. I wont let anyone including them stop me from being compassionate towards other being by not eating them. I hope everything got better for you tho

[@baby14trevilla]

My family says "omg we lose you" and my friends are like "sorry but.. you hate your life?" or "is just a phase", strangers make funny faces to me and everybody who is not ok with my lifestyle change theirs tone of voice when they talk to me and make faces like excluding me, like saying or thinking that i'm wrong and weird and just.. it bothers.

[@Neo-pi7xd]

Barbs Trevilla Stay true to yourself for you are on the good side :) lead by example. Their opinions should not affect you, I know how it feels but put yourself in their shoes and understand WHY they may be acting the way they do. Remember , we all started off brainwashed.

[@thereadingsylph]

Wow, what's with that "you hate your life" comment? Doesn't a balanced vegan diet mean healthier body = hopefully longer life? Haha, just show them how good it feels and how happy you are in this lifestyle though :D

[@YZ450f24]

Barbs Trevilla What matters most is the peace that you're doing what's right.

[@veggielicious]

I learned that unless someone is ready to make the connection, it's nearly impossible. I'm always attacked at work by my lifestyle by a few heavy meat eaters and it took a long time for me to stop arguing back. It's a waste of energy to argue with those that are so close minded..

[@BiteSizeVegan]

"unless someone is ready to make the connection, it's nearly impossible." very very true veggielicious 2014

[@yuppers1]

Gary is right about not arguing with people who have already decided you're wrong. Even if you successfully disprove what they say, it backfires and entrenches them further into their opinion. kzbin.info/www/bejne/h2mxqpepjdFmaNU

[@GeddyRC]

3:30 "All the violence in the world, all the evil in the world, has made me a misanthropic recluse." Well damn, that really resonates with me. I find it difficult to care about anything anymore, nothing seems to really matter. But I am 100% sick and tired of the human race. Every injustice seems like a trivial blip on the radar when compared to the daily occurrence of what we do to animals. I lack the capacity to care about any other issues while this is still happening.

[@RomellJoseph]

I completely felt this way and still wrestle with it to this day But my husband and I had a baby.. and we have hope that she and other compassionate people do exist It is hard.. But I feel love will always win in the end

[@purplemonsoon8376]

Same.

[@purplemonsoon8376]

Vegans should also be Antinatalist too. Reproduction is unethical. I hate reading about people having babies. It’s evil.

[@joannaconstandis4593]

Hi, I've been vegan for about 3 weeks after being vegetarian for 13 years...long story short unless it's a dietary issue I don't know why 'vegetarian' exists. Anyway, within my recent transition I've found that using the name 'Vegan' scares people as it implies an extreme attitude - so when telling my mum I avoided this and just said I prefer not to eat dairy and eggs anymore because they come from animals and I don't think they are healthy. She cried, she screamed, she said things like she never wants to see me cook...but I didn't push her, I was calm and acted like its no big deal, tiny change, and every now and then made a slight comment to reassure her like "there is more healthy protein in spinach than there is in meat"...15 mins later she calmed down. As for the rest of my family same tactic really, calm, no big deal, just to let you know, answering simple/stupid questions with short answers and leave it to settle. From this I have now got family members asking me for health advice and so that lets me go into a bit more detail. I'm not pressuring anyone because I don't think it will help, set an example and let them come to you. It may just be because I am at the beginning of this journey but even being vegetarian I didn't mind having non-vegetarian/vegan friends and family. I care about my right to choose and think it's to each there own in a way. As long as I'm not creating the harm I feel more passionate about actively getting involved in ending capitalism/trafficking/child abuse etc so not focussing on converting people but happy to help and influence/open eyes to a few with my example. Thank you so much Bite Size Vegan and Gary Yourofsky for your videos, they've helped me so much! I will follow to learn more :)

[@BiteSizeVegan]

Joanna Constandis thanks so much for sharing your thoughts and experiences. it does seem wise to remain calm when possible! happy to hear you are subscribing, too! :)

[@joannaconstandis4593]

Thanks *****​, because of this tactic my brother has come to me asking for honest answers...he's now vegan too...if I had pressured him or I think like a lot of people he would have got defensive...it's really tough because I could never cut him out of my life because we are so close. P.s. I loved your video about why we shouldn't ride horses "it's a whip" haha loved that :)

[@danielaravenous]

Joanna Constandis like you said... set the example and they'll come to you, that's what I do.

[@joannaconstandis4593]

Thanks >_

[@danielaravenous]

Joanna Constandis yeap, exactly

[@Toroloco777]

Gary is an awesome dude.

[@veggingout5644]

I went vegan a few months ago after my daughter had a breakdown in the grocery store after we passed a wall of "meat". She had been thinking about this for a while before that, but all the lies that we have all been fed our entire lives made her wonder if it was the right thing to do. on that day, she knew it was the right thing to do and so did I. Once this happened, we had very little trouble convincing most of our immediate family, although my husband had some trouble letting go of his old fashioned beliefs and we're still working on two of my daughter's, although they are starting to come around. I'm happy to say that my husband, who is a diabetic, has lost about 30 lbs so far and I've lost 13 just by cutting out animal products. What plagues me now, aside from the fact that so many non-vegan are still out there, is that industries that sell toiletries, clothing, etc. appear to be so secretive about the the fact that they use animal products and do testing on animals. I'm having a hard time finding cruelty free items. in fact, I will no longer purchase these items unless I know that animals were not involved in making the products. If you have any information about where to buy such products please let me know. Keep spreading the word!

[@kellikall]

I've been a vegetarian for almost eight years, and I'm 17. Before this year is over I'm going vegan! Thank you for opening my eyes, Gary.

[@BiteSizeVegan]

Maya yay! excited to hear it!

[@jenesaipapa]

this makes me feel better about my friends and family being so unreceptive to the beauty of veganism :(

[@lefoxmethodstudiouk]

The second I finished watching Gary's "greatest speech ever" I became Vegan. Thank you mate!!

[@ilovedogsilovethem]

Becoming vegan (well, transitioning, due to "house rules") has been one of the best but also most painful decisions of my life. I wholeheartedly believe in the cause, in the ethics of not torturing living beings, in the benefits to the environment/humanity/my health, and more. It's something I connect so deeply with and care about. I will not be swayed by ignorant arguments meat-eaters give me. But as a minor (17) living under my mother's guardianship, I've faced extreme and absolute rejection. My mom is a doctor, so naturally she believes she knows everything about nutrition. I respect her knowledge; medical school is no small feat. But whenever I try to engage in a calm, logical conversation with her about veganism, she yells at me, refuses to hear my points (and then ironically calls me "narrow-minded",) and belittles me. It hurts. A lot. More than I could have ever imagined. What did I do wrong? I have been a straight-A student for my entire life. I challenge myself academically with AP courses. I participate in countless extracurricular activities, including volunteer work and multiple musical instruments. I performed exceptionally on my SAT and ACT. I don't smoke, drink, or do drugs. I am a kind person. I am obedient and extremely respectful to my parents, a must for Chinese parenting. And now I am merely trying to be compassionate. To stand up for what I believe in. As a result, I have been stepped on and practically disowned. I don't know how to describe this pain I feel, this ache of rejection from someone who professes to always care for and accept me. I have cried myself to sleep multiple times after fruitless arguments. I feel alone. Hated. Like I'm something dirty or dumb. To be completely honest, I desperately seek approval and praise from my mom. I can't help it. My parents are divorced and I consider my mom my only true parent. In many ways, she is my role model. I know she loves and wants the best for me, but there is no love in her harsh words when we argue. There is no warmth in the way she tells me that I know nothing, that I am an immature teenager who buys into propaganda. And because we are so close, I do not have walls against her. Every word cuts into my flesh and wounds me. I feel hopeless and lost. I have tried to confide in other family members, but they side with her. I don't mean to be melodramatic. If anyone has advice or just a sympathetic ear, I would be eternally thankful. I guess I just needed to get this out. Whenever I feel sad from the judgement of those around me, I make sure to surround myself with the vegan community, others who more or less share my same experience. I love watching vegan KZbinrs and learning more about the lifestyle every day, fueling myself with positive energy. Hopefully it gets better. I would hate to have our relationship tainted by this, but I would accept it. I most definitely will not give up veganism. I would rather strain ties than to live as a hypocrite. And don't worry, I'm not always this personal on the Internet :P

[@jsommer200080]

I know exactly what you mean! My familiy is the same... every time I mention veganism or we eat together I get so many rude comments from my family and I feel very alone when I'm with them. I also live with my mum and she used to be a nurse so she also disagrees with everything that I say about veganism and starts screaming that she has more experience. It really frustrates me but I will continue to fight for the animals even if my family isn't on my side.

[@mirameow7701]

I hope it has now gotten better with your mom! I feel honored that you were this open with us :) thank you for sharing. you are not alone!

[@TheFierina]

This comment has been so long ago, hope you're doing better these days. Hugs! 💜

[@wertzuuu1788]

You aren't alone. Coming out as vegan is difficult. You fight all the odds against you, like the most of us did. Stay strong.

[@map2001luvskitties]

I hate eating with my family. I always eat before them. I still can socialize with them but when it comes meal time I like to eat alone. I can't stand to be around meat. It's repulsive and all I see when I look at it is terror and death. So in that aspect I distance myself from people.

[@LimpFingers]

My parents force me to eat with them just so they can mock me...they say "Mmmm this is some tasty meat" or "this animal died for a good reason" and if I try to leave the table before they're done they yell at me. I can't do anything about it because I'm just 14. At least they let me eat a healthy vegan diet.

[@lisab.5219]

+Zoe Elizabeth i'm really sorry to hear that :( but in fact your family shouldn't and can't force you to eat with them, especially not when they are make such rude comments.. even when they're yelling at you, just stay calm and tell them you won't eat with them bcs you see death in what they're eating and bcs they don't stop making these comments. as long as they don't get aggressive, in my opinion you can leave and eat alone or just eat earlier (then say i already ate, not hungry) or later after them (and say not hungry yet), i really hope it will get better! much love!

[@YourMajesty143]

+Zoe Elizabeth You need to defend yourself bc that is emotional abuse. As your parents, they should know better. It sounds like they just want to get a rise out of you, so sometimes it's best to not react or just have a funny comeback. Say things like "Hey next time we see roadkill, let's grab it for supper! It's free & you can wear the foot as a good luck charm!!" or if you have a pet, you can say "Mmnn, Rover looks like he's fattening up pretty nice. You guys planning on serving him in time for Christmas?" or "Mmn my food without blood, guts, pus, and bacteria was sooo yummy" or "Can you pass me the salt, right next to the carcass?" or "Woah, what's that smell? Is that meat rotting in your colon?? Hmm it's no wonder my breath & body odor don't stink as bad" or "I hear Bird Flu is back, kinda sucks how you need to get news alerts to avoid different animal diseases every year. Sigh, I don't have that problem ;)" Let them know you're joking and being sarcastic. If they don't like it, say "Doesn't feel very nice, does it?". Call a truce after & tell them you'd appreciate it if they respected your decision w/o teasing you about it.

[@queensofheaven6970]

+Zoe Elizabeth It’s extremely idiotic of them, do they realize that you’re going to remember this stuff when you move out? I still hold grudges about that kind of stuff. Every piece of dead flesh that my grandma and mom forced into my mouth as a child. I remember every single piece of it

[@mamenamamena]

+Zoe Elizabeth wow that sounds depressing but you're right, at least they allow you to eat the way you like. When I was your age and protested against rabbit meat, it was literally shoved down my throat. Such a humiliation. You're lucky compared to me. But the other commenters are right as well, you need to tease them in return to make them see that it's a bad idea.

[@onelittleskittle6421]

i love him so much!!!

[@BiteSizeVegan]

alara ditto!

[@danas3148]

+Bite Size Vegan double ditto! Love you too Emily !

[@megawattapps]

Gary is a hero

[@mitchconner2082]

Why does he disable comments on his videos? Gary is a coward.

[@drphil9014]

Gary isn't a coward he just doesn't want fights in his comments

[@PhoenixRising87]

My family is impossible when it comes to talking about veganism, because, honestly, it all comes down to the fact that they just don't want to give up their favorite foods (my dad has said animals don't think and feel the way humans do, which....irritates me, but my mom doesn't think that. I think she's closer to how Gary describes his one nonvegan friend. And my brothers are all still nonvegan (well, two of them are under 18, so they just eat the same way our parents do). I have offered to cook for them, but they won't eat anything I make (my mom acted grossed out after I told her a cookie I had baked had ground flax instead of eggs...I don't get how seeds are grosser than chicken menstruation; go figure)). It does hurt when your loved ones don't get it. I don't honestly have many friends who aren't vegan (I don't even try to talk to my coworkers about it; banging my head against the wall would be easier than that), but I've always been kind of a loner, so I have to consider a person pretty special to want to be friends with them anyway (that would include being vegan nowadays).

[@BiteSizeVegan]

it's really tough for sure ElectricMayhem87. none of my family is vegan and it is painful. and i totally get you on your mom being grossed out by flax...people get that twisted sour face when you tell them something is vegan..ridiculous :)

[@sumaiyamarium1326]

***** hatchery.mercyforanimals.org/the egg industry is cruel

[@ShakespeareOfBorg]

I've just watched Gary's 'one rule' and I don't allow non-vegan foods in my house, so any guests have to eat vegan when then stay with me. But I couldn't enforce the rule in the rest of my life because I would end up eating alone constantly, or never invited out for meals. Sometimes I manage to guilt-trip people into eating vegan when they're with me (or they'll see the yummy food I'm having and get jealous!) but generally they either don't care or give me a false apology ("sorry but I'm having the beef").

[@BiteSizeVegan]

ShakespeareOfBorg it's certainly a difficult terrain to navigate.

[@ASMRyouVEGANyet]

haha! whenever people use other words for the animals (beef, meat, pork, etc) I say "oh you're having dead cow?" it gets them thinking.

[@Vegelicious71]

false apology. well said.

[@michaelmitchell338]

Should everyone else have a rule that you must eat meat in their house? What about restaurants? We could just split down the line, normal restaurants are meat with every meal and vegan places have none.

[@confusioneternelle]

@@michaelmitchell338 That's not the same though

[@disconouvo3037]

I was at a psychology lecture once where there was a theory posed that people can only say no to the same idea 7 times. It was extrapolated on but essentially after 7 no's people will give a yes although the idea needs to be posed differently each time. I'm sure I said no to being vegan quite a few times. Now when ever I speak to friends and colleagues about being vegan I try to pose the idea in different ways. Like various videos on health, environment, cruelty, violence teamed with a good meal and a take-away bag of dates. It has worked for some as they have probably been working through their "no" answers already. The rest of them I put any offering of enlightenment as another 'no' that they can strike off the magic 7. Maybe that's why only one of the 7 dwarfs there was only one "Happy" cos he was the last to ask. :)

[@BiteSizeVegan]

this is really interesting Disco Nouvo. thank you for sharing :)

[@belle8635]

I've been vegan now for about 5-6 months, and the amount of hate i get is crazy, and i'm not the person to yell out 'hey im vegan', but i find it very hard to avoid when food gets brought up in the conversation, or people question my actions or my thinking. all my friends, close friends, family are non-vegan, and are so awful about it!! my one best friend accepts and supports it.. but thats about it. Every time veganism gets brought up, people aggressively point out lies such as "but you need meat", "i'm not vegan cause whats it gonna do to help anything?" "It doesn't even matter" these people are so uneducated, for so long i fought with my friends, i got so upset and angry because they weren't listening, and they were judging me for my lifestyle. I'm at that point now when i just say "if you haven't educated yourself on veganism, don't talk about it with me". I find it crazy how angry people get when they hear the word 'vegan', they roll their eyes, they say "oh you're one of those people", what? people that care about the world and the creatures on it???? when did compassion become frowned upon? veganism, another word for compassion. #rantover

[@simonnaylor3536]

You did such a great job letting him speak, not interrupting him, and remaining quite while he was talking! That’s how interviews should be done! 👍🌱

[@drummerdaveshouse5848]

My wife and I filled our shopping cart today with all 100 vegan food. Been on this for just over a month, feel better, lost about 10 lbs, got off two meds. Etc. Thank you for the education about the poor animals Gary. We aboard 150%.

[@Yktsa]

I told my sister every single fact that I learned and made me Vegan...and all she says "Well, there is research out there that disproves it....blah blah blah!" She always thinks she is right not me! And whenever I go against HER beliefs, I feel like she just stops listening! So I stopped trying too! Plus, she always asks these questions "Well, plants can feel too, cant they?" or "Once everyone becomes vegan, what is going to happen to all the animals and farmers out there? Do you have a solution? See, you dont! You vegans can only talk but cant provide a solution!" Makes me angry!

[@BiteSizeVegan]

well i have a video about plants (bit.ly/plantsfeel) and one about what happens if everyone went vegan (goo.gl/8y1Ny7) so you're welcome to share those Yekaterina Shishkovskaya but sometimes people will just argue no matter what...then it's time to walk away...

[@Yktsa]

I watched the one about plants a couple of times so next time I could have a strong argument...but I am pretty sure that she response will be "Well, there is research that says that plants do in fact feel!" However, it seems that she can never really tell me where she read it, whats the source! hhhmm...maybe she just argues for the sake of it....she can't accept that she is wrong!

[@BiteSizeVegan]

preach it LifeInMyEyesx3!

[@Changeworld408]

if she has a pet she loves, hide it and tell her you ate it and it tasted really good. take her to a new born calf and go their everyday and let her go to the slaughterhouse on the truck where it will be killed and see what happens. People are undifferent untill reality and feelings come into play. you already have these changes inside yr hearth and yr studying the circumstances has turned you around, not everybody will change the moment you changed, but it can be difficult and you can be frustrated and sad for not feeling understood and heard

[@Chris-V2011]

Becoming vegan changes your life forever and tends to isolate you from other people.I don't mind at all,i cannot and will not be present when others decide to eat animals,pretending it's totally normal to feast on tortured bodies.The rare occasions i do go out with friends,it's to veggie restaurants.Unfortunately,my relationship with my 86yo father has suffered because,like true Belgians,we think of meals as very important moments to share with loved ones.So,i can't do that anymore with him.We have been eating together when i go visit him and we're on our own and he tried not to offend me too much(thinking that ordering a chicken salad or fish,which he loves,is a compromise)but when he eats with my step-mother,i'll go on the patio eat my smoothie.I know he suffers from that but,even for him,i can't pretend.So yeah,we vegans stand alone most of the time.

[@BiteSizeVegan]

Kris Del wow thank you for sharing Chris. and the cultural element is very powerful...so many of our societies (if not all) bond over food primarily. and i'm right there with you...standing alone. at least we stand alone together :)

[@Chris-V2011]

***** And i'm really grateful to have found you and other vegans out there,even if only on line.You know,we really need our own country! :-D

[@BiteSizeVegan]

ha! i feel you there Kris Del...and feel very fortunate to have met you as well :)

[@Chris-V2011]

***** "Anything for you,Emily" ;-)

[@sl0wku43]

That was a super deep comment

[@madhubantipatil137]

I completely connect to Gary Yourofsky ....he is a great man...and I worship him and follow his guidelines about this great philosophy of veganism...I am lucky that my husband became vegan along with be..BUT most of my loved ones are non vegans ...and it's not easy now bcoz I see the world with different eyes after becoming vegan...most people do not understand... to keep peace I hv to gulp down a lot of anger ..to Co exist .... it's not easy ... so I prefer a distant life from non vegans..BUT if at all I hv to meet anyone ..I mean friends ..I put on a bank neutral face and look away ...I smile ..BUT it's just like that ..I smile bcoz I hv to ...if I meet someone who has a similar compassionate mindset and who wants to change ..it's only then I talk my heart out to show them the path ...otherwise j just share posts to raise awareness.... the kind of arguments nonvegans put forward are extremely mindless and logicless ..so I prefer not to say anything. After all we hv to co exist .

[@sarafritsch123]

its the hardest thing in the world. My dad isn't vegan and every time i bring it up he gets agitated and annoyed. He's already had 1 heart attack and other health problems and no matter what I can't convince him to even decrease his intake of animal products. It almost seems like he's doing it just to spite me. It really really sucks

[@yuppers1]

sarafritsch123 I'm sorry :(

[@cerenademe9433]

I'm sorry. :( ... I was a teenager when my dad had his 2nd heart attack (he died when I was 21). The ER doc flat-out told me (and him) it was due to his lifestyle of eating bacon & eggs, etc. The rest of my "family" continued to "and continues to, for all I know - I don't associate with them anymore), failing to get the message. Mother died of cancer (had 2 diff forms), aunt died of cancer... Still, they understand nothing. I went vegetarian when I was 25 and literally was called "one of those weird vegetarians." Well, I've always been one not to follow the sheep, so to speak, so I guess at this point I'm used to it. What I do know is that I will never again cohabitate with another meat eater.

[@emilysalmon4232]

Me: dad, ive decided I'm going vegan (this was 4 days ago) dad: ok, why though? me: well I don't think it's right to torture and slaughter innocent anima- dad: alright alright no need to keep going on about it I only asked you a simple question!! me: fml

[@Revelation21-4-]

+Emily Salmon good for ou girl :) and it sounds familiar although now my dad in his old age and me in my middle age has mellwed down a lot more :) You see in time im sure your family will apprciate your choice too

[@HansBjorgman]

Not to sound rude, but how come you wanted to tell him?

[@emilysalmon4232]

Hans Bjorgman because I live with my dad?

[@HansBjorgman]

Emily Salmon Oh, okay.

[@knightingaelx6831]

+Nightmares Graphics he claims that animals have no emotion and they run on pure instinct and that humans are above animals. Starts saying weird psychopathic things that were actually scary. His excuse was that animals can't pay taxes or do anything productive. He's an abusive narcissistic brainwashed religious nut republican extremist that thinks Fox News is a valid source of information on the world. Kinda hard to be vegan living with someone like him. On the bright side my mom is a spiritual vegan but I'm only with her half the time :/

[@TheFabFoo]

I went vegan 10 months ago. My girlfriend and I had only been living together five months doing vegetarian. She kind of had a little mental breakdown with it for the the first little bit. Now she cooks vegan, goes to the sanctuarys with me and now has a clear understanding of my reason for going vegan. She still eats eggs a few times a week and cheese but apart from that she eats plant based. I'm so glad she supports me and I don't force her to go vegan cause she knows enough about it to make her own decision.

[@ternvra666]

I became a vegan because of him! I watched his speech a little over a month ago and I'll never go back to a non-vegan diet.

[@lexyladas392]

I've been a vegetarian for a whole year with very little dairy and eggs and I finally decided to go vegan and so many of my friends debate me over my veganism. It's only been a year but I've heard things like "you realize you're not really making a difference at all?" "Where do you get your protein???" And "how do you live without bacon?" And many other discouraging things all the time. I really wish that being a vegan/vegetarian was more acceptable in society. I feel like people feel guilty for eating the animal products and realize it's wrong but just don't want to change so they built this wall to glorify meat eating and block out veganism and the bigger picture.

[@bananiac]

GREAT GREAT ADVICE! Don't fight with others but also tell them how it is. BTW totally jealous you got all these interviews with Gary >_< Great job! :)

[@BiteSizeVegan]

thanks so much bananiac ;) and i always feel fortunate getting time with gary. but jealous? you have so many incredible guests on your channels and i'm blown away by it! been following the Symposium Films and loving it :)

[@thepincushionman7063]

I can tell all 3 of you take dix in the azz hahahaha

[@unselfme]

Gary's arguments are extremely powerful, particularly when combined with images and videos. His eloquence also helps to engage the audience. As many people have said below, people get 'scared' of the word 'vegan' because they don't understand it and they have been indoctrinated for hundreds of years,. It is the same with religion. Any religion. It is important that we as vegans recognise that not everyone will either understand nor accept the arguments regardless of how true they are. Sometimes it takes a deeper experience to change someone. At the same time, the 'heatlh' argument of veganism (focused on a whole-foods, plants-based life-style) is just as powerful as the animal rights arguments, but because it directly affects people themselves, the likelyhood of change increases. I became a vegan through the health-argument and later immersed myself in the animal rights aspects of veganism. We must ensure we as a community do not ostricise people but help them understand, step by step. I have "converted" (dont really like this word), both my parents, in particular through the health argument. We need to combine all the powerful arguments and science we have in our hands in order to bring the notion of veganism to the mainstream, not because a celebrity is a vegan, but because it is the sanest, most responsible, healthiest, most planetary-safe way of living out lives. It is shame Gary has announced his retirement, but it is tiring and I understand. It is important that we pick up where he (and others) left off and continue to organise and educate people. All the best , R.

[@tineqwaratib5730]

Some of the most effective things to help non-vegans eat more plant based food: -cook/make them delicious plant based food. give free plant based food samples. The more plant based food they eat that they like the taste as much or more than animal products, the more they'll probably crave plant based food and forget about animal products. Grow food (freshly picked taste better and is more nutritious) -show/tell them how to make yummy plant based food in under 5minutes. -show/tell them what to get at the grocery store -give them color pictures of plant based food/meals to put on their wall -encourage them to have an easily visible and easily accessible fruit basket in their home and grow herbs by the window. -Be a good role model. Lead by example. Be a happy, healthy, nice, smart, muscular vegan. Smile always. Laugh a lot. Lots of energy. Do flips often. Don't get sick or injured. Be sanitary. Show off your muscular body and strength. Have lots of friends. Show them your happy healthy muscular vegan friends. I usually don't talk about health, ethics, or environmental reasons when talking to people that seem like they might react negatively to it. For them, just offering and recommending yummy plant based foods is good to hope they will gradually eat more plant based food(for the taste and to feel better) and less animal products. I'll talk about health/nutrition, ethical, and environmental reasons to people who seem like they want to know or would help them convert. if they bring up price compare prices for them to show them how cheap it is. Customizing information/advice for the individual based on the individual's goals or concerns is good. If someone tells me to eat animal products after i said no, or keeps asking "are you sure" or asking if i want animal products after i said no, ill tell them to stop, if they keep doing it ill walk away.

[@BiteSizeVegan]

tineqwa ratib great insight- yummy vegan food really is one of the most powerful methods of activism ;)

[@kevintorres8810]

Interesting, Ive actually turned all of my closest friends vegetarian... One step closer >:)

[@percyrush1560]

all one of them?

[@kevintorres8810]

percy rush yep

[@nicolaonstarch]

If I turned someone vegetarian (lacto-ovo) I would feel like I failed. Not to bash you at all! Trying to influence anybody's lifestyle is close to impossible! But I don't see a real difference between a vegetarian and an omnivore. Maybe one: vegetarians THINK they are better.

[@palmtree5596]

Well...true. I mean..But people have diff reasons for going veg. If it's for the animals, it seems that vegetarians aren't accomplishing much in that area, but if it's for health only, then they ARE accomplishing something. So...we can't assume everyone's reasons are the same..which means the outcomes can't be measured by the same criteria. I'm vegan, and I do it for the animals, so for me, just cutting out meat, would be just a bandaid over the still gushing wound.

[@MichaelM28]

@@nicolaonstarch Meat eaters are better than both vegetarians and vegans you malnourished fuckwit!

[@iamvip17]

It's hard dealing with my non vegan friends and family. I'm a new vegan and although my family mainly supports my lifestyle they still do things like complain about not being able to go to their favorite burger restaurant or eat whatever they want because of me. What hurts me most are my friends. I feel so bad when they have to change plans because of me. Also it annoys me so much whenever I meet up with my close friend because she ALWAYS tries to convince me to eat meat again. She'll keep asking me "Are you still vegetarian?" and I have to remind her that I'm vegan. After that she'll name all these foods to try to convert me. "Don't you miss steak? Fried chicken? Barbecue? etc.?" The truth is yes I miss eating these foods because I spent 19 years eating meat BUT I am staying true to my lifestyle and my beliefs. Even though she won't convince me at all to go back to eating meat it still annoys me so much because she could at least respect my lifestyle. Lastly, I just want to say that time to time I feel so discouraged when my family eats things like pizza because I can't enjoy it with them (and tbh I LOVE cheese) but whenever I feel that way I just watch your videos and they always make me feel so much better about my decision to go vegan and I don't regret it at all :) Thank you for being the support that I need when times get rough!

[@wertzuuu1788]

Hey! You aren't alone. I suffer from the exact same thing. Don't beat yourself up. Deep down, you know what's right. You just.. Have to believe in yourself.

[@veganmeditations]

He's so incredible. It really is so hard to convert friends and family and it's helpful to hear him name that.

[@milkteanomnom]

I have to admit, just a few weeks ago, I was one to make excuses saying God has allowed meat consumption. I'm a Christian, and at first, I was making excuses, but it's because I had not seen the videos of what goes on in factory farming, and slaughterhouses. Now whenever I think about meat, it makes me sick, and I cry sometimes. This is new for me, so I get emotional very easily when I see meat, or sometimes even if I think about it. I'm in the process of becoming vegetarian, then I'll become vegan. I'm at a crossroad, because I have a lot of frozen meals with meat in them, and I want to get rid of it, but I don't have money to buy vegetarian food right now. I've been skipping meals, because I've been putting off eating the foods that have meat in them. I haven't been eating, because most of my food has meat, and I don't know have any other food. Eating cheese, and milk isn't as emotional for me most of the time, but sometimes it is. I wish I had some help, but it's all up to me.

[@milkteanomnom]

Danijela Šarić Thank you very much! Soon I will be buying vegetarian foods, and hopefully I can transition to vegan within a few months. I realise now that God doesn't like what we are doing to His creation, and I don't want to be apart of it. I know He mourns for the loss of the animals that are raped, tortured, enslaved, and slaughtered in horrendous ways. I swear only sickos get jobs in factory farming, and slaughterhouses, so they can "legally" beat the animals. Watching a video of sheep being sheared in Australia made me sick. They were literally beating the sheep in the head with their fists, feet, and even hammers, and then throwing them on the ground, and throwing them into a shoot that takes the sheep back to their pin when they are done torturing it. As I watch videos like that, crying, I see women (who are usually the more sensitive, and nurturing ones) throughout these factories, walking along like nothing is happening. How can people be so heartless, and callous? It makes me very sad. ;_;

[@milkteanomnom]

Danijela Šarić Unfortunately, I still live with my parents, and I have no idea when I'll be able to leave. They are very much against veganism, and they have been giving me a hard time about it. They tell me the difference between us, and them is that they don't carry around briefcases, go to work, and make life long decisions, some "extremely" important decisions. While that may be true, their intelligence is not on the same level as ours, they are still sentient beings with feelings whom can feel pain. Pigs have tested more intelligent than 3 year old children, and I believe dolphins have almost as much intelligence as an adult human. Just because they don't speak, doesn't mean they don't have thoughts the way we do. They don't think materialism, ego, and greed is important in life. Being one with nature, living off the land, and having a family is more important to animals than it is to humans. Humans do have dominion over animals, but that doesn't mean we can rape, torture, enslave, and slaughter them. That simply means we have a duty to take care of them, and look after them. That's what we should be doing. I don't think animals are more important than humans, but I don't think humans have the right to take advantage of animals either. We are suppose to co-inhabit the earth together respecting one another, and animals are supposed to be our companions on this earth. According to the bible, mankind didn't start eating meat until the flood came. God gave Noah permission to eat the animals on the ark purely for survival, and I don't believe we had the right to keep eating animals once the risk of death had subsided. We should have gone back to a plant based diet once the flood had dissipated. Much later even Daniel believed animals products were unhealthy, and he refused to eat them. He only ate a plant based diet, and according to scripture he was stronger, and healthier than all the male servants (that ate animal products) whom served King Nebuchadnezzar.

[@milkteanomnom]

Danijela Šarić Aww I'm sorry your parents aren't understanding. Are they still against you being vegan? Now that we have so many products out there, we don't need to eat meat anymore. Back in the day, humans could eat a plant based diet, but it was much more difficult. Now, plant based food has come a long way with improved technology. In a way I feel like it still makes us savages to eat meat. People don't think about how you're spilling the blood a living breathing sentient being, and then eating it's flesh. Thinking of it in an objective manner, it's actually very strange, and weird to eat the bloody muscles, and tendons of an animal. I just recently went vegetarian, and eventually I'll become completely vegan hopefully in a few months when I can research more about how to do it properly. I don't like to jump into something without prior knowledge.

[@agent9429]

Maelui Yumiko I admire you and reading this!

[@YZ450f24]

Maelui Yumiko Id say you can finish the things you have already purchased because the damage has been done, remember that you have plenty of options that will be less expensive than meat or animal products and that you can get a wide variety of grains lentils vegetables legumes fruits etc. as for eating dairy and eggs just remember that if the meat is cruel then dairy and eggs are as well because of what happens in those industries. Hope this helps take care

[@vikkipink1288]

This makes me feel so better. I was feeling guilty about not pushing my message around really combative friends. I just felt like it was such a waste of time and I didn't feel like being attacked.

[@karenishness1]

What a treat! How special. How honored I am to see this. Thank you.

[@Somethinghumble]

I can't wait to see how Gary makes his comeback. His light is way too bright to be covered up forever. Maybe stand up comedy or Daily Show host or something. Author sure, but let's get the audiobooks a-flowin'! Love both these humans. Huge impact in my life.

[@IAMALITABRIZI]

I liked this video before even watching it... These videos are so precious!

[@BiteSizeVegan]

thanks so much Ali "The Friendly Activist" Tabrizi so glad you are finding them valuable

[@nofearonlylove21]

Gary i need you in my life. I'm at a family reunion right now and everyone just eat a steak dinner and was talking about how good it was and they were saying how cows are Martyrs and here for our consumption and I just educated them the best I could with the amount of attention they were allowing me to give them if that makes sense. But it's so frustrating because no matter what I seem to say they just are too selfish or not interested in changing their ways and being someone who knows what happens to these animals it hurts me a lot and it makes me very mad and frustrated with them when I don't want to be. So I've been looking online about how to deal with this because I find myself isolating myself tonight and it hurts to do that. And I just came across this video. I don't have any vegan friends or anyone in my life who is vegan so that's difficult as well. Wish you could hang around and talk to everyone in my family so they kind of understand it from someone else's point of view and from facts coming from them. Anyways I just kind of needed somewhere to vent. I also want to say that I appreciate vegans in the world and the compassion that we all share and understanding that we have to make the world and our lives and they lives of other beings a lot better.

[@andrew.schaeffer4032]

I've been vegetarian for about 15 years and then 3 years vegan. None of my other family members are vegan. After taking an ethics class, reading James Rachels and Peter Singer, I switched to vegetarian - and then vegan when I found out about the treatment of dairy cows. So, my family is predominantly Christian. My conversations with them about animal treatment has typically, if not entirely defensive/aggressive. So, surprise surprise, no conversions. One family member quoted scripture, to which I responded with another scripture - "Do unto others as you would do unto yourself". That didn't go over well. The only time I think I got one of them to remotely consider vegetarianism was at a fair. We were walking by some cute cows. I pointed to a cow and asked a family member how they could eat that. That family member seemed to really consider, and seems to eat less meat nowadays.

[@sallyjrwjrw6766]

Roman 14:2 One person’s faith allows them to eat anything, but another, whose faith is weak, eats only vegetables. 3 The one who eats everything must not treat with contempt the one who does not, and the one who does not eat everything must not judge the one who does, for God has accepted them.

[@Clap4TheMoment]

This video made me remember. I was in highschool when I learnt about the way animals were being treated. I first went vegetarian for 3 months. Then I became vegan for over a year. My friends kept on shitting on me "faggot food" etc. I used to argue but it was hard to argue with 10 guys spouting the same bullshit. Eventually I just became quiet and did my own thing. My family constantly tried to get me to be vegetarian again 'vegan is to extreme' the funny thing is I made them all into vegetarians. I think all the social pressure got to me from my friends etc and I started eating meat again. Lately I just can't stomach it anymore and feel like shit tho. I can't believe I compromised my values because of how others made me feel.

[@carolinejones9010]

I am a vegan who is on her own except for youtube vegans and have just joined a vegan group on FB. When I tell friends and family most people just except it and I get a few questions. I must be lucky because I haven't really encountered hostility.

[@ez51sg57]

Gary says he doesn't want to be combative and is looking for those who will understand the message. This is great because with the help of Gary's arguments we can continue the fight and spead the message.

[@kkk72567]

I actually found that family have been the easiest people to convert...but close friends are the hardest.

[@Jasperscattales]

I explain “I’m vegan for three reasons: my health, the animals, and the environment, and it works for me.” If questioned: about protein, I say “everything has protein.” If it goes beyond that, I will generally get a sense of wanting more information because they’re interested, or if I sense that it’s going to be an argument, I just repeat “it works for me.” Many times this conversation is over a meal if I’m meeting a friend for lunch or something… I do not want to have the discussion over how what is on their plate is bad for them. That is generally where the trouble begins people don’t want to defend or explain themselves and their decisions. I mostly hear that they really don’t eat much meat, etc. I change the subject. If somebody does say, I am really interested in this, then I say, let’s chat about it later because there’s a lot to share and resume our socialization. I have found “walking the talk” and being true to yourself, looking healthy shows more than the words. I’ve been vegan for nine years. Most everyone I know knows my position.

[@tout_en_douceur8603]

Hi Emily! Thank you so much to you and Gary! I am a fairly new vegan, only 6 months...I have become a full on vegan and defender of animals! I'm 52 years old (on Monday, May 1st). Thankfully, both my grown up daughter are awesome supporters and one of them is vegan too! The trouble is my family, mother, sisters and their spouses...they don't understand and will not budge as far as meal time and such...I am avoiding them. I agree with Gary, it's not worth fighting with someone who doesn't want to understand even if they are your famiily. I'm looking for new family and friends who also value animal lives and are against animal cruelty. I am so grateful for all the videos you are posting and thank you, thank you, thank you so so much, Emily! You are an amazing and awesome human being!

[@FamilyFreedom]

People close to you are always more forward in their opinions. My experiences have varied from no comments to the insistence I answer the question "what if you were on an desert island with a pig?". It's trial and error but in the end I've found that you have to assess each person individually, and in most cases just be the vegan you are and let them see the positives for themselves. Being like that has made some of my closest friends become so curious that they've gone vegan, vegetarian or given up milk

[@BiteSizeVegan]

Vegan Geezer oh the desert island! why!? :) "in most cases just be the vegan you are and let them see the positives for themselves." that's often the most powerful testament. :)

[@kayleeadams8736]

I figured out what my deserted island answer will be😂 “I’ll climb a tree, pick the fruit, and share it with the pig!”💜🐷😂

[@confusioneternelle]

My desert island answer is "Honestly if I was on a desert island starving I'd even kill a fellow human if I can survive by eating them, but that doesn't make it right to just go and kill a random person on the street now while there's absolutely no need for me to do so, does it?"

[@AmpsforBuddha]

After contemplating on this for awhile, I feel what Gary has said is on the right course. There's no need for arguing to convince. I always want to engage but the best way to lead is to lead by example.

[@dayaneoliveira1122]

He mentioned that all the violence and cruelty in the world made him drift apart from people... And I totally know what he means.. I'm becoming a mysanthrope as well, each day I identify less and less with people... It sounds sad, but maybe it's a good thing, I get to surround myself only with people that I consider truly kind and well-intentioned. Also, since I became a vegan there is this new-found awareness which I can't explain, it goes beyond just being kind to animals. I'm gonna sound cheesy, but it's a very spiritual experience, as if I discovered a new Self. I noticed that I am much more thoughtful in absolutely everything I do... The quality of my work has improved a lot, my memory is much sharper, I can spot truths and lies so easily now, my attention span is crazy good, I take care of myself better, I love myself so much now, the list goes on and on... Oh boy, I sound like a fanatic lol, but I promise this is all true.. I am really enjoying this journey!

[@shes1ofkind554]

i try so hard to stay away from animal products. my husband on the otherhand has declared himself a meatatarian. and he must eatus the meatus. i cant with him. he makes me twitch. although i cook different for me. im finding it harder and harder to cook for him. cooking for him is me still participating in crulty. and my kids want to do what daddy does. im frustrated.

[@lepetitchat123]

looks like divorce is imminent

[@kimxx10]

😔 let him cook :)

[@viciousLUA]

If staying away from your animal products is part of your values and beliefs, I suggest you make him cook. Stand strong in your convictions mama! Show the children age-appropriate videos on animal cruelty. There are a lot of great children books on veganism and showing compassion to animals, just look it up on amazon. Also, have your children involve in your cooking! Everything they love to eat.. Try to do a vegan version! But YES, YOUR HUSBAND NEEDS TO START COOKING FOR HIMSELF. He needs to respect you on this. :)

[@kayleeadams8736]

No, divorce is not the answer. Continuing to try to talk to him and your kids is how to get them to understand. Teach them where their food comes from, and (for sure the kids at least) they will not want to hurt the animals or their own health anymore. Well, at least that’s what I’m hoping for too when I got home to my parents for the first time Spence transitioning fully to veganism. 🌱😅

[@Changeworld408]

you can say, "i will only cook tortured animals if you guy's agree to look at the torture process, otherwise you will have to buy and cook these corpses and body parts yrselves, mummy is only cooking sufferfree foods.

[@jjooeegg1]

These candid videos you produced with Gary are just awesome . Great channel . You are appreciated

[@BiteSizeVegan]

jjooeegg1 thank you so very much :)

[@shauneevampyre]

If someone asks, I'm just honest about why vegan. It's usually a case of them asking 'so why are you vegan now as opposed to vegetarian?' (koz I've been vegetarian all my life) so I respond with 'because I found out animals still suffer loads for dairy'. And if they question further then I will explain further. I keep my cool and try not to get too passionate because that's usually when it pisses them off. So I'm just honest and straight and recite the facts. My mother is finding it most hard to get to grips with me being vegan because she feeds me a lot of the time, so it's hard for her to find the right foods. She said she was gonna contact a load of supermarkets and find out what they know about how the dairy is produced and how the animals are treated in order for the dairy produce, and I was just wondering if anyone could tell me if that'll do any good at all? Thanks. (I don't think she realizes how common mistreatment is)

[@ColmRooney]

Fallen Poet I''m the same as you, I've been vegan only a few months but vegetarian all my life. I doubt the supermarkets will have any good arguments, if they do post them here as I've been doing a lot of research.

[@susantslbry2174]

Converting to veganism is the easiest thing in the world! Just start eating food, avoid the carcass, mucus, puss, tendons, etc. everything is real. You don’t have to worry about raw veggies being left out on the counter contaminating the kitchen. It’s truly freeing 🙏🏻🌿

[@mlssbrzzs4513]

Exactly...some people will never be open to change which is scary to think what kind of person they actually are. Gary the people you've touched will do our part to help. 🐷🐮🐔

[@christinebeauchamp3115]

Girlfriend you are fresh and funny - - and share truth. Thank you to you and Gary for all you share. I agree with Gary 1000%. I'm a 30 year Vegan (actually over 30 years, just rounding it off for ease). This past Friday night I had my last ever dinner with non vegans. I have a cup of tea and sit and chat. . and one girl (mmmm I'll call her one ''growl') was so nasty it was my last straw. In over 30 years I've converted only one person successfully, who had horrible cancer and was scared. In less than 6 weeks he was cancer free. Another girl who had breast cancer changed her diet because she couldn't believe I was the age I was. . thought I was younger, but won't be as dedicated as I am. .(her choice right?) I feel good every day.. never sick. . and nothing suffers and dies so I can eat a meal. Thank you and Bless you both. Gary I understand completely and also spend lots of time mostly alone. All best to you both. Thank you so much for sharing. Chris

[@dustinkst2931]

When I became vegetarian, my mom wasn't pleased about it. I never really tried to convert anyone und didn't really inform myself. Then I wanted to know more about veganism and instantly became vegan. My mom thought that it's unhealthy because of all the propaganda from the meat, dairy and egg industries. But when I told her the facts and discussed a lot with her, she went vegan too, because she realized it's the only right thing to do. It took her some weeks and some people might need more than that, but you need to give them some time. Don't give up when it doesn't work at first.

[@jab1187]

me and my aunt are the only vegans in my family so it can be rough and annoying to hear some of the comments other family members say but on the other hand i'm finding more and more vegan friends where i live

[@Teapot-Dave]

My wife was Vegetarian for 9-years, but then went back to eating meat because she said that TVP made her IBS worse. I said there is more to eating meat-free than just TVP, but she blocks it out and now won't discuss anything to do with Vegetarianism or Veganism because she thinks I'm "having a go" at her, which I'm not and never have. Now our Son and Daughter who have been Vegetarian since birth are bordering on Veganism, she doesn't even like sitting at the table with us because she feels like the odd one out, and that we are all judging her, which we're not. No-one has ever criticised her decision so it must be a guilt thing because deep down, people know that eating Meat/Eggs/Dairy is wrong. Meal-times can get a bit tense sometimes, but it's not the Veggie/Vegans causing it.

[@maroondragon618]

This guy is my idol. Seriously....

[@hayat21mohammed]

when i became vegan my friends were surprisingly supporting. my family not so much but they still accommodate to my lifestyle. i made even more vegan and non-vegan friends when i started a new school and became very open about my lifestyle. The best part my new non-vegan friend is going to be a vegan for the month of October (at least try). we will start cooking together.

[@ravenswoods177]

All the comments are always turned off of Gary's videos

[@consciousobserver629]

Fiends and family ARE the toughest when talking about veganism. My brother did, however, convert after I told about how I transitioned! :) (But he is one of my very best friends, and we have a history of spending hours discussing politics, human nature, psychology, etc., so to discuss this was very natural.) After doing the research himself, he dropped animal products and then began converting people he would meet by educating them about the health benefits (appealing to our selfish nature is often the best way to reach people - but start talking about animal suffering, and cognitive dissonance erects a mental wall immediately in my experience). He's a gifted social butterfly that can connect with anyone, anywhere, at anytime. In general though I don't say much about veganism/WFPB diet to fam/friends because I realized they weren't listening. I found that every time I repeated myself (from conversation to conversation) they acted like they had never heard it before, so I don't waste my breath anymore. However, when family members push bs downplaying the disgusting nature of factory farming, I do say something. Just enough to pop the bubble of delusion by speaking about the practice as it is.

[@crazypolishvegan7369]

I've stopped talking to my parents about veganism and being a healthy human - too much energy waisted... Like Gary said - it's so hard to speak to your family and close friends about this lifestyle, but it's soooo easy to spread the message to the strangers :) I like your videos!

[@BiteSizeVegan]

CrazyPolishVEGAN agreed- family is the hardest. thanks for watching!

[@pakau]

in fact its much more dificult to convert friends and familly but i never give up .. ive turned 8 people already into vegan !!.. including my mother .. im vegan for about 4 years

[@zenomagnus7340]

Hmmm he has an interesting point here... If someone is being too combative and they basically don't agree with you (argue), don't argue back. Simply tell them they're wrong and that their foundations are crumbled and that they should go home and rethink their lives for a while. Very fair. Gary Yourofsky Genius. Yourofsky. Your Of Sky. You're from the sky. You're a God, of course it all makes sense now !

[@zenomagnus7340]

+zeno magnus great how he can spot troublemakers before they even open their mouths... oh no not that guy over there with the leather shoes !! MURDERERRRRRR

[@mechanikerkatze]

Just a few days ago I had a big argument with a friend. I recently went vegan so I still can't manage an argument very well, and she kept pushing me about how selfish vegans were because they worried about animals more than the people that are being exploited right now in the clothing industry and how was it possible for me to worry about sheep that naturally shed their wool over people being exploited in their jobs doing the clothes I wear. It was really exhausting. I think every day about what's going to happen in my future as a vegan because I really don't have the pacience to listen those types of arguments. All I could think about at that moment was "At least I worry about something! You still eat animals, wear them and exploit people!"

[@Christine-nl2mz]

I don't even try to "convert" anyone really, but if anyone wants to question my meal choices which they often do, it is then that I educate them. Other than that I just dont waste my time.

[@LumikkiJa7rutlessia]

my first week without eating any meat at all and I've also started to lessen my consuption of milk products. Feels good man.

[@marilynchristian7000]

Hi, I´m Marilyn from Mexico and I´m vegan, my family has a very strong thought about the nutrients from meat and eggs, and it has been hard to speek them about veganism, especially my older brother, but, I have been months with activism and I just want to say to new vegans: patience, strong, it´s a very hard work but it´s possible, dont give up! I have friends who are already thinking of becoming vegan, it is a matter of speaking to them without judging, demeaning or imposing anything! when you speak kindly, they listen to you

[@DanijaLazdina]

A classmate questioned wether I get enough protein. I asked her how much protein she thinks a person needs and her guess was around 3 kilograms. I also have a classmate who, seeing me after 3 months , told me he ate SO much meat. I replied that I am terrified of what ir happening to his arteries. He also says that a pig is the best thing to take with you to Siberia if the USSR sent you there because it's the healthiest option and he has no other choice not being a vegan. Literally after seeing a cheka bureau. I think I cried for two days. My dad puts mayonnaise on everything. Everyone says what I eat is disgusting but I don't cook for them often enough. And vomit is, apparently, a plant product. My pescitarian aunt thinks she is the healthiest and most humane anyone can be. But I recently discovered I have multiple mostly vegan classmates, which is just unimaginably lucky and weird.

[@BiteSizeVegan]

well at least you've got the classmates Danija Lazdina. that's rare and lucky for sure :)

[@beaelliott3209]

It has been said "Don't change your family... Change the world." Great message from Gary and BSV! ;)

[@BiteSizeVegan]

***** great quote:)

[@shaykespeeer7040]

Well, since my previous friends and family essentially put me on complete ignore after I transitioned to Vegan...... I've done the same to them. It used to bother me a lot more than it does now. It is what it is. Life goes on. I'm here for the animals now.

[@cleverestx]

I just started being a Vegan last month and was sad to hear that Gary retired from the scene....would have loved to see new content eventually, but it's understandable; he's done so much.

[@mac-tm6pt]

I turned vegan at the start of this year as part of a challenge with my mum. I kept on with it now both me and my mum are vegan. My sister just turned vegetarian, one step closer :)

[@polinakri]

My "friends" always like " Oh hey look at this cheese it is so good. I hate it

[@veganlifting4145]

So true. None of my friends or family are vegan and they never will be. It’s sad

[@veganlifting4145]

@@Wthhhhhhhhhhhh1 That’s the best part, you don’t have to sacrifice your health in fact it improves your health

[@veganlifting4145]

@@Wthhhhhhhhhhhh1 lol I don’t live in nature so how is that relevant? Also not sure what “innutritious” means, but you can get all the nutrients you need as a vegan

[@veganlifting4145]

@@Wthhhhhhhhhhhh1 first of all you need to work on your spelling. Second, everyone should supplement. Vegans and meat eaters. Deficiencies are common for all diets. All my meat eating friends and family members actually take more supplements than I do. You obviously don’t really have a clue of what you’re talking about. But I should’ve figured right away when you used the “nature tho” argument

[@veganlifting4145]

@@Wthhhhhhhhhhhh1 again work on your spelling please. And nope once again you’re wrong. Most people are not eating plant based. Why do you think the meat industry makes billions of dollars every year? Because people are plant based and buying the meat to not eat it? Cmon try using that brain of yours. My family eats tons of meat and eggs every day and they take more supplements than I do. Tell me what nutrients I can’t get from a vegan diet but only from animal products.

[@BoiseTriathlete]

I am amazed she was able to interview Gary for this long without him cussing her out for something

[@sydneywalton101]

Thanks for this. I am currently living with my parents and I can't exactly enforce veganism in the house but when i have my own home I cant wait to have my first visitor! My home will be vegan no matter what.

[@ThoseAnnoyingVegans]

Well, we have a similar method. We allow ourselves to be very vocal on social media and grow that community, because it's VERY true: friends and family are the hardest to convince (though we've had some success), but our greatest reach happens with strangers. I think when it starts showing up from many different directions, it gets people's wheels turning. At social gatherings, however, we won't touch the subject unless someone brings it up in an educated, constructive way, in which case, we are happy to inform and discuss. We HAVE found great benefits in minimizing our attendance at certain social events, such as BBQs, or gatherings where we know a certain person or persons are going to be there who have disrespected us before!

[@olmazold3888]

If only there were more people like Gary in this world

[@julief6960]

Emily and Gary, thanks for helping. I started being more tolerant in meals shared with non vegan, and that was ok because it make them think about it, because they are feeling unconfortable that i am being respectfull to animals and they are not. If were more vegans than just I, it would work better. The problem is that now I am feeling too unconfortable because their non vegan meals. It made me cry the last time. So, I adopted the Gary`s rule for eating with non vegans, which most of cases result on not eating with them, but I feel selfish with that. I think I must get over and eating with non vegans with their non vegan meals again, just to make that little activism. What do you think?

[@JustMe-es9fj]

I'm just going to lead by example, and once they are ready to ask questions or whatever it might be then I will gladly tell them. My mom is fairly opened minded, and when I told her I'm going vegan she was like "okay??", but she's always been good about giving me the freedom to make my own choices. I might eventually talk to her more about it once she gets use to the fact of me being vegan. My sister on the other hand doesn't want to hear anything about it. I tried to tell her about animal cruelty and the health benefits since I'm super close to her, but she wants to remain ignorant about the subject. She's 15, so maybe once she's more mature she'll be up to listening. We'll see.

[@carlalove3498]

I try to stay away from those people who attack me for being a vegan. I was a vegetarian since the age of 13, thanks to a NYC Lady from PETA, who taught me out of eating meat, chicken, pigs, fish... But I did not know how much pain I was causing by still eating cheese and chocolate, and I was somehow hooked. When I realized about The pain I was causing, I went vegan. Both, my mom and dad support me, and my mom will cook vegan meals for me, even though she is not yet a Vegan ( I hope to convert her into veganism as well as my dad). As for The rest of the people, I've been questioned and attacked many times by friends and family who verbally reinforce their taste for meat when I'm around. I have progressively gotten away from them. I do not wish to lose my precious time talking them out of cruelty 'cause it is useless. I do consider them to be spiritually inferior so we no longer resonate. Thankfully, my boyfriend is going vegan too. He very much appreciates Gary's lectures. When we have kids, we plan to raise them vegan. I cook wonderful vegan meals at home. I believe we can heal this horribly ill World.

[@ailst]

To be honest, I mostly shy away of any discussion about it. Couldn't really avoid it this weekend though, as they (semi-close omni-friends) kept bringing it up several times. One of them told me in advance that if I start being militant about it, he'll get angry. He also said that having to eat so much (I ate a big bowl of corn-flakes with almond-milk, when he said that) would annoy him and he rather finishes eating quicker. He actually knew some things that the others didn't. Like that cows have to be made pregnant and their babies are killed. He told them. But he also said that he doesn't care enough. I suppose he had spoken to other vegans before. Another one made a couple of these really stupid plants have feelings too remarks. But he eventually understood that I consider that stupid. A third one asked me if I would eat the rest of her noodles with chickens and just leave the chicken out. The last of the four just avoided any kind of discussion. I don't know how to feel about my own lack of will to go onto confrontation-course. One the one hand I want to keep it hamonic and don't want to start an argument. On the other hand I feel like I'm betraying the victims when I don't even try to stand up for them. :\

[@BiteSizeVegan]

confrontations are draining ailst and honestly in my day to day life i don't seek them out at all. i only have so much energy and i'd rather spend it interacting with people who *want* to learn. and those kind of conversations that you had are very frustrating and usually fruitless

[@myatodoroki1206]

I'm 13 and I want to go vegan I'm vegetarian right now and my family and friends don't want to hear about it. I started off not wanting to drink milk because of the dairy farms and at school my friends would always go up to me and be like got milk and they thought it was stupid. I still try not to eat milk products and eggs and I don't eat meat and I tried to tell my family about it but they say God said in the bible that you're supposed to eat meat so I was just like whatever and they're always asking me if I want steak or chicken wings or whatever. I'm just not trying with them anymore.

[@AleysiaBennett]

Sorry this is a late response but I can tell you that although Im not very religious I do know that you can remind them of the old testament and the garden of Eden and how it was a garden filled with fruits/vegetables/other plants and also that it wouldnt make sense to contribute (paying someone to kill animals and then buying it for consumption) to killing and eating a creature that God created. Plus one of the ten commandants is "thou shall not kill" which I think also relates to paying someone to kill an animal and then buy and eat that animal. Thats just my way of thinking of it and like I said before Im not very religious so I dont know where they got the "God says we should eat meat" thing.

[@Changeworld408]

Didn't Jesus show us compassion for the weakest and powerless creatures is the way to good, exploiting other species and humans was never jesus' message. They must have been reading the wrong bible. Hang on, I supprot you. you are the mre evolved and compassionat loving human being. I know it is tough especially when you see people around you not caring as you do. It is difficult to feel love for those harming others. trust yr feelings and be true to yrselves. You can do it, you are a warrior for peace , compassion and empathy.

[@jessslegr6703]

It depends who is willing to listen to. Just do my own thing and always happy to give an advice. x

[@kevinrooftek150]

Gary is an amazing person! He speaks wise words

[@kuckian]

I think people should respect each others believes and work from there. Me and my best friend have very different opinions on ethical veganism. That doesn't mean to say we don't share similar tastes in philosophy, similar opinions in politics and love for each other from the bottom of our hearts. If two friends can't talk about one single issue because they have different opinions, surely it makes more sense, if you genuinely love this person, and respect them, to build a bridge and get over it, even if it means a mutual understanding where neither party mentions food. There are people all over the world being murdered in the street, raping each other, being abused, and someone is going to declare was on a friend they 'respect' simply because they differ on one subject? I understand feelings can be strong. But if you genuinely have respect for a person, you will respect that they are smart enough to make the right decision for themselves, which may or may not being vegan - just because you have a strong opinion does not make it a fact. People will always have different perspectives, that's the beautiful thing about being human. This is the thing, people need to mind their own business when it comes to opinions - if someone has received adequate education, about a vegan diet for example, and does not want to become a vegan, you can either build a bridge, because you respect them as a person, or if you don't respect them, not speak to them. But to loose respect for someone because they occasionally eat an infertile egg, is your choice. As a vegan you have to accept there will always be people, some horrific, and some fantastic who will not share the same opinions as you. If you don't respect someone for being beautiful and fantastic as most humans are, then you don't deserve to have them as a friend in the first place. It's all about respect.

[@NeilDavidAdams]

I respect my family as people. But I do not respect their beliefs.

[@shubhanshusharma5099]

If you think humans are fantastic after knowing what they do to animals I'd really question your judgement.

[@NiaLaLa_V]

I respect people who eat animals just as much as I respect people who rape, commit racism or homophobia, bullies, etc. Which is to say that no, I don't respect the use of animals just because I love somebody. That's blindness.

[@lex.cordis]

*"smart enough to make the right decision for themselves, which may or may not being vegan "* My friend, the issue is that it isn't a decision that only affects themselves. Sorry, but when their decision involves the suffering of another, that is a serious issue not to be taken lightly.

[@grindgirl1211]

This is a great question!! I've often felt like I just suck at converting people, since my social interactions right now are limited mostly to my close family members and friends. And with the exception of replacing cow's milk with almond milk "for health", none of them are interested in changing. I was a vegetarian for about 2 months, and have been vegan for about 4. My partner of 10+ years and I at least have a similar understanding as Gary and his non-vegan friend he talked about. He's been extremely receptive of information on this topic by listening to what I have to say, and watching videos and movies that describe the concept of speciesism and the practices of the meat/dairy/egg industries. He's defended some of my arguments, even against friends of his. Also, every night when we have dinner, no matter who cooks, it's always vegan. So, I appreciate him for that. However, he still eats meat because he "wants to". Although I'm close with my parents, they both grew up on family farms, and have stubborn personalities, so it's very hard to get through to them. My mother's parents operated a dairy farm and she claims to have nice memories of caring for the cows and their calves. I've asked her before what happened to the calves and she indicated that she didn't know. She refuses to allow me to talk to her about the details of today's farming practices (and she's one of those people who wont touch veal but loves her cheese). I believe my father's family raised cows and pigs. Rather than being shielded from the ugly specifics regarding the use of animals for food, I think he was (possibly unintentionally) misinformed about it. He dismisses what I tell him as simply being "wrong", including the fact that cows do not need us to ever milk them. Yep, the man who was raised on a farm thinks they do. So, I have to constantly keep in mind where other people are coming from, and in my parent's case, why they think they are more educated on this subject than I am. Then there's my older sister, who was a vegetarian for 4 years, and then a vegan for 6 years. She now eats meat. She doesn't need me to preach to her - She knows what I know. All I can do is learn from her. I remember that when she began eating meat again, she experienced some initial guilt. And when I decided to stop eating meat, I noticed a strong feeling or relief, like a weight had been removed. So, I can conclude that our consciences know that eating meat is wrong, but we only notice this difference in how we feel when we make a change about it. Anyway, for me, I spend a lot of mental energy reminding myself why and how the people who are close to me rationalize what they do, and of my own ignorance before I went vegan. Hopefully, I'll be able to reach out to more people in the future.

[@CrypticAshes]

You rock and I love you and i'll always support you!

[@BiteSizeVegan]

grindgirl1211 thank you so much for sharing your experience and struggles. and yes those closest to us are the hardest to reach...

[@Cissapp2008]

Loved the video… thank you for sharing. After 50 years dealing with this, and have been raised up in a “double-diet” home, my Mom was vegan my father was not, but supported her; and also got married to a “carnivore” one, so cooking two types of cuisine every time (!) my take on this is: being very honest, almost brutal honesty, is the best way to relate and keep the good, healthy, relationships around me. People that can’t respect your choices and changes, believe me, are just toxic people indeed that you would not want around you! And that includes family! So when I was a kid I learned quickly how to just reply the bullying right back, was quite fun indeed. Lol… btw, most of the “bullies” from that time, now bitterly envy my non-wrinkle face, without spending the thousands $$$ that some of them have already spent with botox and plastic surgery (!!!), my “non-struggling-with-hormones-changes” body, and my energy! Lol… growing up then I’ve just learned that real friendship is way more than just being around to eat, and when the presence is more important than the differences we can find a way for everything else. But yes, there’s the annoying ones that you can’t just get rid of, lol, well I’ve learned that silence or simply ignore their BS is the best way to make sure, that at least in your house, or in your life, you are the one in charge! And that is the best feeling ever… lol…

[@GiraffeOmelette]

I told my parents about my decision to become vegan and I was attacked with ignorance and anger. I replied with facts and statistics and they just kept saying "but that's your opinion." It's so frustrating. My friends have been nothing but positive though. They understand my reasons and my boyfriend will likely take on a vegan diet in the future.