I Refuse to Become Vegan!

1571: 

Edited by CJ Tointon

Meat seems to have become symbolic of 'rich' living (despite the fact that most people in the West can afford to buy it) and along with other rich and exotic animal by-products, it is regarded as 'quality' food. Animal products are attractive (apparently) to taste and expensive enough to be associated with good living. Vegans (who eat none of it) set out to show how unhealthy these foods really are and to make people feel guilty for wanting them. Consequently, most people dislike vegans and the type of food they recommend and prefer to stick to what they know.

What stops a person becoming vegan? I suppose they would miss those foods they associate with 'pleasure' and which give a person social acceptance. Even though they may realise that what they're eating is not good for them, it's still what they want. They figure they would be hard done by, missing out on 'roast' dinners (and a whole lot more). The very thought of a life without the huge range of animal-based foods and items of clothing is unthinkable. In contrast to the omnivore's acceptance of everything, a vegan's non-acceptance appears stoic, to say the least. We seem to have taken the plunge into very chilly waters. We've taken the big step towards non-violent foods and some have taken it further by aspiring to non-violence as a modus operandi. We know that this package is much bigger than just diet. We want to interest others in both food and ethics. But that's far too much for most people to contemplate, let alone take on. Non-vegans are usually contracted to their daily food habits, which have to be supported by holding speciesist attitudes towards animals.

As part of the 'vast majority', most people just do what others do. I'd like to list some of the main reasons why people do NOT "Go Vegan":     
Initially, the idea of taking on a vegan lifestyle would seem outrageously restrictive. Since people can get very toey about losing their freedom of choice (especially when it come to food) little things start to take on big proportions.

v    With animal-derived snacks being available on every street corner and in every retail outlet, one gets used to the immediate burst of pleasure afforded by the simple confectionary item or stomach filler. These are the first-aid station in our daily war zones.

v    There's a fear of losing the sophistication association with 'cuisine'. One might like to eat out, to experience the exotic dishes on offer by eating French, Chinese or Indian foods. The thought of eating only their plant-based dishes (IF there's any on the menu that is) would seem very limiting. Omnivores consider it a shame not to be able to experience ALL the great dishes of the world.

v    For the fashion conscious, there's not much choice of footwear outside the leather range of shoes. And for those who want sturdy, water-proof footwear, they think nothing is as reliable as leather.

v    For entertainment, animals are a source of endless fascination. Children love to see animals. The zoo is a perfect day out for the kids and interesting for adults too and a good day out precludes admitting anything is wrong with keeping lions in cages or 'exhibiting' animals just for show!

v    For teenagers (always in need of money) there's often work available at McDonalds. They wouldn't appreciate Mum or Dad suggesting that hamburgers were not only unhealthy, but unethical as well.

v    Young people who identify with Master Chef and who are attracted to a career in the kitchens of restaurants, would have to be enthusiastic carnivores at the very least. They'll inevitably need to prepare animal-based dishes, since virtually every popular dish makes liberal use of animal body parts or secretions.  

For those who are already vegan, we have several limitations to deal with.

v    The chef career path is out of the question, along with any career preparing or selling food.

v    Vegans are at a disadvantage socially. It's no pleasure being invited to eat at someone's place, or being invited to any celebration where food is served. The smell of cooked animal flesh is hard to bear and our inability to eat any of it presents a problem for the food providers, when they feel obliged to cater specially for us.

v    We stand out like a sore thumb at Christmas when we're given a woollen jumper and refuse to wear it!

v    We might even object to sitting on a leather lounge

How far do we take it, before we start to sound obsessional? How do we deal with our lover's kiss when it tastes of meat? How do we cope in a kitchen shared with meat eaters, or a fridge full of bits of flesh or smelly cheeses or waste bins containing stinky fish left-overs with flies buzzing around it? The list goes on. There are so many habits of a non-vegan's daily life which disgust vegans and makes living with non-vegans difficult.  And the odds are against us if we want to establish a long-term future with a non-vegan. If you are single and out there looking for a partner, how many suitable vegans are there to choose from; bearing in mind that it's almost impossible to live with a carnivore?  With colleagues at work, the vegan is often the butt of jokes.  At school, vegan students are lucky if they can find anything to eat from the lunch canteen. And amongst the great causes we might join, like an environmental group or the peace movement, we'll probably encounter some disturbing contradictions. The Great Cause can be dedicated to non-violence and sustainable living, but we might find ourselves attending a fund-raising sausage sizzle! The Greens might think they have enough to handle with deforestation, pollution and global warming, without getting upset about animal farming as well.


There are many reasons for not becoming vegan. But we'll always find problems when we do something different. There will always be too many flies putting us off going to the countryside, or too much fear of sharks in the water putting us off swimming in the ocean. If we avoid life's hardest choices for the sake of an easier life, then what is life other than a feather bed? By choosing to become vegan we make a bold statement of principle over practicality. We make a strong commitment to the future. The idea of a world in which the greatest and most inspiring principles characterise the human thinking must be our goal. That is perhaps the most exciting prospect of all. If we can overcome the difficulties (some of which are mentioned above) then we are part of a package that offers opportunity to those who have little meaning in their lives - other than the second-rate pleasures associated with eating or using animals.