[864] in Vegetarian_Support_Group
Re: Meatout
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (Formia)
Fri Mar 22 14:13:25 1996
Date: Fri, 22 Mar 1996 13:07:08 -0600
To: Melanie_K._Bartlett@onf.com, elsiedee@MIT.EDU
From: formia@marlin.gulf.net (Formia)
Cc: The_Gypsy@onf.com, CrimsonPeople_Eater@onf.com, veg-boston@Empire.Net,
vsg-local@MIT.EDU, vsg@MIT.EDU, Veg-teen@Empire.Net
At 03:23 3/22/96 GMT, Melanie_K._Bartlett@onf.com wrote:
>one more thing about the meatout- it made me feel so warm and fuzzy inside
>when I kept hearing about the aftermath of the meatout events at my
>school...four kids I know decided to try vegetarainism (for a long term
>basis, I mean) and one decided to try veganism (was a vegetarian before...).
>YEAH!!! Just one person would have made it worth it to me. I never expected
>to get such a positive response.
How wonderful that you got such a positive response Melanie!!! :)
Good for you, and everyone else that made a difference during the Meatout
(and on other days, too!).
>and now a question- what have you guys found is the most effective way to
>teach people and spread the word? talking one on one? approaching people
>when they are doing stuff wrong? showing anger? talking AR, health or
>environment? I really think there is a science behind trying to change
>peoples' ways...but I haven't perfected this. what are your tips??
For me, I've found that people, upon seeing what I eat (or rather, don't
eat), ask questions. That gives me the perfect opportunity to talk to them
about vegetarianism!
Try not to sound too emotional or too angry though, and I know sometimes
it's hard!
But depending on the person/people you're talking to, being all emotional
and angry makes them want to tune you out. I usually approach the health
perspective first, then environmental, and then AR. But again, it depends
on the person you're talking to.
You don't want to come on too strong, you know? I kinda compare it to
extreme Christian fanatics who want to preach the Gospel to you. I mean,
I'm Christian, but I've found that telling people about the Gospel works
better when it's done more subtly. Fanatical Christians make ME
uncomfortable, and I'm a Christian! So I can only imagine how
non-Christians must feel around these people. Same is probably true with
vegetarians/vegans. When talking to people who are not veg and probably
have never thought of turning veg, you definitely don't want to freak them
out by coming on too strong (even though it is something we might very
strongly believe in). Talk about it calmly, try not to be too pushy. The
person/people don't have to make a decision right then and there. Who
knows? You might have given them something to think about, and a few months
later they actually turn veg, because of something YOU said to them!
