A HOW-TO GUIDE FOR HAVING THE VEGAN TALK

When someone asks you why you’re vegan, what do you tell them? Do you avoid getting into it because maybe you’ve had one too many conversations that have spiraled into a vortex of frustration?

Do you catch yourself rambling on because how could you possibly summarize all the reasons that you are vegan?

If any of this sounds like you then keep reading because we at TVTM Clothing would like to share with you what we’ve we learned over the years in having these conversations. After all, talking about veganism is literally the reason we formed Talk Vegan To Me Clothing.

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HERE ARE OUR TIPS FOR HAVING “THE VEGAN TALK”:

DON’T guilt the other person for not being vegan: Chances are, there was a point in your life when you too consumed animal products. And like it or not, how you represent yourself in this conversation will impact how your “engager” views veganism as a whole. So whatever you do, have compassion and don’t shame people for what they didn’t know before they knew it.
DO speak from your own perspective: People tend to close off when they feel personally attacked. Diffuse tension by phrasing your answer from a first-person perspective. This reinforces that the conversation you two are having is about you and your lifestyle, not theirs and theirs. Ie. say: When *I* learned about _____, transitioning to a vegan lifestyle was the logical next step *for me*.
Want to initiate a good conversation? Start vague: This allows you to get a good read on the interest level of the person you are talking to. Ie. say: I wanted to live in a way that was aligned with my values. If your engager is still on board, he/ she will invite you to elaborate on your values (at which point you can say: peace and non-violence, respect for the environment, etc.). If the concept of higher values is a touchy subject for them, they won’t ask and you don’t have to get into it! Yay!
Want to keep it brief? Feel free to be blunt and to the point: Ie: I love animals and do not view them as food. BOOM.
Know when you’re just wasting your energy: Save your time and energy for people with open minds. Say it with us, save your time and energy for people with open minds. The trolls who are just asking you about veganism to make fun of it deserve none of your attention. If you find yourself in this situation, keep your cool but end the conversation immediately. We have all learned this the hard way. Another way to conserve your energy is to not get started in the first place. If the time and place isn’t ideal (ie. a loud house party, an emotional time for you, etc.), tell your engager that you’d be happy to discuss it over coffee another time.

USE THESE NEXT FOUR TIPS FOR SOME INSPIRATION ON WHAT TO ACTUALLY SAY.

Share a little history on your journey: Ie. I came to the vegan lifestyle through my social activism background and then discovered how much better I felt not eating animal products.
Work in the three pillars of veganism: ethics, environment, health: Ie, I was interested in improving my health. Then as I learned more, I realized I also aligned with the ethical and environmental aspects.
Drop some stats: Ie. I heard a very shocking statistic that animal agriculture is responsible for more greenhouse gas emissions than the world transportation industry. Note that dropping facts and statistics is not highly recommended as the reliability of sources can be brought into question. So do your research and only reference credible sources.
Focus on values: Ie: veganism gave me a framework for living my values of peace and non-violence every day. After all, vegan conversions happen when a person realizes that their values align with vegan ideology. Also, no one can argue with your values because they are yours and yours alone.

On a final note, don’t lose sleep trying to formulate the “perfect” response. You’ll discover yours by simply having more of these conversations. So throw on your Talk Vegan To Me Tee and get out there! Because the world needs people like you to wear, engage, and inspire.

Hus + High Fives,

Andrea & Janel

Photographer: @crueltyfreewithme
Model: @spensersipe

The Talk Vegan To Me Difference

Talk Vegan To Me Clothing is about promoting a new wave of consciousness that supports the non-harming or exploitation of animals, plants, and any other beings. We came into existence in the hopes of reimagining fashion with compassion, using practices and materials that respect the planet and all of its inhabitants. This is our pledge along with some of our newest practices for being socially sustainable.

Fun Fashion

Talk Vegan To Me Clothing designs give a fantastic opportunity to engage with people and spark conversations about important topics through our cheeky designs. We reimagine classic, timeless styles incorporating unexpected details and a little bit of quirk into our clothing that will catch the eye of anyone who sees you walk by.

Ethically Sourced

All of our clothes & those who made them are treated with all of the respect they deserve. We use only the highest quality vegan materials that are manufactured in Canadian local WRAP certified factories. So not only will you look great in your new threads, but you can also feel great knowing they were made in healthy working conditions.

Locally Made

It is important to the Talk Vegan To Me Clothing brand that we work with local manufacturers that share our values of promoting a kind and just world. All of our garments are made with uncompromising quality materials in a WRAP-certified production facility in Ontario, and all of our embroidery is locally made in Calgary, AB.

What Our Talk Vegan To Me Community Is Saying

Talk Vegan To Me community members share our vision to spread awareness about veganism and encourage the use of ethically, locally, and sustainably produced apparel that does not cause harm to our planet or any inhabitants. We all must work together to contribute to the wellness of the world we all share. Thank you for taking a moment to read through what our amazing community members are saying about TVTM and how they are spreading awareness of veganism by representing our brand.

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