Veganism - Drawing the line, or not

18/08/2015 00:35

I'm sure there isn't a single vegan out there who hasn't wondered ...

Where do we draw the line?

Should we stop shopping at (eg) Nieman Marcus - because they sell fur?

Should we stop going to (eg) Burger King - because of their treatment of animals?

Should we stop eating at some other restaurant - because they serve veal or foie gras?

Don't go into the bank, or doctors office, or in a car, because the seats are leather.

And on, and on....

Unless you live in Veganville on planet Vegan (Oh, if only there was such a place) where all things are vegan by default, you can not avoid these things.

I see many petitions and pledges not to patron fast food outlets, restaurants, supermarkets, or clothing stores for reasons which are, more often than not, applicable to every other restaurant, supermarket and department store.

If you follow a vegan lifestyle you are not any less vegan for shopping at a grocery store that sells meat, try and find one that doesn't. Most of us don't live anywhere close to a vegan only grocery store, I certainly don't.

As I see it the line is drawn only within one's own conscience. After all, would you not be making a point, or promoting the desire for vegan options, if you march into McDonald's and request a meal that contains no animal products or by-products?

Would you not be making a point requesting a non-leather version of a pair of shoes or coat at some department store? It may not mean anything to the store attendant, but it might... and you just might have set a stranger thinking...

People do not hear our vegan voices unless we speak up.

Note the Vegan Proclamation does state - as far as is possible and practicable - this is not a cop out, this is logical, many vegans will live in a household of non-vegans, work at a job that involves dealing with meat products or dealing with non vegan items, etc. This does not make them any less vegan, this is current day reality.

I personally frequent a local café that used to offer a few vegetarian options... on my first visit I asked for the vegetarian meal without eggs or butter and then explained I was vegan. They were happy to oblige and after a few visits I noted that their newly issued menu actually stated - "vegan option available." A very small change, a drop in a vast ocean, but every one has to start somewhere.

Just my Opinion...