Do you have to tell to the whole world that you're a vegan?

Question

I have this friend of mine who became a vegan for a year now. He became a vegan for the thought of becoming a "straight-edge" rocker lifestyle. But me and my other friends are really bugged in his becoming a vegan. He began boasting about his lifestyle to other people. He feels like he's cool but the way his doing it he's not...

he even made all of his email accounts something like "vegan man rocker dude"... I don't get his point... I think he really sucks big time.

Answer 1

eh.  he's just excited about his new lifestyle and wants to share it with other people.  it's not just a diet, it's a whole lifestyle... same as people who profess their religion... plus he probably has to explain it a lot so why not just put it upfront... why is it annoying you?  unless he's pressing you to be veg every meal you eat, let him enjoy his new found lifestyle and call himself what he wants...  

Answer 2

It's tantamount to having a screen name that says "DrummerJim" or "ChristianLisa" or something. When a hobby or other interest is a huge part of your lifestyle and identity, sometimes yeah, you do talk about it a lot. Bragging and stuff is kind of obnoxious, and you could tell him to knock it off around you.

"Telling the world" that you're vegan/vegetarian is pretty important when it comes to socializing. If people don't know, you could wind up starving. It's like any other dietary restriction. Someone who is Jewish will probably mention that when it's time to order the pizza so they can stay Kosher. Same with someone with an allergy.

But why are you upset? He's just a vegan.  

Answer 3

I'm not sure why vegans do this. It's sort of like when it was all of a sudden cool to be g*y, so all these people were flashing their gayness around for everyone. They don't really do that anymore, but I think vegan is the new g*y.

Not that there's anything wrong with that.

What there is something wrong with is people being a jerk about it. Slip some obscure, animal-based product into his food some day. Like some honey or something. Tell him later; see what he does.  

Answer 4

He's so uncomfortable with his self-image that he's going out of his way to define himself as something that he thinks is "cool". I guarantee that he'd do the exact same thing if he made some other life change that he thought was cool.

Answer 5

I don't see the problem. Find something more important to worry about... maybe he's just excited about his new lifestyle.

Answer 6

He's happy of choice, but if he's being annoyng, tell him.

Simple. "I'm happy you're a vegan and you're doing something you want to do, but you need to stop being annoying."  

Answer 7

It seems that way since they have to explain themselves every time  they go out to eat in public.  

Answer 8

Well, hey, he's trying to make being vegan cool... so what?

You've got a whole bunch of different people going around trying to make things look cool too... like the smokers... they think they are so f*ck'n cool, and the jocks think that muscles make them cool, and the punk rockers, the goths, the whatever....

If you think he sucks big time, then you are not his friend.  I friend would never say that.  I you are his friend, just say, "Dude, this vegan-is-cool-and-rock'n stuff is really lame and annoying."

Answer 9

thinking "he sucks bigtime" isnt being much of a "friend" as you call him in your first sentence... it seems as if he lost in his new lifestyle and is mistaking it for his new 'identity'. But it's just that, a lifestyle, he is still your same old friend but perhaps needs acceptance or attention from others to feel validated. If you can see past this, perhaps he'll stop throwing it in your face.... as a vegan myself, the excitement of a new way of living is short-lived and he'll voluntarily stop talking about it all of the time...hang in there and take joy in your friends happiness....

Answer 10

It is his choice to be a vegan, but he does not need to tell the whole world.  He should still let his family and friends know, so they do not give him animal products.  But he does not have the right to get other people to be vegans.  

Answer 11

""vegan man rocker dude"" 4 simple words, each defining. Yet, you don't have a problem with 3 of the words, only one.

"do you have to tell to the whole world that you're a vegan?" Yes if you want to and it's important to you. He's also telling the whole world he's a man, a rocker, and a dude. Because only the vegan part upsets you, the problem is likely rooted within yourself. Some introspection is required.

K8 so you said vegan about 15,000 times then?

Yeah it's kind of annoying. Like telling everyone you're a Joe Jonas Lover right?

Answer 12

Hes trying to get attention....Just ignore him, hes lame.

Answer 13

you dont need to tell the whole world. in a way its kinda rude and its annoying.

Answer 14

Maybe he's not 'boasting'.  Maybe he's just excited to share information, and he seems he loves having a vegan label on himself.  I don't think it's unusual to have the word 'vegan' or 'veggie' as part of your email address if you don't eat meat.  Over half my contact list does that and they're all different types of people.  He sounds like he has that 'new vegan' edge.  He's bound to mellow out like the rest of us eventually and be a cool vegan.

Answer 15

My husband wont even let me say the word "vegan" in public. If I do he slaps me across the face and only lets me eat lentils for a week.

Answer 16

Adopting any lifestyle change,including that of Vegan ism,can be a simple fad type embracing due to underlying emotional needs that are not being met: to be noticed,accepted and respected...

I personally have attempted for the past 5 years,to implement the Alkalarian approach to health and well being,but have not adopted it for the purpose of bragging rights,but rather for my health...

Note: Alkalarians,are vegans in the deep end of the pool...Very difficult,to do consistently,but worth the benefits...

Answer 17

Well, your friend's attitude doesn't sound too cool. But I think becoming a vegan for any reason is fine. It helps animals, and I'm OK with folks helping out our animal friends!

Generally, vegan and straight-edge are cool, and promoting vegan is cool! ...But, yea, the way he's going about his business doesn't seem too cool.