Why are you a vegan anyway?

Question

If someone asked you this question, how would you answer without preaching to them.

Answer 1

Because all over the world animals are being treated cruelly, and I don't want to contribute to any of it.

Answer 2

Id simply answer

Why not be vegan, it makes you feel great, you still get great tasting food, you don't crave foods and you don't have the worry of high cholesterol and heart disease. Easy.

Answer 3

“I decided that I didn’t want to support cruelty to animals. I did a lot of research into how animals are treated on factory farms and slaughterhouses, and decided that I don’t want to pay for it."

Answer 4

I don't like meat due to its texture and taste, I am disgusted by eggs and I am lactose intolerant.

On top of that I have my personal reasons for not wanting to eat anything that comes from an animal or is/was an animal.

Answer 5

The same reason you're not. Because you want to and believe it's the right thing to do.

Answer 6

Because I choose to minimise, as far as is possible, my personal contribution to animal exploitation and suffering.

They asked, and if they think that's preaching that's their problem. I won't expand on it unless invited to.

Answer 7

Why not? :) lol that always gets em.

But other than that I would say because they have to kill animals just so we can get meat and dairy products - and I don't think thats fair.

Answer 8

I tell them that I'm vegan so i won't get cancer again. after people find out that is for health reasons they get off my back.

Answer 9

I usually answer with the standard: ethical reasons primarily, health reasons secondarily (this allows omnis/vegetarians to question ethics or health if they are interested, or to just drop it). This is especially useful in situations where an in depth discussion on animal rights is not really appropriate (i.e. around the dining table).

If I think someone is genuinely interested (or being an ***) I will tell them that I don't believe animals should die for my pleasure, and... as humans don't NEED to eat meat, eggs, or dairy...  consuming them is simply a matter of taste and preference.

I don't include the word suffer (even though I am most definitely against this too) as this makes it blatantly obvious that the egg and dairy industries KILL animals (especially useful when talking to lacto-ovo-vegetarians).

When I am initially talking to people about my veganism, I try to focus on animals dying and suffering needlessly. I leave my views on speciesism, abolition, animals as property (i.e. the more technical, and philosophical arguments) until later as, due to the entrenchment of animal use in our society, these tend to be a little to abstract for most people to understand at first.

Answer 10

So nothing has to suffer in order for me to eat.

Answer 11

Iam not a vegan,  but i do respect their eating habits.

Answer 12

I say why not you feel great, your healthier, i also did it for Animals rights cause i dont believe animal should die for people satistfactory. I am also against ther animal cruelity and ya i have noticed people who arent do ask you that alot at least to me.

Answer 13

Omnis generally don't settle for the simple answer "I did some research, so it's a decision I made," so I just tell them straight out that I do not believe in withdrawing an animal's right to live so that their dismembered body parts can satisfy my tastebuds. The idea of having them die excruciatingly bloody deaths at the prime of their lives, so that their bacteria-laden flesh can rot in my colon, does not appease me. I also do not believe that animals are on this planet to produce food for me or for my family. They are animals, just as we, and they have every right to be free.

Answer 14

I am not vegan but if i was i would just tell them to mind there business

Answer 15

(I like Orange's answer the best.)

I usually just say it's for ethical, environmental and health reasons.  If they ask me to elaborate, I will (but not over a meal.)  At that point, if I get more detailed and they think I'm being preachy, well they not only asked once, they asked twice.