How do you all deal with critics?

especially at work...

1 - 4 of 4 posts

QueenoftheRats WA • Posts: 3

1 13 Jan 2017

Hi fellow animal lovers!

My name is Kim and I have just joined the forum. Something happened to me today at work that has highlighted an annoying aspect of being veg*vegan that I used to experience years ago. I honestly thought it wouldn't be too much of an issue as people are so much more aware (in general) and accepting of veggies than they used to be. Or so I thought. The issue is of course, ignorant people with an opinion on why you shouldn't be veggie or vegan. I said to this person at work (who is a basket case anyway and I would never take any advice from her) "Let's not discuss this as its a personal issue" 3 TIMES and she just kept spouting her utter ignorance about it as a dietary choice and about what they do to the animals.

It brought back for me all those memories of my 20's when I would loudly defend the tinies (what I call all animals) and abuse people who were ignorant. I grew up and got wise and decided that the negative energy wasn't worth it for the zero minds that I influenced along the way, but DAMN IT, I so wanted to tear strips off of her for her ignorance today. Then I realised that because I have chosen to take this path, there will be more of that kind of behaviour in the future. Obviously just saying its a personal choice is not enough for some people.

Do any of you have a fabulous line or piece of wisdom you use to quiet the critics? I'd love to know what other people do as a mic drop, smack down.

Thanks!

+ 1

robert99 Sweden • Posts: 1360

2 13 Jan 2017

Here are some forum tips -
http://www.unleashed.org.au/community/forum/topic.php?t=6373&page=1

Welcome to the forum! dance

QueenoftheRats WA • Posts: 3

3 23 Jan 2017

Thanks so much!

DaveQB NSW • Posts: 287

4 25 Jan 2017

Yeah that sucks.

I take it case by case but always thinking that the bottom line is we don't NEED to exploit animals, so why should we? There's too much evidence out there proving that living a cruelty free life is healthy for a human being in a 1st world country.

Ultimately, you have to agree to disagree with some people to move on with your day, so calmly saying "I disagree with you" can defuse a person's argument.

I see you are saying being vegan is a personal choice. It certainly is, but not being vegan effects more than just one's own person, but hundreds of other lives, so not a personal choice.

I think Colleen's podcast is exactly for you.

http://www.colleenpatrickgoudreau.com/food-for-thought-podcast/

She has an episode on this very topic about a year.

Edit: This isn't the episode I was thinking of, but I think you might like it anyway:
http://www.colleenpatrickgoudreau.com/10-strategies-for-effective-communication-part-one/