I was trying to have a decent, rational conversation with my best friend about meat, and everything I said, she took personally.
She even said that she knows what goes on and the reason she's not vego is because she's selfish and doesn't have the willpower.
Which is pretty much the excuse of anybody I talk to.
It's seriously upsetting, they're consciously choosing not to acknowledge it.
Sorry I just felt the need to talk about it...
She even said that she knows what goes on and the reason she's not vego is because she's selfish and doesn't have the willpower.
wtf, i truly believe that this is one of the poorest excuses.
its obviously incorrect and shes drawing the focus away from animal rights in into a sympathise-for-me state
sorry if im speaking harshly about your friend, but i've heard with this excuse a few times before and have well translated it.
It could be worse... At least she knows what goes on and isn't trying to invent some other excuse that we've all heard before (top of the food chain, need the protein, god meant us to, animals will overpopulate and take over the world if we don't, etc.)
If she knows this, then you have a starting point in which you can help to change her mind.
Many people don't like being 'preached' to, and unfortunately a lot of people see animal rights activists and being akin to the crazy Christian-preacher who follows you around the city reading passages from Revelations.
Personally (and, please don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that you were doing this with your friend) I don't think that "bully" tactics work, but we're still in a mindset that the only way we can get our message across is to make it as loud and graphic as possible and that just doesn't work. Certainly there is a place for professional activism and demonstration; but I think there is just as great a need for good role models - when people see how easy it can be to be veg*n, how healthy it is, and it's not just "dirty hippies" but professionals and teachers and lawyers etc. etc. who are adopting compassionate lifestyles then they begin to think about those lifestyles in different ways.
I have to disagree with the "keep pushing" sentiment as well... next time the topic gets raised - don't focus on animal rights, focus on the environmental impact - give her another avenue to think about. Sometimes it takes a full picture for someone to decide to make what they may consider as a massive change in their lives.
One of my friends always says, "I respect your choice to be vegetarian, you should respect my choice to eat meat." what does that mean????????????????? I really don't get some peoples way of thinking.
One of my friends always says, "I respect your choice to be vegetarian, you should respect my choice to eat meat." what does that mean????????????????? I really don't get some peoples way of thinking.
I always see that response as applying more to religion... like, I respect that you're Christian so you should respect that i'm Jewish kind of thing. But it's so much more than just respecting what somebody eats, it's respecting the other animals that inhabit the earth.
what does that mean????????????????? I really don't get some peoples way of thinking. 
