How vegans can win an argument against meat-eaters this Christmas

There’s no denying that the word ‘vegan’ can be exceptionally emotive – and for good reason. The food choices we make have consequences for many of the most pressing and urgent issues facing our species: environmental collapse, antibiotic resistance, pandemic-causing infectious diseases, and, of course, the biggest driver of animal exploitation and suffering caused by human But, as well as being hugely impactful, eating food is not just about acquiring calories and nutrients. Our food choices are also symbolic and are tied to many other aspects of our lives. Food is also about pleasure, culture and traditions. It’s about socialising, creating memories, and forming friendships and relationships. It can symbolise prosperity, affluence and comfort. Fundamentally, our food choices are inextricably linked our identities and defined by our upbringings, cultures, aspirations and more Is it any wonder that conversations about food and veganism can become challenging, emotional and heated? All of this can especially come to a head around Christmas, when families gather and food is at the centre of the festivities. However, while conversations around veganism can be tense and heated exchanges, they also don’t have to be this way either. Here are my tips and techniques for creating healthier, more constructive, and more impactful conversations around veganism.

What to answer if they say: veganism is unhealthy

As vegans, we are used to hearing a wide range of arguments against our lifestyle. Therefore, it’s important that we are well-informed and know how to respond to the different arguments we encounter. For example If we’re told that veganism is unhealthy, we can explain that both the NHS and the British Dietetic Association agree that a plant-based diet can support healthy living. If we’re told that it’s better to eat British meat, we can reference a study that analysed the real diets of 55,000 people in the UK. The study showed that, compared to diets including more than 100g of meat per day, plant-based diets resulted in 75% less water pollution, greenhouse gas emissions and land use, while also reducing biodiversity loss by two-thirds.1 Alternatively, if someone argues that slaughterhouses are humane, we can point out that synonyms for the word ‘humane’ include ‘compassionate’ and ‘benevolent’. We can then ask whether it’s compassionate to force animals into gas chambers or if it’s benevolent to needless exploit and kill someone. However, it’s not just about what we say – it’s also about how we say it.

Ask questions: are you against animal cruelty

– Discuss the importance of effective communication in our daily lives

– Mention the common problem of shouting or not being heard in conversations

1. Recognize the power of active listening

– Explain the concept of active listening and how it can improve conversations

– Provide tips for practicing active listening, such as making eye contact and paraphrasing the speaker’s words

2. Stay calm and composed

– Discuss the impact of emotions on communication and the importance of staying calm

– Offer strategies for managing emotions during conversations, such as taking deep breaths or counting to ten before responding

3. Ask open-ended questions

– Highlight the benefit of asking open-ended questions to encourage meaningful dialogue

– Provide examples of open-ended questions that can help keep the conversation flowing

4. Practice empathy and understanding

– Explain the role of empathy in communication and how it can help prevent misunderstandings

– Suggest ways to show empathy, such as validating the other person’s feelings and perspective

– Summarize the key points of the article: active listening, staying calm, asking open-ended questions, and practicing empathy

– Encourage readers to implement these strategies in their conversations to improve communication and avoid shouting

Generally speaking, people don’t like to be told how they should feel or to be lectured at by someone else. This is why asking questions is one of the most powerful and effective ways of persuading people – a questions allow people to better understand their own position, and they allows us to draw out inconsistencies or contradictions in their beliefs. For example: Me: Are you against animal cruelty? Non-vegan: Yes, I definitely a Me: That’s great to hear. Would you consider kicking an animal to be an act of cruelty? Non-vegan: Absolutely. Me: But, if kicking an animal constitutes cruelty, how can mutilating them, forcing them into gas chambers or cutting their throats not also be considered cruel? After all, these acts are far more severe than a kick.

The simple trick to having better conversations (and avoiding shouting)

Listening is one of the simplest yet most impactful ways that we can create better conversations. Listening not only shows respect and consideration but also helps us ask more effective questions. One highly effective way of showing that you’re listening is to repeat what the person has said back to them. We can also draw from our own personal experiences, which can establish a sense of relatability. For example: Non-vegan: I eat animal products because they’re delicious. Me: I understand that, when I used to eat animal products, I also thought they were tasty. But do you think sensory pleasure morally justifies causing harm to someone else?

Don’t say ‘you’re wrong’

Validating someone is not necessarily the same as agreeing with them, nor does it mean condoning their actions. Validation is instead about understanding why someone might hold certain beliefs and demonstrating that you respect the person and are engaging with their views sincerely. For example: Non-vegan: I eat meat because it’s cultural. Me: You’re absolutely right, it is cultural. However, is something moral simply because it’s cultural? Validation is also an effective way of handling a situation where someone says something that is incorrect but you want to avoid making them feel defensive. So, instead of saying, ‘You’re wrong,’ you could say, ‘I can understand why you believe that. However, have you considered…’ Mind Your Language Being conscious and mindful of our language is essential if we want to be persuasive. The words we use can inspire and connect with people, but they can also push people away.

Everyone thinks vegans are judgmental (so don’t be)

Vegans are often labelled as being judgmental, but being careful with our language can help us avoid that stereotype. For example, instead of using words like ‘you’ and ‘your,’ we can use words like ‘we’ and ‘our.’ This can create a sense of rapport and highlights how these are collective behaviours and actions – which can reduce the risk of someone feeling like they are being personally judged or attacked.

Use Ed Winters’ simple tips and techniques to keep a harmonious environment this Christmas

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Never point your finger, shake your head or clench your fists

Effective body language can be just as important as the words we are using. We might be saying all th right things, but if we’re clenching our fists, shaking our heads, furrowing our brows and pointing our fingers, we could still be pushing people away. So try to avoid fidgeting, tapping, sighing and looking distracted. Instead, make sure to give a good amoun of eye contact, have relaxed shoulders and open palms. Nodding and smiling when it’s appropriate are also simple yet effective ways of building rapport.