What's the NICEST thing someone's said to you? [Archive]

herbi

03-10-2003, 01:07 PM

Hey-- if these forums are public for veg*ns & omnis alike, and we really wanna Reprazent, how about we balance out all the "I hate it when they say..."s with somethin' a little more positive? Omnis with veg friends, take note! You've already read what annoys us, now check THIS out...

I'll start. Last year when I first told my family I was going vegan, they all freaked out a bit (as expected), especially my brother. He gave me a lot of crap about how crazy and extreme it was and how I could never live without cheese, blah blah blah. Well, one day he was badgering me about "Why? Why are you doing this?" and I said, "I don't want to discuss it because I don't believe you are truly asking me to find out why. I think you just want to argue and mock me, not listen to my reasons." He said that wasn't true, and promised to listen. Well, I talked to him for a while and without getting too graphic, made the comparison between his own beloved pets and farm animals, and tried to make him see that I just couldn't justify working really hard every day at the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and then spending that money to support industries that caused so much cruelty. He got really quiet, and then he said, "I never really realized you had thought so much about this, that you felt so strongly. It means a lot to you, huh? And I guess it's really not nice or funny when me & Dad make fun of you and shove meat in your face and stuff... I'm sorry, and I promise I will never do that again." WOW!!! that was way beyond anything I'd hoped for!!! He still has no plans to go veg himself, but after years of stupid jokes it was really really nice for him to finally acknowledge and respect my beliefs.

OK, next inspiring story...?

iamtheqbu

03-10-2003, 02:46 PM

I had been getting a lot of grief from people wanting to debate veganism with me one day when my roommate, fan of the Atkin's Diet tole me, and I quote, "Don't let them bother you Em, I think it's great that you know who you are, being vegan really makes sense for you, I couldn't see you any other way." Yay!

Another time, I was being a bit of a pain in the ass, I admit, and telling one of my friends about the dangers of eating meat, and how it has all of these diseases in it and their response was, "Wow, I guess I can't really be mean to you cause you're just trying to save my life by telling me that stuff. Kinda like a vegan Jesus, or something..." Not the response I was expecting, cause they were being 100% sincere, not sarcastic at all.

Those be my stories! :D

purplemackerel

03-10-2003, 03:11 PM

My work colleagues know if I'm in work that day (I'm part-time) if the lunch room smell greets them at the start of the staff area - the smell of my vegan lunches being heated up in the microwave :). Often my boss has said she could easily mug me for my lunch. On more than one occasion she said that anyone who stayed at my house for a week would be a vegan by the end of the stay, and would never eat meat again.

jenbizagogo

03-10-2003, 09:02 PM

I have seriously been blessed with the coolest friends in the world. Every single one of thems is totally supportive and encouraging of my vegan lifestyle, even though they themselves are meat eaters.

My friend Angie actually "brags" to people, "I have this friend Jen who's an animal activist and is vegan, blah blah blah." They usually say to her too, "why are YOU friends with someone like that?" She proudly says, she so cool (:blush: awww), she has such strong beliefs and values...and is never condescending towards me because I eat meat." When she relayed those stories back to me, it made me all warm and fuzzy. :silly:

Most of my other friends are the same...they think it's really cool and they are very accommodating to me...always making sure to have vegan food at dinner parties, and picking restaurants with plenty o' vegan options. I often hear, too: "I wish I had such strong convictions like that, it's something to be proud of, " "You're a great role model."

Only once did a friend hurt my feelings...after going vegan he said I was "brainwashed," but looking back i think he may have been kidding cuz everytime I see him now, he always shows up with an ar book he picked up for me at the store

I love my buddies :smitten:

shedonteatmeat

03-10-2003, 09:02 PM

...a few people have said "I wish I could do that!" and even though there is no reason they can't be vegan :rolleyes: , It still makes me happy to hear it ackowledged ,by a meat-eater, as a *good* thing to be vegan :D

Also my aunt said she was glad I stopped eating meat, because she remembers me asking her why we ate certain animals, when I was a child.

San

03-11-2003, 09:11 AM

My aunt always tells me she wishes she could go vegan, like she's not strong enough, but I know she is because she was a vegetarian for ten years. She went vegetarian because her best friend did, and quit because the same friend quit, so I'm hoping I'll inspire her to go veg again.

I guess a lot of people I just meet at school say stuff like, "Wow I could never be that strong," or "I wish I could do that!" They're complementy my will-power, I guess, as if I took a vow of celebacy! I'm not any stronger than anyone else, but still it's a nice complement.

shade

03-11-2003, 11:26 AM

I've had a few people tell me that I'm really inspiring and that they are in absolute awe of my will-power to stay vegan. I don't have a single friend now who has known me prior to my vegan days so they are all quite used to it. One of my friends who is a meat-eater still offers me the odd meat thing, more or less as a joke. When I turn it down she smiles and tells me how strong I must be to maintain such a lifestyle. Another friend told me yesterday actually that she looks up to me and has decided to go vegan herself because I am a role model to her. That made me feel all warm and tingly inside. I also constantly have friends who are checking ingredients for me then if they are vegan they offer me some. They have even learned about all the annoying ltitle tid bits that most people would have no idea that animal products were in there. They help me out more than they tease me for it.
I don't see veganism as being a difficult thing to do. It is just part of who I am now. It still makes me will good inside though when people comment on my will-power to do it. I also get a lot of complements on how I do not pester meat eaters or ridicule the food that they eat when they choose to eat animal products in front of me. The only time I really get into it (which is still A LOT is when someone actually asks me why I don't eat this or where this product came from). I do feel a little bad thoug because I have a couple friends that feel guilty eating meat in front of me. It's a personal decision and I'm not going to pester others for not making the same choice as me. On the up side, they consume less meat then since they are around me a fair amount.

I also love it when I get a meat eater to try something that I make that is totally vegan and they end up absolutely loving it, usually commenting that it's really good, even for vegan food.

Beanqueen

03-12-2003, 09:28 AM

I made my family a vegan meal once and my dad asked for seconds. To say he is a steak man is an understatement! I was so pleased I almost cried!

Emiloid

08-11-2005, 01:39 PM

*bump* :cool:

attackferret

08-11-2005, 02:02 PM

My friend Sarah has vehemently defended my veganism to pretty much all of her extended family :smitten:

feenix101

08-11-2005, 02:14 PM

Usually when I visit my family, I cook for myself and no one else even bothers to try the food - they just give in funny looks and shrug. However, my mom's boyfriend of the last 12 years, who I've never particularly gotten along with, has started making a point of trying the food I make. He has also gone out of his way to talk to my mom about how good it is and even get her to try some. I even got a sincere "Yay, vegan food!" from him on my last visit :)

bird

08-11-2005, 02:20 PM

lex_talionis

08-11-2005, 02:23 PM

I went to visit my dad, and didn't eat all the vegan burgers he bought for me.
Later, talking to him on the phone, he said he ate the ones I left and they were good.

gladcow

08-11-2005, 02:31 PM

Early in my veganism I would get asked a lot "What do you eat?" and before I could answer my friend Dany would say "She eats the BEST food!"

awwww!

bluedawg

08-11-2005, 03:52 PM

when i first went vegan, before i told barely anyone, i went out to eat with my advisee (who i really consider a good friend, almost like a little sister). i ordered a chai with soy milk and ended up explaining that i was making the transition to veganism. she looked me right in the eyes and said, "that is so admirable. i respect that so much." it was nice to the point of completely embarrassing.

she has since made huge strides toward veg*nism (she is pretty much totally vegetarian now, and often chooses vegan things), which has also been exciting for me. i feel like a veggie mentor. :)

grog

08-11-2005, 03:56 PM

no one says nice things to me :blank:

Artichoke47

08-11-2005, 04:03 PM

You are very invisible, Grog. Literally. :confused:

bird

08-11-2005, 04:04 PM

no one says nice things to me :blank:Oh, how quickly we forget (http://www.veganrepresent.com/forums/showthread.php?t=6429).

grog

08-11-2005, 04:14 PM

Oh, how quickly we forget (http://www.veganrepresent.com/forums/showthread.php?t=6429).

haha, I did forget. Maybe the problem isn't eveyone else, maybe its me!
:thinking:

bird

08-11-2005, 04:24 PM

haha, I did forget. Maybe the problem isn't eveyone else, maybe its me!
:thinking:Well then, here's a reminder:

http://www.veganrepresent.com/forums/showpost.php?p=61092&postcount=36

http://www.veganrepresent.com/forums/showpost.php?p=61627&postcount=2

http://www.veganrepresent.com/forums/showpost.php?p=73023&postcount=32

http://www.veganrepresent.com/forums/showpost.php?p=74229&postcount=380

http://www.veganrepresent.com/forums/showpost.php?p=74959&postcount=8

http://www.veganrepresent.com/forums/showthread.php?p=75855&highlight=grog#post75855

http://www.veganrepresent.com/forums/showpost.php?p=77350&postcount=4

http://www.veganrepresent.com/forums/showpost.php?p=77829&postcount=690

http://www.veganrepresent.com/forums/showpost.php?p=77941&postcount=705

http://www.veganrepresent.com/forums/showpost.php?p=77937&postcount=703

http://www.veganrepresent.com/forums/showpost.php?p=79512&postcount=128

http://www.veganrepresent.com/forums/showpost.php?p=81938&postcount=4

http://www.veganrepresent.com/forums/showpost.php?p=82265&postcount=3

http://www.veganrepresent.com/forums/showpost.php?p=83578&postcount=1197

http://www.veganrepresent.com/forums/showpost.php?p=83889&postcount=34

http://www.veganrepresent.com/forums/showpost.php?p=85364&postcount=1290

And don't forget, this thread:

http://www.veganrepresent.com/forums/showpost.php?p=78639&postcount=2

only started because I said this:

http://www.veganrepresent.com/forums/showpost.php?p=78634&postcount=790

So there!

:kiss: :kiss: :kiss:

grog

08-11-2005, 04:28 PM

OMG!

hmm, got a sister?

dropscone

08-11-2005, 04:48 PM

Where are there pictures of grog's feet? is there some kind of VR virtual peepshow going on here that I'm not invited to? hmm? :confused:

bird

08-11-2005, 04:49 PM

Where are there pictures of grog's feet? is there some kind of VR virtual peepshow going on here that I'm not invited to? hmm? :confused:http://www.veganrepresent.com/forums/showpost.php?p=73989&postcount=5

Cute, right? :silly:

dropscone

08-11-2005, 04:51 PM

Thanky cymraegrrl, cute indeed :)

grog

08-11-2005, 04:57 PM

Cat featured in said picture also did this (http://www.veganrepresent.com/forums/gallery/showimage.php?i=356&c=) to me.

Ok, back on topic people :kiss:

walrus

08-11-2005, 05:17 PM

This thread is so neat. I cannot wait to add a story as soon as I remember one. And I'm not being sarcastic.

oldradical

08-11-2005, 06:00 PM

"Cool!" But the really cool part is that my friends who said that have been experimenting with cooking vegan versions of their veggie favorites (they are lacto-ovo vegetarians). Also, they were very enthusiastic about going to the new all-vegan place in town.

It's nice to share.

Nanashi

08-11-2005, 06:08 PM

Also, they were very enthusiastic about going to the new all-vegan place in town. It's nice to share.

What place is this? :yum: :)

seitanicvegan

08-11-2005, 06:36 PM

My family doesn't try any of my vegan food and they still think I'm kinda crazy, but they go out of their way to make sure that my diet needs are taken care of whenever we go out to eat. I never have to remind anyone or make any requests.

oldradical

08-11-2005, 06:38 PM

What place is this? :yum: :)

It's the Quickie Too, in Tacoma. I understand the original Quickie is in your town.

Nanashi

08-11-2005, 07:19 PM

It's the Quickie Too, in Tacoma. I understand the original Quickie is in your town.

Oh yeah, I heard about that, they're doing all kind of expanding. They opened up another restaurant in Seattle on Capitol hill called The Cafe.

walrus

08-11-2005, 07:25 PM

Ah, yes, I thought of something. Out of the six people I've "converted" (please let's not delve into this word, it's just a more simple way of saying I had something to do with it) they've all told me it's simply from watching me survive and thrive off the vegan diet. All I'm doing is going about my day to day business. I think it's neat! :cool:

Emiloid

08-11-2005, 07:45 PM

Cat featured in said picture also did this (http://www.veganrepresent.com/forums/gallery/showimage.php?i=356&c=) to me.

Ok, back on topic people :kiss:Hey... isn't that the non-bipolar cat in that picture?

OK, back on topic, people! Geez, you're all so bad.... ;)

grog

08-11-2005, 07:52 PM

Hey... isn't that the non-bipolar cat in that picture?

OK, back on topic, people! Geez, you're all so bad.... ;)

No, its Orion, it even says so in the post. Kitty Lovers would never do that to me, he loves me, I'm his daddy. :kiss:

bird

08-11-2005, 08:27 PM

bluedawg

08-12-2005, 11:41 AM

i got an unexpected email this morning, and i thought it was really sweet.

my little sister's best childhood friend is getting married in 4 weeks, and i haven't rsvp'd yet (it's going out in the mail today! i swear i'm still ahead of her deadline!), but she sent me an email to check in. i've snipped the parts that aren't relevant to this thread:...I was wondering two things, 1. Are you and Erik going to be able to make to our wedding? If yes, 2. Our menu includes quite a bit of meat and I want you to be able to eat. Is there something on a general menu that I can order you that fits into your menu?
I know that certain dressings and cheeses and butter are probably not appropriate, but do you have some ideas for me so that I can work that into a plate for you? And I can't remember, but Erik still eats meat and dairy right? Let me know, I want you to be comfortable and it is important to me that you be able to eat. Mark Norman makes really great food.awwwww! i just love that she thought of me and that she's this ahead of the game, trying to help me out.

bird

08-12-2005, 11:47 AM

That's awesome, bluedawg! Yay for nice brides! :)

kikkert

08-12-2005, 11:53 AM

That I am an excellent chef. :kiss:

bluedawg

09-11-2005, 07:50 PM

just as a follow-up to my earlier post...

the wedding was the night before last, and we arrived right behind the catering truck. i cheerfully pointed at it and said, "there's my vegan meal!" hee.

i actually got the job of feeding my precious niece her dinner (her mommy was in the wedding party), so i was busy with her when our salads were served. there were two dressings on the table, and one of them seemed creamy, so i went for the other one. i snuck bites of that while feeding the baby her little tidbits.

when the entrees came out, i was suddenly re-grateful that the bride had thought of me ahead of time. holy meat, batman. there was a big nasty steak (quite rare from the looks of it) and some pork tenderloin on each plate. bleah. then twice-baked potatoes (yum) coated with cheese (oh well) and some carrots and beans that appeared to be drenched in butter. man, i would have been hurting.

my sister came over to check on the baby while they were still serving the entrees, and when the server came to our table, my sister helpfully pointed out that i was supposed to get the other vegan meal (my sister got the first). the server said, "oh... well... i'll have to check on that, there are only a limited number of those." my sister was all bridesmaid-y and, "yeah, i'm one, and she's the other." hee. the server said, "oh, well there was someone else who asked for one..." and looked a little nervous. she said she'd go back and ask, and that probably they could "make me up something" if there wasn't a meal for me. i was a little deflated, but then my sister said, "if they're all gone, just split mine with her because they're huge." the server said okay and off she went.

luckily, the chef must have made one or two extra plates, and she returned with one for me right away. yay!

the vegan meal was a ridiculously huge veggie stir-fry over rice. veggies were peas in the pod (the flat kind), broccoli, carrots, red peppers, mushrooms (icky), and water chestnuts. it was super-duper soy-sauce-y ("no meat?!? how will we give it FLAVOR?"), but i was just so excited to have a meal i could call my very own, i didn't really mind.

seitanicvegan

09-11-2005, 10:40 PM

I don't know about nicest thing, but I have had several nice things happen recently:

At a family dinner at Buca di Beppo's, I enjoyed the superb service of one food server who, after learning about my vegan needs, took excellent care of me. Once I told him I was vegan, I didn't have to say anything else.

When the food was served for this dinner, one plate -- spaghetti with huge meat raviolis -- was place right in front of me. I felt my stomach turn, and I had to look away. My dad, who was sitting right across from me, immediately saw the look of revulsion on my face and quickly served up the platter and passed it down the table.

Another family dinner was at a steakhouse in Texas. Needless to say, I wasn't optimistic. When I told the food server about my vegan needs, she just stopped, looked at me, and started laughing (but not in a mean way). She said, "Honey, you came to the wrong restaurant" (her emphasis). I just smiled sheepishly, and then told her what I was thinking for a vegan meal. She helped me out, double-checked on whether some stuff was vegan or not, offered some suggestions, AND told me that she wasn't going to charge me full price since "I wasn't even going to have any meat or anything." She got a huge tip.

At a family BBQ at my sister and brother-in-law's place, I specifically said that I would bring all my own food. They bought vegan Boca burgers for me anyway, and my brother-in-law made a point to ask me if I would like my Boca burger cooked up before the meat burgers. (My brother-in-law is a hard-core meat eater, an experienced hunter, and very pro-Bush, so we do have our differences.)

arkaay123

09-11-2005, 11:20 PM

My immediate family and all my friends are always nice to me. When choosing a restaurant to go to, I get to pick it. And when grilling , my sister and brother-in-law always ask me if there is enough capsicum,onions and potatoes in the house.

Well then again, they are very understanding abt my religious (non) beliefs too.

For my part, I still don't mind cutting the meat at home and helping them in cooking meat curries.

bluemango

09-11-2005, 11:21 PM

I love this thread. I have a number of omnis in my life who started out very skeptical when I went vegan, but have since become very supportive, interested, and caring. I think it's very important that we acknowledge that.

When I went vegan, my boyfriend's family was so confused, and had no idea why I would do something like that. However, they have since made so much effort to make sure I was fully accomodated at all their family functions and when I go to visit, including making sure I had a delicious meal at his sister's wedding (which was better than the "regular" meal!). His mom is definitely the traditional, June Cleaver, "dinner consists of a meat, a starch, and a vegetable" type, but she takes so much time to ask me questions about what she can make for me, look up recipes, and call ahead at restaurants to accomodate me. She still thinks I'm a little crazy for it I think, but she's so sweet in her effort.

My boyfriend has been such a meat eater all his life that when I told him I was going vegan, he actually got angry, telling me it was a stupid thing to do, I was just listening to false propaganda, and I was endangering myself. I told him that it was important enough to me that I was going to do it regardless of what he thought, and he could be there or not. He chose to be there. He got used to it, and became more supportive, making sure I had options at restaurants. However, he still ate meat and cheese all the time, and still thought I was misguided and malnourished. About a year and three months later, he has come SO far. When anyone makes rude or ignorant comments to me about veganism (about nutrition, AR, anything) he is the first to jump to my defense, sometimes challenging a group of meat eaters to tell them my way of life is actually healthier than theirs. When we're at a restaurant and there aren't vegan options, he will actually find a manager to tell them they should offer vegan options. When I was embarrassed once to ask if there was butter in something (I was just not going to order it), he said "No, you have every right to have your needs addressed. They also need to know that there is a vegan market out there." Last summer, he would have said, "Why can't you just eat the butter? It's not a big deal."

Probably the most exciting news is that since we moved in together about a month ago, his diet has changed drastically. He's switched from cow milk to rice milk, we cook vegan dinners together, and he has only made meat twice in a month. He keeps a small block of cheese, but tightly sealed in a separate drawer. He still ordered meat the two times we went out to eat, but considering the HUGE strides he has made since his angry, defensive, carnivorous ways just a year and a half ago, it makes me so happy and proud. Maybe someday he will be a vegan.... and that makes me :D

bird

09-11-2005, 11:44 PM

Another family dinner was at a steakhouse in Texas. Needless to say, I wasn't optimistic. When I told the food server about my vegan needs, she just stopped, looked at me, and started laughing (but not in a mean way). She said, "Honey, you came to the wrong restaurant" (her emphasis). I just smiled sheepishly, and then told her what I was thinking for a vegan meal. She helped me out, double-checked on whether some stuff was vegan or not, offered some suggestions, AND told me that she wasn't going to charge me full price since "I wasn't even going to have any meat or anything."What a nice lady! :heart:

At a family BBQ at my sister and brother-in-law's place, I specifically said that I would bring all my own food. They bought vegan Boca burgers for me anyway, and my brother-in-law made a point to ask me if I would like my Boca burger cooked up before the meat burgers. (My brother-in-law is a hard-core meat eater, an experienced hunter, and very pro-Bush, so we do have our differences.)Wow! Go seitanicBIL! :happy:

bird

09-11-2005, 11:49 PM

Hey bluemango, I love this thread, too. It's so great to read everyone's nice stories.

It's wonderful that your boyfriend's family has been so kind about your veganism, and WOOT for your boyfriend himself! That's excellent! :D Give him a dancing banana from me! :banana:

redvegetarian

09-21-2005, 05:15 AM

mountainvegan

09-21-2005, 10:50 AM

No omni has ever said anything nice to me about my vegan lifestyle (about other stuff, yeah, but they're pretty quiet about the "vegan thing", except for asking where and what I can eat, as necessary). :blank:

When I first went vegan, I considered any "neutral" comments "supportive". If I didn't get razzed, I figured it was a strong showing of support.

mountainvegan

09-21-2005, 11:56 AM

Okay, my brother said, "What's up St. Francis?" the first time he saw me after he heard I went vegan. Does that count?

bird

09-21-2005, 02:06 PM

Okay, my brother said, "What's up St. Francis?" the first time he saw me after he heard I went vegan. Does that count?Sure! As long as it was in a nice way, and not sarcastic. :happy:

mountainvegan

09-21-2005, 05:41 PM

Sure! As long as it was in a nice way, and not sarcastic. :happy:

Heh, it was prolly a little of both. Imagine it being said on The Sopranos if one of Tony's crew went vegan - that's how it was said and meant. ;) Not that we are or were anything like "the Sopranos", but it's that same east coast sense of humor.

Right after my brother said that, he said, "Bob (one of our friends growing up) wants to come over here a shove a cheeseburger down your throat. :laugh: "

In a later exchange, he said, "[MV] thinks of [mom's dog] as his sister. Hahaha."

I replied right back, "As much as I think of you as my brother." ;)

Him: "I guess I had that comin'." :)

seitanicvegan

09-21-2005, 09:09 PM

Heh, it was prolly a little of both. Imagine it being said on The Sopranos if one of Tony's crew went vegan - that's how it was said and meant. ;) Not that we are or were anything like "the Sopranos", but it's that same east coast sense of humor.

Right after my brother said that, he said, "Bob (one of our friends growing up) wants to come over here a shove a cheeseburger down your throat. :laugh: "

In a later exchange, he said, "[MV] thinks of [mom's dog] as his sister. Hahaha."

I replied right back, "As much as I think of you as my brother." ;)

Him: "I guess I had that comin'." :)

Good comeback, MV! I wish I were as quick on the comebacks as that. But I'm usually so deep in thought that I have to sit and think about it. :umm:

bird

09-22-2005, 03:28 AM

Good comeback, MV!Word! :thumbsup:

I wish I were as quick on the comebacks as that. But I'm usually so deep in thought that I have to sit and think about it. :umm:Yeah, me too. :confused: :p

mountainvegan

09-22-2005, 09:56 AM

Yeah, him and a few of our friends back there are always ribbin’ and jabbin’, so I’m “on-guard” when I’m around them. :)

I’m going back east for my bi-annual visit in late October. It'll be entertaining once again. :p

redvegetarian

09-22-2005, 03:18 PM

My sister, Hannah, has not said any specific thing that stands outas such- but she has been incredibly supportive. Even though she is a meat eater, she has been a virtual cheerleader.

Like I said in "My Story" post, she was worried (reasonably) that I was headed to an early grave in a big hurry.

Adam

I also forgot to mention that my sister, who's husband is very allergic to turkey is sick of ham. So this year she's wants to do a vegan Thanksgiving !

Tofurkey ! YAY !

Adam

bluedawg

09-22-2005, 03:27 PM

your sister rocks, redvegetarian.

super-supportive omnivores give me hope. :)

Spring Haze

09-22-2005, 10:42 PM

I don't recall any nice comments per se. I do have a co-worker who has vegan tendencies. He's straight-edge, and eats vegan foods a lot, but also eats meat. He has several vegan friends so he eats out with them a lot. He is very nice and tells me about places that have vegan food or new products if he thinks I don't already know.

bird

09-22-2005, 11:56 PM

his year she's wants to do a vegan Thanksgiving!Yay! :cool:

kikkert

04-28-2006, 08:57 AM

I'm vegan for the sake of animals, the environment, and living a life of nonviolence. Sometimes in the course of living life I forget about how much I impact others, whether I want to or not, and how living with awareness of actions and choices makes a huge impact on and brings out the best in others when they are willing and open. I simply beam every time my sweetie tells me that he respects and loves me for my strength, beauty, culinary talent, thoughtfulness, and genuine way of living. It’s incredible.

apples_for_eva

04-28-2006, 11:27 AM

i said this elsewhere, but this is really the appropriate place for it- my mom said she was really proud of me for reasearching everything (ie nutrient requirements & where to get them) so carefully.

holidayatsea

04-28-2006, 12:57 PM

a couple nice things:

about a month ago i went on a weekend a church retreat for women to help my mom with the music (she was desperate for a stronger guitar player, and you don't just let mom down!). she made sure the cooks for the weekend knew about my needs, and they were all so great about finding options for me. when i expressed concern about eating noticeabley different food than all the other participants, my mom, always the skeptic (even though she herself finds me yummy vegan peanut butter cups and cookies!) said something along the lines of: "well, it won't be bad because you're on a VEGAN diet. it's not like people would PREFER to eat raw brocoli over a cheesy chicken casserole." but when the time came and their limp, iceburg lettuce salad with pale chicken and dried romen noodle salads were placed next to my spinach w/ avocado, red pepper, corn, olives, and apple salad, there were more than one pair of eyes i noticed staring wistfully at my colorful meal :)

other nice thing:
i went out to dinner with my friend mary about a month after i became vegan, and after kindly explaining my reasons (animal cruelty, the envirnoment, namely), she said: "that's the most compelling argument i've ever heard for a vegetarian diet."

yay!

also, i just wanted to say, even if people don't say "good" things to you, keep your heads up! you're all doing a great job jusst by being vibrant, happy, cruelty-free people. i was a dead-set carnivore just 10 months ago. things change, and all it can take is one little impression/idea in someone's head :)

-annie

Foxy

05-15-2006, 10:17 PM

I had an omni co-worker tell me when I first went vegan that he thought my dedication to my beliefs and my willingness to sacrifice in the name of those beliefs was quite admirable. This coming from someone who didn't share the same views as me meant a lot. I remind myself of that whenever I am feeling glum.

VegeTexan

05-15-2006, 10:49 PM

Back in 1998, I took a leave of absence from my job as a National Park Service Ranger to go join an activist group for a month (Buffalo Field Campaign) which works to stop the annual slaughter of the bison of Yellowstone National Park by the Montana government with the aid of the National Park Service. (The NPS caved in to management techniques (killing) dictated by the Montana cattle ranchers. The policy has become Thin the herd of bison so the cattle will have more grass to graze on public lands.)

The Superintendent of my park told me something that meant a lot to me, coming from him, a career NPS bureaucrat ....
"Greg, I respect what you are doing."

Vegtink

05-16-2006, 05:05 PM

I think one of the nicest things that was said to me was from my friend Dave. When I told him that I went Vegan, after what I call my sabatical from the veg world, he said to me. "I missed the veg Heidi. I liked her so much better." That meant a lot to me.

thriftyplanet

06-07-2006, 06:01 PM

I think the nicest thing someone has said to me was my mother....when she went vegetarian a few years back. She told me how happy I looked, how guilt free, and healthy and she wanted a piece of that action. :)

Vegtink

06-07-2006, 06:03 PM

bluedawg

06-07-2006, 06:20 PM

veganshawn

06-07-2006, 10:26 PM

One of best friends whole family is veg*n (two vegan, two vegetarin) and one time he said to me about it, you know you are the reason why. That made me really happy.

thriftyplanet

06-07-2006, 11:19 PM

:) Not so sure you'd want that. She's got a twin...it's like having two mothers... one veggie and understanding, the other not...and kinda snarky. but I kid. I love them both. I'm sure my Aunt thinks I'm snarky too...because I'm vegan. Hah! :laugh:

oh how i would love to trade mothers with you. ;)

Peanut

06-08-2006, 01:01 AM

a homeless man who i gave money to once said i was like jesus' daughter... sad the biggest compliment in my life was a line from a homeless man... it still makes me laugh:D

Chijou_no_seiza

06-08-2006, 03:29 AM

bluedawg

06-08-2006, 10:20 AM

a homeless man who i gave money to once said i was like jesus' daughter... sad the biggest compliment in my life was a line from a homeless man... it still makes me laugh:D
heh, that reminds me of a time when i was walking to the ballet with two of my girlfriends. we were all "dressed up" for our little date. anyway, i was wearing a short, burgundy velvet skirt and a kind of "shiny" (for lack of a better word) silver satin blouse. i can't remember the shoe situation; probably black stockings and high heels. anyway, we were walking down the street alongside the UT campus and this homeless guy stops dead in his tracks, looks at me, points, and says loudly, "wow!! you win the stylie of the night award!!!" and other random noises of appreciation. he was just so genuine and 'stylie' was such an awesome word that we cracked up (he laughed too). my friends still call me the stylie of the night, and that was probably 7 years ago. :)