Here are two situations that I encountered recently. What would you do in each?
1) A coworker, who knows you love Indian food and "don't eat meat", brings a couple of frozen dinners for you to try. Both contain dairy as a main ingredient.
2) You attend a clothes swap party, where participants bring old clothing items to either swap or donate to charity. You try on a sweater -- it fits you beautifully. BUT, it's cashmere.
I'd love to hear some comments, then I'll share my thoughts.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
4 comments:
1) my allergy gives me an easy out here, BUT I don't think there is any harm in thanks but no thanks. "oh, that looks fantastic too bad there is dairy in it."
2) I think you know where I stand on wool. the vast majority of fiber farmers are good to their animals and shear in a humane manner. BUT if you feel strongly - skip the cashmere! actuallt, the little guy is wearing a cashmere diaper cover right now. SO soft! and SO much better for the environment than dosposables!
I agree with the other comments.
1) I would explain that I don't eat dairy. I would definitely let them now how much I appreciate the thought, but I just couldn't eat dairy at this point.
2) I, personally, couldn't wear an animal product at this point. But I have no problem with vegans who wear used animal clothing. When I first went vegan 10 years ago, I kept all of my already bought leather shoes. Then I realized that I wasn't wearing them because I didn't want an animal's skin on my feet. It was the same way with my wool coat. Eventually I just didn't feel comfortable. But I don't think that's true for a lot of other vegans, and I can see taking the sweater. Again, it's better for the environment and the animal industry was not making a profit.
I wouldn't take the sweater, but that's just me. I'm totally fine with vegans who take used clothing that contains animal fibers. Better to reuse than waste...especially from an animal.
i am amazed at the consistency of the answers. i would not eat the indian, though would find some way to give a special thank you to the co-worker, who sounds extra thoughtful (and for the same reason, likely to understand and not hold your refusal against you or vegans in general).
you can always leave the cashmere for other swappers, but i come down in the "used is ok" camp as well.
hope the problems did not cause you too much angst. keep blogging, i appreciate your posts.
lowell veggie
Post a Comment