No Offense Meant But Temporary Compromise Vegans Really Aren’t Vegans

It is time we talk about temporary compromise vegans. Are they really vegans? Well, I don’t think so and here’s why…

When it comes to being vegan, I’m not the most vocal about it. Sure, I write vegan blogs, but in regular day-to-day situations, I tend to be a touch under-stated about my vegan lifestyle unless specifically asked about it.  That said, I am extraordinarily proud about my veganism, am 100% convinced that it is absolutely the right thing to do and refuse to knowingly compromise it.

Which brings me to “temporary compromise vegans.”  On a par with occasional binge-drinking teetotalers, temporary compromise vegans are happy to let their vegan credentials droop for the sake of things like family dinners with relatives not seen for a while or when taking in new countries.

“Well, I hadn’t seen Aunt Matilda since 2004, so when she cooked dinner all of us, I thought it was rude to turn down her special lamb roast.  I know I’m vegan, but I didn’t want to offend her.”

Or how about:

“Bhutan is just awesome.  At one village we trekked through, they cooked us up some Jasha Maroo spicy chicken.  We didn’t know how to say no, so we ate it just to be sociable.  The spices were vegan though.”

On a par with being a flexitarian for anything longer than about three hours, temporary compromise vegans really aren’t vegans – and probably never were to start with.

As for Aunt Matilda’s sensibilities, one assumes that she wouldn’t expect one of her gluten-allergy suffering relatives to demolish her majestic tasting bread pudding, so why not the extension of understanding to being vegan? If she’s unclear as to what a vegan is, perhaps citing an un-heard of star-sign, enlighten her!

As for the good folk of Bhutan or anywhere else come to that, if you don’t know the words for “no thanks”, Google translate works wonders or simply say nothing by keeping one’s mouth shut.  Also handy for keeping the non-vegan food out too.

No Offense Meant But Temporary Compromise Vegans Really Aren’t Vegans

What is your take on this? Let me know in the comments below.

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