I'm not a vegan anymore, but I was for several years (I'm still a vegetarian and have been since 2006). The best thing you can do is try not to take it personally, and remember that it isn't the fault of individual people that animals are treated so poorly (at least when it comes to food consumption). It's the industry that is the problem. And I definitely think things like environment and socio-economic background factor in. I am poor and I live on the poor side of town and I have to travel to another township if I want access to a lot of vegan or organic foods, and then, it's expensive to eat that way.

And yet, I could throw a rock from any direction anywhere I'm standing and hit a McDonald's sign.

I don't think people mean to come off as having no compassion. Many of them are just not aware, and many of them have probably been insulted by self-righteous vegans who have called them murderers. No one wants to listen to people who behave like assholes about it.

Not saying you do. Just saying I'm familiar with the overly assholian types of vegans who use shame to get their point across.

My advice is to just keep doing what you believe in. If someone is genuinely curious, explain it to them. But keep in mind that it was your choice to go vegan and it's, likewise, their choice not to.

Best of luck. I hope this isn't causing you too much distress.

Thank you. I appreciate your input and perspective on this topic.

People r idiots sadly . U have to ignore them. Easier said than done though,