I really hope someone responds with ideas because all I can say is from my experience its better not to say anything when being ridiculed

If you're able to stand up to your family, I have some ideas ... but if your family is brutal then you're better off following lostnit's advice because even if you make a good point, it will only enrage the family bullies worse.

"Is my stomach a graveyard for dead animals?" George Bernard Shaw

If I knew what your family said to you, I could give you the rebuttal.

Hi sf:

What I do is that I am super proud of me not eating any animals so that I very often take the ridicule as a compliment, as in I agree with it.

As in = you are really stupid for not eating meat - answer - yes I chose to be so stupid in that.

Eating chicken is good for you - answer - it is not good for the chicken (or for the pig or cow or whatever).

My view is that it is almost always wrong to be defensive about anything, and instead take the offensive.

The Bible says to eat meat - well it did not start out that way as in the beginning mankind was created to be vegetarians - per Genesis 1:29
Link = https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis+1%3A27-31&version=KJV

Of course some times we do have to shut down.

What I find is that other people get DEFENSIVE about their meat eating and they strike out with mean or nasty things as their defense, and I believe they strike out defensive because their own conscience knows that they are doing wrong and they do not want to face the truth.

I agree with donnawanda. Just be careful. If your family is abusive I don't want anything to happen to you or for you to have to go through something unnecessary.

I personally respond with patience when I do respond. I let them know that no matter what they tell me it's ultimately my choice and I'm going to do it anyway.

Facts also help. Let them know the terrible things that are happening to the animals they're eating, if that does't work let them know the gross chemicals that are in what they're eating.

Ugh I hear ya!! My family isnt abusive just stupid!! They tend to just tell me how yummy their steak is and other stupid stuff like that. I get real irritated.. I tell them hey, how about if a group of cannibals kidnapped you, stuck your head in a vise and start hacking at you limb from limb for thier pleasure of eating humans.. how would you feel.. yeah I didnt think so!!

Thanks Booky. That verse may help with our family talks. Maybe. We'll see. Thanks for sharing.

I've only been mostly Vegan for a little over a year now and am new with regard to relationship dynamics with regard to this topic. I had no idea that other people would seem to have such difficulty. In recent weeks I've just decided to repeat the facts found in Gary Yourofsky's video talks about "Humans are Herbivores". I just repeat those truths over and over yet honestly, I don't know if what I'm saying is even being heard. Well on a good note there is this..... years ago most people including myself would have bet hugely against me ever becoming a Vegetarian, let alone a Vegan. Miracles do happen.

congratulations on becoming and remaining a vegan in spite of what you are encountering from your family. i've never been ridiculed although i've been questioned at times by people with veiled somewhat negative intentions. i usually just respond in a friendly manner with a few neutral words or sometimes with just a smile hoping to communicate that i acknowledge what they said, it doesn't disturb me, and i'm not going to be defensive.

I take the high road and respond with humour. I say I'm partly rabbit, and start chewing like one. When I prepare meals, I say, we're eatin' like rabbits tonight, and even though you get winced faces at first, it's always enjoyed.