To think that vegans are being a wee bit contradictory if they buy leather goods?

[lottie63]

Just that really. Or - am I missing something fundamentally different between the two things here?

[TheBigJessie]

JacqueslePeacock

Vegans/vegetarians: what do you do about your toddlers' shoes?

I'm afraid I buy leather for the toddlers! Their foot welfare > my principles

[RussiansOnTheSpree]

There are people who are dietary vegans. I really don't think it's anyone's business if they buy leather. I have SERIOUS problems with people claiming to be vegans or veggies but then eating stuff that isn't, because that can cause problems for other vegans or veggies in the future, but non dietary things? Not my business.

[RussiansOnTheSpree]

@Jacquesie My kids are veggie, like my husband, not vegan like me. As I posted above they have leather shoes for school, there are quite strong shoe rules at two of the three schools they attend. Outside school they tend to wear manmade shoes. But not always. I don't live anywhere near a proper vegan shoeseller and I was never prepared to put my kids in shoes that weren't properly fitted.

[WeAreEternal]

I know quite a lot if vegans and none of them buy/use/wear leather.

The same for most of the vegetarians that I know.

[carovioletfizz]

I am a vegan and don't eat any animal products. I don't buy any either.

However, you will see me using leather from time to time. The reason for this is I am on a budget and could not afford to replace my wardrobe once I decided to become vegan. So I still have for example a big very useful changing bag that is made of leather, once it is done in I will buy a new one that isn't made of animal products. Hope that makes sense.

[NotGoodNotBad]

"No, they should just say they are vegan."

Exactly. But then they are subject to so much nit-picking!

[TheChaoGoesMu]

No, they should just say they are vegan. It makes life easier for all those involved when planning what to eat, obviously. I'd only talk about the leather shoes if someone made a comment about it, like the op has today.

[NotGoodNotBad]

"Well if a vegan wears leather, then by default they are not a vegan."

So what should they call themselves? You invite them to dinner, they can just say, "By the way, I'm a vegan, will that be a problem?" Do they really have to say, "By the way, I'm a vegan, but in case you're wondering I do have a pair of leather shoes and there is some leather trim on my jeans, but I'd never touch silk, a bit of honey is OK though."? Or should they say, "I don't eat animals or animal products, but I'm not actually a vegan because I own some leather shoes?"

[JacqueslePeacock]

Great chance to ask a question I've been meaning to post for a while! Vegans/vegetarians: what do you do about your toddlers' shoes? I'm really struggling to find anything suitable in any high street shops. I don't want to buy online as I think he needs to be measured and fitted. Thanks anyone with an answer.

[TheChaoGoesMu]

Well if a vegan wears leather, then by default they are not a vegan. But I wouldn't make a big issue about it. You know they are not vegan, they must know they are not really, but if it makes them happy to say they are then, then does it really matter.

[mrsjay]

FWIW I dont wear leather does that make me a hypocrite

[mrsjay]

beegan

[OxfordBags]

Sorry, MoreSnow, I wasn't really suggesting you are fine with animal cruelty. Just a joke :)

[OxfordBags]

Russian, I haven't really asked Friend 1, because I don't want to appear to be 'catching her out', but she did once say something about trying to get 2nd hand or library books, as then she hasn't put money into the hands of the people who produce the books with horse glue. Or something like that. She uses a Kindle now, so is mostly immaterial. Both V friends say that email and Kindles are massive boons, not worrying about glue anymore.

[TheBigJessie]

I used to be a complete, honey-free vegan. I am now a Beegan, apparently. But I won't wear silk, unless it's cruelty-free. I like caterpillars a lot and the way they're killed is 'orrid.

[mrsjay]

spose so It sounds so hard I have not the commitment for it I just didnt think about honey Milk and dairy yes silk and honey not so much,

[HappyJustToBe]

frogman I would consider you vegetarian. Was trying to emphasise personal choice.

[RussiansOnTheSpree]

@Oxford No. Sorry. Does your friend 1 not read books then???? Because certainly old books, the glue has to be suspect. New books probably not.

For me the most difficult aspect, after all these years, is still medicine. So many tablet medicines have lactose in them. Completely unnecessarily, I might add. It's just used to bulk them out.

[OxfordBags]

MoreSnow, I respect your position, but it sounds an odd argument, like "Oh, I'm fine with animal cruelty, I just can't get enough tofu!"

[OxfordBags]

Mrsjay, they don't eat honey. It's an animal product, innit. Animal product doesn't just mean the flesh of a dead animal. All the Vegans I know won't wear silk, cos of silk worms.

[mrsjay]

well never knew that every day is a school day on here

[RussiansOnTheSpree]

@mrsjay No we don't.