veg*n trust, betrayal, and compassion

[Guest guest]

Hi all,

 

I'd like to respond to some of the comments and discussion that followed my post about our experiences of finding out "vegan" items actually had eggs or dairy/milk in them.

 

My main reason for postng was as a reminder to stay alert and always ask. Consistent and truthful answers go a long way towards building trust in a relationship between a business and its customers. I can understand why people felt angry and betrayed but I think it's important to remember that this probably wasn't intentional.

 

This isn't an excuse but it's important to note that Shangri-La doesn't claim to be a 'vegan' restaurant. However, we were told on a few occasions that the PIE PA TOFU balls were vegan. In fact, they may again be vegan now. Winnie posted an email on 7/25 saying that she talked to the owner who talked to the Chef about not adding eggs again. (see this email - /message/13549 ) But it's all about trust. What do we believe now?

 

Bok Choy Garden says they are vegan (as well as Kosher) on their current "to go" menu. Having cow's cheese (which, if it contains rennet, isn't even vegetarian!) is a big big difference. I congratulate the waitress we spoke to for being honest and showing us the package. We tried to share information with her, but, alas, as others surmised, it may have been a language issue (she did not seem to understand that dairy also refers to milk) as well as a lifestyle issue (I doubt if she was vegan and understood the implications).

 

For many vegans, eating eggs or milk is just as distressing as eating meat would be to a vegetarian. Thanks to everyone who understood that and how we felt in that situation, and the suggestions that were offered. Quite a few had great ideas about contacting the restaurants and if someone wants to lead that effort, or has an idea of how to implement an organized process to educate restaurants and actually certify 'veganness', let's hear it!

Remember, we *do* have a lot of clout as consumers -- we ARE absolutely their target audience.

 

Cheers,

Tammy

 

 

 

Bay Area Vegetarianswww.BayAreaVeg.org

 

[Guest guest]

Tammy, Yes!, thank you so very much for explaining this. I think what

might have come across as anger (from me) was distress, and I do feel

very distressed, having recently eaten at both of these places many

times and frequently eating the tofu balls at Shangri-La. I really

appreciate the information you gave, as it conflicts with that given

to me by those restaurants, and I want the ability to make an informed

choice about what I consume, so I do plan to (nicely) communicate with

the restaurants. Thanks for all you and Chris do! - Lisa

 

On 9/25/07, Tammy, BAVeg <t wrote:

 

> For many vegans, eating eggs or milk is just as distressing as eating meat

> would be to a vegetarian. > Cheers,

> Tammy

>

--

" Animals are my friends and I don't eat my friends " - George Bernard Shaw

" The reasonable (person) adapts (herself/himself) to the world; the

unreasonable one persists to adapt the world to (herself/himself).

Therefore all progress depends on the unreasonable (person). " - George

Bernard Shaw