How many of you out there have some non-vegan friends? I wouldn't be surprised if all of you raised your hands (well, I don't mean actually raise your hands-- you get the point). It's hard to limit yourself to only befriending vegetarians. After all, vegetarianism probably isn't your only interest; you're probably involved in some sports team, writer's group, workplace or school where you all share another common interest.
It's okay to have meat-eating friends-- it's their problem, not yours. However, I still recommend that you try to convince them to go veg, and to generally become active in the animal rights movement.

Here is how you do it...

1) Make sure they know that you're vegetarian/vegan and that you care about animal rights. This will hopefully start to dispell any myths that they might have about us, realizing that you are not a stereotypical vegan (because no one is 100% a stereotype, as far as I'm aware).
2) A bit later, invite them to go out for dinner or to your place for food. Take them to a vegan restaurant or whip up a delicious vegan meal with side dishes. Don't try to convert them on the spot. Don't be too single-minded; just be a friend.

3) After the meal, tell them that if they go vegan, too, you can help them with recipes, product recommendations, nutritional information, animal rights information, etc. in order to help them get started. If they refuse, say that you understand and change the subject. After all, you don't want to ruin the friendship.
4) If they say that they are interested, great! Send them some information on how to get started, but don't be annoying. Otherwise, they'll be frustrated with the whole thing and stop being veg just to shake you off. Once you've gotten them started, let them come to you with their questions, should they have any.

See you next week, and don't forget to enter the Great International Vegan Soup Competition before December 1, 2012!

Photo Courtesy of Gentle Thanksgiving