"Where do you get your protein?" is probably the most common question vegans get. It is so frequent that it is easy to take it personally and/or reply with exasperation.
Another way to react, however, is to see the question as a constructive opening to demystify and promote veganism to a new person. Most meat-eaters imagining veganism just picture their current diet without meat, eggs, and dairy. Not an appetizing image!
When I met my first vegetarian, he told me he had not eaten meat for fourteen years. I looked at him as if he had managed to hold his breath that entire time.
Erik is obviously a thoughtful, open-minded person. We need to give others with a similar reaction the benefit of the doubt.
When we are next asked the question: "Where do you get your protein?", we can answer in a way that makes sense and sounds doable to someone who has eaten meat their entire life, who doesn't have a vegan support group, who isn't about to soak beans or make their own tempeh.
We always try to keep in mind that only meat-eaters are in a position to save more animals -- but we have to make changing their diet seem possible ... and desirable.
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