I went to an organic goods store recently, Miss Kitty's Herbs, Etc, and the clerk was entirely too hostile to vegans.
The exchange went like this: There was one clerk/cashier person, and I asked her a question. "Excuse me," I asked. "Are you vegan?" She actually wrinkled her nose at the question. I went on. "Well, my husband and I are tossing around the idea of starting a vegan store, where we can get non-leather goods..." She vehemently interrupted me. "You can't put plastic on your body!" "No, I mean I..." I stammered. "You can't put plastic on you because it will seep into your skin!" "Well, I mean there is cloth, fabric, as well, it doesn't have to be plas..." "I ONLY wear old cotton, and old wool! I have wool that is light enough to wear in summer!" "Well, I'm not going to wear wool," I said, unfortunately a bit defensively. "You DON'T HAVE TO Worship Animals!" she said as she backed away from me, and disappeared into the stockroom.
I had a product in my hand, and as I put it back on the shelf, I thought, I am not going to be a customer here, that is for sure.
All I wanted to do, aside from buying the thing I had in my hand, was to ask about business, and all she wanted to do was to yell over me, and proselytize her own views . If you are vegan, there are other businesses out there that will not make you feel so defensive. I was so very disappointed. read more