I'm on my way to being a vegetarian.
I've been able to convince my household to go to low meat consumption status.
It is more of an environmental take and an animal treatment take with me.
I've even gotten them to purchase the "cage free" brown eggs instead of the normal ones.
We use less milk, (because it supports the veal industry supposedly,) and if and when
they purchase meats, it is usually free range/non-antibiotic now. (I refuse to put money towards meats, and I will not purchase meat for meals even if it is their money.)
Anyways, my vegetarian friends are cheering me on, and my non-vegetarian friends are begging me not to become vegetarian. I don't get it. But because they are friends, instead of getting annoyed with them, I make fun of myself and laugh with them.
My favorite song to play when they make fun of my vegetarian choices is "carrot juice is murder." You know, for the "what about the plants" question, and then I say that plants are renewable.
So basically, instead of getting upset and worked up about defending my lifestyle, I just have a good laugh with them and it relieves the pressure. They tend to be more accommodating and supportive when I visit for food and their are no arguments, just laughs. They also are willing to try new things vegetarian based and keep more open minds.
Sometimes it is all in the way you respond.
If anyone wants to hear it, this is one of my favorite songs, it actually gets me thinking more about the treatment of animals because of how it talks about the treatment of the vegetables.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KmK0bZl4ILM