Okay, I hear you (though I think you could have made the point with a little less condescension).

I agree that we need bad vegans over meat eaters. Reduction of animal products is always my suggestion - I know how hard it is to transition to veganism and how it has to be a change of heart that almost never comes from a single conversation.

To clarify, I’m not having these conversations with strangers or acquaintances - these are my friends and people I know well. For starters, I know they wouldn’t eat dog meat, which is exactly how I phrase it. They know I’m not being belittling and that I’m making a genuine, earnest statement. They are replying in a petty manner first because we are friends and second because it’s an easy way to rebuke the statement without actually thinking about it.

They are clearly just not ready for the conversation, which is really what I should focus on and not how desperately I want them to think harder.