When an individual follows a vegan lifestyle, he or she chooses not to eat or use any animal products; this includes meat or dairy, leather products, etc. This can make it slightly more difficult when choosing a restaurant to attend for a date, or when cooking dinner for someone who is a vegan, particularly if one person is vegan or vegetarian and the other one is not. There is no reason for a vegan date to be a stressful or difficult experience, however. There are now plenty of restaurants that are entirely designed for vegan eaters, and many mainstream restaurants are also happy to make vegetarian or vegan dishes upon request.
The first and most important tip when planning a vegan date is to be considerate. Even if there are no vegan restaurants around, it is rather poor form -- and quite inconsiderate -- to take a vegan person to a steakhouse or burger chain. Certain varieties of food, such as Italian food, Indian food, or Thai food offer a mix of meatless options as well as more standard fare. Taking a date to a restaurant where there will be options for him or her to enjoy, shows concern for her lifestyle and will probably go a long way. It may also be a good idea to try a vegan dish on the date; this will illustrate a willingness to compromise and try new things.
If the vegan date involves cooking at home, there are some additional considerations. Animal products can hide in foods that might otherwise appear fine, such as gelatin for example. Ask the vegan person for suggestions on what to cook ahead of time, or make the vegan date even more fun by purchasing ingredients and cooking together. This can give each person opportunities to learn from the other, since ideally dating and relationships are about compromise and sharing things together.
Another important thing to remember on a vegan date is to be respectful of the other person's choices. It is impolite to make jokes at either one's expense, or to give the other person a hard time about eating or not eating certain foods. People who follow different lifestyles and eating habits can certainly be happy together and have fun dating each other, but it is important for each to respect the other's choices and not view them as personal affronts or challenges. Willingness to communicate, as on any date or in any relationship, is the most important tip to remember for a successful vegan date.
