Banning Fur. So, this comes up reasonably often at my restaurant Pure Food and Wine. Someone is appalled to see us cheerfully checking someone’s fur coat, or to see a fellow diner wearing a fur trimmed something-or-other. And I hear about it, via some outraged tweet or otherwise. Not long ago someone left a comment card saying (yes it was in all caps), “WILL NEVER COME BACK TO EAT HERE UNLESS YOU BAN FUR FROM ENTERING THE RESTAURANT” Um, okay. Really?

First, I would never “ban fur from entering the restaurant” and further, if any of our employees made a snarky or disparaging comment to any fur-wearing patron, that employee would be (most likely) fired. That seems harsh but I’m quite sure that our entire staff knows that we are not in the business of judging people. What we are in the business of doing is offering people the best vegan, raw, organic food experience, along with the best service. This is what we strive to do. And it’s my personal hope and belief that we’re opening minds in the process. Those people who think vegan food will be boring, bland, and otherwise unsatisfying are given an opportunity to see that it can be quite the opposite.

Let’s take a woman who comes in wearing a fur coat. Chances are, she’s not a vegan (I believe most of our at least roughly half of our guests are not strictly vegan). Maybe she’s even skeptical about eating vegan, and is walking in with low expectations. However, to her surprise, she has a lovely experience. She’s charmed by our charming staff, is excited about the food, and feels energized after her dinner instead of weighed down. Maybe she’s even interested in learning more. Maybe once she leaves, she checks out our website, or otherwise looks into the benefits of eating more plants and less meat. Maybe she buys one or both of my books from the restaurant before she leaves. Maybe, just maybe, this one visit is the inspiration for her to start thinking about going vegan, or at least taking a step in that direction. And if she takes that step, most likely it won’t take too long before she starts to think twice about wearing (and buying) fur.

So, I should ban her from coming in? I think not. A few years ago I saw on the door of a vegan restaurant a sign that said, “If you’re wearing fur you’re not welcome.” I was really surprised. Way to slam the door on an opportunity for positive change. Besides, if that, why not also ban everyone from wearing leather? Carrying an old leather wallet? Where would it end?

For maximum benefit to the earth, people’s health, and to the welfare of animals, the best thing we (at Pure Food and Wine) can do is welcome everyone with open arms, an open mind, and a big smile. There is a place for protests, for the justifiably loud, passionate, and even angry defense of animals, but that’s not at my restaurant. I’m grateful to everyone who is an advocate for animals and for a healthier and more peaceful planet. We’re doing our best to do our own part, in the most effective way we know how.

With love, Sarma

p.s. From my personal account, I’ll post snarky tweets about the fur-glorifying Kim Kardashians of the world as much as the next person who wishes fur was a thing of the past. However, if she walked into Pure Food and Wine (she hasn’t yet), we’d cheerfully hang her coat, and hope that a dinner with us sparks, fuels, or otherwise furthers an interest in a plant-based lifestyle. Just imagine the ripple effect if someone like her changed her ways?

p.p.s. Not long ago, West Hollywood banned the sale of fur. You can read about it here. This kind of legislation gives me hope that the fur industry will soon be a thing of the past.

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