Five Extreme Eco-friendly Habits that Annoy Family and Friends

Somehow it happens, you are converted to living a more eco-friendly lifestyle and during that conversion you wind up appearing too "green" to family and friends. The following are five possible annoying habits that you can avoid and alternative ways to peak your peers' interest in eco-friendly ways.

Annoying Habit 1: Having Every Conversation Revolve Around Being "Green" or "Eco-friendly"
Alternative Way: Instead of having eco-friendly living being the subject that comes up in each of your conversation, focus on your family and friends' lives. See what is happening in their world and what peaks their interest. By expressing interest in their world, they are more likely to grow curious about what is happening in your life.

Annoying Habit 2: Sharing Activist Information to People Who You do not have Regular Communication
Alternative Way: Before you start blast emailing or twittering the latest eco-friendly policy that is waiting for legislative approval, ask your email recipients whether they would be interested in receiving such communication. A simple courtesy email asking them will help you determine who is really interested in receiving these updates and who will label your email as "spam."

Annoying Habit 3: Warning Others that they will Suffer from their Catastrophic Ways
Alternative Way: Instead of telling others the cold hard facts about the correlation between use of certain plastics and potential cancer risks, let them know that you have decided to use BPA free containers and leave the conversation at that. There is no reason to divulge details unless prompted. Also respect others' choice and freedom to make those choices.

Annoying Habit 4: Giving Others an Impractical Eco-friendly Gift Instead of What they Really Want or Need
Alternative Way: Instead of buying eco-friendly bags in bulk and having your gift list completed, take time to understand what your loved ones want. If there is no eco-friendly alternative to what is on their wish list, then just buy them what they want and forgo the wrapping.

Annoying Habit 5: Telling People You Only Eat Vegan or Organic Foods
Alternative Way: Find out what the host of the party plans to have as part of the food menu and if there aren't any vegan or organic food options, be a gracious host and bring your own (without the accompanying statement, "I figure you won't have anything I can eat.") or eat before the party and just enjoy their company without touching their food.

Finally, remember to be the fun person you were before you started eco-friendly living and let others know that being more health conscious did not change the core of who you are, but rather just fueled you to be more of the person you were meant to be.