Page 3 | To be sick of people thinking vegetarian eat fish

Dearaugust · 2025-01-20T13:52:48+00:00

Also, people who eat fish but not meat calling themselves vegetarian! When people find out I’m vegetarian, a lot of people ask me if I eat fish. If I ate fish, then I wouldn’t be vegetarian! It wasn’t a big deal really, but an incident has happened recently where I was choosing a meal for a wedding and there was only meat options and a “none of these due to dietary preferences” option. So I ticked that. The person then contacted DH (it’s his friend who is getting married) and he explained I’m vegetarian. A few days later she said not to worry, they have sorted a fish meal for me. So he’s now had to go back to her again saying I don’t eat fish. What a faff! I honestly thought it was common knowledge that vegetarians don’t eat fish. But apparently not because i get asked it a lot.

NormaleKartoffeln · 21/01/2025 09:39

OchonAgusOchonOh · 21/01/2025 09:20

Then your friends are not vegetarian. The hint is in the name.

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Or they are mostly vegetarian but occasionally eat some meat. I knew a man lived with a vegetarian wife and was vegetarian at home, but he told me that he did have the odd bacon sandwich out and about. I don't think it was in secret or anything, but most people thought he was 100% veggie. His wife was an annoying person, but that aside, she was also a very good vegetarian cook, so I assume it wasn't a sacrifice to eat veggie at home.

OchonAgusOchonOh · 21/01/2025 09:20

stayathomer · 20/01/2025 14:05

Never knew this and most of my friends are vegetarian. They’ve all always eaten fish when we go out

Then your friends are not vegetarian. The hint is in the name.

NormaleKartoffeln · 21/01/2025 09:15

denhaag · 21/01/2025 09:11

Quite a few people are saying the word and meaning has evolved and that it's widely accepted that vegetarians eat fish, or that many of the people they know say they are veggie yet happily eat chicken.

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I think most people would assume that vegetarian means no meat, of any kind, anyone who does eat meat isn't 100% vegetarian (a bit like me, mostly vegetarian).

NormaleKartoffeln · 21/01/2025 09:14

NeverHadHaveHas · 21/01/2025 09:05

The dictionary definition of vegetarian is a person who does not eat meat or fish. You do. It’s really not a difficult concept.

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The dictionary definition of mostly is doing something most of the time but not all of the time. It's also not a difficult concept for most intelligent people, heck even most not that intelligent people!

XxSideshowAuntSallyx · 21/01/2025 09:14

When I do events I always ask for dietary requirements and allergies, whether that's halal, vegan, gluten free, pescatarian, veggie. We have people who specifically say they don't eat fish.

Everyone gets catered for.

The ignorance of people assuming veggies eat fish is shocking. I can't decide if they're deliberately being ignorant or are actually thick.

denhaag · 21/01/2025 09:11

NormaleKartoffeln · 21/01/2025 09:01

I've never seen that.
I've never heard anyone say that's ok.

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Quite a few people are saying the word and meaning has evolved and that it's widely accepted that vegetarians eat fish, or that many of the people they know say they are veggie yet happily eat chicken.

NeverHadHaveHas · 21/01/2025 09:05

NormaleKartoffeln · 21/01/2025 09:00

You definitely can be mostly something.
I'm not sure why you think it's not possible.

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The dictionary definition of vegetarian is a person who does not eat meat or fish. You do. It’s really not a difficult concept.

NormaleKartoffeln · 21/01/2025 09:01

denhaag · 21/01/2025 09:00

I wonder if we'll see "suitable for vegetarians" on tuna sandwiches in the supermarket? According to some on this thread this would be OK.

I've never seen that.
I've never heard anyone say that's ok.

NormaleKartoffeln · 21/01/2025 09:00

NeverHadHaveHas · 21/01/2025 08:58

And you can’t be ‘mostly’ something that you either are or aren’t.

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You definitely can be mostly something.
I'm not sure why you think it's not possible.

denhaag · 21/01/2025 09:00

I wonder if we'll see "suitable for vegetarians" on tuna sandwiches in the supermarket? According to some on this thread this would be OK.

NormaleKartoffeln · 21/01/2025 08:59

NeverHadHaveHas · 21/01/2025 08:56

It does affect vegetarians, because people who use the term incorrectly are why actual vegetarians have to clarify that we don’t eat any meat.

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I'm not using anything incorrectly.
I'm mostly vegetarian and mostly don't eat meat. The rare occasions that I do meat are clearly when I'm not mostly vegetarian. I don't claim to be vegetarian while eating a juicy roast chicken.

NeverHadHaveHas · 21/01/2025 08:58

NeverHadHaveHas · 21/01/2025 08:56

It does affect vegetarians, because people who use the term incorrectly are why actual vegetarians have to clarify that we don’t eat any meat.

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And you can’t be ‘mostly’ something that you either are or aren’t.

eightIsNewNine · 21/01/2025 08:58

NeverHadHaveHas · 21/01/2025 08:46

If you occasionally aren’t following the rules of something, you can’t then use a word to describe yourself which suggests that you are someone who permanently adheres to those rules. Vegetarians don’t eat meat. You do. There’s no issue with that, just don’t use a word that suggests that you don’t eat meat at all. What’s the issue with saying ‘I rarely eat meat?’, which is what is true in your case. Why the need for a label that doesn’t apply to you?

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Of course she can.
It means she doesn't subscribe to vegetarian identity, but lives mostly vegetarian reality.

It gives people around her important information both about her preferences (vege) and about existence of exceptions (if they see her with meat, or need to ask about a potential exception).

denhaag · 21/01/2025 08:57

True, but you look a bit of twit asking to speak to the chef to enquire whether your vegetarian quiche has any seafood in it.

NeverHadHaveHas · 21/01/2025 08:56

NormaleKartoffeln · 21/01/2025 08:48

I am mostly vegetarian - that describes exactly what I am. I've never claimed to be completely vegetarian. I rarely eat meat means exactly the same thing but, imho, comes over as a bit preachy sounding, as if meat is somehow evil. It's my choice, it doesn't affect you.

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It does affect vegetarians, because people who use the term incorrectly are why actual vegetarians have to clarify that we don’t eat any meat.

NormaleKartoffeln · 21/01/2025 08:56

cordiallyuninvited · 21/01/2025 08:55

You really cannot comprehend that I hadn't seen it? I'm already at work. Have a good day.

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Get off MN then you skiving scoundrel. 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
(Yes, that's a joke).

cordiallyuninvited · 21/01/2025 08:56

The mostly vegetarian thing, I don't think is anywhere near as potentially harmful as saying you're a vegetarian when you eat fish, or other types of meat. The description works. It doesn't change the definition of something or cause confusion.

cordiallyuninvited · 21/01/2025 08:55

Housewife2010 · 21/01/2025 08:48

I corrected my typo at 6:40, dear. Immediately below my original post.
Unfortunately we can't all be as perfect as you.
Have a lovely day arguing with strangers.
I'm going to work. 🤣

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You really cannot comprehend that I hadn't seen it? I'm already at work. Have a good day.

Housewife2010 · 21/01/2025 08:48

cordiallyuninvited · 21/01/2025 08:44

I don't have my crystal ball on me at the moment, apologies. (I did not know you planned on editing your post).

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I corrected my typo at 6:40, dear. Immediately below my original post.
Unfortunately we can't all be as perfect as you.
Have a lovely day arguing with strangers.
I'm going to work. 🤣

NormaleKartoffeln · 21/01/2025 08:48

NeverHadHaveHas · 21/01/2025 08:46

If you occasionally aren’t following the rules of something, you can’t then use a word to describe yourself which suggests that you are someone who permanently adheres to those rules. Vegetarians don’t eat meat. You do. There’s no issue with that, just don’t use a word that suggests that you don’t eat meat at all. What’s the issue with saying ‘I rarely eat meat?’, which is what is true in your case. Why the need for a label that doesn’t apply to you?

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I am mostly vegetarian - that describes exactly what I am. I've never claimed to be completely vegetarian. I rarely eat meat means exactly the same thing but, imho, comes over as a bit preachy sounding, as if meat is somehow evil. It's my choice, it doesn't affect you.

NeverHadHaveHas · 21/01/2025 08:46

NormaleKartoffeln · 21/01/2025 08:33

Is it that hard for you to comprehend that 'mostly' means that someone occasionally isn't following the rules of said thing?

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If you occasionally aren’t following the rules of something, you can’t then use a word to describe yourself which suggests that you are someone who permanently adheres to those rules. Vegetarians don’t eat meat. You do. There’s no issue with that, just don’t use a word that suggests that you don’t eat meat at all. What’s the issue with saying ‘I rarely eat meat?’, which is what is true in your case. Why the need for a label that doesn’t apply to you?

VivSavage · 21/01/2025 08:46

I went to a wedding a few years ago where the 'vegetarian' meal was fish and the 'buffet' was bacon sandwiches which left the genuine vegetarians with nothing to eat. The reception was held miles from anywhere which gave people no option to leave and get food. As we all had to stay over people were absolutely ravenous and the whole day was excruciating.

NormaleKartoffeln · 21/01/2025 08:45

cordiallyuninvited · 21/01/2025 08:41

Yes, agreed. It's just using the wording correctly. Not doing so causes issues in many different ways.

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Mostly vegetarian isn't incorrect.
I mostly don't eat meat, I occasionally do. I don't think it's a vegetarian meal when it contains meat.

cordiallyuninvited · 21/01/2025 08:44

Housewife2010 · 21/01/2025 08:41

So you obviously didn't read my post immediately below this one where I corrected my typo?
Too ready to rush in and argue? 🤣

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I don't have my crystal ball on me at the moment, apologies. (I did not know you planned on editing your post).

cordiallyuninvited · 21/01/2025 08:41

NormaleKartoffeln · 21/01/2025 08:36

If you ask for the vegetarian option it should be meat free, because that's what vegetarian means. It's also ok to say you mostly eat vegetarian but sometimes have meat, if that's what you do. If anything that's further clarifying that meat isn't part of any vegetarian meal. By meat I mean any animal flesh, including fish and sea food.

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Yes, agreed. It's just using the wording correctly. Not doing so causes issues in many different ways.