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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To be annoyed with "vegetarians" that eat fish

237 replies

exBrightonBell · 03/01/2013 20:43

If you eat fish then you aren't a vegetarian - it's as simple as that! I'm a vegetarian and it pisses me off when I say so, and the next question is "do you eat fish?" Er, no, because I already said that I'm VEGETARIAN. It's just lazy and it causes confusion for actual vegetarians.

Now I appreciate that the term pescetarian is a bit of a clunky term that is unlikely to be used. But it IS the correct name for the fish eating brigade.

OP posts:
Viviennemary · 04/01/2013 00:09

I agree that you are quite simply not a vegetarian if you eat fish.

Alisvolatpropiis · 04/01/2013 00:09

DrRanj good for you! Bet she had a shock Grin

TodaysAGoodDay · 04/01/2013 00:13

My hypocrite friend calls herself a vegetarian but eats fish and chicken Angry

DrRanj · 04/01/2013 00:14

I hate the old "no it's vegans that don't eat fish" usually said by a know-it-all pub quiz type who clearly knows better than you, even though you have been a (proper non fish eating) vegetarian for 20 years, and a vegan (in the true sense of the word) for at least two of those. Hmm...

AudrinaAdare · 04/01/2013 00:17
Lindsay321 · 04/01/2013 00:21

Just to clarify things, "vegetarian" does not come from the word "vegetables". The Vegetarian Society states that it comes from the Latin "vegetal", meaning lively or vigorous. While this day and age it is taken to mean someone who does not eat meat or fish, it is not necessarily a description of somebody who only eats plants. Technically, the name is open to different interpretation (cultural or religious).

Fortunately, it does not and never has, excluded Rum! Xmas Grin

AudrinaAdare · 04/01/2013 00:25

The last time I drank Rum was twenty two years ago (half bottle of Captain Morgan's one Sixth Form afternoon) and I was the complete opposite of lively and vigorous Envy

Lindsay321 · 04/01/2013 00:27

It improves with (your) age Xmas Grin

pictish · 04/01/2013 00:38

Who cares really?

If someone who eats fish refers to themselves as being a vegetarian, then I couldn't give a toss.

Why does anyone? It's not like you get a special certificate and a medal for being a proper vegetarian is it? At least, not outside of your own head.

What does it matter?

MrsDimples · 04/01/2013 01:23

I care.

It matters because 'we' veggies get labelled as fussy and awkward.
We have a limited choice when eating out, as providers think we eat fish because of the selfish cunts that are pescetarians but are too fucking lazy and entitled to explain properly their dietary requirements. Look up thread for examples of them.

Whilst you don't give a toss, myself and thousands of others do.

Bessie123 · 04/01/2013 01:28

'Too fucking lazy and entitled'??

I think you need a Valium and a little sit down, love

pictish · 04/01/2013 01:34

Because of course, making a song and dance about people who eat fish calling themselves veggie for the sake of argument, won't make you seem fussy and awkward at all.

because of the selfish cunts that are pescetarians but are too fucking lazy and entitled to explain properly their dietary requirements

You're not awkward or fussy are you? You're well easy going.

pictish · 04/01/2013 01:34

And like I said - who cares?

pictish · 04/01/2013 01:40

Of course - there is no graver insult known to western culture than being thought of as a fish eater.

I see your point now.

Not really.

MrsDimples · 04/01/2013 01:41

Bessie I think I do.

Bogeyface · 04/01/2013 01:53

Slightly OT but I hope the vegans/veggies will be able to tell me!

Do vegans eat eggs? Part of me thinks that they would as hens will lay anyway so it is a natural by-product, but part of me understands why not as they are still an animal product.

Bogeyface · 04/01/2013 01:54

That was a Q about natural processes btw, not the start of an argument about induced laying, battery hens etc.

LentilAsAnything · 04/01/2013 02:04

It matters, pictish, as several people have pointed out above, because for real vegetarians, being offered fish when you are a proper vegetarian just because a few other people who claim they are vegetarian yet eat fish flesh have happily done so, is very frustrating. Why have labels for anything if we aren't going to stick to their definitions?
I'm a non-smoker but I only smoke B&H. It doesn't happen. So why this muddying of the waters?

Well, puds, use the term when relevant, and then people will learn, won't they! Why just perpetuate the ignorance?

Pescatarians who call themselves vegetarians are PESTatarians! :)

exBrightonBell, the egg may not feel pain, but the egg industry is horrific. Male chicks are chucked into bin liners alive until they slowly suffocate, or plopped on a conveyer belt to be mashed up, a method that doesn't kill many them efficiently and causes horrific pain. Egg-laying chickens do not have a good life, and 'free-range' is rather a meaningless term. There is hideous cruelty in the egg industry, so eating eggs directly causes pain and suffering.

ChippingInLovesChristmasLights · 04/01/2013 02:05

Bogey - no they don't. Vegans don't eat or use anything that is derived from an animal (including bees - ie honey)

Pictish. Do you ever get bored of being so rude?

LoopsInHoops · 04/01/2013 02:05

Who gives a shit? Really, can't they just call it what they like?

(ex vegetarian who now eats meat but not fish)

LentilAsAnything · 04/01/2013 02:07

Bogey, x-posted. No, vegans do not eat eggs. Vegans consume no animal products whatsoever, nor do we use animals for clothing/toiletries/entertainment (e.g. zoos or circuses). Vegans do not see them as objects to use, but as existing for their own purposes.
Eggs, as I just posted, come from a barbaric industry. I can provide links if you are interested in finding out more.

Narked · 04/01/2013 02:16

'Who cares?'

Probably the vegetarians who are served the 'vege' option which turns out to contain fish, because people calling themselves vegetarian when they're not leads to confusion about what vegetarians eat.

Bessie123 · 04/01/2013 02:19

To hijack the thread just a little bit, can anyone tell me about this chicken feathers in bread business? Does that mean shop bought bread is not vegetarian? I don't buy leather shoes, bags or belts and am definitely not going to buy or feed my kids chicken feathers

Bogeyface · 04/01/2013 02:38

I know a lot about the egg industry but was just wondering about the vegan stand point. I dont take my DC to zoos (or allow them to be taken) but they do eat eggs.

I am not veggie but dont eat meat and dont tolerate animal cruelty, despite being almost phobic with live animals. Go figure!

pictish · 04/01/2013 09:23

I was a vegetarian who did not eat fish for 12 years.
In all that time, I was offered fish maybe five times in total?
I said no thank you, I don't eat fish.

And that was it. Nothing else happened.

This thread is a load of self important nonsense about something that doesn't affect anyone at all.