To ask why so many "vegetarians" eat fish?

[Housewife2010]

I think I may now describe myself as a vegetarian who eats meat! I don't eat any shellfish or much fish so surely it all evens out!

I realise that some people may not eat 'meat' on health grounds and may be okay with fish but the actual number must be very very small.

The majority however are not actually vegetarians, they are people who have chosen not to eat animals that they would like to cuddle and have arrived at the conclusion that fish are horrid and slimy so aren't deserving of their mercy and can be eaten.

It's usually these individuals who then harp on about how eating meat is cruel etc etc and how farming is cruel (when in fact they haven't actually got a clue how their fish is produced or caught!!)

The majority however are not actually vegetarians, they are people who have chosen not to eat animals that they would like to cuddle and have arrived at the conclusion that fish are horrid and slimy so aren't deserving of their mercy and can be eaten.

And the evidence for this is ... ?

Isitjustme- but lots of vegetarians don't care about these things. They are much looser in their definition- they will happily eat non vegetarian cheese, don't care if their veggie burgers are cooked on the same grill as meat, in fact they would rather not know.

Ha ha - it's not purists that care about this things. It's people who are actual vegetarians. Which is the point of the thread...the people who say they are vegetarians but who eat fish are not vegetarians. That is the point.

fulltothebrim I understand what you are saying, but I would still say that those so-called vegetarians aren't really vegetarians. If you are prepared to eat meat stock, meat gravy, non-veggie cheese or whatever, then you are not vegetarian. You are eating meat, albeit ground-up bits of it!

Sadly, I am more than happy to let people eat whatever the heck they want, I'm married to a carnivore and wouldn't dream of trying to convert him - it's just that it does affect me if I do want to eat out. I am lucky in that my DH will come to veggie restaurants with me, but it would be nice if I could eat at his choice of restaurant without all the hassle.

Although I agree with isjust and anyone that eats meat stock, gravy, gelatine, non veggie wine or non veggie cheese isn't a vegetarian

It's going to make life difficult for a lot of people

If they do have that twist of Parmesan on their veggie pasta the they can't say they are veggie OR that they don't eat meat it's going to make the explanations very long

I've just watched one of those chef Gordon Ramsey programmes where he sorts out failing restaurants, and immediately thought of this thread.

Gordon discovered that they used pork bones (and sausage??) to make their flavoursome tomato sauce ... the vegetarian eating it only found out because she found a bone in the sauce.

The restaurant owner could not see what was wrong with serving that sauce to the vegetarian.

That's why I end up asking what seem like stupid questions if I am eating anywhere other than at home.

I am afraid I eat most things, but at least 80% rod and line fish while sailing. Ashore, and given the choice, I would rather wild venison than farmed salmon. Here in NZ, on my ecological principles I choose grass fed beef to factory chicken and on environmental grounds I choose lamb over beef, and as it often gets wasted and thrown away, will buy the offal on offer (get three meals of liver and onions for less than a pound). At the risk of getting flamed (Giddy turn away) I would choose squirrel or rabbit over supermarket "skinless chicken breast". Perhaps soon we will be able to buy chicken eggs without shells!

As to definition of vegetarian: DW was a Guider. I would turn up at the camp to sneak in bottle of red collect ds to drive him home. DW would gather her troop? (that what we were called in scouts) of guides around the fire and announce "We are having burger and chips", or "We are having fish and chips" - So how many of you are vegetarian tonight? Usually a lot less than on the consent forms. Dangerous and subversive woman she!

I've been veggie for roughly 100 years. As far as I can remember I've only been served fish once, on a plane, in about 1992.

I don't eat meat or fish or gelatine or lard or anything like that. I don't care if anyone else does. I don't care if they gnaw on a chicken leg in front of me. I cook meat for my children (very occasionally!) though I can't have tinned tuna in the house because it makes me want to vom. I have never ever told anyone they should also be vegetarian. People still get defensive around me though and say things like 'I don't eat a lot of meat'. It's odd but I don't let it worry me (most of the time!). I do get a bit shirty when hilarious people say: 'how can you have a vegetarian sausage?' But that's because I've heard that approx once a week for 20 years and it gets very dull.

If they do have that twist of Parmesan on their veggie pasta the they can't say they are veggie OR that they don't eat meat grin it's going to make the explanations very long

No, people who are vegetarians just say 'no parmesan thanks'. That is because they are veggie. And as such, do not eat Parmesan. Anyone else, is not vegetarian.

I think you can get veg parmesan

Of course you can - but they don't usually have it in restaurants do they? More's the pity.

If you say so, I have never had cause to ask, but it does go well with Italian and agree it is a pity for you that they do not. (I even put it on mash!)

I've had 30 years of asking. Unless it is an actual vegetarian restaurant then it is highly unlikely to be vegetarian.

alternative

I know that someone who eats non veggie Parmesan isn't a veggie

It was supposed to be a bit lighthearted hence the

But I should add quickly that I know it is an absolute pain in the bum being a vegetarian and having to double check everything, I've been there

Slightly off thread but sainsburys basics Italian hard cheese is vegetarian and is a really tasty substitute.

I don't like the word 'pescatarian' (which my phone recognises btw) because it sounds silly and made-up. However, I fail to see why people are complaining that it should mean 'someone who ONLY eats fish', since 'vegetarian' has never meant 'Someone who only eats vegetables' .

Anyway, clearly people can eat what they want. It's understandable that the labels can be misused or get a bit confusing, as these kind of specific dietary choices are relatively recent phenomena. Obviously if you don't want people to serve you food that you won't eat, it is wise to be specific.

If I had a guest who said they were vegetarian, I would be aware that some people who say they are vegetarian (to avoid complex discussions!) also eat fish, so I would either ask them or would stick to actual vegetarian dishes. I don't think that is rocket science, or anything to get cross about.