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AIBU?

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Original poster

To ask why so many "vegetarians" eat fish?

267 replies

Housewife2010 · 14/04/2015 08:06

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!

OP posts:
TheRestofmylifeiswaiting · 15/04/2015 16:56

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Branleuse · 15/04/2015 17:02

apparently from an eco point of view, its much less detrimental to eat plant eating animals than it is to eat fish as theyre not such a vital part of the ecosystem. Our seas are being absolutely plundered for fish which are not able to be replenished anywhere near quickly enough.
Youd be much better to eat rabbit or chicken

Branleuse · 15/04/2015 17:03

obv the most eco conscious and sustainable diet is generally plant based though

CumberCookie · 15/04/2015 17:17

I think its weird too and I know a few vegetarians who get really (and justifiably imo) when people assume they eat fish.

SisterMoonshine · 15/04/2015 17:18

For some people it's about the quality of life the animal experiences before it is eaten.

TedAndLola · 15/04/2015 17:42

I suppose I could say I don't eat meat but why shouldn't I say "veggie who eats fish"

Because then people think some vegetarians eat fish, which they don't. And real vegetarians get served fish.

IsJustMe · 15/04/2015 17:46

I once had an infuriating conversation with a trained chef (not sure what the “trained” bit related to in retrospect) in a rather nice hotel. When booking my stay, I was assured that they could cater for me. When I checked in, and double-checked that I could have a vegetarian dinner, I was offered chicken. I politely explained that chicken was not vegetarian, and got a confused look. I explained that I didn’t eat anything that had a face, feathers, fins or feet. “So why can’t you eat chicken then?” was the answer.

That level of stupidity is something I have come across many times.

bumbleymummy · 15/04/2015 19:26

That's a bit worrying IsJustMe. What did he think he was cooking? Confused

RufusTheReindeer · 15/04/2015 20:11

I wouldn't call myself a vegetarian who eats fish

As that's not the dictionary definition and would explain the confusion

You are a vegetarian or a pescatarian,

I just have to make my bloody mind up Hmm

keepitsimple0 · 15/04/2015 20:41

It's because no-one was particularly pedantic about it until recently, and to be honest I know lots of people that class themselves as "vegetarians" and still eat fish.

It's one of those MN Issues that doesn't really happen often in the real world, but will get done to death on here....

spoken like a true non-vegetarian.

actually, it does matter to us vegetarians because half the planet now thinks we eat fish. We were once going to a restaurant and I was told that they have tons of vegetarian stuff because X is vegetarian and X loves the restaurant.

I get to the restaurant and there isn't a single vegetarian thing on the menu. X eats fish.

Grrrrrrr.

ArgyMargy · 15/04/2015 22:24

Sorry but if a pescetarian can eat things that aren't fish, then a vegetarian can eat things that aren't vegetables.

DoJo · 15/04/2015 22:29

Sorry but if a pescetarian can eat things that aren't fish, then a vegetarian can eat things that aren't vegetables.

I don't think anyone on any of the potential sides of this debate would disagree with that - has anyone ever claimed that they can't?

IsJustMe · 16/04/2015 00:57

bumbleymummy I have no idea what the "chef" thought he was cooking. I do remember that he wasn't impressed when I informed him that a chicken was not a vegetable.

When you get that sort of level of stupidity in a restaurant, I tend not to stay for a meal. You just know that the vegetarian soup will have been made with beef stock, the vegetarian lasagne will be smothered with Parmesan cheese, and gelatine will have been snuck into something too. And, yes, fish will be the vegetarian option, because fish are obviously vegetables too.

bumbleymummy · 16/04/2015 07:07

Grin isJustMe

AlternativeTentacles · 16/04/2015 07:33

Could people that aren't vegetarians because they eat fish simply say 'Oh, I don't eat meat'? I don't get why that is so hard.

I often say 'I don't eat meat or fish' to avoid being lumped in with the fake veggies that do eat fish because it has now become a completely different animal thanks to them.

LaLaLaaaa · 16/04/2015 07:36

I am a pescetarian but to say so makes me sound like a wanker.

So I say I'm veggie but eat fish. If I'm in a restaurant though I say I'm pescetarian because I don't care if they think I'm a wanker!

AlternativeTentacles · 16/04/2015 07:46

So I say I'm veggie but eat fish.

AARRGGHH.

NO you are not a veggie if you eat fish!!!!

Just say 'I don't eat meat'. It is fewer words, letters and syllables. And it is correct. Why is this so hard?

ratsintheattic · 16/04/2015 07:47

I am a pescatarian and I can honestly say it never comes up. People can have known me for years and not realise. In restaurants I just order what I want without labelling myself.if anyone asks I say I'm a vegetarian but eat fish occasionally. In those rare circumstances it is usual to be asked to justify my choices. I don't.

bumbleymummy · 16/04/2015 07:56

I say I don't eat meat - just fish if I'm asked. I wouldn't call myself a vegetarian for the reasons given on this thread. I used to be vegetarian though so it just seemed obvious that when I started eating fish I couldn't call myself that any more.

LaLaLaaaa · 16/04/2015 07:58

Tentacles - it's really not that important to get this wound up. Go have some gin, it's veggie and will make you feel better Grin

ArgyMargy · 16/04/2015 08:29

Yes, Dojo a lot of people are saying that vegetarians can't eat fish.

LaLaLaaaa · 16/04/2015 08:42

I am understanding of why it is annoying for veggies in restaurants as I used to not eat fish and the choice was abominable. That's why I started eating fish, I got so bloody fed up with it. I used to run a restaurant and was insistent on choice for vegetarians.

In a restaurant I would always say pescetarian because that's what I am. It's only to people who don't know what that means I say 'vegetarian but eat fish' because otherwise they just don't get it.

keepitsimple0 · 16/04/2015 09:26

Because I sound like a poncy middle class twat saying I'm a pescetarian and can imagine it would have gone down particularly badly when we visit friends and relatives in my DH's working class area Northern home town. Veggie who eats fish is pretty clear.

being clear shouldn't make you sound like a poncy middle class twat.

IneedAdinosaurNickname · 16/04/2015 09:49

Ds1 (10) was explaining to a relative of mine a couple of weeks ago that he was pescetarian. After he had patiently explained what it was and why he had chosen to be one she told me we were snobs Confused

Said relative then went on to continually question why ds couldn't eat haribo as vegetarians do. She insisted he was vegan.

As a child my mum always said she was veggie. Only she eats chicken (as long as it's not on the bone) and fish. Even now she thinks vegetarians who eat quorn are 'stupid' because she can't seem to understand they don't eat meat for ethical, rather than taste reasons.

DoJo · 16/04/2015 10:00

Yes, Dojo a lot of people are saying that vegetarians can't eat fish.

But nobody is saying they can't eat anything other than vegetables.