Does labeling of Vegetarian/Vegan/Pescatarian put us all off eating less meat?

[speakout]

Do we really need these labels? I am an omnivore. I eat very little meat or dairy.
I understand there are many reasons for avoiding animal products in our diet, health and cost are some, but I wonder if by applying such strict definitions of ourselves it is actually counter productive.
I have seen vegans slated because they have polished off a bowl of ice cream, vegetarians who have fallen off the wagon and eaten a kebab, does all that really matter?

I know for some there is a moral issue- which is open for debate, but possibly a huge number like me prefer to eat mostly a plant based diet, but if I find a bit of lamb in my cassoulet or my corn on the con has been cooked on the same bit of BBQ as a steak it;s no big deal.
I guess I am questioning the whole religious zeal of vegetarianism, and also how many vegetarians choose their diet based on "moral" grounds.

I agree with @PorklessPie

I think the word "vegan" would be used by someone who truly believes in the principles of veganism. So for example, someone who has milk in their coffee if theres no soya is 100% not a vegan.

Cutting down on any meat, dairy or fish is admirable, but i wouldnt expect these people to call themselves vegan. Its become almost fashionable to say it. But your annoyance should be directed towards carnivores who fancy calling themselves vegan, not vegans themselves!

If i couldn't call myself a vegan how would i ever explain my food choices in response to meat eaters questions?

I've been vegetarian for 25 years, nobody else in my family is. I really, REALLY don't care what anybody else eats. I have taken my own food to places to make it easier for them (think veggie burgers and my own disposable BBQ to a family gathering), I go out of my way to make it easier on everybody else. My dad wanted to go to a steak restaurant for a birthday, I contacted them before to make sure there was something on the menu I could eat and all was well. I don't understand why this gives other people the right to judge me.

Also, I hate the vegetarian/vegans who talk about eating dead bodies etc. How can I expect people not to criticise me when I'm moaning over what they are eating?

@MsJuniper that would be full metal wanker indeed. And yet...

theflexitarian.co.uk/i-am/flexitarian/

But vegans surely use no animal products.

So therefore never ride in a bus or a car, don't use mobile phones or TVs

Boring on about your food choices is pretty dull. Labels are to guide those who can't or wont eat certain foods, fair enough.

Blabbering about the meat or dairy industry and then eating ice cream deserves all it gets.

So therefore never ride in a bus or a car, don't use mobile phones or TVs

I think you'd find if the demand for meat/dairy reduced, the "extras" left over from animal production would become less inexpensive, and they would slowly filter out of use in these ways.

It's a very cheap argument against veganism.

Also, if you believe something is immoral, you do you utmost to alleviate it. So, if you think homelessness is bad, you give money to a charity - sure, doing this won't take all the homeless off the street, and you're still living in a country where the government has failed these people, and continue to live comfortably in your house - but you still don't agree with the homelessness situation and you're doing your bit. But by your argument about veganism, you're suggesting there's no point in helping these people because the very problem can never be eradicated. It's a very bizarre reasoning.

Also, being a vegan, I avoid palm oil, cosmetics, household products, clothing (wool, fur, leather, suede, etc), etc.

Your argument about not being able to be a "true" vegan is infantile.

@Dailymailshutyamouth 100% how I feel, but didn't know how to word