Why do people call themselves vegetarians?

Question

When they eat fish?
Fish were alive, they breathed, have eyes, ate things.

Therefore in my eyes, they are not vegetarians.

Answer 1

Well, they're lying! Piscetarians eat fish but no meat. Vegetarians do not eat meat, fish or fowl.

Answer 2

If someone eats fish but no other meat they are NOt a vegetarian, they are a Pescaterian.

As to WHY they would say they are vegetarians, most likely they say vegetarian because they know no-one knows what a pescetarian is! And maybe they don't even know that pescaterian is what a "vegetarian" who eats fish is called! Its not a commonly used word.

The reason some people think its OK to eat fish as fish is "not meat" is because in the catholic church when they didn't eat meat on fridays it was OK for them to eat fish, so that idea that fish was OK for non-meat eating catholic days transfered through time so some people who don't really understand vegetarianism think that vegetarians think its OK to eat fish... just like the catholics on a friday!

Answer 3

Yes and these 'pescavores' help perpetuate the myth that vegetarians eat fish which is sickening. I'm a vegan so I hardly eat out.Poor vegetarians get offered fish or chicken as the so-called veggie option in restaurants and it has a lot to do with these fish-eaters confusing society!

Answer 4

I think it's one of three reasons.
1. They think that by not eating fish, they are being vegetarians. Fish are very abundant and are sometimes called "vegetables of the sea." They are also harder to relate to for us as mammals. We do not really believe that a fish could have feelings, therefore we do not mind killing them as much.

2. They say it so that other people will understand. It gets complicated to say "I don't eat beef, pork, chicken..."

3. They want the title. People tend to respect vegetarians and admire them. To call yourself a vegetarian means that you also get special treatment, i.e. you get made a special meal. Although they really are not vegetarians, they want to be able to be one without having to do the extra work of not eating fish, so they call themselves vegetarians.

It's still annoying, though.

Answer 5

Its not just in your eyes.
They are not vegetarians in anyones eyes.

A vegetarian does not eat any meat, fish, poultry or slaughter by-products.

This is the internationally accepted definition used by the vegetarion society, the International Vegetarian Union, Chambers, Cambridge and Oxford English dictionaries and just about everyone else.

It has been the definition for over 100 years.

And they can keep all thier semi / demi / flexi nonsense as well.

Is a cow "semi" dead ?

Is a cow dead only if a "flexi-veggie" kills it at the weekend ?

Am I a flexi-Muslim if i go to a Catholic Church on sunday ?

You are veggie, or not. There is no room for corruption of the word vegetarian just because people can't be bothered to get things right.

Its so simple, i have no clue as to why those fishy types seem to want to mis-use the English language.

wannabees ? Probably.

Insulting ? Definately

They normally use naff arguements like "its easier to say I'm veggie but eat fish"..

What rubbish. If they have a problem explaining thier diet to people they should fix that problem, not pass it onto vegetarians.

and well intentioned statements like "vegetarians that eat fish a re called...." NOT THEY ARE NOT. There is no such thing as a "vegetarian who eats fish". Why even use the word in any explaination of a fish-eater. You could say " A meat-eater who only eats fish is.....a peski-whetever"

what the **** is a "Fringe vegetarians"...(see several answers below. )

Lauren R is right in her summary - she is a fake. consider youself "resented". I don't care what you eat, thats not what we are talking about. I do care if you call yourself a vegetarian. As my mate Al would say "shame on you"

Answer 6

I am a piscaterian and it is a purely a lifestyle choice. I don't force the fact I don't eat meat but eat fish down people's throat (pardon the pun) but I do resent people who verbally attack me when I tell them I'm a vegetarian who eats fish (a lot of people haven't heard of a piscaterian so its easier to say vegetarian). Isn't it up to me what I eat and don't eat? I don't have a go at people because they don't eat apples but like oranges....its all about choice.
I'm not saying I'm vegetarian 'to look cool,' I do it for my own reasons.... which is no one business except mine :-)

Answer 7

The most natural and healthy diet for humans is an omnivorous diet, and not a plant based diet, or a meat-based diet per se. The Paleo Diet can be very widely varied and omnivorous for the most part, but the most important thing is that it’s unprocessed, and avoids the worst foods that agriculture brought mankind… refined inflammatory vegetable oils, refined grains (some are worse than others), and sugar! Learn here https://tr.im/xuhUi

As you can see, the benefits of adopting a Paleo way of eating can be incredible! I’ve been eating 95% Paleo for the last 5-6 years and I’ve never felt better. I have dozens of friends that have adopted a more Paleo way of eating too, and have seen all sorts of health problems disappear, including eliminating acne and other skin problems, digestion problems, improving brain clarity, and of course, losing a lot of body fat!

Answer 8

One of my daughters is a vegetarian and doesn't eat any animal, including fish.

Answer 9

They are not vegetarians if they eat things that had parents of faces!! They cant call themselves that!! Vegetarians don't eat any kind of meat but do eat eggs and milk! But vegans are total 100% animal product free!

Proud to be 100% vegan!!!

Answer 10

My new girlfriend is a vegetarian, which I thought might include fish, but she is strict vegy and I have to clear all the ingredients when I cook with her in case I make a meat eaters mistake.