Any idea why this meat eater would feel the need to call themselves a vegetarian?

Question

Shall we all just give up, life is getting way to complicated.

black is white, light is dark, sunshine is rain, meateating is vegetarian...apparently

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=An71g0VHTCxIlPsVZDI.j6d26xR.?qid=20070904181920AAK7d2y

Veggies, please go and tell this person what you think, ta.

mclire, you do know every veggie will give you a thumbs down for that ?

Veggies eating fish and poultry ?

Have i drifted into an alternative universe ?

Meg: let me help here:

The definition of a vegetarian has been consistant for 144 years, since it was created by the vegetarian society and included in the Oxford and Cambridge dictionaries:

A vegetarian does not eat meat, fish, poultry nor slaughter by-products, with or without the inclusion of dairy and eggs.

Its not up for negotiation or interpretation to suit ones whims.

All the rest is just recent intenet corruptions of an established word

"me", thanks for taking the time write and explain all that information. I understand what you say and agree with how you identify yourself as a veggie during some circumstances.

This is totally different to the person I am asking about.

However, just because your friends eat meat and claim to be veggie, doesn't make it true. Its just further evidence of the erosion being done to vegetarianism

If someone has a hardtime describing they are a pescetarian why use a word that is incorrect ?

Isn't that just lazy and creating so much more confusion for the rest of us ?

Its not about "labels".

Most people would think it bizarre if i described myself as a Black American if i'm an anglo-saxon Englishman. Thats because i'm mis-using definitions and people just would not understand it. Black Americans would quite rightly be offended by my mis-use of thier heritage.

why is the word "vegetarian" any different ?

Ashley, excellent logic and debate - thanks for your contribution.

Answer 1

I wish it were an alternate universe. It was a strange coming together of events last night.

She first posted a question asking people what they think "vegetarian" means, got several answers equating to the concept that vegetarians don't eat animals (craziness, I know), continued to call those answers "rude" and posted another question.

In Q2 she referenced her first Q and said what I like to call the quote of the week: "Just because you are vegetarian doesn't mean you can't eat meat."
Heehee.

I and several others informed her that yes, that is exactly what vegetarian means. I got an email telling me I was rude and that she discovered my deep and hidden blog entries and tried to "call me out."

Too bad she didn't read the blog entry more carefully.
Anyway, that is the recap... an odd night all around.
And unfortunately, this is the real world.
:)

Answer 2

Many years ago it was acceptable to call a person that ate poultry and fish a vegetarian. I think that was just because of the level of consciousness of the animals. For example fish have very few nerves vs cattle so fish would feel less pain, etc. I think that people who think they are practicing a non-meat eating diet and actually eat certain types of meat are thinking about the much older views on vegetarianism and that is not really accurate.

Answer 3

Thank you!

I usually respect people’s lifestyles and how they choose live, but come on? People should stop being hypocrites. Calling yourself a “vegetarian” even if you don’t eat a certain type of meat (whether it’s pork, chicken, or fish) or eat meat only “once in a while” does NOT mean that you are a vegetarian.

While I’m on the subject, if someone who eats meat calls themselves a vegetarian, what are people who don’t eat any type of meat (like myself) supposed to call themselves? “Pure Vegetarians” or “True Vegetarians”? Come on?! That would just be ridiculous!

So lets all follow Michael’s definition and end it at that.
“The definition of a vegetarian has been consistant for 144 years, since it was created by the vegetarian society and included in the Oxford and Cambridge dictionaries:
A vegetarian does not eat meat, fish, poultry nor slaughter by-products, with or without the inclusion of dairy and eggs.”

Oh, and Michael your response to barbara about labels was so true.


Thanks for letting me vent.

Answer 4

Seriously! What part of the word "vegetarian" doesn't this person understand? Not only that, but I get VERY irritated at people who insist that those who abstain from eating "red meat" yet still eat poultry and seafood are vegetarians. If you eat ANY flesh at all, you're NOT a vegetarian!

Answer 5

Probably because of all the misinformation given on line. There are so many websites that publish wrong information and the naive and ignorant will believe anything they read.

Did you see the post about the guy who is a "pesce-vegetarian" and wanted salmon recipes? He emailed me stating that pesce-vegetarian IS real because some websites said so. He did not bother using a dictionary...where the real meaning of vegetarian is.

We just have to face that some people live in the dark while others strive to learn correct facts.

Answer 6

I wish I had an answer for you. I, myself, eat fish and occasionally poultry. I do a lot of entertaining and I have always been respectful of other peoples' choices in terms of what they eat and if I don't know someone well enough to know whether or not they eat meat or dairy, etc. I always ask and make sure there are good choices for them. Last Christmas Eve I made a big buffet dinner which was 90% vegan (even some raw vegan) and my meat-eating guests never even noticed--they just loved the food.

But let me share this frustrating experience with you. My brother-in-law claims he is a vegetarian. For several years, I made special vegetarian versions of food for holidays--particularly Thanksgiving because I know that's a big eating holiday where vegetarians are all too often left to their own devices. I made special stuffing, flavored with vegetable broth and not cooked in the bird; I made vegan mushroom gravy, etc. And I pointed out to him which dishes were vegetarian--at which point, he told me "Actually I prefer the regular stuffing and gravy."

He eats fish, shellfish and on several occasions chicken (not to mention the aforementioned Thanksgiving items). Furthermore, he has taught his two children that you can eat fish and poultry and still call yourself a vegetarian. His son now calls himself a vegetarian, but eats fish and chicken on a regular basis.

Two days ago, I actually heard him say that he hasn't eaten meat in 34 years. He didn't even say he was a vegetarian--he actually said he hasn't eaten meat.

I don't know what goes on in his head that he thinks he's a vegetarian or that fish and chicken "don't count." I eat a predominantly meatless diet, but I do eat organically grown, local chicken and fish from sustainable sources (I find that's a healthier diet for me than strictly vegetarian); my point being I would never call myself a vegetarian. But I thought I would weigh in with an accounting from the 'other side.' :)

Answer 7

Sure I call myself a vegetarian when the need arises. It's a great way to meet new people. I don't mind a little role play now and then. I can forego meat in a meal now and then. When I go to the health shows I'm vegan or vegetarian whatever happens to work to get free samples. Besides women like these vegetarian guys and so I'm one if it cements our relationship. Since I have no thoughts of marriage or moving in with them, I can have my meat on the side and have plant food when I'm with her. Has been working well for years, why disturb it. It's only a word.

Answer 8

I totally agree with you. I also think it's a sad comment on society today that someone considers so abnormal to only eat meat once or twice a week that they feel they need a special label. I always thought vegetarian and vegan, and possibly the new inclusion of piscavore/pescaterian whatever, were just labels that made it easier to tell people what you will and will not eat without giving an itemized breakdown. But if people who eat meat start using the terms, then that could create a lot of confusion and we could start finding chicken salad on the vegetarian menu.

Answer 9

What about Fish Flesh?
It's still meat - & mare importantly, still one of gods creatures.
Vegetarians should stick to vegetables & never cross the line.
Just because they can breathe under water & vegetarians can't - Well - that's no excuse to fry them up & gorge them down - that really makes me sick. Stick to rhubarb - Veggies -
Leave the fish alone...
& Mr Meat, you really are a ****

Answer 10

I don't think your problem is veggies eating meat. The problem is in yer quest to be "Extreme Vegan," you have gone fruity. Build a bridge and get over it, ya nut job.