Why some people think we are some sort of secret club?

Question

I see so many questions & answers from people who seem to think that those who follow a vegetarian lifestyle think that we belong to some elite club. Do they picture in their heads that we put on funny hats and head down to the community center every Thursday night for a members only meeting?

I got an email from a man who called me an "ELITEST" because I simply told him that the term "pesce-vegetarian" is an oxymoron and that vegetarians do not eat fish. He appeared to be upset that I did not think he should be in this so called club we all belong to.

Is there a club I don't know about? I know I don't belong to one. Why do some folks think there is one and get upset when they think they can't join because they are given an honest answer.

me: You fail to see what I am trying to say. A pesce-vegetarian IS a made up word. You cannot be a vegetarian that eats fish. That's utter nonsense. That same person who asked the question asked for salmon recipes. What part of "Vegetarian's dont eat fish" is that hard to understand? This is not about moral fiber or Michael Vick..you are talking out of your . Being on the road to vegetarianism is a great stepping stone for anyone.most of us have been there but asking for salmon recipes in a vegetarian forum is like asking for a rum recipe in the non-alcoholic drinks section. I set the guy straight with an honest truthful answer and he gets his panties in a wad.

Answer 1

I have no idea, but after this week of animal-eating crazies who are insistent on using the word and persistent in calling the dictionary rude, I am considering dropping out of the education program so I can focus on linguistics to write a thesis on it.

"When Dictionary Definitions Become a Club: People who Battle and Whine About Word Definitions When They Desperately Want that Word to Pertain to them as Opposed to Changing their Actions to fit that Word they Want to be"

or title 2

"Why I can say the definition of Onomatopoeia and no one Freaks Out, but I Say the Definition of Vegetarian and People Call me a Rude Elitist and Freak Out Because the Definition Specifically Excludes the Eating of Animals (as it always has.)"

Catchy names? I think it could revolutionize the way we think about language forever.
:)

Answer 2

Well the sterotype is that we are all tree hugging hippies. I don't know why that is but that's the sterotype. In my avatar I decided to be that hippie but in real life not the slightess. Except for the occasional zannie bar no.

If you find the club though be sure and tell me.

I think it's more about wanting the label of vegetarian or vegan. I've been a veggie for 7 years and have just now heard terms like pesce-tarian and such. I have no idea what the hell those are. People wanting labels. You can only be vegetarian, vegan, or a meat eater. That's it.

Vegetarians are more thoughtful. We care more. We are an elight society.

Answer 3

Lillyian, can i pre-order a couple of copies please ?

The double standards on this site does begger belief. Apparently, according to one entry in my in-box, the recent rants we've seen are perfectly ok and we need to see therapists.

That hypocrisy needs a chapter on its own in Lillyians book.

"Kitkat & club". Are they both vegetarian chocolate biscuits ?

I agree with what you say kitkat, somehow we are an attention seeking fad club/cult. how come ? Does any other life choice get the same abuse ?

Skin heads - Do they get accused of being in an elitest club if they say my hair is too long ?

I'm confused by the fishy-meaty-trolls lack of logic, i need to go and lie down.

Everyone surely know we don't belong to a "club".
Its a cult, not club, we get told enough times.

And please, get with the program, its a Tuesday night. No wonder you never turn up.

People should use words correctly, in a similar way that they should use the word "vegetarian" correctly.


On a serious note....i agree with "me" generally that a pecsi is a decent reduction of animal cruely. I think people applaud that, what they don't like is the highjacking of the word vegetarian, or mixing the fishy diet with things like flexi, semi, pesci-vegetarian. Because that devalues my chosen diet ( which is a moral choice for me ) i find it offensive to my commitment and the moral beliefs to which i live. Regardless of what the trolls say, it is more than annoying to hear "ok, so we'll serve you fish then ?" in response to the "i'm veggie" statement. Its a shame pescis cannot see that.

Let me repeat - fisheaters claiming they are vegetarian is seriously devaluing my morals. it would be nice if they would stop and think, and then maybe respect that.

Where do i now look to define what i believe if i cannot use the pre-defined word ? Do i start using "Vegetarian-1990" so people can differentiate between my moral values and those of the internet generation.

I don't think veggies knock pescis for eating fish, i think they generally knock them for using the word vegetarian.

Answer 4

I learned the secret handshake a few years ago, but I have since broken my thumb; because of the damage I can no longer twist it correctly. Thank the gods, older members recognize me, so I can still sneak in with a half handshake.

To get to the clubhouse - go around back by the tree swing, take a right at the funny looking tree (you'll know it) and climb under the fence. Look for the red door and knock four times wait two seconds and knock three more times. See you there.

People find using the term to describe their eating preferences for a specific meal entitles them to use it consistently even if they are inconsistent in the practice. I don't get, after 18 years of consistency don't I deserve a special title?

Answer 5

I don't think vegetarians are elitists. I think they're just like the rest of us, except maybe a little smarter.

Let me briefly share my story. I am a man in my 40s who, six months ago, loved his beer and burgers as much as anyone you have ever met. But health problems have caught up with me, and I have changed my ways. No more red meat! And plenty of fruits and veggies. I feel 20 years younger, and it wasn't that hard.

I do eat chicken and fish, and maybe I will change that too. But I have learned how TOXIC most foods Americans eat are, and have taken steps to stop poisoning myself. And WATER is better than any other drink!

I know there ethical reasons to be a vegetarian. I respect those beliefs, but don't share them. Maybe I will learn more on that front too.

But I wanted to take the opportunity (tangential as it may be) to attest how much healthier a diet based less on meat and processed foods can be, even for a lifetime "meat 'n potatoes" guy like me. Give me fresh fiber over gooey fat any day!

Answer 6

The reason why people think it is some sort of secret club is so many member act like it is exclusive.

Or more to the point, feel that there is no point in distinguishing between people who eat red meat at every meal and those who purposefully limit their meat consumption both in quantity and type.

I get the feeling from v's that if one eats no beef, chicken, or pork and small amount of fish there is no appreciable difference in that person's moral fiber than that of Michael Vick.

I do not seek to redefine vegetarianism, but is disingenuous to say that pescetarians is a "made up word" and vegetarian is a well defined word. Vegetarian was a made up word. It was just made up earlier than (by over a hundred years) than pescetarian. Pescetarian has not been around long enough to be as accepted, but is it is just as valid of a word as vegetarian was a hundred years ago.

Although the pescetarian diet is probably just as prevalent in society as vegetarian and certainly more so than vegan, it is just not that well organized. No lobbyist groups, websites, special diet books, sections in Y/A etc.

Also for many pescetarian is a stepping stone to vegetarian. I am sure there are some people who on Saturday night go to a pig roast, and then Sunday morning wake up and decide they are going to be a vegan, and shun the honey being offered for their tea.

But I suspect that is rare. For most it is a process. Red meat is often the first to go, fish the last.

Because the pescetarian do not have the structures and support process in place that vegetarianism does many look to the vegetarians for help. Much like one would look to an older cousin for advice. And how do you treat them? Like vegetarians-in-training? Aspiring vegetarians? Or do you approach them like they are the Michael Vick fan club?

Yes, there are some trolls about. But most of the pescetarians, pollotarians, semi-vegetarians, flexitrians, etc. are really potential future vegetarians. That is if they don’t abandon the quest because of lack of support.

Answer 7

After being vegan for 6 years, I have heard every put-down and gotten nasty stares when I ask for specific foods at restaurants. I think that it makes some people feel that I think I'm better than them because they do purchase/eat animal products and I don't. It's simply my choice, for many reasons.

But there ARE clubs, lol. The Vegan Society; and almost every major city has Vegetarian meet ups.

Answer 8

Being vegetarian is cool now, which would be good if people would actually BE vegetarian instead of just saying they are even though they eat chicken, fish and sweet and sour pork chops.

I don't know why it's so hard to just go to the cooking section and ask "Do you have any good fish recipes?"

Answer 9

LOL.. "Club"
I guess that is really no funnier than "Cult" from an earlier RANT.
On the Fish eater I have never figured out the Veggie issue there. Either you eat flesh or you don't. But there is a name for them & they are considered a branch of veggies.
Maybe like Christianity then the branch is Southern Baptist, Methodist or such?

LIFE GOES ON!
Slainté(to your health)

Answer 10

Well, there is the Secret Society of Vegans. And I'm told we get a Champion Juicer if we get 100 people to go vegan.

Nah, just kidding. There is no club per se, although there are vegetarian societies in a number of cities. I volunteer for one where I live, and our events are welcome to anyone interested in a plant-based diet.