Grr!

who007

Tara Le d'Arion wrote: »

Because pescetarians calling themselves vegetarians means most people offer vegetarians fish and a lot of places have fish as a the vegetarian option.
:-p

Fair enough... but the general masses are pretty ignorant as to what a pescetarian is, so cue another explanation..
Just honestly don't see why anyone gets riled up about pigeon-holing. It's like 2 guys I know - one a punk and one a DJ and woe betide you if you say "song x is a great punk/dance tune" and have unknowingly referenced a psychedelic rock anthem or an eighties electropop song.. Annoyed isn't the word!

Peanut

who007 wrote: »

Just honestly don't see why anyone gets riled up about pigeon-holing.

You wouldn't offer someone identifying themselves as Muslim or Jewish pork would you?

You could say they are pigeon-holing themselves too - maybe vegetarianism isn't quite the same as religious restrictions to some people, but speaking personally I don't think there is much difference at all, a lot of the time.

Slaphead07

Peanut wrote: »

maybe vegetarianism isn't quite the same as religious restrictions to some people.....

well our beliefs aren't based on imaginary friends for a start.

Peanut

My imaginary animal friends might take issue with that

Tar.Aldarion

go bulbasaur!

pq0n1ct4ve8zf5

Peanut wrote: »

You wouldn't offer someone identifying themselves as Muslim or Jewish pork would you?

I was recently amazed when a jewish acquaintance started eating a hamburger in front of me. Did NOT realise they were made out of beef, not ham.

But as for ovo-vegetarians identifying themselves as semi-vegan, pescatarians saying they're vegetarian, I can totally see why they would, the proper terms would need explaining constantly, it'd get really annoying

flikflak

who007 wrote: »

I eat fish (but no other meat) and it's easier for me to say I'm vegetarian than to have to explain my ethos on food every time someone asks.. Yep it's a bit of a catch all term these days but look at the amount of different genres in TV and film and music and the divisions and subdivisions people insist on labelling and putting into boxes. I don't wanna get into a discussion about it every time I eat out or meet someone new etc. so I use a catch all term that is the most accurate way of describing an otherwise long and tedious repeat of a discussion. Why should it bother anyone what someone else calls themselves anyway?

It does not catch all though as you say as you dont eat the same as me - I dont eat fish so how can it catch all.

It is not an accurate term to say you are a vegetarian. It may be easier for you but it is hard for the others of us. If you visit a friends house and you are perfectly happy to eat fish then I visit that same persons house the week after and am served fish I cant eat it.

Nature Boy

Dustin Drab Yardage wrote: »

But as for ovo-vegetarians identifying themselves as semi-vegan, pescatarians saying they're vegetarian, I can totally see why they would, the proper terms would need explaining constantly, it'd get really annoying

'I'm a pescetarian'
'What's that?'
'I don't eat any animals except fish'

I don't think that would take too long to say!

Besides, when I say I'm a vegetarian to someone, they question me (do you eat fish?, chicken?, wafter thin ham?, beef on the first thursday of a leap year? etc). So i don't think saying you're vegetarian saves time, you might as well say pescetarian and explain it cos you'll have to do it anyway.

pq0n1ct4ve8zf5

Yes, but it'd get annoying to say again and again like. I personally don't see the big deal is all, I say tamatto you say tomayto, I eat tofu you eat tuna, we're all outside the standard eating habits of the western world, let's just get along?

Nature Boy

Dustin Drab Yardage wrote: »

Yes, but it'd get annoying to say again and again like.

Well it gets annoying for us to have to say again and again that we don't eat fish.

flikflak

and again and again and again and again - shall I go on?

who007

flikflak wrote: »

It is not an accurate term to say you are a vegetarian. It may be easier for you but it is hard for the others of us. If you visit a friends house and you are perfectly happy to eat fish then I visit that same persons house the week after and am served fish I cant eat it.

That's totally irrelevant.
Who assumes that vegetarians eat fish? I don't know anyone who does.
My point as Electro has conceded is that if I am out socialising with people who don't know my dietary habits, it only ever comes into conversation if I decide against eating fish and am ask for a vegetarian option. Then if asked if I am a vegetarian I say yes. I really don't see how that gives anyone the idea that vegetarians eat fish. I guess there are people who want to be militant about their viewpoints but in my view life is about striking a balance and I have.

It's a big wide world and to start having a go at someone who is outside of the western eating habits (in a Venn diagram closer to your own) you'd think you might be friendlier to them.

BTW if your friends stop trying to shove fish down your throat next tim you're over there, you're welcome.. I'll have told them that you don't eat it

Slaphead07

who007 wrote: »

Who assumes that vegetarians eat fish? I don't know anyone who does.

Chefs, waiters, relatives, workmates etc etc etc etc

who007

Slaphead07 wrote: »

Chefs, waiters, relatives, workmates etc etc etc etc

well if that was the case I'd never have to explain myself at all then would I?:p But I do, because I always get asked "how come you eat fish if you are a vegetarian?"

QED

Does it take long to say "vegetarians don't eat fish?" btw?



I can only assume the more militant posters who have their knickers ni a twist about what a complete stranger calls themselves are quite young and haven't realised there are many shades of grey in the world yet?

Emerald Lass

ok, bear with me, its gonna be a long one! lol

whooho
I can only assume the more militant posters who have their knickers ni a twist about what a complete stranger calls themselves are quite young and haven't realised there are many shades of grey in the world yet?

I'm not longer (unforunately) classed as 'quite young' being 30, and I 'get my knickers in a twist' when those who eat fish call themselves veggie. Why? because for 17years I have been offered fish as a esult of this misinformation.

Does it take long to say "vegetarians don't eat fish?" btw?

well yes actually it does because so fish eaters class themselves as veggies, so you then undoubtedly get told, but soandso is a veggie and they eat fish, why dont you? then you have to tell them that soandso is a piscetarian, not a veggie and explain the difference so in effect WE are the ones exlplaining YOUR eating habits, not you! and its VERY ANNOYING

My point is that if I am out socialising with people who don't know my dietary habits, it only ever comes into conversation if I decide against eating fish and am ask for a vegetarian option. Then if asked if I am a vegetarian I say yes. I really don't see how that gives anyone the idea that vegetarians eat fish.

it gives the idea that veggies eat fish because oviously the reason why some people are asking you is because they KNOW you eat fish and are surprised that you call yourself a veggie!

why can't you just order the veggie option, and when someone asks if you are a veggie, say no, "I just don't fancy meat tonight?" or "the veggie option looks tasty?" why pretend to be something you are not????

flikflak wrote: »

This all stems from people saying they are a vegetarian and then eating fish. We need to hunt these people down and slap then about the face with a wet fish so they can see that it bears no resemblance to a vegetable!!;)

I am prepared to be first in line behind you brandishing a fish - preferable frozen hard! lol

flikflak wrote: »

My father still finds it funny to wave a sausage at me at bbq`s and ask do I want one :rolleyes:

I still get offered a fry of a saturday after 17 years - its not to be smart with me, he just genuinely can't get his head around someone not wanting a sausage and rasher of a saturday! its always followd, by 'eh no thanks your grand' to which he replies 'oh yeah, of course, I forgot'?????!!!!

flikflak wrote: »

I am bored with people trying to pick fights with me about my own personal choices

you are a fellow veggie after my own heart. After 17 years, I am no longer in the mood to convert anyone, or get them to agree. I now just say 'personal preference'. If they push it I just say, 'well I'll tell you why I don't eat meat if you can tell me why you DO eat meat, but only certain animals?' this usually shuts them up. If they come out with the usual gem of 'cos it tastes nice' then my reply is 'well I disagree I don't like it'. I leave it at that, I don't elaborate, i dont get into it with them, its wasted breath.

My partner is Muslim and I now live in a Muslim country - I am much more understood here. He is sick of being asked 'but would you not just like to taste a rasher?' and being asked 'why don't you eat pork' so he has an understanding of where I come from. Since moving to Turkey I have NEVER (touch wood) been offered fish for the veggie option. Plus they are a lot more understanding when I ask if there are any animal oils, juices etc. If they don't know they say - they don't bluff, only for me to eat something when I can TASTE the animal fat! Ireland has a lot to learn in this regard - hopefully the influx of new cultures and religions will make them more food aware.

ok, rant over, breathing back to normal rhythm!

Peanut

Emerald Lass wrote: »

... If they don't know they say - they don't bluff, only for me to eat something when I can TASTE the animal fat! Ireland has a lot to learn in this regard - hopefully the influx of new cultures and religions will make them more food aware.

I found that you have to watch the peynirli tost (toasted cheese sandwich).
Sometimes it's fine but I got the distinct impression that some places mix it up with the kebab stuff etc. Not much different from here I suppose.

Emerald Lass

not come across that before, but then again I rarely order cheese toasties or anything like that. my other half would complan about spending money on a cheese sambo you can make at home ! lol if we go out its expected we eat something we don't have or can't make at home. I'm starting to think like him now - oh dear, I'm turning Turkish. next thing you know I'll be putting doilies on my telly and using a baby food spoon in my sugar bowl! arrrrggggghhhhh!!! lol

Tar.Aldarion

who007 wrote: »

Who assumes that vegetarians eat fish? I don't know anyone who does.

You don't know a lot of people then.
It's very common.

who007

Emerald Lass wrote: »

ok, bear with me, its gonna be a long one! lol



I'm not longer (unforunately) classed as 'quite young' being 30, and I 'get my knickers in a twist' when those who eat fish call themselves veggie. Why? because for 17years I have been offered fish as a esult of this misinformation.

well yes actually it does because so fish eaters class themselves as veggies, so you then undoubtedly get told, but soandso is a veggie and they eat fish, why dont you? then you have to tell them that soandso is a piscetarian, not a veggie and explain the difference so in effect WE are the ones exlplaining YOUR eating habits, not you! and its VERY ANNOYING


it gives the idea that veggies eat fish because oviously the reason why some people are asking you is because they KNOW you eat fish and are surprised that you call yourself a veggie!

why can't you just order the veggie option, and when someone asks if you are a veggie, say no, "I just don't fancy meat tonight?" or "the veggie option looks tasty?" why pretend to be something you are not????


I am prepared to be first in line behind you brandishing a fish - preferable frozen hard! lol



I still get offered a fry of a saturday after 17 years - its not to be smart with me, he just genuinely can't get his head around someone not wanting a sausage and rasher of a saturday! its always followd, by 'eh no thanks your grand' to which he replies 'oh yeah, of course, I forgot'?????!!!!

you are a fellow veggie after my own heart. After 17 years, I am no longer in the mood to convert anyone, or get them to agree. I now just say 'personal preference'. If they push it I just say, 'well I'll tell you why I don't eat meat if you can tell me why you DO eat meat, but only certain animals?' this usually shuts them up. If they come out with the usual gem of 'cos it tastes nice' then my reply is 'well I disagree I don't like it'. I leave it at that, I don't elaborate, i dont get into it with them, its wasted breath.

My partner is Muslim and I now live in a Muslim country - I am much more understood here. He is sick of being asked 'but would you not just like to taste a rasher?' and being asked 'why don't you eat pork' so he has an understanding of where I come from. Since moving to Turkey I have NEVER (touch wood) been offered fish for the veggie option. Plus they are a lot more understanding when I ask if there are any animal oils, juices etc. If they don't know they say - they don't bluff, only for me to eat something when I can TASTE the animal fat! Ireland has a lot to learn in this regard - hopefully the influx of new cultures and religions will make them more food aware.

ok, rant over, breathing back to normal rhythm!

ok fair enough, you make some good points there, but I suppose what got my ire up was really just bein attacked for a personal choice. I'll continue to make the same choice. I just didn't expect with all the other things that vegetarians have to put up eith i.e. your examples of sausage waving :eek: etc. that someone who understands your (plural) situation should come in for such criticism. I tend to be more live and let live rather than defensive about keeping everything so black and white. Anyway, I see no point in arguing about it.. just posted to make my own point, that's all.

who007

Tara Le d'Arion wrote: »

You don't know a lot of people then.
It's very common.

Maybe so, I'm the only "vegetarian" among any of my friends/ Anyway I shot myself in the foot here by ending up havin to explain myself so much anyway! lol.

Maybe I should just start a pescetarian forum! :P

Weyhey

I have to agree that life would be a lot easier if people who ate fish did not call themselves vegetarian. General public will never know what a pescetarian is unless people start using it, the more it is used the less it will have to be explained.

I also really wish food places would only use the world vegetarian for food that did not contain meat and that includes non-veggie cheese, meat stock and fish.
Have to give it to Milanos they seem to do their best to live by this rule and that is why they don't mark any of their dishes with parmesan or any of their desserts with gelatine etc as veggie.