Grr!

rhapsody!

Does anyone here have this problem? I told my friends I was veggie a while back, and the first thing they say is "Do you eat chicken?" "No..." "Ham?" "No.." And it went on forever!

Oh and mum asked me if I want fish. And I said no because I don't eat meat. "Fish isn't meat, it's fish."

I mean, wtf! It is meat, fishmeat, and last time I checked fish were alive and swimming thanks very much lol

I feel like sitting her in front of our goldfish and educating her on the matter :rolleyes:

She still - months later - asks me if I want fish! :S

Aard

Some people just have a mental block that 'meat' means 'red meat'.


Also there are a lot of so-called vegetarians who eat fish - things like that confuse people, not least of all one's mother.

sweet-rasmus

Yup, it happens to us all. Being offered chicken over and over... Turn vegan and you wonder why you're offered goats cheese with everything by your aunt... among other things.

And exactly as Aard said about the fish.

Feel free to vent here We understand!

I'm a veggie god 17+ plus years at this stage.
My Dad, who doesn't agree with vegetable eating, asks me will I have some steak or whatever. Regular.

I don't pass any heed.

Tar.Aldarion

Mother still asks if I want fish. Somebody offered me prawns as a veggie alternative, her son rolled his eyes and took them off me.

taram

Would be very surprised if a veggie has never been asked a variation on this theme I don't mind if someone offers me jellies or something, not everyone knows the origin of gelatine, but fish is another thing!

flikflak

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!!;)

We need to educate people as we go and keep telling them that vegetarians don’t eat fish or chicken in a calm and polite manner so they don’t accuse us of being raging crazy people who are trying to convert them to our vegetable eating ways!!

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

I am bored with people trying to pick fights with me about my own personal choices so I just explain to them I don’t eat meat or dairy and if you want to know why I am not going to explain my reasons and do your own research and come to your own conclusion.

If someone is genuinely interested then I will of course help them and point them to interesting articles and things but I can’t be doing with people who want to convert me or tell me I am missing VITAL nutrients. Yeah yeah what ever carry on munching your big mac.

seamus

Yeah, there's a lot of confusion about it alright. Particularly outside of the cities, people seem to think that vegetarian means no cow or pig, but everything else is OK.

We have a freakishly large number of veggies in our family and we were away for a family pissup this summer. We were ordering lunch in the bar and my gf was trying to explain to the girl (who we think was the manager or assistant manager) that she was vegetarian, but also can't eat wheat, so the pasta (which the rest of us had ordered) was a no go.

"Ah shure that's grand, we can do up a chicken salad or something."
"Eh, no, I'm a vegetarian."
"Yeah, and vegetarians eat chicken"
"No, they don't."
"Yes they do, if you don't eat chicken, you're a vegan. Vegetarians don't eat red meat."
(With the rest of us joining in) "No, vegetarians don't eat any meat."
"Right, well we can do fish then. Vegetarians eat fish."
"No, that's a pescatarian."
"I thought that was a religion".
(After some laughter) "Do you do an egg salad?"
"Vegetarians don't eat eggs!"
"Yes, they do, vegans don't eat eggs!"

At that point, she kind of gave up (she was a surly bitch anyway) and went and got the egg salad. We were all stunned by how horrifically wrong she'd gotten the whole thing. I'd expect anyone who works with preparing or serving food to know at least the basic fundamentals of what makes a vegetarian/vegan.

Peanut

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!!;)
.

Damn straight, I blame the French :cool:

Washout

Its not only a problem at home or with friends.

eateries like to make assumptions of their own

Chinese Food - as they use fish sauce/oyster sauce in proobably everything.

also soups in restraunts can you trust they arent made with chicken stock?

Tar.Aldarion

Peanut wrote: »

Damn straight, I blame the French :cool:

They have the best vegetarian food I have had though.

Tara Le d'Arion

Tara Le d'Arion wrote: »

They have the best vegetarian food I have had though.

Maoz?

Tar.Aldarion

No, we did not eat there, the girl was rude. Hmpf!

So what did ye eat that was so amazing?
Details please!

Peanut

Tara Le d'Arion wrote: »

No, we did not eat there, the girl was rude. Hmpf!

What a shame

But yes I agree on the Victorie Supreme place, has to be one of the top places I have been to also.

pq0n1ct4ve8zf5

Cafe I work in isn't specifically vegetarian, but due to to the owner's policy of hiring students from the local american art college so she can pay people in cash, there's been an extraordinary amount of veggies and vegans working there over the years, a fact reflected in the menu. it still makes me happy when people come in and ask with no real hint of hope in their voices "ye don't have anything vegan by any chance do ye?" and I can go "yup, the veggie wrap as long as you don't get the mushrooms, the soup, the hummus, the chilli, beans on toast etc"
My dad, who was veggie for about five years, still maintains I'm "taking it too far" by not eating gelatine or rennet, or even spuds cooked in the same tin as the chicken, but I don't think I've ever been offered chicken or fish as an alternative :cool:

John Mason

i was in a resturant recently and asked what the vegetarian dish was.

she told pasta with creamy mushroom sauce and prawns!!! i told her prawns were not vegetable based. she said oh yeah, sorry. i asked if there was anything i might be able to have - she offered me the sea bass.

i left never to return again

its just part of life being a veggie i guess

Tar.Aldarion

Moonbaby wrote: »

So what did ye eat that was so amazing?
Details please!

Peanut wrote: »

What a shame

But yes I agree on the Victorie Supreme place, has to be one of the top places I have been to also.

Ah yeah but we were having none of her!

As for victoire, it was very nice. A restauant I thought was much nicer(although it has no fake meat, maybe just that day) was Le Potager du Marais. Few seats, expensive but so delicious. Some people complain of the service there but the man that server us was the best waiter I have had, very nice.


Also nice food comes from their chain of health food stores, Naturalia. Nicest fake meat I have ever had. It was sold by weight like real meat too, heh.

I miss the good there, I brought a lot back but it is long gone.

Washout

I find it wierd that the french are extremly accomadating towards vegitarians.

i always thought them as a whole country who really enjoyed their meat.

Tar.Aldarion

They apologised a lot for the poor amount of places they had and they have so much more than us, heh.

spaceylou

Have also been frequently offered chicken and fish (sure they aren't real meat!! :rolleyes:) and was once actually served fish at a function after I had phoned the hotel the day before to request a veggie meal with no tomatoes (in order to avoid the customary pasta in tomato based sauce favoured by imo all irish hotels) - the fish even still had its head attached!!!

My gran finds it the hardest though - just cannot get her head around the whole fish being meat thing, think it is because of fast days in the RC Church - like good friday and stuff, you couldn't eat meat but you could still have fish!

Nature Boy

Is there a word for food made from any animal flesh? Cos meat excludes fish and poultry. If there is, I need to start using it!

Peanut

Nature Boy wrote: »

Is there a word for food made from any animal flesh? Cos meat excludes fish and poultry. If there is, I need to start using it!

Depends on your definition really. But I would think that meat covers all animals.
You could just say "animals" instead!!

Slaphead07

Nature Boy wrote: »

Is there a word for food made from any animal flesh? Cos meat excludes fish and poultry. If there is, I need to start using it!

I just tell people I don't eat anything with a face. There's usually 4 minutes silence and then they get it.

pq0n1ct4ve8zf5

Slaphead07 wrote: »

I just tell people I don't eat anything with a face. There's usually 4 minutes silence and then they get it.

Tried that line out one time, reply ".....I think fish only really have profiles"

Malari

This thread is an eye-opener! I'm not a veggie but I have a few friends who are...or I thought they were! Turns out they are not vegetarians at all, they are fish-eating shams! :eek:

Still, makes it easier when they come over to my place for food

Seems "vegetarian" is a catch-all term, so I think the easiest thing to do is tell them a day in advance what I plan to make and see if they have any objections.

kmick

Dustin Drab Yardage wrote: »

Cafe I work in isn't specifically vegetarian, but due to to the owner's policy of hiring students from the local american art college so she can pay people in cash, there's been an extraordinary amount of veggies and vegans working there over the years, a fact reflected in the menu. it still makes me happy when people come in and ask with no real hint of hope in their voices "ye don't have anything vegan by any chance do ye?" and I can go "yup, the veggie wrap as long as you don't get the mushrooms, the soup, the hummus, the chilli, beans on toast etc"
My dad, who was veggie for about five years, still maintains I'm "taking it too far" by not eating gelatine or rennet, or even spuds cooked in the same tin as the chicken, but I don't think I've ever been offered chicken or fish as an alternative :cool:

Gelatine and Rennet are animal byproducts so that I can understand. However
Mushrooms - grown in poop I presume
Hummus - ?
Chilli -?
Beans -?

Why would a vegan not eat those?
Beans

pq0n1ct4ve8zf5

No, the hummus chilli and beans are all vegan! the mushrooms aren't coz they're cooked in butter

Nature Boy

Malari wrote: »

This thread is an eye-opener! I'm not a veggie but I have a few friends who are...or I thought they were! Turns out they are not vegetarians at all, they are fish-eating shams! :eek:

Well give them a good ol' wallop accross the head for us the next time you see them

who007

Malari wrote: »

This thread is an eye-opener! I'm not a veggie but I have a few friends who are...or I thought they were! Turns out they are not vegetarians at all, they are fish-eating shams! :eek:

Still, makes it easier when they come over to my place for food

Seems "vegetarian" is a catch-all term, so I think the easiest thing to do is tell them a day in advance what I plan to make and see if they have any objections.

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?

Tar.Aldarion

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

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