Why do people who aren't vegetarian claim they are?

Question

I'm a vegetarian who has no problem with other people eating meat but I get really annoyed when people say 'I eat only eat chicken so I'm a sort of vegetarian'.

In what way is chicken a vegetable and since when was vegetarianism deemed cool and something to pretend you are?

Answer 1

pull your head out from your own jobby hole!

Answer 2

I am also a vegetarian and there are two people I know of in my school that say they are vegetarians and I see them eating pepperoni school pizza during lunch... now that gets under my skin.

Answer 3

some people have not a clue what a vegetarian is or what a vegan is! perhaps they think corn fed chickens are vegetarian food. some people don't even know where meat comes from, since they buy it from a store and have never seen a farm animal live. tell them to take a trip to the nearest meat or poultry plant and see how things turn up in those lovely looking packs!

I enjoy a rare treat of beef or fish. but eat mainly vegetables or fruit. but know I am not a vegetarian even though I may only eat meat once a month.

Just don't worry about what others try to share with you, they are paying you a complement really, just tell people why you are a vegetarian and how long.

Perhaps you may change to eating meat later. If you don't super as long as you make up with what your body needs with    omega oils from some of the raps and other seed oils.

Answer 4

Yep!! Here in Norway, fish is apparently vegetarian. I find this annoying, simply because it causes confusion re what a vegetarian actually eats (...and I get tired of constantly having to explain that nope, I don't eat fish even though you know a "vegetarian" who does)

I guess they're too lazy to explain that they don't eat red meat (or chicken, fish, whatever) - saying that they're veggie is easier. (And the fish-eaters probably don't know how to pronounce pescetarian;o)

Answer 5

I don't eat meat and if I say to someone 'I don't eat meat' they respond: 'Oh, you're a vegetarian' and it's just too boring to explain. I don't discuss my meat-free diet with people because everyone's so stupid and makes such a big deal of it. Worry about what you eat, don't tell other people what to eat/call themselves.

Answer 6

maybe because they want to be one but they can not

Answer 7

Often I find that these people would really like to be vegetarian, but they find it really hard to give up certain things. So they try and cut them out as much as possible, but still eat them sometimes. Be patient, be tolerant, often they're trying to make good ethical choices but not managing it 100% of the time. And they want to consider themselves vegetarian because they do believe it but are constantly pilloried by holier-than-though judgemental uber-veggies. Better that than blindly shoving their diet full of factory farmed processed meat, I say, give em room.

Answer 8

Gaysaywhat? Well, maybe they're chicke-vegetarian.

Answer 9

I'm a vegan now (veggie for 23 years) and I, too, always wanted to say, 'You're not vegetarian, you're just picky!'

However, having seen now many of my 'veggie but' friends slowly give up the chicken/fish/seafood/beef with the fat trimmed off/etc, I'm now much more patient.

And of COURSE being vegetarian is cool. Anyone who can maintain any kind of ethical stance these days is absolutely groovy to the max. So accept the lame wannabes with a tolerant smile and pass the tempeh.

Answer 10

I think that a vegetarian is someone who eats no meat - including fish.

I know people who claim to be veggie but eat fish or chicken - because they don't eat much meat and have most of their meals without meat it is easier for dietry needs - i.e. going to a wedding or something rather than having to explain to everyone that you only eat 1 type of meat.

Answer 11

Calling yourself a vegetarian has become an excuse for what my mum would call a fussy eater. I'm not one but I agree those people who claim they are because they only eat a limited range of animal protein are wrong

Answer 12

maybe because your a vegetarian so its worth mentioning that they aleast a little know what its like? Just a conversation...

Answer 13

They also eat fish which is weird. Think in a prawn sandwich you eat about 100 thing that once lived.

And eggs that's a baby in waiting.

Answer 14

Take it as a compliment!

Clearly, vegetarianism is something they want to identify with for whatever reason - coolness, compassion, whatever.  Take encounters with such individuals as opportunities to engage them in discussion.  Who knows?  You just might inspire a new, true vegetarian!

All the best!

Answer 15

maybes they just want to be different!!! attention seekin maybes

Answer 16

I'll never understand that. I wish they'd cut it out but I don't think there's anything I can do about it.

My wife is a dietitian in a mental hospital. It's really common for a patient to ask for a "vegetarian diet" and then complain because they didn't get a hamburger.

There was a local radio show host who repeatedly said "I'm a vegetarian but I eat chicken." I thought it was annoying. So I called him and told him that he wasn't a vegetarian and he said I was right. He apologized and told me he would never do it again. Then on shows after that he still said "I'm a vegetarian but I eat chicken." Oh well.

Answer 17

they don't hav gutts to tell the truth...........

Answer 18

What is really annoying is people who meddle in other people's personal affairs..

Answer 19

your absolutely right you either eat meat or you don't

Answer 20

I often wonder this.

I think a lot of it is because they either don't understand why what they're saying is wrong or could be offensive, or they just don't care.

Answer 21

I'm one of those annoying people who say "I'm a semi-vegetarian. I eat a little chicken and fish, but not much." And it's true. I eat no beef at all. My diet consists mostly of vegetables, pasta, grains, nuts, etc. I eat fish or chicken once or twice a week, and then, only a small portion or a few bites.

But I don't say it because I think being a vegetarian is "cool," and I don't "pretend to be something I'm not."  It's a matter of preference. My diet is unique to me and truly, no one else's business but mine. I'm truthful about what I eat, and why, if anyone asks.

There are vegans who say they are vegetarians and yet partake freely of dairy products such as eggs, cheeses, etc.

Do they annoy you as well?

Some people may not know precisely how to categorize themselves if they are in the middle of the road, so to speak. Personally, I don't know what difference it makes or why it annoys you. There are a lot of things far more annoying in this world.