I was lacto-ovo vegetarian for six years and I still will usually pick the vegetarian option when eating out, mostly because it is often very nice. It doesn't really annoy me when people mis-label themselves like that, because what's the worst that can happen?
What I didn't like back when, however, was the sanctimonious asshats who became vegetarian just so they could preach to others. They were the ones who made it awkward to be vegetarian because whenever the issue came up, like eating out with new people for the first time, or being invited to dinner, or inviting someone to dinner, there would be this awkward moment when I could almost
hear the other person thinking "Oh, god, now she'd judging me for eating meat!"
And there is NO way of saying "Oh, it's just my personal choice, I think everyone should eat how
they are comfortable!" without worrying if you are sounding like a condescending twat.
That would not have been a problem, had it not been for those pricks who would use their vegetarianism as a holier-than-thou-mallet. If they had just shut their faces and let people make their own minds up, no one would have gotten defiant and wanted to discuss eating choices the entire party. (A subject I was
thoroughly bored with. I just wanted to eat what I ate and get on with it.)
So screw labelling vegetarians from which food groups they include or exclude. What I want to know when asking what sort of vegetarian someone is, I don't want to know if they eat dairy, I want to know if they:
- A personal choice vegetarian - because I want to. You have what you like.
- Health vegetarian - because I believe it is healthier for me. You eat what you like.
- Eco vegetarian - because I believe meat rearing takes a hard toll on the environment. You eat meat if you want to, but may I suggest cutting down a little, and maybe choose grass fed from smaller holdings?
- Teenage vegetarian - DO YOU HAVE TO BREATHE SO LOUD! GAWD NO ONE ELSE'S PARENTS ARE THIS LAME. NO ONE UNDERSTANDS ME! I REJECT YOUR FAMILY DINNERS AND EVERYTHING YOU STAND FOR! I'M GOING OUT NOW!
- Condescending vegetarian - because I have reached a higher plane in human evolution. You eat what you like. Sapiens.
- Tripping vegetarian - because the Twinkie said cows have such sad eyes. You eat what you like. Are you gonna eat that jello, though?
- Holier than *********** thou vegetarian - because im so speshul and ur not lol cos i dont want anything to die to feed me lol
- PETA-psycho vegetarian - I'm releasing this box of starving crazed weasels as a symbol of the truck I would be burning if I was only allowed to buy matches! YOU KILLED MISERY!!!! MOOOOOOH!
- Hiding an eating disorder vegetarian - Oh, I'm sorry, I can't eat that. I forgot to say, I'm vegetarian. Not your fault at all, just me being ditzy! You go ahead and eat. No, I mean it. You eat. I'll have something later. You just put that fork... in... your... mouth... and eat for me. What? I'm staring? Sorry, I was thinking of something else. Silly me. You go ahead and eat.
That's what I wanna know. Whether you eat whelks or not... well, tell me if I'm ever expected to cook you a meal. Otherwise I don't care.