How hard do you find it, being a vegetarian?

One-Eye

Please don't be annoyed at restaurant staff who often don't fully understand your dietary requirements when you tell them you are "vegetarian" and often question you further. If you read this thread you will see that the term has different meanings to different people, so why do you expect a stranger to immediately understand your requirements?

I would also like to ask a question of those who don't consume anything with the slightest animal related content. What is your attitude towards vaccination where vaccines may contain animal products, especially where herd immunity is the primary goal? Does it bother you if your refusal to vaccinate endangers others, or that you are relying for your safety on others who do vaccinate?

Tiddlywinks

One-Eye wrote: »

.....If you read this thread you will see that the term <vegetarian> has different meanings to different people, so why do you expect a stranger to immediately understand your requirements?

Er, because 'vegetarian' as a term is a defined diet and the 'different meanings to different people' to which you refer is actually their lack of understanding the definition.

Would you say the same about Kosher or Halal definitions?

One-Eye wrote: »

What is your attitude towards vaccination where vaccines may contain animal products, especially where herd immunity is the primary goal? Does it bother you if your refusal to vaccinate endangers others, or that you are relying for your safety on others who do vaccinate?

Wow - a loaded question asked of a vegetarian. How novel.

Does it bother you that baby male chicks are put ALIVE into a macerator immediately after hatching simply because they won't be of use in the egg production business?

Are you bothered that the horrors of the intensive farming and rearing of animals for meat is largely ignored by the general population?

Does it bother you that those animals that end up on your plate may be brutalised even at the point of death? That these horrors are done in your name so that you won't have to get your hands dirty?

So, in answer to your question... I am comfortable with my life choices and my conscience is clear.

Blackbeard_of_Perranporth

Just thrown the duvet, duck feather variety, down and going to fry a couple of snorkers and an egg. Morning!

Justamum

One-Eye wrote: »

I would also like to ask a question of those who don't consume anything with the slightest animal related content. What is your attitude towards vaccination where vaccines may contain animal products, especially where herd immunity is the primary goal? Does it bother you if your refusal to vaccinate endangers others, or that you are relying for your safety on others who do vaccinate?

Whataboutery at its very best. This is a discussion about eating out as a vegetarian, and how difficult it can be, often due to the ignorance of chefs who don't bother to find out what vegetarianism is, and either decide on their own definition, or accept the made-up definitions of those who are "vegetarian, but I eat fish/chicken/want meat gravy on my food".

Vaccination is a completely different discussion, and I don't know why you're assuming that it's vegetarians who don't vaccinate. Some do, some don't, just the same as there are meat-eaters who choose not to.

Blackbeard_of_Perranporth

One-Eye wrote: »

Please don't be annoyed at restaurant staff who often don't fully understand your dietary requirements when you tell them you are "vegetarian" and often question you further.

I love those that have a lifestyle restriction. SiL is vegan. BiL is vegan. When they come to eat at our house, BiL is known to get the vim out to remove traces of animals! They virtually just eat grapes and monkey nuts, as they are do afraid of contamination! When we go out, they are afraid of every cafe or noshery! I just pop into that bakers and munch a sausage roll while they cannot decide!

Yet when at theirs, out comes the protein enriched chemically manufactured, looks like chicken, white fungi stuff and I ask no dietary restrictions!

Breakfast was brilliant. Now having hot buttered toast with raspberry jam! Rubs Tum!

Justamum

consumers_revenge wrote: »

You think its hard now try being a veggie late 1970s/80s. Remember sosmix anyone?

Yes, revolting.

Tiddlywinks wrote: »

Does it bother you that baby male chicks are put ALIVE into a macerator immediately after hatching simply because they won't be of use in the egg production business?

Not to mention the male calves which are either killed at birth or sent off for veal production, so either way their lives are very short.

mrsinvisible

Thank you for your suggestions, l try asking my son what he eats at home, but he lives in China, eats out most nights, and has salad/veg/ wraps or sandwiches for lunch at work. When he doesn't eat out it is often 'doggy bag' from the previous nights restaurant, so there is no regular meal repertoire to fall back on. the only 2 meals he cooks are vegetarian lasagne with tomato sauce not cheese/white/cream sauce, or pizza without cheese. His wife and their 2 lovely children are a pleasure to feed, unfussy, and appreciative of my efforts.

Justamum

One-Eye wrote: »

Please don't be annoyed at restaurant staff who often don't fully understand your dietary requirements when you tell them you are "vegetarian" and often question you further. If you read this thread you will see that the term has different meanings to different people, so why do you expect a stranger to immediately understand your requirements?

As Tiddlywinks has already said, there is a proper definition of vegetarianism/veganism, and there is absolutely no excuse for anyone in the catering industry to be ignorant of the definitions.

Tiddlywinks

mrsinvisible wrote: »

His wife and their 2 lovely children are a pleasure to feed, unfussy, and appreciative of my efforts.

So, by this comment I'm guessing you see cooking for your son as a chore and you see him as fussy and difficult.

As he lives in China and you see him relatively rarely I can't see an issue really.

For christmas just roast all the veggies in vegetable oil for everyone - no need to do two batches.

Veggie gravy is tasty enough for all too. So all you need to do differently for him is a protein / meat substitute. Honestly, if you want minimal effort you can buy a can of something from Holland and Barrett.

It would be a shame for your get togethers to be ruined by such a simple difference of diet choice.

rdone

One-Eye wrote: »

Please don't be annoyed at restaurant staff who often don't fully understand your dietary requirements when you tell them you are "vegetarian" and often question you further. If you read this thread you will see that the term has different meanings to different people, so why do you expect a stranger to immediately understand your requirements?

I would also like to ask a question of those who don't consume anything with the slightest animal related content. What is your attitude towards vaccination where vaccines may contain animal products, especially where herd immunity is the primary goal? Does it bother you if your refusal to vaccinate endangers others, or that you are relying for your safety on others who do vaccinate?

Restaurants should go with the true definition of vegetarian - no meat or fish and vegan - no meat, fish, dairy or eggs. There should be no variance in a restaurant and then it's down to the individual what they choose to eat.

As for the medical question I would never put my own or someone else's health in danger. But I would never take something unless absolutely necessary. The vegan definition from the Vegan Society says:
Veganism is a way of living which seeks to exclude, as far as is possible and practicable, all forms of exploitation of, and cruelty to, animals for food, clothing or any other purpose.