Why do so many people who eat fish call themselves vegetarian?

I can't comment on "why" they call themselves vegetarians, you'd have to ask them individually because Im sure there are lots of reasons, Over the years I've heard plenty of "reasons" but i would categorise them as "lame excuses" rather than reasons. There really is no need to mis-interprete the defintion of a vegetarian, its a simple, clear defintion and has been that way since 1847 I'd like to see our fishy friends actually adress this with the various vegetarian groups around the world though. surely, if they are "right" they won't mind doing that ? Not a chance. See my profile to links for what all the large groups think about this fishy business We should all be accepting and tolarant because some people just genuinely don't know. But when they do find out, i rarely ( if ever ) have seen any fish eater say "sorry, i was wrong, i'll stop calling myself veggie now " You appear to be at the "I've given up being tolorated so now will show my frustration". I've been there for 29 years !!!! Welcome to my world. Only a vegetarian would understand why this is an issue. Our fishy friends can eat all the fish in the world, thats not the issue here. The issue here is all the confusion they create for 60 million vegetarians. There is no such thing as a pesco, semi-,demi,flexi, whatever - vegetarian. The word vegetarian has an absolute definition and it makes no sense to use a prefix to change it. We don't do it to other words, why vegetarian ? Ever heard of a semi-dead animal, or someone who is semi-black, or semi-catholic ??? Makes no sense If we are to have pesco-vegetarians then surely we should also have bovine -vegetarians who are "vegetarians who eat beef" Anyone care to justify that stance ? No, thought not.

cos they are trying to pretend they are and are thus hypocrites.. they correctly should refer to themselves as pescetarians

THANK YOU!!! I TOTALLY agree 100%. I am a new vegetarian. Turned one June 2008. I DO NOT eat anything that use to be alive. A vegetarian's diet does not consist of meat, poultry or fish. There are different levels of vegetarianism but I don't agree with them. I am NOT a vegan. I do drink cow's milk, eat other dairy products and eggs. My brother in law and cousin in law both claim to be vegetarians BUT both eat fish occasionally. I told my husband that neither are vegetarians at all. We don't call a duck a dog, so people who eat any type of once living animal (seafood included) should not refer to themselves as vegetarians. There are Vegetarians and Vegans. The end. If a vegetarian is that concerned with getting their omega fats or whatever, they can take a supplement. I am on the same page as you. I don't think you are being critical at all. You are simply stating the facts.

Well technically they are pescatarians..ooh lala. i was, but i guess they tend to say vegetarian because people will know what they're talking about without always having to explain themselves.

cuz they are retarded

Because they are retarded. They are fake.

because they r stupid. fish are animals

Because he can. There is no vege police to prevent him from doing so.

Because, to them, fish are vegetables.