One really nice guy on my first night at the conference said "Are you a real Vegetarian?" I replied by saying jokingly "No, I'm a fake one"... So he says "No, I mean can you eat fish? Some of those people eat fish" I did explain that I wasn't Strict Vegan but was Really Vegetarian.
I explained that I can eat anything, but I choose not to. But I didn't understand the question. Are you a real Vegetarian? I just figured you are, or your not...
While at dinner, I met a new person for the first time and he says "Hey, I'm a vegetarian too, but not really"
So I quickly asked "What does that mean" He explained that they have certain "House Rules" as to what can be eaten but while at a restaurant he will eat what ever. And he did! So I understood now about that early questions. I guess its not that cut and dry. Through out the conference I had tons of people ask "will you eat fish, or chicken" including wait staff and even some people that I'd known for a while.
What really surprised me, was when I got home and explained to hubby about a few places that I ended up not eating, he said "Well why didn't you just eat fish?"
OK... Now surely HE of all people should know the answer to that question.