View Full Version : Are they for eating?
pik01
12-10-2008, 10:32 PM
For some reason, when I tell people I keep shrimp it goes a little like this:
It comes up in conversation and I mention:"Oh I have an aquarium but I have dwarf shrimp and snails."
And with a smirk on their face, they reply: "Are the shrimp for eating?"
I wouldn't think anything of it if it just happened maybe once or twice, but almost everyone I've talked to has asked that. I dunno if they think they're being clever or original, and it doesn't really insult me as much as it makes me wonder. How many animals are raised in a hobby aquariums for eating?
I just sigh inwardly, shaking my head, and ask them how much they would enjoy shrimp that were about an inch long or that they're as much for eating as any goldfish would be.
Has anyone else encountered this? Here we get the occasional joke about eating the shrimp, some light-hearted pokes about having to use extra-small skewers or something, and everyone understands it's all in good fun. I do begin to wonder though: outside of aquaria forums, do people really think we're raising shrimp for our next meal?
Lupin
12-10-2008, 10:37 PM
Either they do not know a peg about the hobby or they're simply taunting around...:screwy:
I have canas here and people consider them as pests. They were originally introduced here to replace the escargot viand of farmers as the Pila conica are declining in population. To date, the Pila conica seems to have disappeared. They used to roam the ditches, etc but the overcollection of them to be eaten for food viands and even the overwhelming invasion of the canas led to their decline. I think they're still around but in fewer numbers than before.
As for shrimps, we get plenty of ghost and bamboo shrimps here. Dunno if people eat them and I don't want to know. I tend to get upset.lol
PaulJ69
12-10-2008, 11:23 PM
My mom says that all the time, I feel you...
justahannah
12-10-2008, 11:29 PM
My sister has nicknamed my bamboo shrimp "Yummy"
pik01
12-10-2008, 11:34 PM
do they think it's still funny, original, and clever the tenth time they make the joke? Every time I give them the impartial, "it's just not funny" look I get the distinct feeling that they think they're somehow getting under my skin or they're pulling off a burn on me somehow. I'm not insulted, it's just...not funny, you know?
People ask me that all the time. Tell them yes. It freaks them out. LOL.
gotglock
12-10-2008, 11:48 PM
Last time a buddy asked me something that dumb to tick me off, I smacked him.
Most awkward silence ever.
Bettacreek
12-10-2008, 11:50 PM
Say yes and invite them over for dinner. It might at least get them to shut up. I've heard it once, and similarly, wasn't real amused.
I get VERY angry when I hear this. I've heard it enough times I always have an equally stupid statement for backlash. I usually retaliate with something along the lines of: "Are you raising your cat for eating?" "Actually, my shrimp and their cousins you devour have more legs than a spider. I find that yucky"
cam191919
12-10-2008, 11:59 PM
just heard that one today
next time i hear it (which i fear will be all too soon) I'm planning on commiserating with them that it's their best attempt at being clever. Maybe accompanied by an empathetic pat on the arm.
next time i hear it (which i fear will be all too soon) I'm planning on commiserating with them that it's their best attempt at being clever. Maybe accompanied by an empathetic pat on the arm.
LOL If i didn't want to punch the offenders in the face so badly, your idea of an arm pat sounds perfect!
SchizotypalVamp
12-11-2008, 2:33 AM
My parents said that.
fishorama
12-11-2008, 10:38 AM
I tell them sure go ahead but they're not really worth the effort.
saram521
12-11-2008, 10:49 AM
People ask me that all the time. Tell them yes. It freaks them out. LOL.
hehe that's a good idea! I have a small aquarium at my desk with 2 ghost shrimp and one female betta, and this is what I've heard form my coworkers several times: "You have only one fish in there?! You should add another betta so they can fight/eat each other!" What are those things.... shrimp? Are you gonna eat 'em? Tee-hee-hee!" I almost wish I didn't bring a tank to work at all now, but I have nowhere for it at home, so....What can ya do....
pik01
12-11-2008, 11:22 AM
hehe that's a good idea! I have a small aquarium at my desk with 2 ghost shrimp and one female betta, and this is what I've heard form my coworkers several times: "You have only one fish in there?! You should add another betta so they can fight/eat each other!" What are those things.... shrimp? Are you gonna eat 'em? Tee-hee-hee!" I almost wish I didn't bring a tank to work at all now, but I have nowhere for it at home, so....What can ya do....
I have to say, your avatar is SO appropriate. If someone makes another comment like that and I burst out laughing, it'll be because I'm picturing your av over their face.
saram521
12-11-2008, 11:52 AM
Lol, yeah I was emailed that pic and thought it was hysterical
paperdragon
12-11-2008, 12:10 PM
I get the "when will those fish be big enough to eat?" one all the time. Maybe I should try responding with "about the same time you are" or something of the sort. :/
PuppyFluffer
12-11-2008, 12:21 PM
I get the "when will those fish be big enough to eat?" one all the time. Maybe I should try responding with "about the same time you are" or something of the sort. :/
I like this one!
I have had that. I just tell people "Oh no, I can't eat them, i'm allergic to crustaceans" Most folks don't know what a crustacean is as evidenced by my saying I am allergic to shrimp and they say "oh, you can't eat shellfish huh".....
The Zigman
12-11-2008, 12:46 PM
MOst times when I tell people I have shrimp in my tank they just say "huh?"
Then I say shrimp, you know...shrimp..?
like they dont know what shrimp are or something. they seem suprised.
Inka4040
12-11-2008, 1:01 PM
Wait wait wait... It's not funny to joke about eating your pets? I tell my fish I'm gonna eat them all the time, and I don't even eat fish...
excuzzzeme
12-11-2008, 1:07 PM
By the same token many of the ignoramuses only associate fish and inverts with being a food item
KIM_TMA
12-11-2008, 1:22 PM
I have got to add my comments here, I find this so funny I have a hard time keeping a straight face.
I ship from work and as alot of you know I sell Briggs and mts, basically snails, well my boss can't ever remember what they are and he ask me all the time "you selling those crabs?". Well 1 day I wasn't in the most agreeable mood and he ask me that and I replied "Yeah ya want some" and he laughed then I replied I don't know if your wife would like the idea of you getting crabs from me". After that he turned red and walked away, I hadn't heard it in a long time, I think I embarresed him. LOL!!!!!
excuzzzeme
12-11-2008, 1:32 PM
:lol:
oblongshrimp
12-11-2008, 2:25 PM
I get the "can you eat them?" ALL the time. I would say over 90% of the people who I tell I keep shrimp ask me that. I usually say at their size and price its not worth it. In the future I think I will tell them "you could but would you eat your goldfish?" People just don't seem to get it. I dont think they are trying to be funny or clever I think its just really foreign to them why anyone would want to keep shrimp. They obviously have never seen them before.
I have got to add my comments here, I find this so funny I have a hard time keeping a straight face.
I ship from work and as alot of you know I sell Briggs and mts, basically snails, well my boss can't ever remember what they are and he ask me all the time "you selling those crabs?". Well 1 day I wasn't in the most agreeable mood and he ask me that and I replied "Yeah ya want some" and he laughed then I replied I don't know if your wife would like the idea of you getting crabs from me". After that he turned red and walked away, I hadn't heard it in a long time, I think I embarresed him. LOL!!!!!
oh my god, I couldn't dream of a more perfect setup!
I get the "can you eat them?" ALL the time. I would say over 90% of the people who I tell I keep shrimp ask me that. I usually say at their size and price its not worth it. In the future I think I will tell them "you could but would you eat your goldfish?" People just don't seem to get it. I dont think they are trying to be funny or clever I think its just really foreign to them why anyone would want to keep shrimp. They obviously have never seen them before.
yeah, I guess when it really comes down to it, shrimp keeping really is pretty "new" for the moment. It just irks me that they think they're being so clever.
I don't have shrimp (yet!), but any time I mention that I intend to get some, it's the exact same line. Snails, too. "Escargot?" "Watch out, the French man might eat them."
black_sun
12-11-2008, 5:04 PM
I get those responses a lot. More so for my crayfish than anything else (but I got it for my Bamboos and my Ghosties).
I'll go into pet stores or the like and be looking for a specific plant in an odd quantity, a certain fish without wanting anything to go with it or a large number of assorted feeders and I'll get the "What are you doing with these things?" question. And I'll respond "It's for whatever, for my crayfish or my crayfish tank." Which is always followed by some version of "Are you keeping them to eat them?" ...yes, I'm spending however many hundreds of dollars through out the year(s) to eat them, when I could just spend $15 once and buy a trap. Yes, your witty statement really seems logical...
Generally, I could care less at the statements or the intent. It's just the insinuation that I'd eat my pets that irritates me. I mean, I'm not in a grocery store... I'm in a pet store picking up things for PETS. Why would you ask if I'm going to eat them? D'oh!
black_sun
12-11-2008, 5:11 PM
Wait wait wait... It's not funny to joke about eating your pets? I tell my fish I'm gonna eat them all the time, and I don't even eat fish...
Pfft, I threaten my crayfish all the time when I'm cleaning the tanks and they're trying to nip me... "Crayfish, don't make me drop you in a pot on the stove with some lemon wedges...!" lol
vanillaXtiffy
12-11-2008, 5:20 PM
I haven't gotten any comments about eating my shrimp yet, but I used to have Button Quail and people would be like 'Great, when are you inviting me over for dinner?' or things like that and I would just tell them it wouldn't be worth eating because they're so small and have so little meat on them.