I think this is not really a Cathay issue but an Asian issue. In much of Asia, they struggle with the concept of vegetarian. The concept of vegan is just bizarre. I have many friends who live in HK who struggle hugely on a daily basis with both vegetarian and vegan. So this does not surprise me. And frankly, getting your knickers in a knot about being offered milk or having a little parmesan on the pasta/butter on a bun is just silly anyway. I'm lactose intolerant but if I were 100% strict about avoiding lactose it would be impossible to travel. It's easier just to be a little flexible and stop whining. Not everyone in this world has the luxury of being able to choose to avoid so many foods - they just eat whatever they can afford.