Fellow Asians, Do You Find The Term Oriental Offensive?

[Return_Ace]

OK, i was reading a post in the rackets section, where i *heard* that some Asians find the being called Oriental Offensive, so........ Do you mind being called oriental? And not to be racist or anything, this poll is for Asians. You should be able to understand why.....

 

[Kevin Patrick]

I've noticed 'Asian' is used as a way to describe Chinese, Korean, Japanese, etc.
But Asia consists of so many other countries. I assume your poll is directed to some Asians, but not others.

 

[Dedans Penthouse]

Return_ace:

I'd think it would be better to avoid any term that might be even remotely considered offensive--simply refer to them as:

Limey Ba$****s!

j/k

 

[atatu]

I don't really find it offensive, its just very outdated, kind of like calling African Americans "Negroes." The whole concept of "The Orient" is outdated and ancient. I always remind my wife that when I first met her Mom she thought I was the houseboy and she was like "You takee out trash today ?" and I said "Oh yes madam, takee out trash first thing....."

 

[Tchocky]

The term "Oriental" never really bothered me until I looked up it's meaning in the dictionary. Yes...Asia is a very large continent and "Oriental" is usually meant to describe Japanese, Chinese, Korean, etc. I'm not fanatical about being politically correct but yes "oriental" is somewhat offensive.

 

[Shyyre]

i remember a girl i went to college with had a saying

"rugs are oriental, people are asian."

 

[Rumjungle]

Actually, I'm not offended, but I don't identify with it either. It's a bit dated and improper in today's vernacular.

 

[eggnog]

I'll give you one example where calling Asians orientals is not correct; Filipinos are Asian but they are not oriental. I don't want to dig up some reference text definitions but oriental basically means of the mongoloid race; i.e. Japanese, Chinese, Korean, etc. as others have mentioned. Outside of this are the Malay, Indians, and others who are Asian but not oriental.

Now, on a related subject, using the word "Asian" has its proper place too IMO. Just like you would use the word European. "Asian" can be misused too as it is too broad a term sometimes. As a Filipino, I will tolerate its use for for example in census taking or when referring to that part of Asia in general, or when referring to a multi-cultural group, etc., but whenever possible as it relates to me, and other Filipinos, I choose to use the exact ethnic term, Filipino, not Asian.

 

[snowpuppy]

I don't know the offensive meaning behind it yet so i would say no. But I generally don't like being called "that chinese kid". I personally don't say "that black guy over there", or "that fat lady", i prefer the guy in the hat or the lady in the blue t-shirt. Ofcourse the worst is being called Jet li, Jackie chan, bruce lee, or your common asian racial slurs.

 

[TENNIS2]

By themselves, words are not offensive or racist (i.e, they are created to be used in appropriate context), but the people who use them out of context or with bad intentions are offensive or racist.

 

[KuramaIX]

that reference bother the hell outta me for some unknown reason

 

[Craig Sheppard]

I don't know the offensive meaning behind it yet so i would say no. But I generally don't like being called "that chinese kid". I personally don't say "that black guy over there", or "that fat lady", i prefer the guy in the hat or the lady in the blue t-shirt. Ofcourse the worst is being called Jet li, Jackie chan, bruce lee, or your common asian racial slurs.

What if a white guy and a black guy both have hats on over there? What are you going to say then? In the case of the fat lady, you're noting something with a negative connotation. There's nothing derogatory about noting someone's race. It's not like you're saying "Look at that idiot over there". You're just noting something that's easily recognizable and understandable one person from another. Would you mind if someone said, "Which guy? Oh, the blonde guy." The blonde guy can no more change the fact he was born blonde than the black or Asian guy can. So why attach a stigma to it? I find it perfectly acceptable to say "Who picked this up? Oh, an {Asian, White, Black} guy."

 

[ollinger]

The notion of a designation being "dated" or obsolete always amuses me, as the term "colored people" from my childhood has come full circle to "people of color" in my lifetime, essentially the same words, with negro, black, African-American, etc. in the intervening years. What changes?
________
MARIJUANA SEEDS

 

[nViATi]

What if a white guy and a black guy both have hats on over there? What are you going to say then? In the case of the fat lady, you're noting something with a negative connotation. There's nothing derogatory about noting someone's race. It's not like you're saying "Look at that idiot over there". You're just noting something that's easily recognizable and understandable one person from another. Would you mind if someone said, "Which guy? Oh, the blonde guy." The blonde guy can no more change the fact he was born blonde than the black or Asian guy can. So why attach a stigma to it? I find it perfectly acceptable to say "Who picked this up? Oh, an {Asian, White, Black} guy."

i agree.. and i'd be happy if someone called me jet li or jackie chan or bruce lee..

 

[BreakPoint]

The notion of a designation being "dated" or obsolete always amuses me, as the term "colored people" from my childhood has come full circle to "people of color" in my lifetime, essentially the same words, with negro, black, African-American, etc. in the intervening years. What changes?

Actually, to be more precise, I think "colored people" has always been used in the past to refer to blacks, whereas, "people of color" can refer to many different groups of people, including Hispanics, Latinos, Asians, Indians, Middle-Easterners, and not just to blacks. Essentially, "people of color" literally means anyone who's not white.

 

[Yours!05]

The notion of a designation being "dated" or obsolete always amuses me, as the term "colored people" from my childhood has come full circle to "people of color" in my lifetime, essentially the same words, with negro, black, African-American, etc. in the intervening years. What changes?

Ordinary words become offensive over time to those they describe because of the context in which they are used, and the perceived attitudes of those who use them. Thus we have, currently, amongst aboriginal Australians, a great dislike of the term "native", which is an acceptable description for original Americans - at present. Out of any PC context "native" is a perfect word, one I would be happy to apply to myself - but then I am part of the majority.
Western is the exact opposite of Oriental, but it's a description that those it refers to wear comfortably.
When those visitors from other galaxies come they'll be trying to decipher our civilization - maybe holding workshops about the meaning of "vertically-challenged" and why the primitive earthlings didn't just say "short".
On balance, I can live with ridiculous terms like "vertically-challenged" if it allows people to feel they are a part of the whole society. So let everyone choose how they want to be described.

-Yours!05 (5'10" - a bit v-c, so you can call me Shorty )

 

[TENNIS2]

Again, if you guys get into the details, it gets confusing with all the political correctness...and also as many already pointed out, sometimes it is a matter of personal preference. But look beyond the words themselves, look at the person's actions. As someone said before "I know its porn when I see it", you know if the words are inappropriatedly used by knowing the context and the person using them.

 

[fishuuuuu]

No (not at all)

 

[spikeybedhead]

kinda late----but here it goes:

i have to say that I also don't find the term offensive. But if one of my friends were to use it around me, I would probably tell them that "asian" or a specific ethnicity would be more proper.


I don't identify myself with the term oriental. I think it would be different had Asians come up with the word and used it to describe themselves like Black, Blonde, Brunette, Hispanic. Oriental is not on the same plane as the previously mentioned identifiers.


As it stands, the Orient was used to stereotype and romanticize Asia (some really bad movie with ladies on their side smoking opium while waiting for a despotic, tyrannical husband to come home comes to mind). It represents an idea- not a race.

 

[Rumjungle]

I's can't stands the way them Ornamentals drive!

 

[cadfael_tex]

As an occidental, I can't answer.

I just thought the term was archaic. I know I run across it in older text books occasionally.

 

[Yours!05]

As it stands, the Orient was used to stereotype and romanticize Asia (some really bad movie with ladies on their side smoking opium while waiting for despotic, tyrannical husband to come home comes to mind). It represents an idea- not a race.

Good summary of the origin.

 

[MonkeyPox]

I'd be mad if they called me Tom Cruise because I'd think they were calling me both white and crazy.

 

[bookem]

I've never thought of "Oriental" as offensive but rather a more accurate description of most people (and those damn clubs) who consider themselves "Asian"...

When I was in PC-correct San Francisco, I was miffed at the so-called Asian Business League because...... most of the members were Oriental! I didn't see any Indians, Pakistanis, Indonesians, or Malaysians. I DID see a lot of Chinese and Japanese hypenated Americans who went ON and ON about the "Orientals are rugs, etc." argument. The few Filipinos I saw were either businesspeople or (gasp) waiters.

I pointed out (not so subtly) that it should've been the Oriental Club and boy was I shot down. I then asked how many of them had actually either (1) been to the "homeland" (2) spoke the "mother" tongue or (3) knew the history of their respective country. Sadly, most couldn't answer.

I too don't see too many TRULY derogatory terms, only pejorative or racist attitudes/people. I live in a multicultural environment where people of all cultures, religions, persuasions casually refer to each other as "that fast Japanese guy" or "that Chinese girl with the B/H" or the "Filipino guy with the nasty slice" etc etc etc. Absolutely no insult intended, none taken (and these are mostly first generation!)... only helps to determine who it is you're talking about.

In my experience, sometimes the most racially sensitive people are the ones who are fairly removed from it. Thus they cling to every little nuance to define their ethnic self-image and identity. I've worked/lived in many countries and most are comfortable with their ethnicity (after all, you wear it every day)...

 

[JTTennis]

Speaking as a Filipino-American, I agree with some of the others who have posted before. The term "Oriental" seems outdated to me. It definitely seems improper to use today, as one poster said earlier.

 

[Noelle]

I don't like the term because it conjures up the kind of imagery spikeybedhead described so very well.

Also, do a search for "Edward Said" and "Orientalism"; I read that and it really colored my perception of the term.

 

[Capt. Willie]

This reminds me of that "King Of The Hill" episode where Hank and his friends are asking Hank's neighbor if he is Chinese or Japanese. He proceeds to tell them he is Laotian and they say "what ocean?"

 

[ffrpg]

Nope. I don't find the term oriental offensive.

 

[eggnog]

Bookem, I'm on your side. so many community or professional groups say they are Asian, trying to be PC when really they are predominantly of one ethnicity. I've got a kid in high school and he just joined the Filipino student club. I would have been miffed if there was an Asian or Oriental club. There isn't. I guess the students are too smart to subscribe to that.

 

[OnyxZ28]

I'd rather be called Oriental, than some random person coming up to me and saying "Konichiwa!" for no apparent reason other than he thinks I'm Japanese and wants to practice. (I'm Taiwanese, and yes, this happens alot more than you would think.)

 

[liionel]

im an asian from singapore. south east part of asia u might say. i dont really care actually. hhaha. im easy going

 

[SageOfDeath]

what's so bad about being called oriental, doesn't it litterally mean the same thing as asian? I'm asian and I went to markets owned by asian people called the oriental market. I'm sure a business wouldn't use a derrogetory term especially when all of its costumers are well asian.

 

[Noelle]

I think the main qualm may be that "Oriental" is a term inflicted on the Chinese, Japanese, Korean, and Malay peoples by Europeans (who considered themselves "Western" or "Occidental"). Occidentals considered themselves modern, scientific, enlightened, while the term "Oriental" was associated with images of backwardness and mysticism.

"Asian," derived from the region name "Asia," seems more innocuous, generally adapted and used by the people who live in this region. It certainly seems like something we used to name ourselves.

 

[bc-05]

bohh.. i just voted yes to stop racism in this world but seriously though its a serious question.. how come there are so many asians around? like i just go out and theres like 45345345345 of them.. i just dont get it how u get so many kids.. thats all.. im not being racist

 

[nViATi]

bohh.. i just voted yes to stop racism in this world but seriously though its a serious question.. how come there are so many asians around? like i just go out and theres like 45345345345 of them.. i just dont get it how u get so many kids.. thats all.. im not being racist

then move if you don't like it

 

[OnyxZ28]

bohh.. i just voted yes to stop racism in this world but seriously though its a serious question.. how come there are so many asians around? like i just go out and theres like 45345345345 of them.. i just dont get it how u get so many kids.. thats all.. im not being racist

Hello, Mr Hewitt, just another "F*cking Chinese" here.

 

[Tennis Ball Hitter]

Never realised "oriental" was offensive. But then again I don't get offended easily. I have been referrred to as chink before and it does not bother me. What bothers/make me uncomfortable is people trying to be too politically correct.

 

[Return_Ace]

bohh.. i just voted yes to stop racism in this world but seriously though its a serious question.. how come there are so many asians around? like i just go out and theres like 45345345345 of them.. i just dont get it how u get so many kids.. thats all.. im not being racist

well its simple......... asia = worlds biggest percentage of population = more ppl *ahem* "getting it on" at the same time = more ppl getting pregnant = more children being born = more asian ppl in the world....... simpleness

 

[norcal]

Were you offended when someone posted 'there sure are a lot of Micheal Changs on this MB' in the 'your picture' thread? I think it was the elf person. That one killed me.

 

[tdnxxx444]

I get offended.. But only because I'm white..




Naw jp. I'm Viet and I don't care, and I think people who do, are just tripping. There's more things to get offended about than something so meaningless.

Never realised "oriental" was offensive. But then again I don't get offended easily. I have been referrred to as chink before and it does not bother me. What bothers/make me uncomfortable is people trying to be too politically correct.

And that's so true. Only thing that makes me uncomfortable is when other people feel like they have to walk on egg shells around me just because they're scared they might offend me. But, hey, thats the way the people have to sometimes act now since there's always someone b i t c h i n g

 

[Return_Ace]

Were you offended when someone posted 'there sure are a lot of Micheal Changs on this MB' in the 'your picture' thread? I think it was the elf person. That one killed me.

well i hadn't seen it, but if you were to mention it, yes, i would be offended, i mean calling people oriental is more of a fact, calling people michael chang because they are oriental is more of a stereotype, therefore is more offensive to me.

 

[Joe Average]

I doubt anyone would descibe him/herself as an "occidental," unless it's to differentiate between "orientals." It's not as if either term was agreed upon in a world forum ... the UN or someplace like that. "Oriental" was to designate ... "The Other." And in Colonial times referred to the Middle East. "Oriental" rugs, for instance, from Turkey, Pakistan, Persia. The problem is, the term "Asian" is no less political. If you include India, and they do consider themselves "Asian" for mostly political reasons, Asians make up 60% of the world's population. Some of you old timers will remember that if you were "Asian," you were often called "Chinese," even if you were Japanese, Vietnamese, Laotian, Thai, Malay ... In fact, I heard this morning on sports radio a guy refer that "Chinese ballplayer who appeared in that porn film." If you told him that ballplayer was not Chinese but Japanese, he'd probably say, "Whatever. It's the same thing." Sure, except for wars that go back thousands of years, different ethnicities ... languages, customs, religion ... etc. People are separated in the US along "race." (a social construct, really) But tell someone from Ireland that there's no different between him/her and a Brit ... he/she may take offense.

There's that joke in "King of the Hill." Khan (sp?) is introducing himself to his new neighbors. Hank asks him if he's "Chinese or Japanese?" Khan explains that he is Laotian ... that means he's from Laos. Hank says ... "Yeah, but are you Chinese or Japanese?"

 

[PugArePeopleToo]

Cut and paste from dictionary.com

ori·ental·ly adv.
Usage Note: Asian is now strongly preferred in place of Oriental for persons native to Asia or descended from an Asian people. The usual objection to Orientalmeaning “eastern”is that it identifies Asian countries and peoples in terms of their location relative to Europe. However, this objection is not generally made of other Eurocentric terms such as Near and Middle Eastern. The real problem with Oriental is more likely its connotations stemming from an earlier era when Europeans viewed the regions east of the Mediterranean as exotic lands full of romance and intrigue, the home of despotic empires and inscrutable customs. At the least these associations can give Oriental a dated feel, and as a noun in contemporary contexts (as in the first Oriental to be elected from the district) it is now widely taken to be offensive. However, Oriental should not be thought of as an ethnic slur to be avoided in all situations. As with Asiatic, its use other than as an ethnonym, in phrases such as Oriental cuisine or Oriental medicine, is not usually considered objectionable.

inscrutable. I object to that.

 

[battousai555]

Are Russians considered asian? (i know, off topic sorry..)

 

[finchy]

Are Russians considered asian? (i know, off topic sorry..)

technically yes, because they are on the continent of asia. i argue to support this topic, yet other simple-minded idiots claim that they are not, because "russia is a different country then asia" says one uneducated lamer. anyways, i dont bother with the word oriental because i am just too damn lazy to argue out of it. being called asian is fine for me. however, being called a chink just completely sets it off for me. also, some asses come and say "hong ji ba kong wa chi na" and other chinese syllables. i simply say that they called themselves a "fill in the blank" and completely own themselves. next time someone asks about "orientals" i shall correct them with the knowledge i have gained from this thread.

 

[Talent]

It's a shame, but you are always going to have those kind of people in this world. Oriental in definition is not offensive to me, but it depends in the tone the term is used. You've got to just deal with those type of people and acknowledge their lack of mental wisdom and how they are so caught up in their own thing that they consider everything else inferior. Hopefully, over time these people learn to treat everyone how they would want to be treated. I sound like a broken record, but it amazes the amount of racism in the supposedly 'equal' world.

 

[JZImmer123]

I don't get it. Why would someone asian be offended by being called oriental? I wouldn't be offended if I was called oriental. Now if you called me a slope, nip, chink, etc., then I might get a little ticked off.

 

[fishuuuuu]

Hey JZImmer123 heres a joke for you Mx + B!

 

[charles_boey]

i'm a rug, from asia.

heck are australians asians too? hehe

 

[winks]

I doubt anyone would descibe him/herself as an "occidental,"....

I've never thought of myself as "Occidental". "Accidental" perhaps....