I remember when Rob Ford had to apologize for calling Asian people "oriental", yet I see many agencies using the word in their name.
So is "oriental" truly offensive?
So is "oriental" truly offensive?
Is "oriental" truly offensive?
- Thread starter Viggo Rasmussen
- Start date
not offensive..just out of date...Europeans called us "orientals" because it was exotic, unkown and mysterious ...now, not so much
I don't see it as offensive or out of date. If you want to describe someone, as a missing person for instance, what other term would you use for the base description.
I kind of see it like "caucasian".
Asian is not very helpful. There are vast differences between different asian groups.
I kind of see it like "caucasian".
Asian is not very helpful. There are vast differences between different asian groups.
Are the agencies that use "oriental" in the name run by elderly people who grew up with the term?
I believe ford had to apologize because he said the orientals work likke dogs. And I seem to recall it was the worst apology ever. He brought out a flier and noodle wrapper that used term oriental in his apology.
Oriental is not the most acceptable term but it is not truly offensive. It will date you.
WG
I will sound like I am from the 50's then. I see the term in Dr's records all the time.
But help me out, if I want to describe someone whose origins I believe to be from China or Japan perhaps, which type of asian is that?
And I bet if I say to a cop, the chap I am looking for is oriental, he will have a pretty good idea of what I mean.
Why don't you also ask coloured people if they think "negroes" is offensive?
+1 not offensive just outdated east asian or just asian are my preferred terms unless you know the country of origin
+1...that about sums it up...the word is not entirely offensive, but by today's standards, it brings up a past where race was the defintion of who you were as a human being...that world is long dead and gone.
Lots of people define each other by race on terb, many are proud to belong to various groups.
Is it really outdated?
While Carling makes a good point, and deferring to how people wish to be described is both polite and wise. The problem is that I know other people whose ethic origin is from Asian countries who themselves use the term oriental.
Most people I know tend to use national background: e.g. Japanese, Thai, Vietnamese, rather than Asian or Oriental.
Most people I know tend to use national background: e.g. Japanese, Thai, Vietnamese, rather than Asian or Oriental.
Are "European" or "Westerner" or even "Asian" outdated terms to use if you know the specific country?
it's not..would you like to show us a video of yourself calling out"negroes" at Dufferin and St.Clair? Markham and Lawrence?
haven't seen a good "beatdown"video in a long while...lol
