I thought the term "Oriental" was not currently favored?

[swamp]

A couple is opening up a Chinese restaurant locally and are calling it "Oriental Kitchen." Yes, they are Chinese.

I thought we weren't supposed to use the term "Oriental" and the appropriate term was "Asian?"

[mmhmm]

I guess it's okay if you're calling the food "Oriental" as opposed to the people.

[Deleted]

They are racists.

[wyouser]

May 1, 2014 11:23:49 GMT -5 ArchietheDragon said:

They are racists.

The food, or the people making it?  (personally I find the word delicious most appropriate for the food )

[Deleted]

Oriental is fine for things, like rugs and restaurants. People are Asian.

[skubikky]

Where can one go on the "interwebs" to do ……how shall I say this….a PC check?
I’d like to be assured that I’m an equal opportunity offender.

[kittensaver]

In my world . . . "Oriental" is more of an old-fashioned term - kind of like an elderly person using the term "colored" to describe someone who is Black/African American.

It's not *exactly* racist, but people assume you come from an older, close-minded generation that *might* carry some attitude about race. You are not spewing racial venom when you use either term, but you are assumed to be of a different era that was not all good.

Yep - rugs are Oriental, people are Asian . . . until popular culture changes again  Stay tuned!

[andreawick]

May 1, 2014 11:23:49 GMT -5 ArchietheDragon said:

They are racists.

that is the only possible explanation...whenever I call my neighbor a "negro", he calls me a racist.

[lazysundays]

Oriental rugs and food, Asian people.

[Happy prose]

Only people shouldn't be referred to as oriental. People are asian. I sort of hate this rule because people from India are also Asian, which doesn't fit the picture in my mind when I say oriental.

[zibazinski]

DFs step DIL is Chinese raised in Vietnam. She and her family refer to themselves as oriental. I was told HERE that wasnt PC. I'm not about to tell her that.

[Bob Ross]

I have a question.

Is it racist to call people racial slurs for races to which they don't belong?

[vonna]

Another cultural difference. In Europe, it is fine to refer to people east of Europe as Orientals. In the USA, it is an insult.

[Phoenix84]

*shrugs* I don't know, I'm not up to date on what is totally PC.

But my understanding was while "Asian" was the appropriate term, and the term I'd use to describe Asian related people and stuff, I didn't think "oriental" was derogatory.  But maybe I'm wrong.

[Bob Ross]

This ramen is racist.

[GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl]

I totally suck at posting links and videos, but check out this performance from the 2013 National Poetry Slam for an Asian person's perspective.  




Alex Dang - "What Kind of Asian Are You?" (NPS 2013)

[Virgil Showlion]

Alex Dang - "What Kind of Asian Are You?" (NPS 2013)

His stated etymology for "chink" is almost certainly wrong. And the kid looks like he was born in 1998, but he's talking about how he "feels" the pain of 1960's TV stereotypes?

That's why I dislike these kinds of flighty appeals to emotion. I can't help but think, "You're stewing in offense over botched facts and 50-year-old cultural stereotypes that weren't even intended to be offensive. Can you not think of anything more productive to do with your time?"

But anyway, back on topic:

Mr. Dang's "slam" states that he takes offense at being called "Asian". He argues that "Asian" doesn't honour the distinction between the many Asian cultures and nationalities (which, in fairness to Mr. Dang, do tend to hate each other).

So what now?

[8 Bit WWBG]

In a similar vein, I was told by a Native American that many of them actually prefer the term "Indian" and will correct people who don't call them Indians.

Really makes me just want to call everyone something like "old sport".  Though that might offend the new sports...

[ՏՇԾԵԵʅՏɧ_LԹՏՏʅҼ]

"Oriental" is generic. Chinese food is a different technique of cooking with different sauces/spices than say Korean, Japanese, Tempura, Sushi, etc.

Each nation has their own way of preparing food.

Here where I live,, we have restaurants that specialize in Japanese cuisine, Korean cuisine, Chinese cuisine, Indian cuisine, Thai, etc.










.

[zibazinski]

:POmg. Well, I just refer to DFs DIL as "Mary." Not her real name. I only mentioned it because someone brought up calling people like her Asian not oriental but that she calls herself oriental as well as her family does. She's my only example. I'd rather just call people by their names. Less chance of offending unless I mispronounce their names!