The word 'Asian'

[SckizoBoy]

Chinks?

I don't know whether you're being deliberately obtuse or genuinely think that's a good replacement... I'd like to see it when you call a Japanese person that.

OT: As a BBC, I'm inclined to go Asian = East/Southeast, but since I went to school with a lot of Indians & Pakistanis, to me, Asian = someone from Asia (in the 'duh' sense).

The slightly idiotic way (that I've encountered) of breaking it down is: Arab (which is often misapplied), Subcontinental (which I find demeaning) & Oriental (which I find overly simplistic).

 

[Arafiro]

Whenever I use "asian" I use it exclusively for eastern asia and no exceptions. It confuses me greatly when people use it to refer to those in western asia, even though it's technically correct.

 

[Trolldor]

I thought Asian meant you were from a country in Asia. Go figure

It does, but for the most part it references Oriental Asia, as opposed to those in the Middle East or South Asia. It's the problem with such a massive continent. Too many cultures.

 

[TheEndlessSleep]

I think we should abolish the term 'Asian' and start calling people from that region by the country that they are from, rather than the continent.

Surely calling people by the name of the country they're from is what we do with the rest of the world?

If we went by continent, most of the Russians in the world are technically 'Asian', and New Zealanders are technically 'Australian'.

Also, if somebody dares to call me European I will be writing a very stiff letter! I say...

 

[Anjel]

I thought Asian meant you were from a country in Asia. Go figure

It does, but for the most part it references Oriental Asia, as opposed to those in the Middle East or South Asia. It's the problem with such a massive continent. Too many cultures.

I guess it's the same with someone describing themselves as European though. Okay so not so many cultures but it still doesn't narrow it down much. Do people still use the term The Americas? Can see that causing a few inquisitive looks as well.

 

[Monkfish Acc.]

Russia is also Asian. And India.

Only half of Russia is in Asia.

Thank you, I do have a map.

 

[TheEndlessSleep]

I've often felt that the UK was a little behind the times when it came to the little things.

snip

They STILL refer to Canada as "the colonies".

No we don't.

 

[Fledge]

I find that everyone I know (here in England) sees Asian as West-Asian whereas I see Asian first as East-Asian and then the rest.

 

[blacon]

This is the first ive ever heard of anyone thinking of West Asia when they hear 'Asia'. I think more of East Asia by a long shot. China, Japan, Thailand, Korea, Malaysia, Vietnam etc. They're the countries most associated with the word.

 

[Dense_Electric]

Asian = a person from Asia.

Though generally the word "Asia," and by extent "Asian," at least here in the US, calls to mind China, Japan, Thiland, Nepal, Singapore, etc. If you're referring to the Middle-East, most people aren't going to think that unless you specifically refer to is as the "Middle-East" (which in the public mind also includes Egypt, Libya, and arguably India).

 

[Thyunda]

Well, when I say Asian I'm referring to anything Middle Eastern. If I mean Chinese or Japanese, I will say so.

 

[Mentally_AFK]

My impression has always been that (at least in the Midwestern US) Asian meant East/Southeast Asian, Indians and Pakistanis were just Indians, and West Asians were Middle Easterners. And Central Asia didn't exist, of course. Honestly, country of origin seems like a better way to do such categorizations, but it's a bit much to expect Americans to know where (and what) Myanmar is.

Side note: To everyone referring to East Asians as "Oriental," you realize that's 1) Incorrect: the term originally referred to the Middle East, and 2) Highly Offensive: At least in America, it's considered an archaic vestige of colonialism and its use is frowned upon.

 

[Sniper Team 4]

Japanese first, then China. South and North Korea sometimes pop into my head, but those two are very rare occasions. I've never heard of people from those nations you listed being referred to as Asian. 'Arab' and 'Middle-East' come to mind for those countries. Yes, I know that's incorrect for many of those nations.

 

[michael-592]

When I say or hear Asian it is usually referring to the peoples of eastern Asia not those of western Asia or the Middle East.