tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10667700.post6291814925042959641..comments2024-01-08T00:18:57.750+00:00Comments on Gay Banker: Asians and OrientalsGBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07046768019709916759noreply@blogger.comBlogger34125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10667700.post-79146128561946847562009-09-06T23:59:33.608+01:002009-09-06T23:59:33.608+01:00Agree with John F on comment #3 as it is an Americ...Agree with John F on comment #3 as it is an American vs. British thing. I found it quite interesting when I first came to UK 4 years ago and noticed that Asians were referred to Indians here and Orientals were referred to Chinese, Japanese and Koreans while in US Asians are usually referred to Chinese, Japanese and Koreans and Indians are referred as Indians though college school applications may differ on the ethnic background again.klimnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10667700.post-44803223937679581512009-08-17T08:42:51.600+01:002009-08-17T08:42:51.600+01:00Also, the geography of many people isn't good ...Also, the geography of many people isn't good enough to know that Korea is in Northeast Asia.<br /><br />Plus what about Vladivostok? That's further northeast in Asia than all of Korea (and all of China, for that matter), yet a majority of people there are ethnic Russians.<br /><br />It's all so unnecessarily confusing.John Fnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10667700.post-79879065629059374722009-08-17T06:02:43.330+01:002009-08-17T06:02:43.330+01:00Trust me, I'm an English teacher in Korea, Kor...Trust me, I'm an English teacher in Korea, Korean myself, and I do know some differences between the UK and the US English.<br /><br />'Oriental' is totally acceptable in the UK whereas you may be ciriticized in the US if you use it.<br /><br />To me, 'oriental' refers some people of Asia including Korea, Japan, and China. <br />When I use English, I seomtime try to describe myself 'northeast asian'. But don't you think it's just too long? :-) And the word 'Orient' also implies some cultural background as well. It sounds a little weird if I should call an Asian guy from Siberia 'Oriental'.Minnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10667700.post-43603434254195249772009-08-14T20:07:45.843+01:002009-08-14T20:07:45.843+01:00http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/8199951.stm
I...http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/8199951.stm<br /><br />I wonder if it is the BBC or Glasgow University which has decided to use terminology like "East Asian" and "Western Caucasian".Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10667700.post-57895367182194512032009-08-14T09:52:53.746+01:002009-08-14T09:52:53.746+01:00The thing which always confounds me is that sensit...The thing which always confounds me is that sensitivities change so quickly. I'm not that old, but in my life I have used about four different words to refer to Black Americans. First there was coloured, then negro, then black, then African-American, now I honestly don't know what it is.<br /><br />What used to be acceptable (and perfectly non-offensive) has somehow shifted into the unacceptable zone and it is utterly confounding.<br /><br />I accept that norms change, but it's unfair to expect every human being on the planet to keep up with them all the time - especially as they differ across countries or even within countries!John Fnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10667700.post-83657166174324884902009-08-14T06:37:27.753+01:002009-08-14T06:37:27.753+01:00It so interesting thought ,thanks for sharing with...It so interesting thought ,thanks for sharing with us ,, thanks <br /><br />___________________<br />victor<br /><a href="http://iwaayinternetmarketing.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow">Increase your brand popularity overnight</a>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10667700.post-39445548414387086942009-08-14T03:48:18.747+01:002009-08-14T03:48:18.747+01:00I always thought of the term as outdated...at leas...I always thought of the term as outdated...at least here in LA.<br /><br />But, like any cultural group, it sounds as if asian people are trying to "take back" the word oriental just like we are trying to take back fag, queer and homo...<br /><br />LOL Just a thought<br /><br />RayRayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04589729083301768785noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10667700.post-540490950032129942009-08-14T02:26:29.324+01:002009-08-14T02:26:29.324+01:00On the lighter note, "oriental" likely p...On the lighter note, "oriental" likely perceived as "exotic". So, there you go ! Even in the Big Apple, the term oriental is widely used. But may be because it's the Americas' melting pot....so the offensive side subsides over time.<br /><br />Btw, I am Indonesian in NYC....love being called Asian or Oriental, and of course Indonesian.<br /><br />Peace out!brondee69noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10667700.post-29731127988938355762009-08-14T00:46:44.349+01:002009-08-14T00:46:44.349+01:00English has been having an identity crisis for the...English has been having an identity crisis for the past decade or so. People are who they are, that is that. If they like being called something, then that is enough to consider it the correct way of addressing them.<br /><br />Take no notice of those yanks! [oops...]<br /><br />:)L.Atexboynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10667700.post-22243556783406248242009-08-13T16:32:44.934+01:002009-08-13T16:32:44.934+01:00I'm asian chinese.. Oriental is fine with me.....I'm asian chinese.. Oriental is fine with me.. Not offensive. =)<br /><br />Btw GB, The orient express does travel to south east asia. It ends in Singapore.Tonynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10667700.post-2073862839383115912009-08-13T11:55:30.099+01:002009-08-13T11:55:30.099+01:00Moving to London a couple months ago I was faced w...Moving to London a couple months ago I was faced with relabelling myself. I am originally from a very 'Asian' city in Canada and being Chinese I identified myself as Asian. But as I recall signing up for my firsts library card here, if I hadn't looked carefully enough I would've just ticked off Asian as my ethicity. I didn't know 'Chinese' was an entirely different category! So here, I feel the need to say oriental because the word Asian does seem to exclude me. I've never found the word oriental to be offensive where I'm from. But in America it does seem to be a racist term.<br /><br />@MadeInScotland: Reading this post reminded me of that song from Avenue Q as well lol.<br /><br />Thanks GB for your blog.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10667700.post-32312579970036366722009-08-13T11:52:11.474+01:002009-08-13T11:52:11.474+01:00Re: Avenue Q
That show scarred me for life. I hav...Re: Avenue Q<br /><br />That show scarred me for life. I have no problem watching hardcore porn but I NEVER needed to see two puppets shagging live on a London stage :-)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10667700.post-27169594989916279102009-08-12T22:10:02.383+01:002009-08-12T22:10:02.383+01:00Well, in the famous words of Christmas Tree from A...Well, in the famous words of Christmas Tree from Avenue Q (she prefers to designate herself Asian-American, the slant eyed-type rather than curry loving type - YOU SEE, if we cannot be clear on designation, how else can we distinguish other than tending towards more racist language):<br /><br />Christmas Eve:<br />I know you are no<br />Intending to be<br />But calling me Oriental - <br />Offensive to me!<br /><br />Brian:<br />I'm sorry, honey, I love you.<br /><br />Christmas Eve:<br />And I love you.<br /><br />Brian: <br />But you're racist, too.<br /><br />Christmas Eve:<br />Yes, I know.<br />The Jews have all<br />The money<br />And the whites have all<br />The power.<br />And I'm always in taxi-cab<br />With driver who no shower!<br /><br />Ahoj<br />(ps according to Xmas Eve the taxi driver rather liked curry).MadeInScotlandhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16565114264116867519noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10667700.post-16287873669378637382009-08-12T09:35:08.574+01:002009-08-12T09:35:08.574+01:00I believe that the whole 'politically correctn...I believe that the whole 'politically correctness' issue goes sometimes a little too far. I agree that some terms are not to be used but I suggest to people not to be too sensitive about it. My mother language is not English and I am probably not politically correct sometimes, not because I want to. Also, I believe that it all comes down to the way that the ‘words’ are being used. My best mate can call me ‘faggot’ or ‘poof’ and I’ll just kick the shit out of him laughing all the way…Nik_TheGreekhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00986723570093229435noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10667700.post-57064181976236347262009-08-12T06:30:13.595+01:002009-08-12T06:30:13.595+01:00Hello, this is my first time leaving a comment her...Hello, this is my first time leaving a comment here. Hello GB!<br /><br />First of all i am a Chinese gay guy who is living in a western country (trying to be politically correct.).<br /><br />I think when it comes to term like that you get to be very careful cuz it falls into the dilemma of labeling and being labeled. It just like gay guys could call themselves "faggot" it doesn't means anyone else could call them the same way, as well as the word "nigger". I am sure lots of "south-east" people would referred themselves as "Orientals" but i doubt they would all enjoy being called "Orientals" by a white/black/who ever not the same race as they are. I would say "Asians/ south east Asians" are much better terms because they are very direct and they just say the place they come from, just like we call European European because they are from Europe. However, the term "Orientals" is so much more complicated. It has so much connotations behind the term and most of the connotation is just based on feeling since "orientals" is an adjective as well. Its like "yes, i am from Asia, but when you call me Orientals i would imagine you are actually thinking me wearing a "Oriental" rattan hat and standing on the "Oriental" boat holding a bamboo and singing an "Oriental" song in a "Oriental" environment " (I know its retarded to think that way but I just do) oh....i think the word "retarded" fall into this dilemma too....sorry for using that<br /><br />Anyway, I think its very sincere of you to actually take this issue seriously.<br /><br />by the way, i don't think i would like being 'Orientals" and i was once being called "color people" by a random guy in front of my place and I just slammed the door. /(> o<)/Dickson Wonghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14016264823537435456noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10667700.post-23760013255613011822009-08-12T00:44:16.468+01:002009-08-12T00:44:16.468+01:00hey mate, I know this is off-topic, but I couldn&#...hey mate, I know this is off-topic, but I couldn't resist the temptation of asking you what gym with cruisey sauna you recommend me.<br />I am new in London and read all your post and I think wooow this guy is amazing, I wanna join one of those gyms.<br />Any options? I prefer them with swimming pool if it possible<br />ThanksAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10667700.post-25896336209430562352009-08-11T10:34:17.395+01:002009-08-11T10:34:17.395+01:00I am of Chinese background, born in Singapore, now...I am of Chinese background, born in Singapore, now living in Australia.<br />To me, the use of the term Oriental is not offensive at all.pojayahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18184625098156610133noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10667700.post-15014674687201806112009-08-11T09:49:58.031+01:002009-08-11T09:49:58.031+01:00@homo homo sapiens "Very interesting how, in ...@homo homo sapiens "Very interesting how, in a gay blog, a post like this generates more interest than a post about wanking."<br /><br />Perhaps that's because not all gay men are obsessed with sex? ;)<br /><br />I also wanted to pick up on something else about your post. The BNP are particularly insidious in their comments about "people who have inhabited these islands since the last Ice Age". This is complete bullshit and they are well aware of this. They are pretending to draw an imaginary line in time and say 'Everyone here before this is "British", everyone here after this is not,' while of course this is preposterous and makes no sense. The truth is that these islands have been open to immigrants for millenia - Normans, Huguenots, Jews, and others who would be considered "white" but not <br /><br />Would one not consider Paul Gascoigne British because he's obviously got a French name and thus has some "non-English" blood?<br /><br />What about Michael Howard, whose grandmother perished at Auschwitz and whose parents were Romanian Jews who sought asylum here?<br /><br />What about Boris Johnson, whose great-grandmother was a Turkish slave?<br /><br />No. The BNP roll out this imaginary "British" crap as a mask to cover their evil, vile racism and because they know that if they just said "white", the whole lot of them would be in prison.John Fnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10667700.post-36272687140499567672009-08-11T08:19:02.434+01:002009-08-11T08:19:02.434+01:00God save us from the policially-correct thought po...God save us from the policially-correct thought police. Bugger'em all!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10667700.post-62278417622978972912009-08-11T07:08:38.298+01:002009-08-11T07:08:38.298+01:00Nope. There is nothing offensive here. There has b...Nope. There is nothing offensive here. There has been no intention on anyone's part to offend anyone else here, and the matter of regional usage (UK vs.US) does not consitute ignorance that, if corrected may cease to be offensive to some people. <br /><br />I am Germanic with blue eyes and very fair skin. I have been called 'white'. Do these people think that I am 'milk' or the 'white' of an egg? <br /><br />I guess not. It is simply usage. <br /><br />SCAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10667700.post-77279764200781644962009-08-11T03:13:16.764+01:002009-08-11T03:13:16.764+01:00The least offensive thing in your blog is the use ...The least offensive thing in your blog is the use of the term oriental. There are far more offenses to be taken from what you write! Keep on trucking.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10667700.post-24702217185598432892009-08-11T02:06:03.847+01:002009-08-11T02:06:03.847+01:00I must say my native language is Spanish, and we u...I must say my native language is Spanish, and we use the word "Orient" interchangeably for the word "East", particularly when talking about streets. So, for example, you can drive on streets called "Eje 1 Oriente" or "Periférico Oriente". Similarly, we're always taught the sun rises in the Orient, but a warm room will have eastern-facing windows.<br /><br />A politically correct statement here (if they exist) is "I like Oriental food", whereas less politically incorrect people will tend to call anyone Southeast Asian "Chinese".<br /><br />These things depend on the cultural contex. Just as much as it's culturally sensible to avoid words that are harsh in some places (e.g., avoiding "Oriental" if you're an American in America), it's also culturally sensible to understand that people in other countries have different conventions.Anoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10667700.post-46220149349922467602009-08-10T22:43:09.222+01:002009-08-10T22:43:09.222+01:00I never understood why the term "Oriental&quo...I never understood why the term "Oriental" was considered offensive--and I'm Chinese-American living in NYC. I think it has a whiff of colonialism in some people's mind, but it has never really bothered me. I think knee-jerk reactionary sensitivity bothers me more, actually.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10667700.post-78584029556946781782009-08-10T21:21:07.967+01:002009-08-10T21:21:07.967+01:00I think it's an American thing.
I'm "...I think it's an American thing.<br /><br />I'm "oriental" and grew up in the UK and never thought the term was offensive. I don't think "Asian" really includes SE/East Asian people in the everyday use of the word in the UK. For example in racial categories for forms (e.g. Census) you have a choice of "Asian" (with sub-categories such as Indian, Pakistani etc) and separately "Chinese" or other (I fall into other) which suggests that Chinese or other SE/East Asian people are not part of "Asian" in the UK definition. Personally I prefer "oriental" as the alternative is to be lumped together into "Chinese", which I find offensive. <br /><br />I've only come to use "Asian" to describe myself since I met Asian-American people at uni, and even now I would only use it with people from the US. <br /><br />My 2 cents.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10667700.post-86156258600168261352009-08-10T20:40:21.080+01:002009-08-10T20:40:21.080+01:00On gaydar you can be Arab, Asian, Black, Caucasian...On gaydar you can be Arab, Asian, Black, Caucasian, Hispanic, Middle Eastern, Mixed Race, Other, South Asian or Rather not say.<br /><br />When organisations in the UK collect information to monitor their equal opportunities pledge, there can be White British, White Irish, White Other, Mixed White & Black Carribean, Mixed White & Black African, Mixed White & Asian, Mixed Other, Asian Indian, Asian Pakistani, Asian Bangladeshi, Asian Other, Black Carribean, Black African, Black Other, Chinese, Other.<br /><br />What about the people of the UK? Are they British, English, Scottish, Welsh, Irish, "White", "Caucasian", Non-continental European or United Kingdomer?<br /><br />And guess which political party uses this to describe British people. "The indigenous peoples of these islands in the North Atlantic which have been their homeland for millennia. The term indigenous is used to describe the people whose ancestors were the earliest settlers here after the last great Ice Age and which have been complemented by the historic migrations from mainland Europe. The migrations of the Celts, Anglo-Saxons, Danes, Norse and closely related kindred peoples have been, over the past few thousands years, instrumental in defining the character of this family of nations".<br /><br />Oh why do I even bother? Very interesting how, in a gay blog, a post like this generates more interest than a post about wanking.Homo homo sapienshttp://gaybanker.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.com