Why Did 'Asian' Replace The Word 'Oriental' & Other Things?

[surprise_i'm_armed]

Speaking of terms for white people, I am amused when fair-skinned redheaded folks are referred to as "daywalkers".

SIA

[G26ster]

I had a boss who came from Lebanon. When he came to this country to attend college, he was confronted with application questions regarding his ethnicity such as "Caucasian, Native American, Hispanic, African, African-American, European, or Asian".

He filled out all these forms as "Asian". He was asked by people why he chose that definition since he didn't look Chinese or Japanese.
None of the others fit him, so he chose Asian. There was no "Arabic" choice.

SIA

Lebanon is part of West Asia

The UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) has designated 82 World Heritage sites in 18 countries (also called "state parties") of Western Asia: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Cyprus, Georgia, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Oman, Palestine, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Yemen. While Egypt is partially in Western Asia, its World Heritage sites are listed under Africa instead. One site is located in Jerusalem. Kuwait is the only country in the region that does not have any World Heritage sites. Arabian Oryx Sanctuary was designated as a World Heritage site of Oman in 1994 but was delisted in 2007. As the protected area was reduced by 90% as a result of Oman's decision, UNESCO delisted the site.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of ... stern_Asia

[strogg]

Using chopsticks seems to take a lot of practice, which I have no interest in doing.

Whenever I have eaten Chinese food with Americans who know how to use chopsticks, I feel like they flaunt their skills at it in a superior fashion.
I'm glad their flaunting of their superiority over us staunch spoon/fork/knife users enhances their personal validation. :-)

We have spoons, forks, knives, and even sporks to get the job done. :-)

If it makes you feel any better, I stink at using chopsticks. I end up stabbing my food most of the time. I also have no clue how anyone can eat rice with those things. For the most part, I always just use a fork. It's simpler.

As an aside, I do have one or two pairs of chopsticks in the flatware drawer of my kitchen. But all they're used for is to make sure the firing pins work on my firearms.

[Abraham]

ScottDLS,

Once again, I'm howling with laughter...paleface, I love it!

[Dan20703]

philip964,

I read the links and from what I can ascertain, folks are tying themselves into PC knots over pretty much zero. Everyone can find something to be offended about, eh?

Let's see: Hey, I know I'm offended for being singled out as a 'white guy'.

And, and, don't remind me I'm old, that's sexist or is it 'oldist'? (shrug)

I'm short, oh man, that's a loaded word I take great umbrage with...

Oh and don't dare mention, I'm bald as that's, ah, let me think, 'baldish'.

Now, I'm going to learn how to use chopsticks, yes, I'm very interested, (obsessive?) why you whitey's want to use them instead of a knife and fork when eating in an Oriental eatery, you, you, you, 'utensilists'!

P.S. philip964, my silliness isn't directed at you. Just having a bit of fun, since I'm currently stuck in the house and all the gloom and doom in the news isn't something I care to participate in and being silly is fun and occasionally educational.

I made a concerted effort to learn to use chopsticks while a senior in high school. I was dating a stunningly beautiful girl that was half Japanese and half Italian. She invited me to dinner (mom was Japanese) at her home and I knew I would be scrutinized by her mom. Both she and her mom were shocked at how well I used them. I could pick up a single grain of rice! The relationship didn't last but I use chopsticks whenever I am in an oriental restaurant just to think about that time.

BTW, never told my wife why I like eating with chopsticks and never will!

[Abraham]

Dan20703,

You sir, have my deepest admiration.

For a beautiful girl, I'd learn how to use chopsticks standing on my head!!

[Jusme]

philip964,

I read the links and from what I can ascertain, folks are tying themselves into PC knots over pretty much zero. Everyone can find something to be offended about, eh?

Let's see: Hey, I know I'm offended for being singled out as a 'white guy'.

And, and, don't remind me I'm old, that's sexist or is it 'oldist'? (shrug)

I'm short, oh man, that's a loaded word I take great umbrage with...

Oh and don't dare mention, I'm bald as that's, ah, let me think, 'baldish'.

Now, I'm going to learn how to use chopsticks, yes, I'm very interested, (obsessive?) why you whitey's want to use them instead of a knife and fork when eating in an Oriental eatery, you, you, you, 'utensilists'!

P.S. philip964, my silliness isn't directed at you. Just having a bit of fun, since I'm currently stuck in the house and all the gloom and doom in the news isn't something I care to participate in and being silly is fun and occasionally educational.

I made a concerted effort to learn to use chopsticks while a senior in high school. I was dating a stunningly beautiful girl that was half Japanese and half Italian. She invited me to dinner (mom was Japanese) at her home and I knew I would be scrutinized by her mom. Both she and her mom were shocked at how well I used them. I could pick up a single grain of rice! The relationship didn't last but I use chopsticks whenever I am in an oriental restaurant just to think about that time.

BTW, never told my wife why I like eating with chopsticks and never will!

Sounds almost identical to my story, except the girl I dated, was half Japanese, and half Portuguese. They taught me how to use, chopsticks, and even gave me a very pretty set of my own. I still have them somewhere.

[WildBill]

philip964,

I read the links and from what I can ascertain, folks are tying themselves into PC knots over pretty much zero. Everyone can find something to be offended about, eh?

Let's see: Hey, I know I'm offended for being singled out as a 'white guy'.

And, and, don't remind me I'm old, that's sexist or is it 'oldist'? (shrug)

I'm short, oh man, that's a loaded word I take great umbrage with...

Oh and don't dare mention, I'm bald as that's, ah, let me think, 'baldish'.

Now, I'm going to learn how to use chopsticks, yes, I'm very interested, (obsessive?) why you whitey's want to use them instead of a knife and fork when eating in an Oriental eatery, you, you, you, 'utensilists'!

P.S. philip964, my silliness isn't directed at you. Just having a bit of fun, since I'm currently stuck in the house and all the gloom and doom in the news isn't something I care to participate in and being silly is fun and occasionally educational.

I made a concerted effort to learn to use chopsticks while a senior in high school. I was dating a stunningly beautiful girl that was half Japanese and half Italian. She invited me to dinner (mom was Japanese) at her home and I knew I would be scrutinized by her mom. Both she and her mom were shocked at how well I used them. I could pick up a single grain of rice! The relationship didn't last but I use chopsticks whenever I am in an oriental restaurant just to think about that time.

BTW, never told my wife why I like eating with chopsticks and never will!

I dated a white girl who loved Chinese food. She was pathetic with chopsticks, but I learned how to use them.
Years later I worked for a Japanese company and we had a company dinner one night and I sat next to a couple of visitors from Japan.
I noticed one of the them staring at me and then looking at his friends and saying something in Japanese.
After a while he finally he asked me why I was so good using chopsticks.
I told him the story of my old GF,

[Abraham]

A bit of thread drift.

My wife used to own and lease condos.

She had a Japanese couple (he was a Ph.D and was an astrophysicist with a year working at NASA) and soon after arriving they had a problem with their AC.

She quickly sent an AC specialist to fix their problem.

He is a 'paleface' American.

However, he speaks fluent Japanese and they were blown away after he knocked on their door. When they answered his knock, he proceeded to greet them with appropriate Japanese etiquette i.e., the proper bow etc. and then addressed them fluently in their native tongue.

After he left, the man of the house called my wife and extolled his gratitude for sending such a proper man.

It was a heart warming time...

[RoyGBiv]

“Oriental” means “eastern”, and refers to people from Eastern Asia (e.g. Korea, Japan, China, The Phillipines, Vietnam Nam, etc.). “Asian” is a broader term which also includes those from South Asia (India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, etc.).

Winner!

We often eat with chopsticks at home. Usually when eating East/SE-Asian food. I like to make sushi at home. My oldest likes pretty much everything Asian, my youngest is more of a dumplings and noodles lover. One of our favorite special occasion places to eat is Kirin Court for their weekend Dim Sum.

Had some friends over for dinner last weekend. They were originally from Laos. Gave the wife and me a Thai food cooking lesson. Awesome. I was the only one that ate with chopsticks.

I have, in the past, eaten BBQ with chopsticks. Pulled pork and rice goes very well with a little Hoisin sauce, sweet chili sauce and Sriracha. Don't knock it until you try it.

[Abraham]

RoyGBiv,

I love Dim Sum!

Years back, we used to go to an obscure place very close to downtown Houston for Dim Sum.

To me, the genuine use of chop sticks is something I admire...if the user isn't pretentiously trying to impress, which I've rattled on about...if when I'm using a fork and knife and the food doesn't end up in my lap or on the floor, I think I've done well...

[RoyGBiv]

RoyGBiv,

I love Dim Sum!

Years back, we used to go to an obscure place very close to downtown Houston for Dim Sum.

To me, the genuine use of chop sticks is something I admire...if the user isn't pretentiously trying to impress, which I've rattled on about...if when I'm using a fork and knife and the food doesn't end up in my lap or on the floor, I think I've done well...

If you're ever in Dallas on a Saturday or Sunday morning, definitely give Kirin Court a try for some great Dim Sum.

I spent a LOT of time traveling Asia for business.... Chopsticks are pretty natural for me. I even get the occasional compliment on my use of them from native users. This thread has made me hungry...