What is wrong with describing someone as Asian?

[ProudAS]

It's what the person is and not being used in a derogatory manner. My colleague felt he had to whisper though when describing another colleague to me.

I fail to see how describing someone by their ethnicity is any different to describing them by their gender.

[manicinsomniac]

my children are mixed race and I've never even heard the term 'dual heritage'. But then I also refer to them as 'Latino' and apparently that's offensive too. Not sure why!

There's a lot of overthinking out there. If I was directing someone towards a multi-racial crowd of people or a basketball team I wouldn't use 'the black woman' or 'the tall man'. But if that description actually would identify the person then I would. Whyever not, they're not derogatory terms!

[moogy1a]

Yes, he's Chinese. he signs up for playgroup tasks as Chinese Steve

[Mominatrix]

Oh yes, and in the park, my children are referred to as "Hey, Chinese Kid" if the child does not know their name. Even adults call my children the Chinese boys.

(Can you tell this subject irks me?)

[LyraSilvertongue]

Mrsjay, I was agreeing with you

Mominatrix, that's exactly why I think a vague description is better than an incorrect specific one.

[mrsjay]

Yes I know I was just agreeing back Lyra

[yabyum]

Bloody hell, curlew, let's hope you aren't ever called upon to give a statement to the police!

There is absolutely nothing wrong with using personal characteristics to describe someone - what the hell else do we have!?

[LyraSilvertongue]

But Mominatrix, I don't understand why being called Chinese is "deeply offensive" to you, like there's something terrible about being Chinese. I can see why it's irritating that people make the wrong assumption though.

[LyraSilvertongue]

Good, mrsjay

[HarderToKidnap]

Mom, I do understand its not great to be called Chinese when you aren't, but why deeply offensive? It's not a bad thing to be Chinese is it?

The use of language is to convey meaning. If I refer to someone as Chinese (even if that's incorrect) but I know who I mean and it successfully conveys its meaning and the person I'm talking to then knows who I mean, then do the actual words used matter? The language has done its job and we're all aware of the person who we're talking about. I could also have described them as tall when actually they are only of medium height, or as have a red cardigan on when actually that cardigan is a gilet. Would either of those have deeply offended anyone?

[Jefferson]

Hmmm I have mixed feelings about that Hardertokidnap.

I too d

[applepieinthesky]

mominatrix I understand how it can be annoying because it's not factually correct but I wouldn't be angry about it. I have been asked before if I'm South American, Chinese, Spanish, Turkish and it doesn't bother me. It's quite amusing actually.

[GoodTouchBadTouch]

Gosh Curlew, I think you are a bit uptight about it. Maybe just unsure because you don't have any non-white friends. Understandable. I think the point is that you aren't supposed to notice race but of course everyone does, it just doesn't make a difference.

My littlest used to run and greet every Asian girl of about 3, because he thought it was a girl from nursery.

I could never tell the difference between Ainsley Harriot and Lenny Henry, sometimes my husband says "look darling its Ainsley on the TV" and I wouldn't realise it was actually Lenny Henry.

They were both on BBC Breakfast recently, and Lenny Henry said "you never see me and Ainsley in the same room together" the presenters didn't know wether to laugh or not.

[Jefferson]

Oops

I meant I too don't understand why it is 'deeply offensive' to be thought of as Chinese BUT as an Indian I would find it very irritating for my DS to be referred to as Pakistani when he's not. With people I know like at school I would correct immediately and say actually he's Indian.

With strangers however I'd be a bit Meh about it. They think I'm Pakistani when I'm not...oh well. Annoying but not offensive

[ladymontdore]

I really don't think 'most' people have ethnically diverse family and friends. My family are all white, the most exotic is a 1/4 Italian SIL! And I live in a rural area with v little ethnic diversity as a result all my friends are white, not through choice, just who I meet. There is a lady who comes to playgroup who I would call English (born and bred here, no accent etc) but she looks Asian/Indian and has an Indian sounding name but that is literally the only person I can think of apart from the Chinese restaurant family!

So, urbanites, the diversity in our country is not evenly spread! Don't make assumptions!

[HarderToKidnap]

Although the Chinese food bringing in thing would drive me demented. The rest doesn't seem too bad.

[moogy1a]

The thing is moninatrix there are far more people in this country who would describe themselves as Chinese than there are French / American/ Korean so if someone has a Chinese appearance, people will guess they are most likely of Chinese origin.
I don't see why that offends you so much.

[SoleSource]

I read somewhere that Asian is now deemed offensive but British Asian is not.

fgs

[Jefferson]

The most offended people I've met are New Zealanders who get mistaken for Aussies. Ooooh they so do not like it. Sometimes at work I'll say to my Kiwi colleague 'ooh Australia won the cricket last night. You must be pleased' She does not like that

[SarahBumBarer]

This question was to Curlew but since Beyond seemed surprised that it might be possible I thought I would say that I only know white people and agree with LadyM that I am not particularly unique in the UK in this.

As a result I do find heritage terminology a bit of a minefield. I would worry about the use of the word Asian as it is too vague and seems ridiculous to us this is a description when it could mean people diverging significantly in appearance.Then again I know that if I tried to drill it down and got it wrong I could upset the Mominatrix's of ths world.

[mrsjay]

but if there is something on the news they will say the Asian community feel... (does that make sense) or a a brown skin man will say something along the lines of the Asian community in think ,,

[Jefferson]

Solesource that is indeed ridiculous. I would love to see if there is a s

[applepieinthesky]

Jefferson I have been with DP for ten years now and he's Iranian. He had a conversation with my grandad a few weeks ago and my grandad said something about him being Pakistani. We just laughed about it afterwards.

[Jefferson]

Bugger stupid fat fingers

I would love to see of there is a single Asian person who finds it offensive

[mrsjay]

I dont have any friends that are not white but I think we all know people who are a different skin colour to us ?

[Jefferson]

H