Is 'oriental' racist?

Valentino · 14 Jun 2011 at 13:58

After a long pub conversation my friend just managed to convince me he found the word offensive and i shouldn't describe him as it. Obviously if he finds it offensive then i shan't call him it, but what about other orientals? Do they all find it offensive, or just a select few? I still don't really know how it is offensive as 'orient' means 'the east' according to wiki, by extrapolating i get 'oriental' to mean 'eastern', what's so bad about that? Are there any nasty connotations behind the word i'm just not aware of?

Musty Pie · 14 Jun 2011 at 14:03

Worms everywhere ...

Ivan Drago · 14 Jun 2011 at 14:05

The guy sounds chicken oriental mental.

Nothing wrong with the word IMO.

Ask him about all the slanderous names the Orientals have for Westerners.

Rotty · 14 Jun 2011 at 14:05

there's always one, can't see what anyone would find it offensive

b.cummins · 14 Jun 2011 at 14:07

It's not inherently an offensive word, to the extent that it's acceptable as a descriptive racial identifier by government standards. It's like finding the term caucasian offensive.

Tefal · 14 Jun 2011 at 14:07

Describe him as ****face from now on then.

Mr Jack · 14 Jun 2011 at 14:08

It's generally considered racist in America.

dekez · 14 Jun 2011 at 14:08

Why?

Don't think I've ever used the word oriental, far too many syllables. Thought Asian was more common nowadays?

Rameses · 14 Jun 2011 at 14:08

noun (Oriental) 'dated often offensive' a person of Far Eastern descent.

...according to dictionary

stulid · 14 Jun 2011 at 14:09

I dont think its offensive at all, it is what they are.

The Dread Pirate · 14 Jun 2011 at 14:10

If he's Japanese Call him a Gaijin!

Skidder · 14 Jun 2011 at 14:10

It's all about how you say it. If you were pinning your eyes back with your fingers and replacing Rs with Ls, yes it is, very.

Morgoth · 14 Jun 2011 at 14:10

Tell him to not be offended.

Cosimo · 14 Jun 2011 at 14:10

There’s nothing wrong with the word. Sounds as if he has a big chip on his shoulder.

DJMK4 · 14 Jun 2011 at 14:10

If they named a train after it, then it can't be offensive.

NeverWinter · 14 Jun 2011 at 14:10

I have a Chinese friend, he doesn't care what I call him

Dj_Jestar · 14 Jun 2011 at 14:11

Cosimo · 14 Jun 2011 at 14:11

Tefal said:
Describe him as ****face from now on then.

Now that is being offensive.

hanluc · 14 Jun 2011 at 14:11

I didn't think there was anything wrong with it but then again I'm not oriental
Says here is can be as a noun

Brian8bit · 14 Jun 2011 at 14:12

It's a difficult one. I suppose it's better than saying "I wish to pigeon hole you under one sweeping term because honestly, going just from appearances I can't tell where in Asia you originate from. But then again, unless spoken to, I couldn't tell you where whitey comes from on the European continent either, because ultimately, unless you're punching me in the face, I don't care where you're from or what you align yourself to".