Planet-Love.com Searchable Archives

Hi, I am married to a Russian girl, so I never read this forum, but a good friend of mine keeps bugging me to find him an Oriental woman and I figured maybe someone here could hook him up.  He is in his 40s and is an environmental trainer, and he lives near Pittsburgh in Monroeville.  If anybody knows of someone suitable for him, let me know.  If not, he'll have to work on it by himself!

... in response to Looking for an Oriental woman near Pitts..., posted by Jeff on Jun 14, 2002

I know of someone to introduce him to, but she's in the Philippines.  I was talking to her cousin yesterday (she works in the same building with me)and about introducing her.  She's 37 years old.  If he's interested, please have him e-mail me, and then I can tell her cousin and take it from there.

- Kevin

... in response to Looking for an Oriental woman near Pitts..., posted by Jeff on Jun 14, 2002

You must mean Asian women. Maybe he should get some Oriental food?  Doesn't Pitsburgh have a china town?
Humabdos

... in response to Oriental woman?, posted by Humabdos on Jun 14, 2002

Hold on folks...Asia includes a vast area and the ethnic roots are sometimes quite different. Actually, Arabs and Jews are Asian as are Indians and Persians, yet they see themselves as quite different from the peoples of east Asia. East Asians have closer genetic roots with one another. I have never heard Filipinos take offense at the word Oriental. There may be another word to specify the peoples of East Asia that is more specific than the very general term Asian, which actually tells one very little about orgins and can include people from Central Russia all the way to the South Pacific.
  I must have something more important to do this Saturday afternoon...

Nathan

... in response to Re: Oriental woman?, posted by Nathan on Jun 15, 2002

Hi Nathan,

Now I'm really confused. ROFLMAO! Thanks for taking time off from your Saturday to share this with us. :o)) What, is it raining there too? As you can tell, I'm bored...the wife is in the Philippines. :o(

Dave H.

... in response to I'm Asian Too?, posted by Dave H on Jun 15, 2002

From the long nosed Asian tribe. LOL!

-- Jeff S.

... in response to Oriental woman?, posted by Humabdos on Jun 14, 2002

Is "Asian" the PC term for "Oriental?" I'm not trying to upset or offend anyone, I would really like to learn why some people find the term "Oriental" offensive. Orient means East, where the sun rises, as opposed Occident, which means West, where the sun sets. The dividing line between what is termed "East" (Asia) and "West" (Europe) is the Ural and the Caucasus Mountains. Both "Asian" and "Oriental" are very broad terms. used to identify many different peoples.

"Oriental" is defined by Webster (Date: 15th century) as "a member of one of the indigenous peoples of the Orient." (East)

Webster defines "Asian" (Date: circa 1890) as "a native or inhabitant of Asia."

"Asia" is defined as a "continent of the eastern hemisphere N of equator forming a single landmass with Europe (the conventional dividing line between Asia & Europe being the Ural Mountains & main range of the Caucasus Mountains); has numerous large offshore islands including Cyprus, Sri Lanka, Malay Archipelago, Taiwan, the Japanese chain, & Sakhalin area 17,139,445 square miles (44,391,162 square kilometers)"

The US Census Bureau's definition is; "Asian. A person having origins in any of the original peoples of the Far East, Southeast Asia, or the Indian subcontinent including, for example, Cambodia, China, India, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Pakistan, the Philippine Islands, Thailand, and Vietnam. It includes "Asian Indian," "Chinese," "Filipino," "Korean," "Japanese," "Vietnamese," and "Other Asian."

To me, the US Census Bureau's definition sounds very similar to Webster's "Oriental."

My wife prefers to be called a Filipina, since it is more accurate and she has little in common with the other nationalities in Asia, but has no actual problem with either of the other terms. I'm of "Scots-Irish" descent, which is the new PC term. We used to be called "Scotch-Irish" (most of my life) but some people took offense. They said that "Scotch" was a type of whisky and that it was used as a derogatory reference to the Scottish and Irish fondness for alcohol. "Scotch" also means to put an end to (as to scotch rumors), to cut, gash, score, or wound, a superficial cut, a chock to prevent rolling, to hinder or thwart, inclined to frugality. I never minded being called "Scotch-Irish." They're only words...man (and woman-PC)gives them their definitions.

Don't misunderstand me, I am not speaking of words that are clearly used to offend and degrade people, such as the "N" word, which I find extremely offensive. I have recently learned of the derogatory term "FLIPS" in reference to Filipinos. Neither my wife nor I had never heard the word, as was defined before. I have no use for such a word!

Dave "Scotch" H.

... in response to What's the difference?, posted by Dave H on Jun 15, 2002

...knowing that even mere words can hurt another person.

That one simple word or words can hurt another is A DIFFERENCE in itself, Dave.

The manner and speech by which one conducts oneself reflects on one's character.

So,  for some words are just words...for others, words are more than just words.

Asian and Oriental, these are just words.  As a Filipina,  I, for one, see no difference in either.  I am indeed both an Asian and an Oriental.  But, I would prefer to be called or referred to as a Filipina.  It is more closer to my heart.  *smile*

... in response to FEELINGS........for one, posted by may10 on Jun 15, 2002

Hi May,

True! But I was just trying to get to the heart of the matter. Oriental doesn't seem to bother some people, while it enrages others (what I've read on the Internet). Not so many Asians here that I have first-hand experience. I'm just trying to learn, so I can use the "right" words. *s* I've had to teach my wife PC terms for the US, that are not used in the Philippines.

Dave H.

... in response to FEELINGS...wo...wo...wo...feelings..., posted by Dave H on Jun 15, 2002

GREAT song, Davey.  *smile*

I never felt you meant anything by your post.  You are too much of a gentleman to offend anyone.  *smile*

... in response to bravo........*grin*, posted by may10 on Jun 16, 2002

Hi May,

Thanks for that! I thought that you had misunderstood. I should have known better. *s*

Dave H.

... in response to What's the difference?, posted by Dave H on Jun 15, 2002

Hi Dave Scotch,
 About a year ago a white police officer here in Seattle,
 got into some hot water debate using the word oriental.
 Funny thing about it he use the word in chinatown,
 he use the word [oriental]to decribe some asian jaywalkers crossing the
street.  

                                      joemc

... in response to What's the difference?, posted by Dave H on Jun 15, 2002

From American Heritage Dictionary -

Usage Note: Asian is now strongly preferred in place of Oriental for persons native to Asia or descended from an Asian people. The usual objection to Orientalmeaning “eastern”is that it identifies Asian countries and peoples in terms of their location relative to Europe. However, this objection is not generally made of other Eurocentric terms such as Near and Middle Eastern. The real problem with Oriental is more likely its connotations stemming from an earlier era when Europeans viewed the regions east of the Mediterranean as exotic lands full of romance and intrigue, the home of despotic empires and inscrutable customs. At the least these associations can give Oriental a dated feel, and as a noun in contemporary contexts (as in the first Oriental to be elected from the district) it is now widely taken to be offensive. However, Oriental should not be thought of as an ethnic slur to be avoided in all situations. As with Asiatic, its use other than as an ethnonym, in phrases such as Oriental cuisine or Oriental medicine, is not usually considered objectionable.--------------

(Translation: it's not politically correct, and we're not sure why)

... in response to Words, words, words., posted by Eman on Jun 15, 2002

...and words are all I've got...

Thanks Eman,

I need to buy an American Heritage Dictionary! That  explains it all!

Dave H.

... in response to It's only words..., posted by Dave H on Jun 15, 2002

.....to take your heart away!!   Dang you, Dave, you dug up a BeeGee memory there.  :)
  Personally I think all this PC stuff about race is a bunch of garbage when it gets to the point that you can't even mention in any way that people are different without breaking some silly rule.   The black vs. white thing in America is ridiculous when you stand back and really    look at it and that, in my opinion, is what spawns most   of these PC rules about how to correctly identify other nationalities/races.   A black friend of mine even asked me once if Melly wasn't offended when she was referred to as a Filipino!?!?  I said, "Why on earth would she be?  That's what she is!"

                  SteveG

... in response to Re: It's only words..., posted by SteveG on Jun 15, 2002

It happens around Southern California as well. Some of the PC leftists think "Mexican" is a racial slur and try to change it to Hispanic (I thought Hispanola was the island the Haiti and the Dominican Republic occupied,) Latino (I've never heard one speak Latin) or some other innane substitute. The basic problem is that the Mexicans around here are proud of being Mexican and prefer being called Mexican. The things some people worry about...

-- Jeff S.

... in response to What's the difference?, posted by Dave H on Jun 15, 2002

The term "Asian American" is preferable to "Oriental" which connotes rugs, spices, and other objects of western colonialism in Asia rather than people. The "Orient," after all, is a concept generated by the colonial experience. In contrast, the continent of Asia is an actual geographic location from which many people in the U.S. trace their origins.

The term fl*p has been around for 40+ years; figured most folks would have heard that one. You must keep good company.

... in response to Re: What's the difference?.., posted by NW Jim on Jun 15, 2002

Hi Jim,

Thanks! I think that "Flip" must be "West Coast" or perhaps military in origin.

What do "Asians" in Asia call their continent or region? I know, probably different names depending on their language. Isn't "Asia" also a Western name, perhaps Roman or Greek? Aren't names like the Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia, China all "colonial" or Western names? I'm sure some names like Japan (Nippon)were probably Anglicized. I read years ago that Marco Polo coined the term "China."

I did find on the Internet that the term "Asian-American" was coined by student activists in California in the 1960s. However, it would seem to be purely an Anglo name. I suppose Americans whose ancestors are from non-English speaking countries, must Anglicize their nationality to some degree so that others understand what their origins are...Japanese-American, Chinese-American, French-Americans, German-Americans, etc.

Not trying to be a pest, just curious. I will have to dig into this deeper.

Dave H.

... in response to But..., posted by Dave H on Jun 15, 2002

i was a military brat and first heard the term 'flip' being used by kids at school who were half filipino to describe themselves, but i don't think they cared to be called that by people outside their circle.

... in response to But..., posted by Dave H on Jun 15, 2002

The term China came from the "Chin" dynasty - the first emperor of what eventually became China - about 3500 BC - about 5000 years before Marco Polo.

So by your reckoning then an "Asian" would refer to a Caucasian Asian as well as a Mongoloid - like an Indian or Russian. Remember the caucasus mountain region that we round-eyes were named for, is in Asia!

To keep things simple around our household we use the terms slanty-eyed and round-eyed (just kidding!) My wife usually uses "Oriental" and I "Asian." When I point out Asian is preferred these days she usually just says "hai, hai, hai..." (blowing me off.)

-- Jeff S.

... in response to Actually, posted by Jeff S on Jun 15, 2002

...reminds me of the song by DEVO.

Hi Jeff,

I have read several versions on the origins of the name "China." But your info predates what I have read. One version has it as a corruption of the name of the Qin Dynasty, of the third century BC. I also read that the term was found in Sanskrit writings from about two thousand years ago. The earliest European usage is said to be by Marco Polo, not surprising. The earliest cited English usage dates from 1555.

By my reckoning, that is absoultly correct about the term "Asian" refering to both a Caucasian Asian, as well as a Mongoloid and not a race of people. But, I have been known to be wrong before. :o)))  Thanks for the info!

My wife and I play the Filipino, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Vietnamese, etc., guessing game (I instigate it). The only thing is that I'm the only one that occasionally has the balls (rudeness) to ask. Then if I'm wrong, I go back and lie to her. :o))) I met the typical Filipina the other day...turns out she was Vietnamese. She thought my wife was Vietnamese also. ;o)) This all started in the Philippines when my wife (fiancee then) pointed out "Americans" to me. You never want to call out to a drunkin Brit, "Hey Joe!!!" =8oO

Hey Jeff, how come Lucy Lui's eyes are slanted? When I tell my wife that she also has slanty-eyes, she says she doesn't and she's right. I mean they're slanty, but not slanted...does that make any sense? I know that you will probably get into trouble trying to answer this one! ROFLMAO!

Dave H.

... in response to Mongoloid..., posted by Dave H on Jun 15, 2002

It was 350 BC, not 3500. And not really a corruption of Qin, just a different translation method (Ch'in.)

http://www-chaos.umd.edu/history/imperial.html#first

Remember when it was Peiking, or Peiping? Now it's Beijing. I guess the sounds don't translate that well. The Chinese language has four possible tones to say each sylable, each with a different meaning, so I guess unless you can read Kanji, you're out of luck trying to Ramanicize it.

-- Jeff S.

... in response to Mongoloid..., posted by Dave H on Jun 15, 2002

Hi Dave,

I just call the whole lot of 'em "slants" myself. :0 Just kidding.

Criselda's slanty, not slanted, eyes are the FIRST thing that literaly caught my eye as I walked past her the first time. I called her "Spy-Eyes" then. Very hot, IMHO.

Jay

... in response to Re: Mongoloid..., posted by Jay on Jun 16, 2002

Hey Jay,

Marife caught me with her eyes and it was all over for me. Hot Hot Hot! Funny, she liked my blue-green Billy Joel hound dog eyes. Her 3 year old cousin is fascinated with me, but thinks I'm some sort of witch because of my eye color. LOL He always asks how the witch is doing. 8o)

Dave H.

... in response to Witch Eyes, posted by Dave H on Jun 16, 2002

You were in the Philippines on October 31, 2000.  Did you scare Marife's cousin.  I suppose you didn't have to dress up for Halloween.  But I think the chocolates you brought were probably gone long before Halloween arrived.

- Kevin

... in response to Come to think of it . . ., posted by kevin on Jun 16, 2002

Hey Kev,

I didn't need a costume. :o)) Actually, her cousin was only 2 then. He was the only one who could look me in the eyes. He asked about my eyes, my nose, and my skin color. I used to carry him and my niece around.

Dave H.

... in response to Witch Eyes, posted by Dave H on Jun 16, 2002

Too bad you couldn't just hop on a broom and fly to the Philippines!

- Kevin

... in response to Re: Witch Eyes, posted by kevin on Jun 16, 2002

They won't burn blue eyed left handed people will they for witch craft?

... in response to Mongoloid..., posted by Dave H on Jun 15, 2002

to me, the term mongoloid is more associated with people with down syndrome and its usage to describe people of far eastern roots is outdated. i think nowadays the term asian is the accepted form and even though technically it would encompass all the peoples of asia, it is widely identified with people of east asian descent. as for me, whenever i fill out a form that asks for race, unless it has 'other' as a choice, i check the block next to 'white' and the one next to 'asian'. for some reason this gets employers totally confused.

... in response to Re: Mongoloid..., posted by bigjiro on Jun 16, 2002

Hey Bigjiro,

When filing out forms for my kids, I usually end up checking around 2-3 (sometimes more) boxes. You're right about it confusing people :o)))

When I hear the term mongoloid, Down syndrome comes up in my mind. Asian seems like the best term at present. What is it the government uses, "Asian/Pacific Islander?" I just can’t get used to the idea that people from the Middle-East, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and all of the ???istans,  India, etc. are also Asians. When I hear Asia, I think of countries in South Asia, Southeast Asia, East Asia and the Himalayas.

Dave H.

... in response to Re: Mongoloid..., posted by bigjiro on Jun 16, 2002

Scientifically, all humans fall into one of three races, Caucasoid, Negroid or Mongoloid. The rest of the classifications (Hispanic, Native American, Pacific Islander, Middle Eastern, Aboriginies, Aryian, etc.) are just political.

-- Jeff S.

... in response to As I understand it..., posted by Jeff S on Jun 16, 2002

...I guess my kids fall into all three. I wonder if they are Canemoloids...or Necamoloids...or is it Mocaneloids...I give up? Maybe just pound puppies. ;o))) Either way, I love them with all of my heart. They make every day worth living and this day in particularly, so special in my heart. Happy Father's Day to all of the fathers (and those to be) and single parent mothers.

Dave H.

... in response to Hmmm! Well then..., posted by Dave H on Jun 16, 2002

Mutts! The most lovable of a breeds! Happy Father's Day Dave!

-- Jeff

... in response to How about..., posted by Jeff S on Jun 16, 2002

Hi Jeff,

Happy Father's Day to you also. MUTTS...I like that! Marvelous Unique Tremendous Talented Sons. :oD Yep, that works!

Dave H.

... in response to But..., posted by Dave H on Jun 15, 2002

I meant to say that the term "Asian-American" would seem to be purely a Western (not Anglo) term, not "Asian" in origin. Thus, defeating the intent of those who coined it.

Dave H.

... in response to What's the difference?, posted by Dave H on Jun 15, 2002

Yes Dave we all know how  PC I am ROTFLMAO!  I'm not sure why Asian people don't like it. Look up Negro in the websters, do Blacks want to be call Negro?   Humabdos