So everybody admits that Asian is OLD, and Oriental is OLD, why don't they say EAST ASIAN ???
540834
First there were negroes, then coloreds, then blacks and now African-Americans. Why change a name before it can even become old?  Why change a good name at all?
553267
everyone assumes it to be english... but trust me its not!! its mandarin..
1129936
people of other ethnicities aren't really attracted to asian men hence they stay true to who likes them.. other asian people... i mean i guess...
167741
Why do Americans think that almost everyone in Asia is an Arab? Because unfortunately Americans are incredibly parochial. That's to be expected for the world's greatest power of course. On a global scale most of the important stuff that has happened in the last 50 years has either happened in the USA or directly involved the USA. So it's far easier to be ignorant of everything but the USA than to be ignorant of everything in the USA. When you add that together with the fact that most people don't give a toss about anything that doesn't directly affect them it's easy to understand.\n\nYou don't say where you come from, but think of this example. Can you name the major cultural groups in Australia, Chile and Botswana? I'm betting that you can't. Because of their economic and military position at the top, to Americans the whole world is like Australia, Botswana and Chile. Just as you are ignorant of the major cultural groups in those countries so most Americans are ignorant of the cultural groups in  Afghanistan.\n\nThat doesn't excuse it of course, particularly when the narrow minds paint with broad brushes, but it does answer your question.\n\nAlso remember that tarring all Americans with the brush of geocultural ignorance is no more accurate or excusable than claiming that all west Asians are Arabs.\n\nThose saying "Oh no, Americans think Asians are Oriental, Middle Easterners are Arabs" simply reinforces the original point. \n\n1) The Middle East is part of Asia, it's not a separate continent. Middle Easterners are Asians, they may or may not also be Arabs.\n\n2) Oriental and Asian are synonymous terms. They mean EXACTLY the same thing: Eastern. Of course all Asians are Oriental, and all Orientals are Asian. But that doesn't actually tell us anything. What does it mean to 'be Oriental rather than Middle Eastern' when all Middle Easterners are also oriental?
1159824
Because that's how their parents and friends and everyone else says it.  It annoys me, too, but I don't judge.  We still understand the word, after all.
182709
People in Asia use the word "fat" ALL the time. They use it describe themselves and most everyone around them and they do so unapologetically, with gusto, at great volume. When someone actually does have a weight problem (as many do here, after rise of Mcdonald's, KFC, and Pizza Hut) they then move onto to name-calling, the most popular being "Fatty". Even teachers in the schools refer to their students with such names, directly to them, and with smug smirks of amusement. Doctors and nurses use the word "Fatty" when referring to their patients, and do so in their presence. It's simply part of the culture.\n\nAnd, no, I'm not exaggerating. (I didn't even mention the finger-pointing and all-out laughing, did I?)\n\nHowever, as I am from America, I would choose to use words like "plump" or "heavy". Once in awhile, however, after living here for so long, and to my own utter amazement, I find myself saying, "You know her? That fat girl?" or something similar. I hope I can snap out of this new habit quickly.
373181
There are very subtle differences, but once a person has lived or worked in Asia and has grown familiar with the cultures, it's easier to recognize them. The languages are quite different, with very different tones and expressions. The clothing can be different, and there are gestures that are unique to the specific cultures. (For instance, the Korean women typically cover their mouths when laughing or even speaking.)
662695
You are right. It can be an extension of Asia because there is no real delineation between Asia and Europe, like Africa, Americas and Australia. We can as well call it Eurasia. Whaddya say?
486930
hahaha what the hell? Asians and Europeans (especially Italians!) never learn the language! I'm hispanic, I know English and I don't even live in the U.S!! You people, for whatever reason, like to criticize Latinos! I don't know what the hell y'all problem is, but chill beaches!
426426
While its true some asians change their names so that Americans can pronounce it easier,most do not!They may use a nickname,but the original name stays in tact.Many Indians just want to fit in with their surroundings which is only natural,it does not mean they are not proud of their cultural heritage,you are being a tad too harsh.
398899
Another word used for Italians is wop or WOP now this could also stand for Western Oriental Person which is not derogatory at all, as in WOG which is used as a derogatory term for an Asian person but should be classed as a compliment when translated as Western Oriental Gentleman. \n \nUnfortunately both terms are used as Racist comments and therefore are not very nice.
152704
Its so big like a conitnent but its not a continent. Asia is continent and its part of Asia so we call it sub continent.
425514
It's the tones. English, German and Latin-based languages use changes in tone to convey punctuation and emotion. Vietnamese, Chinese and Korean use tone to identify different words.\n\nWe just can't hear the difference between TOO, Too, too, and toO. And even if we can hear that there is a difference, we'll have a lot of difficulty mimicking it.\n\nWe find Japanese much easier, btw.
774060
Asian families are typically very traditional (i.e. no sex before marriage, must marry within culture, etc). My best friend is Chinese and the only boyfriend of hers that her parents even knew about was Chinese. Don't take it personally-- it's not you, it's her parents' culture.
209507
Yes, I do. I'm an Indian - from India. I refer to myself as an Asian, bust most of my American friends do not, as they tend not to refer to people from the Indian sub-continent & Russia as Asia, despite belonging to the continent of Asia. They tend to see only South-East Asians as 'Asian' & I've lost track of the number of times people have told me, "You're not Asian, you're Indian!" Which irks me a little.\n\nHope that helped
370802
My guess would be NO. The whole South east Asia is different from other parts of the world. They are very much capable of settling their own matters (a bit more violent). These countries are only 50 year old so they need time to learn how to govern.
752599
I'm assuming that the company that puts out the applications just thinks Arabs will choose Asian, as the middle east is technically on the Asian continent.  I think it should be separate though.  Most people think of Chinese, Japanese, Korean, etc. when they think of Asian, and the culture in the middle east is much different from the that of the  aforementioned countries.  Although as I've said before, it's just for statistical purposes.  I've put Alaskan Native before and no one said anything. lol