Why are middle eastern people considered asian by some people?

Question

They look nothing like asian and dont even eat rice like all the asian. I have nothing against them and I'm not a racist I'm just curioust. When I say eat rice I mean rice with most meal.

Middle east might be considered part of asia but the whole culture is way off from being asian..

Why do some people considered them as white then. Read some of the post. I'm confuse now...

For those that say its an ignorance question the read Berzirk's comment below...He's got a point. And for the rice thing, okay I was wrong.

Answer 1

It's because the Middle East is located in Asia.. And actually they're not considered Asians. If you look at this wikipedia article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asian , Middle Eastern isn't even on the list. According to the U.S. Census, the term "Asian" is a race defined as "people who have origins in the original peoples of the Far East, Southeast Asia or the Indian Subcontinent. Middle Eastern and Central Asian people are usually not considered as Asian people, though the term Asian originally referred to the ancient Near East. In fact, I think Middle Eastern people are considered to be Caucasian or of the Caucasoid race in anthropology. However these racial classifications (including Mongoloid, Austroid, *******, and Capoid were made only on their physical features. (Indians are also considered to be of the Caucasoid race)

Cultures of all countries are different. Although a few elements are similar, the cultures of Japan, China, and Korea (East Asia) are all different if you look closely. There's also South Asia (India) and Southeast Asia which includes Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, Burma, etc. Every country has its own unique culture.

Answer 2

It might have something to do with the Middle East being located on the Continent of Asia. and the whole rice thing is a prejudice statement. Thats very inappropriate.

Answer 3

Asian people come in so many forms. Middle Eastern Asians may not look the same as a North Asian, or a South East Asian but they are all from the same continent none-the-less. Your question is very ignorant. Check out a map next time you get a chance.

Answer 4

You don't have to look Asians to be considered Asian, most part of middle east in located in Asia-which is why they are considered Asians. It's that simple, they don't have the same cultural but they don't have to-it's only a geographically location not who they are.

Answer 5

Yah, it's just stupid. It's ethnocentric crap really. For example, why on earth is Europe a continent? All the other continent definitions make sense, but what is the divider for Europe and Asia? That Caucus Mtns? Come on. They just didn't want to be considered Asian also.

Most commonly on american surveys middle eastern is considered caucasian, which is also ridiculous to me. If they have separate checkboxes for Pacific Islander, how the hell aren't they going to have a box for Arab?

Answer 6

Probably beacuse the middle east is in Asia. I know that people in England call people from India asians.

Answer 7

Depends on whether or not you feel of Asians as individuals from Asia or Asian as a race. Geographically, Mideasterners are Asians*. Racially, it will depend on the nation. "Asian" approach distinctive matters in distinctive international locations. * except they are from North Africa of direction!

Answer 8

Middle Eastern people are considered Caucasian (white) in America. The U.S. Census and job applications lists them as white, for all intents and purposes.

Answer 9

Because the middle east is in the Asia region...that's why.

Answer 10

just a guess mate, but possibly because the Middle East is also geographically known as southwest Asia.....