What is the difference between the word Oriental and Asian?

Question

I am of Asian descent however I realized some people prefer not to be called Oriental but rather the specific country of origin. How would an Indian be able to differentiate because Indians are Asians. Why is that term Oriental not preferred? I know there's got to be some history to it more than just what the term loosely means.

If anyone that knows the history can shed light on it that would be great.

Thanks!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks. This is a serious question and I appreciate those who have been answering politely. I'm sure I'm not the only one has thought about that either. Thanks again!

Answer 1

Oriental is a rug or a piece of furniture. Asian is a person.

Answer 2

Hmmm in the united kingdom, Asians are Indians, Pakistanis and center Easterners. chinese language, eastern, Laotian, Vietnamese, Cambodian, Korean, are observed as Oriental...i assume they're think to be in the Orient yet i'm undesirable at geography so i don't be conscious of. in the states Orientals are observed as Asians and Asians are observed as center Easterners or Indians...pass determine!!!! i've got not met a Euro Oriental, and American Asians do HATE that factor era so....i'm greater puzzled than you!!! Sorry i'm lifeless ineffective.

Answer 3

Hmmm

In the UK, Asians are Indians, Pakistanis and Middle Easterners.

Chinese, Japanese, Laotian, Vietnamese, Cambodian, Korean, are called Oriental...I assume they are suppose to be in the Orient but I'm awful at geography so I don't know.

In the states Orientals are called Asians and Asians are called Middle Easterners or Indians...go figure!!!!

I've never met a Euro Oriental, and American Asians do HATE that term so....I am more confused than you!!!

Sorry I'm dead useless.

Answer 4

I prefer to be called half-Oriental because it's much more accurate. I'm not an Arab, Asian-Indian, White-Russian, or a Polynesian of SE part of the Asian continent. I think too many people are too sensitive to racial title and if we use these generic half-*** terms to describe people it may be a disservice to others (If your kid was abducted, raped, assaulted, or killed would you rather have them describe the perp as "Asian" or "Oriental" or hell what if this happened in America and we say the perp's an "American" instead of "African-American", "Native-American", or "European-American" if it fits the description better?). A person can't be too proud of what they are if a little term like "Oriental" is too offensive.

Answer 5

Orient include Asians. It's is a cultural area that include the Arabs the Indians and the Asians...

Just like Occident includes Americans.

Answer 6

Oriental used to refer to people of Turkish or Middle Eastern descent. Later, it is refered to people who are Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamense, Koreans, etc. Oriental is more or less an obsolete term (I'm not sure why though). People of from India, Nepal, and Sri Lanka are usually referred as South Asian.

Answer 7

Because long ago, some people used that word as a noun, as a derogatory term to refer to an Asian person. If you use the term as an adjective to refer to objects (oriental rug, oriental design), then it's fine. Just don't use it as a noun.

Answer 8

I believe the connotation is a big reason why the word oriental fell out of favor. It was being used as an insult by too many people.

Answer 9

Asian is the PC version.

Fork T is a self hating bigot. I hope, Mr. (or Ms) I-dont-believe-in-race-mixing, you find another biracial to be with. Or are you just sad because the Asians don't want you and neither do the Whites?

Answer 10

Three letters