is it rude to call a chinese person korean?

Question

wow, like I can't tell, can u? a japanese to a thai, an eskimo to a vietiamese ...

Answer 1

Well, I'm Asian so I can easily tell one from the other.

If it's an honest mistake, it's not rude (does not mean the Chinese won't be offended though).

If it's done with malicious intent, it's definitely rude.

c",

Answer 2

Well would you like someone to call you a mexican if you are from spain? Or an american if you are from britian?

Of course it is insulting.

Having lived in the far east for 3 years, i can tell the difference between ethnic koreans, han chinese, japanese, thai, and vietnamese. But it takes a bit of experience to tell the groups apart.

But the flip side is just as true... to most native asians, all westerners look alike (all caucasians, all african americans, etc...) the main reason is that we are not used to seeing this ethinic group and do not know how to tell them apart.

If you are unsure of a persons ethnicity, just asks them. Where are you from? What country is your family from?

Most people will be happy to tell you.

Answer 3

to many of those of Asian descent, it is like saying to anyone else, "you all look alike to me".
the reason insult is taken is, the impression given was that you did not feel it important enough or the person worthy enough to merit some of your time to look at the person to whom you are speaking so as to make the proper identification.

although, if you do take the time to look at the various features of the different Asian races, you can indeed tell the difference.

but in all fairness, we do not often get the chance to have a representative of each of the Asian peoples in front of us to allow for a more complete and thorough examination of the differences between them so as to be able to identify a person's country of origin, by their physical features on line-of-sight.
all one can do is make a sincere effort, do their best and treat others with the courtesy and respect that we all deserve. then when a mistake occurs, make a sincere and humble apology if insult was taken, learn from the mistake that was made and move on.
honor, can ask for no more from an innocent and honest mistake.

hope this helps

Answer 4

It's probably better to find out what they are first. I believe oriental is a good term for all of them: Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Vietnamese, etc..

They might take it as an insult to be called something they are not. I know many Puerto Ricans don't like to be called Mexicans.

Answer 5

It's probably not rude, just an ignorant mistake that anyone could make who is not acutely aware of the racial differences. If you make a mistake you might want to talk to the person about these differences so you will gain a better insight and your interest might also help to smooth over any ruffled feathers, if there are any.

If a black person called me a honkey it wouldn't bother me a bit. Whatever turns you on is fine by me.

Answer 6

well...you wouldn't want to be called mike if your name was john would you? (even if you look like someone named 'mike') :) Kidding aside, i wouldn't classify it as rude but you wouldn't be able to help it if people get somehow..'insulted' by the misjudgment. If unsure, the polite way to go about it is to ASK -- it wouldn't hurt, in fact, this could be a great way to begin a conversation and start making new friends. Believe me, in time, as you start seeing more Koreans VS. Japanese VS. Chinese, you'd be able to tell who's who; not only by the way they look, but also by the way they dress and the way they speak (worked for me!) ; )

Answer 7

Yes,it is very rude and it makes you look like a jack@ss. If you're not sure of the person's nationality,then keep your mouth shut and patiently wait till the opportunity presents itself during a conversation and THEN ask ,"Where are you from?" casually.

Answer 8

It's always rude to be ignorant of someones culture. If you don't know, ask the person about their heritage. It makes you and the other person more comfortable. Making generalizations about someone race just makes you look like a buffoon.

Answer 9

I do not know if you could call it fude if you are making an honet mistake. But what about calling them a person, or a human, or a friend without creating the need to have labels and nationalities?

Answer 10

Having lived in a small town in Korea for four years I can tell you how annoyed--even indignant--I feel whenever someone here calls me American or Russian (I'm a white South African); yet that is nothing compared to the insulting ignorance your question shows.