synopsis says Asian - My Beautiful Laundrette (1986) Discussion

Not to be rude but of what other continent would Pakistan possibly be considered a part?

reply

Unfortunately, some people think Asian as a race and culture rather than also being a continent.

reply

I'll think you'll find that most "asians" from the indian subcontinent, ie, india, pakistan, bangladesh, sri lanka, prefer to be called asians than wrongly described as being indian when they are not or 'pakis' by racist biggots... Most people from that part of the world also prefer to use thier own local people groups too instead of using the country. Ie, kashmiri, gujurati, punjabi, tamil etc etc...
The term Asian, is widely accepted to be the politically correct term here in the UK for those of indian, pakistani, bangladeshi or sri lankan decent.
The far eastern population is alot smaller here in the UK than it is in the states, where asian is used to describe people from the far east, ie, korea, china, japan, thailand etc.
I dont beleive the people who use the term asian, are trying to define a whole race of people and one single culture, people who use the term asian, are usually trying to be polite so not to offend someone by getting it wrong...

Hey! Get some beer and some cleaning products! - floyd, true romance

reply

[–] sandifay62 16 years ago

I don't think ALL people who use the term Asian to define a racwe and culture just some that don't realise that it also includes people from the continent. I've had to explain to more than one person that people from India aren't Middle Eastern and that all Middle Eastern people aren't Saudi Arabian.

reply

[–] 16 years ago

[deleted]

[–] Aulic Exclusiva 15 years ago

Of course most North African countries aren't located in any kind of East. Morocco is West of Italy.

Egypt and most of what Americans call the "Middle East" woild actually be the Near East. The Middle East would be like from Iran to India, and then comes the Far East.

All these names are Eurocentric crap, anyway.

If we are to be brothers, let us be brothers for life, die together.

reply

[–] 15 years ago

[deleted]

[–] slipcat555 8 years ago

Here in New York City Pakistanis call themselves Pakis. It's not considered racist.

reply

[–] pk_000 15 years ago

In Britain, 'asian' usually refers to South Asians, whereas in North America it tends to apply to East Asians. That might clear up the confusion.

reply

[–] Violet_Loves_Iliona 13 years ago

In Australia the term "Asian" is generally used to refer to people from China, Japan, Thailand, the Phillipines, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, etc., but definitely not for Indians, Pakistanis, Afghans, etc., and remember watching a British show which referred to Indians as "asian" once, and a Malaysian friend expressed ridicule at the idea of people froom the Indian subcontinent being included in the term "asian", so I woulod think that "asian" means the same thing in at least Malaysia as it does in Australia.

... That being said, I don't know what the situation is in Canada or New Zealand.

Violet

*´¨)
¸.·´¸.·*´¨) ¸.·*¨)
(¸.·´ (¸.·´

reply

[–] jedi_R 12 years ago

I'm Malaysian born living in Australia and I think your Malaysian friend is being ridiculous! To me the term 'asian' refers to the whole continent of Asia as a whole, not just countries of East Asia. I find it stupid and somewhat racist when people refer to Asians directly as East Asians. It offends me.

Then again, it'd be better go by nationality, 'Indian', 'Pakistani', 'Korean', 'Japanese' and not Asian just in case it offends anyone.

reply

[–] Violet_Loves_Iliona 12 years ago

Well, I was surprised by how strongly he felt about it, but I do agree that referring to Indian, Pakistani, Afghan, etc. people as "Asian" just sounds ridiculous to an Australian ear, even though, having British family, I am aware that British people also include people from the Indian subcontinent as "Asian".

How long have you been living in Australia? And do you have a lot to do with lots of Australians? If so, I'm surprised you've not noticed... In any case, should I take from your post that people in Malaysia use the word "Asian" the way that you do, or the way that my friend did? (I am actually interested).

Cheers :)

Violet

*´¨)
¸.·´¸.·*´¨) ¸.·*¨)
(¸.·´ (¸.·´

reply

[–] zyggums 12 years ago

There are 7 continents on earth. if its not an island/archipelago nation then it has to be from a continent. Pakistan is in Asia.

reply

[–] waqar_91 12 years ago

daft *beep* yank haha

Peek-a-boo, you *beep* you!

reply

[–] heaver2000 12 years ago

British people would never describe anyone from East & S-E Asia as "Asian" - that term is reserved exclusively for the sub-continent, which was part of the Empire.

The only significant East Asian community in Britain, until very recently, was the Hong Kong Chinese, who were / are always refered to as "Chinese". Since immigrants from Vietnam, Thailand, Korea etc only came here from the 70s onward, they are known by their individual nationalities because "Asian" already had a very specific meaning.

The American habit of refering to the Japanese / Chinese / Koreans etc as "Asian" is a real non-sequitur to the British ear.

reply

[–] Princess_Ashmi 11 years ago

Yes, over here in Britain when someone says asian they mean either Indian/Pakistani/Bengali. We dont call chinese/japanese/oriental people "asian", we either call them Chinese/Japanese or Oriental.

Ashmi any question

reply

[–] PixieInChains 7 years ago

That's why the term "Oriental" was more appropriate for those of the far-east persuasion, and wasn't a bit racist - simply being derived from the Latin term for 'East'. When people use the term "Asian", it's inaccurate and confusing, as Asia is a huge continent and even includes Russia! The term "Asian" is too inclusive, and just another example of today's ridiculous obsession with political correctness....even when it makes no sense.

reply