Support NeoGAF

[ULTROS!]

I consider myself Asian, then again a lot of Filipinos are a mix of many things (Chinese, Spanish, Malay, Polynesian, a bit of American)... But they're still technically Asian I believe (Philippines = Southeast Asia).

I don't know Tagalog, does it have the "tee" sound?

I don't think so, I'd say it's more of a spell-and-say-as-is kind of language... Plus there are no fancy words (for example: babae is not pronounced as babæ, but rather ba-ba-eh).

Most filipinos do not have mixed blood. Maybe 5% but it is mostly Chinese, not white. There simply weren't enough white Spaniards there when the country was colonized, compared to say, Mexico.

It's more like the metropolitan areas (Metro Manila, Cebu, Davao) have the mixed ones (or a good number are mixed), the rest... Not really or not at all.

 

[Codeblue]

Really dumb parts of the US will call them middle-eastern

Which is funny because Arabs are considered Caucasian on paper.

 

[Zoe]

Which is funny because Arabs are considered Caucasian on paper.

So are Indians.

 

[ULTROS!]

I was wondering, do people classify the Filipinos as pacific islanders because of their looks or their culture?

 

[Prax]

I was wondering, do people classify the Filipinos as pacific islanders because of their looks or their culture?

Probably both. I kind of consider Filipinos Asian.. but they are definitely not the stereotypical Asian (that I associate with Chinese/Korean/Japanese).

I am Vietnamese, so I consider myself Asian, but I suppose Southeast Asian is most accurate.
Vietnamese people aren't not exaaaactly like Chinese/Korean/Japanese. I guess Vietnam just gets lumped with Cambodia, Laos, Burma, and Thailand. But I kind of consider Vietnam inbetween the Asian and the Southeast Asian categories because of the heavy Chinese influence.

I consider people from India and Bangladesh and such as South Asians. I think it's the culture and a few of the physical characteristics (epicanthic eye fold more prominently found in East Asian countries) that really marks it.

 

[A Black Falcon]

I was wondering, do people classify the Filipinos as pacific islanders because of their looks or their culture?

I believe that they're Pacific Islander in both respects, at least, as much as the Indonesians and Malaysians are too anyway. All three are Pacific Islander, but usually for historical and cultural reasons the Oceanic Pacific Islanders (from Papua New Guinea and east) are considered somewhat separate from the western ones in those countries above, even if they are related and speak related languages, in the Austronesian language group.

But yeah, they are kind of in between. Another example of how Filipinos, Malaysians, and Indonesians are often considered Asian even though they are also Pacific Islander is that those countries are included as part of Asia, not Oceania, for mostly historical reasons I think. So they are Asian nations, part of the Asian continent on maps. And yeah, it probably is common in the US to think of Filipinos as Asian.

 

[Neverfade]

Please, Dude, Chinaman is not the preferred nomenclature.

 

[Ecotic]

I was wondering, do people classify the Filipinos as pacific islanders because of their looks or their culture?

There's a few reasons why it's considered differently. First off, Southeast Asia is divided into two regions: Continental Southeast Asia and Maritime Southeast Asia. And they're totally different.

Continental Southeast Asia (Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar), or Indochina, is where the stereotypically Buddhist, rice-based agricultural Asian societies are found. The region is dominated by Theravada Buddhism and it culturally has its roots in the Khmer Empire and ancient Siam (what Thailand used to be called).

Maritime Southeast Asia (Indonesia, Philippines, and Malaysia) is very different from Continental Southeast Asia. Their lifestyles are more based upon the seas. Culturally, Indonesia and Malaysia are Muslim countries and have nothing much in common with Indochina. Which then brings us to the Philippines. Culturally, the Philippines doesn't have much in common with Indochina. The Philippines is a Catholic country in its top half, and Muslim in its bottom half. The bottom Muslim regions suffer from separatist violence. The capital city Manilla looks architecturally like a Spanish town. So the country as a whole has different regions with different cultures.

Secondly, people from the Philippines can look like they're from many different places. Some people look very Chinese, others look black, others still look Hispanic. One of my Filipino friends says other people believe that she's whatever ethnicity they are. If the person she's talking to is Hispanic, they think she's mostly Hispanic. If they're black, they think she's mostly black. If they're Asian, they think she's mostly Asian.

So basically when combine how the Philippines isn't culturally in sync with continental Southeast Asia, isn't culturally in sync with itself (different regions have different cultures), and add in how the various different waves of immigration have affected the genetic makeup, then people have a hard time definitively calling it an "Asian" country in the same way they think of the others.

 

[y2dvd]

My indian friend always calls herself asian and I tell her only SE asians count. I know technically they are asian though!

 

[crazy monkey]

Do they look Asian? Then they're Asian. Do they look Indian? Then they're Indian. I don't tie it to their geographical location. Simple and works for me.

asia is continent

 

[shanshan310]

asia is continent

An incredibly undefined continent. Do you include India? do you include Russia? Australia? New Zealand? the Middle East? And then there's the "Asia Pacific" Definition which sometimes includes the US, Canada and Chile. People argue over the definition all the time. Just like the Asian race, it seems.

 

[TheExodu5]

Vietnamese is Asian. In America, if you have small eyes and yellowy skin, you're an Asian.

So that excludes female Asian stars then, since they all have white skin and big eyes?

 

[kagete]

In the US, Filipinos are called:

-azns
-black asians
-white asians
-mexicans
-boxing asians

and a big LOL at the Vietnam X Philippines comment! I assure you, probably 99.9% of Filipinos won't even know where Vietnam is on a map. Because of movies and limited mention in history classes most Filipinos actually think Vietnam is nearer the US because of the war movies. Ask any filipino what countries are part of south east asia and they'll say "the Philippines of course, and... err... Japan, HongKong?".

If you showed 1 million Filipinos a map of South East Asia or Asia in general, only so few will be able to tell you what any of the neighboring countries are. For a lot of us, Thailand is the same thing as Indonesia and Malaysia. Brunei is some rich fart country, and Japan/US/SG are the promised lands.

 

[Dude Abides]

It's not the preferred nomenclature. Asian-American, please.

 

[Zoe]

So that excludes female Asian stars then, since they all have white skin and big eyes?

It's not the same "white." Asians have warm complexions, Westerners tend to have cool complexions.

 

[gutter_trash]

asia is continent

so Iranians and Israelies are Asians?

 

[Enosh]

An incredibly undefined continent. Do you include India? do you include Russia? Australia? New Zealand? the Middle East? And then there's the "Asia Pacific" Definition which sometimes includes the US, Canada and Chile. People argue over the definition all the time. Just like the Asian race, it seems.

yes, yes the part that is in fucking asia, no, no, yes, that definition is stupid made by stupid people

it's not rocked science, russia is a transcontinental country, of course the part that is in asia belongs to asia, it's like saying france isn't in europe since it has some shit in africa

 

[TheExodu5]

(United States of) America

vs

Canada
(United) Mexican (States)
(Federative Republic of) Brazil

What else would we be called?

United Statians.

 

[derder]

I'm a Racist.

Spoiler

North Carolinian

 

[itsgreen]

Was totally expecting a topic about native Americans and coming in I couldn't figure why they would be called Asian...

 

[sammich]

yes, yes the part that is in fucking asia, no, no, yes, that definition is stupid made by stupid people

it's not rocked science, russia is a transcontinental country, of course the part that is in asia belongs to asia, it's like saying france isn't in europe since it has some shit in africa

Lol seriously.. people in here need some serious fucking geography lessens and i bet majority that are doing or trying to do this "restructure" are from NA. Its mind blowing. You think the more information that is available at our fingertips these days would make us smarter, not dumber.

 

[shanshan310]

yes, yes the part that is in fucking asia, no, no, yes, that definition is stupid made by stupid people

it's not rocked science, russia is a transcontinental country, of course the part that is in asia belongs to asia, it's like saying france isn't in europe since it has some shit in africa

Well, my Relations in East Asia textbook included all of those countries except Russia, India and the Middle East. The US often included because of its heavy influence over Asia. I'm talking more in terms of the region and not the people. It may not be rocket science to you but there is a lot of argument among academics, diplomats etc about which countries are a part of Asia.

I live in Australia, by the way. We were taught in school that we were the "smallest continent" but I think we sit more in Asia now that I'm older and have studied the region more indepth.

 

[soepje]

So what about Turks? Are they European or Asian or what?

 

[shanshan310]

So what about Turks? Are they European or Asian or what?

Middle Eastern, or European. They are decidedly not Asian though.

 

[TheExodu5]

Lol seriously.. people in here need some serious fucking geography lessens and i bet majority that are doing or trying to do this "restructure" are from NA. Its mind blowing. You think the more information that is available at our fingertips these days would make us smarter, not dumber.

And you need sociology lessons.

 

[Kurdel]

Where I live, Indians are from India. Asians are from Asia.

In reality, people don't really accord an importance to geography and what amounts to continental semantics.

A girl in college already asked me if India was in Africa. I told her it was. Fuck her, she deserves whatever consequence that misinformation brought her.

 

[soepje]

The west of Turkey seems quite Europe orientated but the biggest part of it doesn´t seem very European to me.

A girl in college already asked me if India was in Africa. I told her it was. Fuck her, she deserves whatever consequence that misinformation brought her.

What about the whole `there are no stupid questions only stupid answers` idea?

 

[sammich]

And you need sociology lessons.

Sorry if i hurt your feelings.

 

[Kurdel]

What about the whole `there are no stupid questions only stupid answers` idea?

To that I always respond: "Are there stupid questions?"

The answer is, of course, yes. It is possibly the dumbest question one could ask, following that idea. Proving that there are stupid questions.

Bulletproof troll logic.

 

[Alpha-Bromega]

So what about Turks? Are they European or Asian or what?

BAHA, that's an age old question right there. In fact it's the 600 year old question played out in the cultural everyday of Eurasia!

 

[shanshan310]

Lol seriously.. people in here need some serious fucking geography lessens and i bet majority that are doing or trying to do this "restructure" are from NA. Its mind blowing. You think the more information that is available at our fingertips these days would make us smarter, not dumber.

Who is this in response to?

 

[soepje]

To that I always respond: "Are there stupid questions?"

The answer is, of course, yes. It is possibly the dumbest question one could ask, following that idea. Proving that there are stupid questions.

Bulletproof troll logic.

But the `stupid` questions need to be asked in order to get to the more intelligent ones. If it wasn´t for the so called stupid questions and their answers human kind would still be living in trees.

 

[Suairyu]

Semi-related question: Why is the term 'oriental' considered offensive in America but not anywhere else in the world, including in the orient?

 

[Zoe]

Semi-related question: Why is the term 'oriental' considered offensive in America but not anywhere else in the world, including in the orient?

Because it was used as an insult in America.

 

[tino]

Both South Asian/Subcontinent and Middle East should get its own continents.

Why? Because when you are discussing a culture/group of people/political news, you are either refer to "East Asia", or "South Asia" or "southeast Asia". There are so little similarity between these regions its pointless to have a general word point to the total set of these regions.

 

[Kabouter]

Both South Asian/Subcontinent and Middle East should get its own continents.

Why? Because when you are discussing a culture/group of people/political news, you are either refer to "East Asia", or "South Asia" or "southeast Asia". There are so little similarity between these regions its pointless to have a general word point to the total set of these regions.

Or let's just have continents make sense, Eurasia.

 

[crimzonflame]

So are Indians.

Some.

 

[Kurdel]

But the `stupid` questions need to be asked in order to get to the more intelligent ones. If it wasn´t for the so called stupid questions and their answers human kind would still be living in trees.

Yeah, I agree with the philosophy, but I hate the expression. Sure it's meant to encourage asking questions, but I believe individual inquiry should be more valued. Yout think I know so much that you can lazily ask me whether India is in Africa? Wikipedia that shot and learn for yourself.

We do need experts for complicated questions that may seem stupid to the expert, but now knowing where India is located geographically should be a capital offense

 

[Suairyu]

Because it was used as an insult in America.

Figured. Just remembered an EU-GAF being yelled at by US-GAF guy in one thread some time ago and wondered what the hell was up.

Just like the Australian KFC Cricket advertisement!

 

[2San]

I still don't understand why people refer themselves as Asian. If people ask me "where I'm from". I say I'm Dutch, but my parents where born in Bangladesh(and say it's next to India if they don't know where it is).

edit: Now that I think about it not many people refer to themselves as Asian. It's just a confusing label I'd say. Rather work with East Asian, South Asian and South East Asian.

 

[FlyingTeacup]

because the earliest asian immigrants in the states are from east asia? thus asian = ppl of east asian descent.

whereas the earliest asian immigrants in britain are from south asia? thus asian = ppl from south asian descent.

 

[leadbelly]

Most people in the US consider Pakistinais to be Middle Eastern not Indian.

...

They're the same people. Pakistan didn't exist until 1947.

 

[sammich]

Yeah, I agree with the philosophy, but I hate the expression. Sure it's meant to encourage asking questions, but I believe individual inquiry should be more valued. Yout think I know so much that you can lazily ask me whether India is in Africa? Wikipedia that shot and learn for yourself.

We do need experts for complicated questions that may seem stupid to the expert, but now knowing where India is located geographically should be a capital offense

Perfectly put.

 

[Zoe]

I still don't understand why people refer themselves as Asian. If people ask me "where I'm from". I say I'm Dutch, but my parents where born in Bangladesh(and say it's next to India if they don't know where it is).

edit: Now that I think about it not many people refer to themselves as Asian. It's just a confusing label I'd say. Rather work with East Asian, South Asian and South East Asian.

Are you saying people should only identify as their nationality?

 

[Meteorain]

As an Indian (mostly), I find it amusing when Americans (play with a fair few online) don't identify me as Asian, but I suppose it is understandable. As the OP said, I was one of those people who posted an Indian/Bollywood girl in the "Asian chicks" thread and got flack for it.

Living in the UK though I've managed to clear up identifying certain asian groups more easily.

India/Pakistan/Sri Lanka get called their respective names.

Oriental for Japan, China, Korea.

South East Asian for Burma, Indonesia, Philippines, Singapore, Vietnam, etc.

I usually am able to pick out which country a type of Asian is from and refer to that rather than just label them "Asian". I think the closest analogy I have is that when I am unable to discern a person of African descent I just say African.

 

[The Albatross]

(United States of) America

vs

Canada
(United) Mexican (States)
(Federative Republic of) Brazil

What else would we be called?

I think his point was the same as mine. Indians are, sure, technically Asians, but just as how most people specify between "Mexicans" and "Americans" (as in, "US Americans," quote Ms. South Carolina), most people specify between Indians and Asians (as in, Sino/Japanese-Asians). I personally have never seen a Mexican person or Brazillian person referred to as an "American" around these parts, just as how usually Indians are referred to as Indians, not Asians.

 

[Zoe]

I think his point was the same as mine. Indians are, sure, technically Asians, but just as how most people specify between "Mexicans" and "Americans" (as in, "US Americans," quote Ms. South Carolina), most people specify between Indians and Asians (as in, Sino/Japanese-Asians). I personally have never seen a Mexican person or Brazillian person referred to as an "American" around these parts, just as how usually Indians are referred to as Indians, not Asians.

As I said later in a follow-up post, people say "American" as a nationality. They say "Asian" as an ethnicity.

 

[Wiktor]

Because indians, arabs etc are part of a white race? Going by the traditional bible-inspired 3 races separation at least. Of course now we often use a lot more specific ethinicity terms, but the old method is pretty deeply wired into whole western culture.

 

[Phoenician_Viking]

Middle Eastern, or European. They are decidedly not Asian though.

HUH? The Middle East is a part of Asia. From Israel to Iran. From Egypt to Morocco is North Africa. 3/4 of Turkey resides in Asia, So it be either Asian or European.

 

[woolley]

...

They're the same people. Pakistan didn't exist until 1947.

People wouldn't even be able to find Pakistan on a map let alone care anything about it's history. For the most part people in the US consider Pakistan to be located somewhere in the Middle East.