you have to give you UK guys some credit

[JeffYoung]

I think that is probably it. Tone, inflection, etc......"Jap" has been used as a derisive term for persons of Japanese origin in the States since the War. You just don't say it.

Guys, didn't mean to start a war myself here, I'm half-wop, half-mic myself, classic American I guess, and don't really care when people call me those names because it is usually done in fun.

But anti-Japanese sentiment ran really high here in the US during and after the War and when Caucasians used the term "Jap" they did so derisively, with a derisive tone. I think that is why it is problematic.

[schueymcfee]

During my time in the US I quickly found out that they don't take too kindly to being called Oriental either, somebody was kind enough to point this out to me after 3 months They prefer the term Asian, which is correct, but for me the term Asian means Pakistani or Indian origin.(obviously I don't mean American Indian)

I tried to work out how many people I must've offended by accident in 3 months, oops

>> Edited by schueymcfee on Wednesday 7th July 23:47

[Hates_]

Nippon is a word for Japan. I admit it can seem obsurd as we don't take offence to the word Brit, but we should respect the fact that the words Nip and Jap can cause offence. And while we may call each other Brits it doesn't mean that they call us the same, so isn't a case of double standards. Just how for my black friends to say "Whats up nigga" is taken as friendly, if I came along and said it I probably wouldn't be walking for the next few months.

[DustyC]

j14nsx said:

Maybe we don't mind being called Brit, because we are in England after all, and don't exactly get 'called' it. After living in Australia for a number of years, being all a Pom repeatedly, and in a way that doesn't sound so friendly, it does start to get on your nerves, bordering on the offensive.

I can relate to that.

I'll be more careful when in the States from now on. Thanks.