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Do Asians care if their eyes are described as "slanted"?
Or "almond shaped"? I was reading an article that said to never describe Asian eyes as slanted, which isn't good for me, since that's how I describe the Asian-like people in my novel. I can't use the word Asian because the setting is a fantasy world. Race does play a part to the society and a lot of the main character's internal conflict, so leaving out the subtle description is taking a part of the world away. I'm white and unfortunately don't have any Asian friends, so I can't ask anyone I know. I love Asians, I think they are absolutely gorgeous and their eyes are my favorite, so the last thing I want to do is offend someone because of my lack of knowledge on the subject. Yes, I know that all Asians are different, but the people the main character has encountered (so far) are closer to Japanese/Korean/Chinese. So if you're Asian, I'd greatly appreciate your opinion, and if you're not Asian, give me a solid reason for your opinion. Thanks!
6 Answers
- 8 years agoFavorite Answer
I'm Chinese and adopted from China (well duh) and i've always felt like i was different because unlike the people i'm around i'm chinese and not 'white'. I've always felt like white was always dubbed a the proper race and everyone else was just there. At my school where i am there is racial comments and people do say things about me because i am different and to be honest it bugs the hell out of me. I just think that some people dont see things how i do. They dont see the difference like i do. I think they are afraid of it.
So no it doesnt bother me if you describe our eyes like that, as long as you dont go making fun of it you go ahead. Its when people take my race and poke fun at it for their own enjoyment that pisses me off.
- 8 years ago
I'm not asian, but im thinking that it just depends on the person. I read a book where the author used 'almond shaped eyes' as a desc, and it looked fine to me. Maybe though, you should include something in the front or back of the book basically saying to take no offense or something if you are still worried about people being offended.
hope this helped~
- ToryLv 68 years ago
You are describing a stereotype just like you are when you say you are "white". Not all Asian or Oriental people have slanted eyes. Some have very high, prominent cheekbones. Some have very flat cheekbones. And, some are almost indistinguishable from Native Americans. If you have to have the distinction, try concentrating on where they are from and not what they look like.
- ?Lv 68 years ago
I would avoid the word "slanted". There must be some other alternatives. 20 years later when you become famous someone would find this novel and use it to against you. Psy is in trouble because he said bad things about the U.S. invasion of Iraqi in 2003.
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- 8 years ago
As an Asian...I would be offended if you said my eyes were slanted while you slant your eyes with your fingers, hop from one foot to the other, and tark without saying your ehrs. Why the heck would we be offended if you said we have slanted eyes? We do.
- 8 years ago
There are always a select few that will be offended but most of readers will not be Asian and even so most of them won't be offended.
