tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3734902152162231132.post4444034165672163599..comments2010-12-01T22:54:07.690-08:00AussiePetehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04893185575367843149noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3734902152162231132.post-11154557535935112112010-10-11T08:34:21.280-07:002010-10-11T08:34:21.280-07:00Hi Aussie Pete- You wrote that Ang Mo, Lao Wai and Gweilo are &quot;politically incorrect&quot; in Australia and that using this while playing sport would result in suspension and counseling. Can you please elaborate on this more and provide the background as to why this is the case in Australia? How did these chinese terms ascribed to Whites become politically incorrect and offensive in Australia? I live in the U.S and I can&#39;t even foresee the day when gweilo or ang mo would be considered racially offensive amongst White Americans much less now. Considering the historical racism which Chinese and other Asians have had to endure in Australia for so long I would think that White Australians would take epithets such as ang mo and gweilo with stride. Gweilo and ang mo can be used neutrally as opposed to other slurs such as honky, cracker, whitey or even gubby which are generally used to offend Whites. Now what I would like to know is whether a Black or any other racial minority in Australia would be suspended in a sporting competition for using the more offensive terms against Whites such as honky, cracker, whitey, gubby, etc? Btw you&#39;ve got a really cool blog going on here:)balisong5http://www.blogger.com/profile/09031131908634730909noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3734902152162231132.post-10000822051705176662009-01-06T19:17:00.000-08:002009-01-06T19:17:00.000-08:00Hi Chris - mate, thankyou so much for this very well thought out and clear comment. I think what you have said is very true.AussiePetehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04893185575367843149noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3734902152162231132.post-36219002085266173712009-01-06T10:19:00.000-08:002009-01-06T10:19:00.000-08:00The literal translation of "ang mo" should imply that it is not offensive by nature - typically this term on its own is neutral. My reading of your explanation is that the term is pejorative only because of the actions of some people (e.g. spitting while using the term) or unkind adjectives placed either in front of behind (e.g. si ang mor, ang mor kow). So on its own I cannot see how it can be construed as insulting, but I can understand why over time, if the term starts becoming associated with negative adjectives/emotions/connotations, that it would naturally evolve into an offensive term. This is due more to racist elements in society rather than racist connotations contained in the term itself, of which there are none in modern times.<BR/><BR/>On its on it should be seen as a neutral term because it is prevalent and ingrained into the local vocabulary. The proper term 'caucasian' just does not roll off the tongue as easily, mainly because there is no no top-of-mind recall for the correct word.<BR/><BR/>I also think that by acknowledging one's ang-mohness, the person has a better chance at forming a rapport with the locals. That's not a bad thing in a society where friendships and relationships matter more.chrisnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3734902152162231132.post-90449927421928976682008-05-20T22:56:00.000-07:002008-05-20T22:56:00.000-07:00Haha - see, and I am not offended at all by your comment. :D<BR/><BR/>I live in the 'heartlands' and it is very, very common there... I'm one of the few 'ang mo's' around...AussiePetehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04893185575367843149noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3734902152162231132.post-27582214546220984552008-05-19T20:26:00.000-07:002008-05-19T20:26:00.000-07:00Interesting article. Never expected an 'ang mo' to know so much about the subject. You must have done quite a bit of research. Thanks. I never thought of the term 'ang mo' in any negative way. But I guess it could sound really bad when you add something in front or behind it. Right now it's just a catch-all term used to refer to white people.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3734902152162231132.post-66192378773492867812008-05-15T23:46:00.000-07:002008-05-15T23:46:00.000-07:00Like I said - very common to hear this in Singapore... if it's used in a non-offensive way, I have no problems. I have been the recipient of someone 'spitting' it at me once (while talking in mandarin) and giving me the 'up and down' look... she didn't know that I understand some Chinese, so I responded with a disparaging remark about her weight and also something about a female dog, if I recall correctly... :D Probably very inappropriate of me, but I was having 'one of those days'...<BR/><BR/>The term is inherent in the culture here and therefore acceptable at the moment... would not be PC in many western countries.AussiePetehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04893185575367843149noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3734902152162231132.post-87776342094872442152008-05-15T23:41:00.000-07:002008-05-15T23:41:00.000-07:00don't let it bother me.expatnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3734902152162231132.post-54248072872694190082008-05-15T10:02:00.000-07:002008-05-15T10:02:00.000-07:00'ang mo' is common in Singapore. i was told as a child that it was the right thing to call white foreigners. Is it offensive to them?Michael Ngnoreply@blogger.com