Why are Chinese people so offended when told they have narrow eyes?

Question

It's just a fact. (I'm talking about those Olympic pictures btw). It's like everyone knows black people, white people, chinese people etc. look different with different features that can be identified quite easily.

Answer 1

It seems that almost everyone is offended about something these days.

Answer 2

Well, i don't think they are offended, I think they already know what they look like, and by someone 'stating the obvious', it may become boring for them. It also depends on the way that you say it, if you say it in a hurtful way, with a nasty tone, they are bound to become offeneded, but why tell them, they probably already know.

xx

Answer 3

its very offensive...

Answer 4

The interesting thing is it is just a genetic mutation. You will sometimes see amongst people of different races. The difference is that at one time the Asian population was small and isolated. Therefore, it spread amongst nearly everyone. I think it is offensive when it is said in a derogatory manner, but not in a matter of fact way.  

Answer 5

It is a sterotype.

Answer 6

Why are white people so offended when we say they are genetic inbreeds.

Answer 7

It's a dopey stereotype, that's why.

It's 2008, not 1708.

____

Honestly, I'm here in NYC and know 1,000s of people and have "seen" countless millions of people in my lifetime of all backgrounds. There's just as many Puerto Rican women with slanted eyes, than there are Chinese. For one. America and the West did this 70 years ago vs. the Japanese (in media, newsreels, etc) to build humor, and belittle our opponent right? There's OTHER asian peoples (like Korean and Filipino), and you'd lump them ALL into that dopey steroetype before you're finished with that thought -- as people do. It's embarassing.

Once you meet people -- and my guess is you've yet to do so by the 100s or 1000s -- you start to see that not the most of blacks have features you'd imagine, and not the most of jewish folks have large noses, etc. and not the most of italians have little black moustaches (the men neither), and not the most of the Chinese have the eyes that the Argentines and Spanairds stupidly acted-out.

Answer 8

because its rude

Answer 9

Would you actually feel comfortable saying "You have narrow eyes" to a Chinese person? How would you expect them to react? It's not the same as stating someones colour or culture, it's unnecessarily pointing out a childish stereotype.

It's not my cup of tea to pigeon hole people in that way I'm afraid.

Answer 10

I am sure they are not offended and are aware of their physical features. But why state the obvious?

Answer 11

Its rude to point out things like that - I'm sure there aware of there own features.

Answer 12

the chinese women is the most beautiful women in the world in my opinion

is different when I am close with a oriental woman I feel a fire inside of me.but if they offended is illogical because in fact they have narrow eyes!

Answer 13

They havn't got narrow eyes.

They just have a natural tendacy to close their eyes because of all the pollution and fumes getting into their eyes.

(:

Answer 14

Because its like saying any racial prejudice. It's rude. Duh!

Answer 15

some things they dont want to hear so just be quiet....sometimes the truth hurts..