That's not my point. Sometimes the recipient doesn't see him or herself as different. And yes, I'm talking about physical appearance.
"Exotic" might not be a compliment towards people
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That's not my point. Sometimes the recipient doesn't see him or herself as different. And yes, I'm talking about physical appearance.
RockTurtle
Member
my bad, i wasn't turning the conversation into a date, just a (i guess bad) attempt to end the conversation on the theme of what we were discussing (meeting a stranger and going through the motions)
now i know you are sensitive and will proceed respectively from our interactions from now on. I understood that people took another meaning of the word and was giving another aspect on it, because as you said different cultures and everything. I understand this board is generally largely from an american aspect, but it's not always the definitive one and shouldn't be taken as absolute.
let's agree to disagree. i will not use it with you, but i will not stop my usage of the word. i will be more perceptive of its use based on the locale.
Well, what are messageboards for but to listen and discuss? I've certainly learned a lot and find the differences between people, regions and cultures fascinating. I'm always happy for these types of conversations.
SquiddyCracker
Banned
Well, aliens tend to be exotic, since they're uncommon - so in a way it's short for "your looks are rare.", whether it's due to the race or just unique facial features.
But often in a complimentary manner.
This entire thing is silly, people rarely use the word Exotic as an insult, and perhaps they find your difference or different culture or how you look to be attractive, and here's the big shocker. There is nothing wrong with that.
Some people have preferences and often point them out, do you truly think the world would be better if we were just all Gray Blobs with our only differences being our personality? Do we never mention our differences because we don't want to be seen as different even though we are.
Some people have preferences and often point them out, do you truly think the world would be better if we were just all Gray Blobs with our only differences being our personality? Do we never mention our differences because we don't want to be seen as different even though we are.
Well, describing a character in a book usually will result in the use of fancy, eye catching terminology. Exotic looks better than alien or unusual, but if he's different in a strange way, exotic would fit. Like if you wanted to describe a woman with angelic vibes, you'd use ethereal or mystical because angelic isn't as "sexy" in definitions~ the other two are vague and apply in numerous ways.
Evening Musuko
Black Korea
I never really understood it to be honest. Then again, I live in a pretty big and diverse city, so if all you can say to someone here is that they look exotic, then you probably need to get out more.
JJDinomite
Banned
"Intentions don't matter"
This is the world we live in.
This is the world we live in.
More like the people associating that term with others are projecting their ignorance onto them.
Just because you haven't seen someone like them before doesn't mean they're foreign.
GungHo
Single-handedly caused Exxon-Mobil to sue FOX, start World War 3
Yeah, as another poster also noted... I've heard Asian celebrities on American shows and movies like Maggie Q and Lucy Liu called "exotic". I've also had someone comment that my wife was "exotic". Whether or not it irritates me really depends a lot on context and tone. Some people just say it as a descriptor or something they intended as a complement (as awkward as it is). Some people say it like they're a damn taxidermist and they want to build a "collection", and that will irritate me. I like my wife too, but she isn't a conversation piece.
I've been told before that I don't look like someone of my race, that doesn't offend me but I could see how it could offend others depending on the person's perception of themselves and stereotypes surrounding their race.
I doubt I'd ever use the word exotic to describe a person since I can't think of any scenario where it's the best word to use. It seems a bit strange to me though that someone would be offended by it unless they were told you're exotic for a (any race). I've only ever heard it in the context of telling someone that they look unique, it seems like a big jump to think of it as you're exotic because you're different from the stereotype of your race. I've never heard of someone being offended by it before this thread.
Sometimes it seems like people (especially online) are looking for reasons to be offended. Should we never use any adjectives to describe someone because there's a possibility of them being offended when most people would not?
I doubt I'd ever use the word exotic to describe a person since I can't think of any scenario where it's the best word to use. It seems a bit strange to me though that someone would be offended by it unless they were told you're exotic for a (any race). I've only ever heard it in the context of telling someone that they look unique, it seems like a big jump to think of it as you're exotic because you're different from the stereotype of your race. I've never heard of someone being offended by it before this thread.
Sometimes it seems like people (especially online) are looking for reasons to be offended. Should we never use any adjectives to describe someone because there's a possibility of them being offended when most people would not?
RockTurtle
Member
Is this woman "exotic"? If so, why?
depends.
in my country? she wouldn't be based on physical attributes. she would just look like another beautiful woman you can find in any town. if you told me where she was from, she would be exotic based on her origin of birth. Her mannerisms and clothing would also play a part.
Lol, some people think being called exotic is offensive? Well, people have a right to choose what they want/don't want to be called, but I can't agree to it and will continue to use the word unless directly told by the person I'm calling it that it's offensive. I just find nothing to be offended about being called exotic. It's almost to the point that I feel people who do find it offensive are just looking for things to be offended about.
Darkangel
Member
I have never heard exotic used as an insult towards someone. The word generally has a positive conotation and at worst is a neutral descriptor for "strikingly out of the ordinary".
Pretty much everyone on earth is considered exotic to someone else somewhere. If I (a white person) moved to Japan then my blue eyes would be considered exotic to the average Japanese person. The term doesn't even have to be ethnically centered; loads of white people refer to Angelina Jolie, Olivia Wilde, and Giselle Bundchen as exotic beauties.
Even speaking a different language can make someone exotic.
I'm struggling to see what's wrong with this.
Seriously.
Pretty much everyone on earth is considered exotic to someone else somewhere. If I (a white person) moved to Japan then my blue eyes would be considered exotic to the average Japanese person. The term doesn't even have to be ethnically centered; loads of white people refer to Angelina Jolie, Olivia Wilde, and Giselle Bundchen as exotic beauties.
Even speaking a different language can make someone exotic.
I'm struggling to see what's wrong with this.
Seriously.
RandyBobandy
Banned
If I saw a native American woman in Ireland, no shit she would look exotic. I live in a small town where everyone is pale
It's not an insult
It's not an insult
poppabk
Cheeks Spread for Digital Only Future
The problem with this is that it gives infinite and inviolate power to people who get offended and it means that they never have to question whether they are right to get offended. You can argue that it works better to apologize for offending someone rather than arguing that they shouldn't get offended, but it would also work better if they didn't get offended.
For example, I have had a woman get offended because I held the door for her, even though I hold the door for everyone. The simple answer is that no-one should hold the door for anyone as it has a justifiable potential to offend, but the result is that no-one holds the door for anyone anymore which in my mind makes the world a categorically worse place for the sake of not causing offense.
It's basically saying that any measure of potential offense outweighs pleasurable or pleasant feelings others might feel.
I think people don't like false specialization. "Exotic" people aren't really exotic.
CountAntonius
Member
I've always taken it as a compliment when people call my looks exotic. I guess I can see why someone would be offended because they usually call me that guessing I'm a different ethnicity(I'm Mexican) but yeah it's not gonna have that effect on me.
SquiddyCracker
Banned
That is probably why most people don't consider him exotic, since he is kinda ugly.
:x
Is this woman "exotic"? If so, why?
No, I see plenty of black people around here.
QuicheFontaine
Member
I don't understand.
HerbertFish
Member
Holy fuck that girl in the op is fucking annoying
jhmtehgamr20xx
Banned
Well personally in my case, I look at "exotic" as even more beautiful than "regular" beautiful, if that makes sense. And there's a lot of things besides looks that play into it, like dress, mannerisms, etc.
Basically in a way it kinda is like being a kind of exception/non-normalized to your peers in your environment, but imho it's more as a compliment than an insult.
Liu Kang Baking A Pie
Member
Yes. They're people. I think many people are missing the point of the topic and why it bugs others.
CountAntonius
Member
I take it as "uncommon beauty" as in something about the way you look has rare quality in their eyes that they don't see commonly. Most of the time it's attributed to a perceived ethnic background I think.
Messofanego
Banned
Great read, and yes I do see mention of the word more about mixed race people. It is better than the question "What are you?", but can be perceived negatively too by someone.
Benedict Cumberbatch got some mad exotic cheekbones!
Liu Kang Baking A Pie
Member
Yes! I'm mixed, and I've heard this word more than anyone would ever want to hear. I try to trust the person means well, but then I've also been fetishized by other people for my race, so everything is this big mess where it gets hard to figure out who really likes me for me.
How many people have had literally every long term partner look up photos of babies with specific race mixes to show what their children would look like? Do white people do that to each other? It was fine the first few times, but then I realized they're actually probably worried their child wouldn't look white enough. Then exotic started sounding really gross to me.
In the example you posted where you went to India, yes you were treated differently because you were a tourist. That's different than Fiction's scenario. I can only presume she doesn't see herself as exotic especially in her own home setting.
My point is it's odd to be called exotic when you live in an area where there are people like you. The question as to why you're calling them as such comes to light.
Is this woman "exotic"? If so, why?
She's absolutely beautiful but I wouldn't call her exotic.
QuicheFontaine
Member
Well, I absolutely agree with the bolded.
But I still don't get your point about people not "seeing" or "considering" themselves exotic. If you're in a place with an established norm of appearance and you differ from that, objectively, then people will notice that. They can perceive it in a good way or bad way.
IMO Exotic has nothing to do with race, some of the first people that come to my mind if you were to say 'exotic looking' are not just white, but straight up WASPy. People like Elijah Wood and Angelina Jolie, among others. Basically what exotic means is that they have unique features.
Basically 90+ percent of haute fashion models could be described as exotic looking, regardless of race. You kind of have to have something unique to compete with all the thousands of other amazingly beautiful people in that line of work.
Basically 90+ percent of haute fashion models could be described as exotic looking, regardless of race. You kind of have to have something unique to compete with all the thousands of other amazingly beautiful people in that line of work.
Simply not a word I'd ever use to describe a person.
I always assume when people do use it, that they mean it in a positive way though. The word is almost used as shorthand for "Exotic beauty."
Pointing out that someone is unique relative to your own experiences... I dunno.. I can see it used sort of awkwardly by some people, but taking general offense to it seams a bit much to me.
I always assume when people do use it, that they mean it in a positive way though. The word is almost used as shorthand for "Exotic beauty."
Pointing out that someone is unique relative to your own experiences... I dunno.. I can see it used sort of awkwardly by some people, but taking general offense to it seams a bit much to me.
Evening Musuko
Black Korea
It can make you feel left out if you were born and raised in that area and people still look at you as an outsider, even though outside of your appearance, there's really nothing different that distinguishes you from others.
Liu Kang Baking A Pie
Member
Why are white people normal and other people exotic? As well-intended as you may be, people will see through these comments and feel weird.
No, you aren't using it wrong.
CurlySaysX
Banned
It's a compliment, but possibly not to plain Janes hanging around.
My response comes from a home setting. From my experience and a lot of others here, we even get called exotic in our own neighborhood.
How can you look out of place if that is indeed where you are placed? Maybe the definition of what people of that place can look like just needs to change instead.
QuicheFontaine
Member
If that's the way it makes someone feel, then I can't say they're wrong necessarily to feel that way. But I don't see why they should feel left out - it's essentially saying "I like you", which sounds pretty inclusive to me. And you say "outside of appearance", but I'd consider it mainly a word to describe someone's appearance.
Liu Kang Baking A Pie
Member
For example, imagine someone calling a black lady exotic, which is probably harmless on its own, but later that same day, someone on the street yells out "look, we've got a hot black girl!" They're going to feel weird, and they're not going to feel very included in their own city.
CountAntonius
Member
people who think you have features they deem exotic?
Why exotic though? Why not unique, different or something? I highly doubt the first word that comes to mind is exotic. I swear it sounds like an attempt to be clever or eloquent. Like come on, it just doesn't sound right.
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