Our community terms: FOB/ABCD/CBCD

[Roman]

FOB: Fresh Off Boat - used for people immigrated from other counteries to US/Canada (I'm not sure if it is used in other counteries).

ABCD: American Born Confused Desi - used for Desis born or raised in US.

CBCD: Same as above, applies to Canada.

The question is do you find the above terms deriding of the respesctive groups of people they represent? Over a long period of time, these terms have been used over and over again, and many people may take them lightly now. But the question is, why don't we use Pak-American (or Pak-Am for short) for ABCDs?

How about FOBs? FOB is not specifically used for Desis alone, it can be used for any immigrant person in US/Canada. Couldn't there be some sort other term at least for Desis (I used to not like Desi either, but I don't find it offensive or objectable at all anymore) How about DIC (Desi Immigrant Community - ok, that was a joke )

Any suggestions, comments, thoughts etc etc?

[Mem Sahib]

Although these terms are derogatory and demeaning, alot of the guys suit it... because that is exactly how they behave ....

MS
http://www3.pak.org/gupshup/devil.gif

[kohal]

or,
you could just simply say that particular abcd's/cbcd's
are white-washed.
http://www3.pak.org/gupshup/frown.gif

[Mr Fraudia]

so like for soemone like moiself who was born in UK, I would be a brit-pak and someone who moved to UK would be a pak-brit? http://www3.pak.org/gupshup/smile.gif

btw FOB is a term used not just by us, but also by the chinese, taiwanese etc.

as far as mem saying that people act in a certain way to be called FOBs ad the following remark about foriegn borns being white washed..

what we tend to do is judge a whole group by the actions and personalities of a minority group within that group. Its understood that the minority groups in question stick out more due to the great variation between the norm and their attitudes, behaviours and social habits, however, it is a bit simplistic to go and assign this trait to everyone in that group.

sure you have the type of recent arrivals that could not fit in the upper echelons of Kaachi and Islamabad let alone London or Los Angeles, and you have the foriegn borns who could be good candidates for the Jerry Springer show, but there is a huge number of people that fall between these extremes.

All this means is that it is important for us to take everyone as an individual and not approach them blinded with any preconceived notions about who they are and what they are like. You may miss out meeting a lot of great people.

[designer]

Roman,

Thank you very much for clarifying these abbreviations as i was really confused as to what people were sometimes talking about, as I am from England.

These names are used in a demeaning manner, however I dont feel that the people referred to are entirely responsible. All social factors must be taken into account, and also WHY they are experiencing confusion. There are certain people who will knowingly live up to the stereotype, but that is because they have a brain the size of a pea.

And anyway why DONT you use Pak-American???
It is not prohibited is it?????

[NYAhmadiX]

Roman Yara, I came across the following some time ago, and I think it is funny.

American Born Confused Desi Emigrated From Gujarat Housed In Jersey Keeping Lotsa Motels Named Omkarnath Patel Quickly Reached Success Through Underhanded Vicious Ways. Xenophobic Yet Zestful


There are many different versions of the alphabets, as we Desis tend to be quite innovative.

[DeSiMuNdA]

i heard the term "COCONUTS" somewhere (brown on the outside, white on the inside) http://www3.pak.org/gupshup/biggrin.gif

[Jaawan]

I never used terms to discribe NO ONE...i think people who use those are more confused ignorent, stupid, and out of words as it is they use some idiotic words to discribe the people who MAYBE more stupid or more intelligent then they are. But it is also true that kids born in USA are confused and cant make sense of rightness as it is there is no word In english that means gayraat. is there? http://www3.pak.org/gupshup/wink.gif


Jaawan

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Till next time***Keep_It_Simple_Stupid***©

[This message has been edited by Jaawan (edited June 06, 2000).]

[NYAhmadiX]

>>gayraat<<

Jawan, in English, the closest translation will be “homosexual night”

[Goku]

lol @ white-washed and coconut .. as far as calling other ppl these names is concerned, I don't think it's right ...

[designer]

Originally posted by DeSiMuNdA:
i heard the term "COCONUTS" somewhere (brown on the outside, white on the inside) http://www3.pak.org/gupshup/biggrin.gif

This is used alot in England, probably the equivalent of an ABCD.
At the end of the day it comes down to the self recognition of the person who is in this problem. They really need to use their head and think about who they REALLY are. Only then will they come to some sort of conclusion.

[Jaawan]

LOL no NYA thats not it...its not what you wish it should be <<geyyraath>> its urdu ask your mommy or daddy what that means...see ya


Jaawan

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Till next time***Keep_It_Simple_Stupid***©

[DeSiMuNdA]

yea designer...i had a hunch that "coconut" was the quivalent term of ABCD in the UK

i don't think labelling ppl with such terms does them justice...FOB, ABCD, every person is an individual...and what gives one person the right to judge another in such a manner, and label them so? maybe to the other person, he/she would seem wierd as well...

[Najim]

Calling someone ABCD/BBCD/CBCD or FOB will not change him or her ..... and these terms will not go away ..... so no point discussing. But FOBs becomes local after few years ... when they are no more fresh from the boat so there should be another name for Old FOBS, like ROBs (Rotten of the boat). Just a suggestions.

Cherio.

[topcat99]

ThanX alot dear Roman
It's increase my general knowledge.

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Live From- Dayara-e-Ghair