[AAABEST]

This is the first I'm hearing that "orient" is now offensive. It's a perfectly acceptable from a literary perspective.

The term "Oriental" is also proper, however it refers to objects like merchandise or goods etc., not people.

If you're using the (linguistically improper) term "Oriental" to describe people, many will think you ignorant regardless of their politics or adherence to political correctness.

[jttpwalsh]

This is the first I’m hearing that “orient” is now offensive.

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I understand 1,000%. Nowadays, ‘offensive’ is in the realm of the ‘offended’. I used to work for a Japanese Company, in Huntington Beach, known as ‘Oriental Photo Distributing Co.’ in the 80’s. Nowadays, they’d be the subject of who knows what kind of harassment. Sad, really. Thanks for your reply.