More Spanish stuff

Mexicans typically call all east asians “Chinos”. Occasionally you’ll hear koreano or japonés, but the generic, most widely-used term seems to be chino.

Which isn’t that interesting, except that it reminds me about nicknames – Mexicans are enthusiastic and utterly un-PC in assigning nicknames. The following are (off the top of my head) examples I have heard in real life:

Chino - Chinaman
Chango – Monkey
Güero - Whitey
Negro - Blackie
Gordo/gordito – Fatty
Chancho - Piggy
Flaco - Skinny
Pelón - Baldy
Burro - Donkey
Tuerto - One-eye/lazy-eye/cross-eye
Chaparro - Shorty
Chula - Cutey

Whenever I’m with Spanish speakers, I’m always Güero (pronounced roughly “weddo”). It’s natural and expected. If I had three eyes or an extra large head, you can be confident I’d be called “Eyes” or “Big Head.”

Another thing, your nickname from childhood may stick with you even if circumstances change – I’ve met more than one chubby “Flaco”.

On the subject of Hispanic nicknames, from here:
… Anglo culture sees nicknames that address physical and racial characteristics as derogatory. The Hispanics, however, see the use of these nicknames as a way of placing affection on a person regardless of the circumstances. “This simple cultural observation may lead one to conclude that in fact, the Mexicans [and Hispanics in general] tend to be much more accepting of the uniqueness of the individual that we are likely to see north of the Rio Grande”…