How does one know how one is perceived?
"O wad some power the giftie gie us. To see oursel's as others see us!"
The term "Roman" Catholic, although widely accepted now, betrays a WASP outlook - few Catholics used to describe themselves as such until the term became common on forms etc
Who is the most famous Caucasian you know? We think first of Димa Билан, the Karachay boi who sings in Russian mostly (and English, for the EuroVision contest.)
Does anyone really think most Caucasians are "Europeans" ?
#10 -- In fact, though, everyone in Northern Ireland knows which community they're perceived as belonging to, barring the odd kebab shop owner. I'm an atheist myself, and wouldn't be crazy about checking the "Roman Catholic" box on the old "what are you" form, but my real name would immediately give me away as a Catholic atheist (you're right that you don't hear Roman Catholic from Catholics), and I know that. And I'm not even from there.
Edited by: VinnyD
I haven't seen this term on any official form here in NZ. In cases where there is a need to distinguish - for example in electoral enrolling - the question "Are you a Maori?" is asked. There is no official interest in any distinction between the non-Maori.
I recently renewed my passport, and in the 12 pages of forms I had to complete, there was no question about the race or ethnicity of the applicant.
#12 - sorry Vinnie - for some reason I missed the NI context
That kind of identification - your name giving you away - is common in Scotland too, particularly in the "Central Belt" and Glasgow area
I just watched a new episode of Lewis (English detective TV series) in which the police identified someone as "caucasian".
It does sound like something you'd be more likely to hear in (on?) a cop programme than in real life to me.
#13 -- I don't think the US asks about race or ethnicity on passport applications either. Although I'm sure they did in the days when passports didn't have photographs. As you imply, it's only when there's a need.
I will disagree somewhat with Callidus here – or at least, perhaps expand on ‘official forms’
The Heath, Education and Police sector all use ‘caucasian’ on at least some of their forms although, admittedly, ‘NZ Pakeha’ or ‘Pakeha’ or ‘New Zealand European’ is more common. I suspect that 'caucasian' on a form indicates that nobody has updated it in a while!
Lucky me, I had to spend a few hours in A&E 2 weeks ago and the admit and medical form specifically asked my ethnicity and race and again, mentioned caucasian. And, just to continue my story, last week I was punched and upon answering the answers on the police complaint form I was asked the ethnicity of my 'attacked'. Sure enough, ‘caucasian’ was an option. I might add, I actually identified the person as ‘Pakeha’ - presumably the cop filling out the form ticked caucasian. As a side note I should probably wrap myself in cotton wool.
However, OP - no it's not a particularly common term in New Zealand. The more common term here is New Zealand Pakeha or New Zealand European. I did a brief check and forms from our Social services department (WINZ) do refer to ethnicity rather than race.
I am not entirely sure if 'caucasian' is even used on census forms now or if it has shifted to more ethnicity related questions. For instance, elements of common culture, language, religion, customs rather than purely the race. It is the shift to more ethnicity based questions (and ethnicity based answers) which I think accounts for 'caucasian' being an uncommon term.
I shudder to think which common culture I belong to. Gen X Gen Y cusp of both, sauvignon in one hand, nokia in the other upward inflection kiwi perhaps.
Edited by: sneaker_fish