Repair-It

That one I actually disagree with being non-PC.

Oriental literally means "of the orient." Now, the sensitivity would probably come from an annoyance by folks of far eastern origin that westerners can't/don't/won't distinguish between China, Japan, Taiwan, Vietnam, Thailand, South Korea, etc, etc. Some of those countries aren't that big, and to me, it is a similar argument to say "What do you mean "those Americans"...I'm from Texas, not like that other guy from Delaware who has totally different views than I do. How dare you put us in the same bucket! And nevermind Canada!"

But people have wrung hands over far less.

I think the issue is not size or proximity, but that they don't get along. I wouldn't want to be grouped with people I don't like just because they are located near me. I think that is the heartburn.

Yes and as an American, I am annoyed that some parts of the world think we are culturally/language ignorant just because. It's the geography.

Sorry this got so off topic. I just thought it was funny to see a word in print that sounds like an adjective Grandma would use to describe my wife.

That is correct.

I subscribe to words being offensive if they are meant to be offensive, and not offensive if they are not meant to be offensive. It applies to all words, not just specific ones that "They" tell us are not appropriate.