How should I address people from other cultures?

While there is no complete or comprehensive list of "correct" words to use in communicating with others, the lexicon of appropriate language is becoming more clearly defined.  Here is a list of terms considered to be more or less appropriate in communications with others.  This list does not include pejorative terms that are consciously used to demean others.  Rather, the inappropriate terms listed here include some which people use to convey respect for others.  Nonetheless, they can sometimes elicit a negative response.
 

When Referring to	Use	Instead of
Women	Women	Girls, ladies, gals, females
Black people	African-Americans, Caribbean-Americans, Black people	Minorities
Asian people	Asian-American, Japanese, Koreans, Pakistanis, etc. Differentiate between foreign nationals and American born	Minorities
Pacific Islanders	Pacific islanders, Polynesians, Maories, etc.  Use island name, e.g., Cook Islanders, Hawaiians	Asians, minorities
American Indians	American Indians, Native Americans, Name of tribe	Minorities
People of Hispano-Latin-American origin	Latinas/Latinos, Chicanas/Chicanos, Use country of national origin, e.g., Cubanos, Puerto Ricans, Chileans, Hispanics	Minorities, Spanish-surnamed
Gay men and lesbians	Gay men, lesbians	Homosexuals
Differently-abled people	Differently abled, developmentally disabled, physically disabled, physically challenged, people with disabilities	Handicapped, crippled
White people	European-Americans.  Use country of national origin, e.g., Irish-Americans, Polish-Americans.  White people	Anglos, WASPS
Older/younger adults	Older adults, elderly, younger people, young adults	Geriatrics, kids, yuppies

From Workforce America:  Managing Employee Diversity as a Vital Resource, Marilyn Loden & Judy B. Rosener.
 
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