Well the general notion is that when people say Asians, they think you are Chinese, Japanese or from any of those East-Asian countries whose people happen to look very similar. I think the term South Asian is not only narrowed but it might be appropriate in our case, as most Nepali do not really look like 'Asian,' except a few exceptions. Also, our culture is more aligned with the South Asians than just Asians.

It's good that Kiran identifies herself as a Nepali first than as an Asian. I do not have any problem with that, except I know that we fall more under South Asians. Ultimately, it could be that South Asians think calling themselves 'Asians' will save their face from the third-world-mess that South Asia is typically referred to.

Or it could be that Kiran doesn't like being classified into something whose majority of population are bloody Indians.