I just use the term African American to be polite (some people get offended if you say black), but I wouldn't be so ignorant as to refer to someone who's not American as African American.
I was just about to say that. I was taught to say Dark-Skinned. I use that term because I know people who aren't from Africa and have a darker skin tone.
Yeah, it's really weird. I suppose it's because some people associate "white" with things such as Starbucks, Forever 21, etc. (at least for white girls).
I'm a white girl, and the term you're looking for is Caucasian. I do like Forever 21, Starbucks, Uggs, etc. but many of my friends don't. I don't see how calling those "white girl things" is any less racist than saying asians are smart or black people are criminals. I personally don't care, but I try my best not to be racist about anyone.
Assuming you're talking to me, I'm not sure what we should call them. Perhaps Caucasian? However, I just looked up the definition of "Caucasian" and it says "often offensive", so maybe not. Anyways, this is just how I write, sorry if it sounds a bit proper.
Pakeha? I like that name. :D But people would probably think I'm insulting them in a foreign language, so no. People can get offended over the tiniest things.
But they don't know that. I remember once saying "Merry Christmas!" to someone in Spanish (Feliz Navidad) because a song basically just repeating that was on and they got really mad at me because they thought I was insulting them.
European