The British Museum’s attempt to participate in a worldwide publicity stunt has backfired tremendously, as they have revealed that they steer clear from too many Asian names since they “can be confusing”.

The tweet was in response to a question posited by the Sydney Museum of Applied Arts & Sciences during the worldwide #AskACurator event, wherein museums all over the globe answered burning questions from inquisitive minds.

How do you go about designing exhibition labels and information that are accessible to a wider range of people? #AskACurator — MAAS (@maasmuseum) September 13, 2017

And although several curators responded to this inquest, the British Museum’s “Keeper of Asia”, Jane, soon found her answer standing head and shoulders above the rest — for the wrong reason.

… We aim to be understandable by 16 year olds. Sometimes Asian names can be confusing, so we have to be careful about using too many. — British Museum (@britishmuseum) September 13, 2017

Netizens were quick to point out just how problematic this sentiment was, especially coming from someone of authority.

What are you saying to those of us – and especially the kids – with Asian names doing this? Think long & hard about this. — ravenwolf68 (@ravenwolf68) September 13, 2017

Jesus. Confusing to whom, your white patrons? Haven’t you stolen enough history? — Jillian (@jilliancyork) September 13, 2017

Frankly, if your struggling with being clear on Twitter, then museum labels are probably not your thing. — Andrew (@brixtandrew) September 13, 2017

you: Asian names are hard

you: I love the music of Tchaikovsky

you: Schwarzenegger movies are great

you: my fav Targaryen is Daenerys — 혼혈 (@noahjussi) September 13, 2017

The British Museum quickly realized the error in their ways and offered two apologies…

Apologies, we would just like to add some further clarification here: pic.twitter.com/t9xnJ8rJ3S — British Museum (@britishmuseum) September 13, 2017

In response to your comments, we feel it’s important to address a few final points here: pic.twitter.com/3cRkiwePtU — British Museum (@britishmuseum) September 13, 2017

…which were, again, met with dissatisfaction from Twitter users.

aren’t you supposed to be an institute of knowledge? shouldnt you be about teaching 16yr old’s Asian names instead of perpetuating ignorance https://t.co/5vJV9pCYW8 — Eryn (@boostergolds) September 13, 2017

Sure, let’s display riches from countries we colonised, but using their names or recognising Asian 16 year olds exist is a step too far. https://t.co/VayYqzAc4O — Nadine Aisha Jassat (@nadineaishaj) September 13, 2017

Kids 16 & under know Harry Potter spells, GoT characters, Pokémon & Dinosaurs. If they don’t understand Asian names, maybe help them learn? https://t.co/qCY4dBFT1h — Matt Blair (@themattblair) September 13, 2017

hun you just fit this info into a tweet though — Bisha K Ali (@bishakali) September 13, 2017

“Asian names can be confusing” said the people who share a country with Benedict Cumberbatch. https://t.co/J0oLQXIBDt — Ju-Hyun Park (@Hermit_Hwarang) September 13, 2017

Y’all can run around speaking Dothraki and nine different Elven tongues, but Asian names are confusing. pic.twitter.com/zGiNztBi5g — L.L. McKinney (@ElleOnWords) September 13, 2017

16 year olds *can* understand Asian names – some of us were born with them! https://t.co/G6DiJO6era — samayya (@SamayyaAfzal) September 13, 2017

Asian names are complicated is precisely why I didn’t know how to pronounce ‘Hermione’ till goblet of fire. — Achala Upendran (@AchalaUpendran) September 13, 2017

Perhaps the British Museum will think twice before participating in the next #AskACurator event; hopefully, this experience has challenged them to consider using more “Asian names” in the future.

Feature image via Wikimedia Commons / (Left): Diliff (CC-BY-SA-3.0) / (Right): Mike Peel (CC-BY-SA-4.0)