Need the Peas’ opinions on whether this was wrong to say

I took it that the more " attractive" name of Suzanne suited her better from the description Meg put in her opening post of her initial opinion of her 
and with all due respects I don't think Meg or anyone else in Australian would have the opinion that Sri Lankan nationals are unusual to see in Australia considering the close proximity of both countries to each other.

I never said they were unusual to see - but they are certainly a minority in Australia - and as Meg has already noted - she wouldn't have used the adjective to describe a fair skinned beauty - so again - it does highlight her ethnic difference and however well intended wasn't appropriate in the workplace.

I did a similar Google search to yours and discovered the etymology of the word means foreign, outside, other. Like I said I grew up with racism Louisiana is probably still one of the most racist places there is in this country. I am an old white lady grew up poor in the south with mostly black and Vietnamese people. Just makes me feel differently about racism after growing up with it the way I did, was very overt then and maybe less so now but makes me still feel like how we talked about people then was wrong and we can do better. Maybe it isn't as overt as it was when I was growing up but it is still there and still an issue. Growing up if you said a Vietnamese woman was exotic looking you we're saying something about her that meant she had some kind of mystique or sexual appeal about her, probably you were not saying she was smart or capable or even that she was pretty but probably you were stereotyping her in some way. That is my context for that word so that is why I feel the way I do about it. I don't think that's what the first poster was really doing at all just understand why people would think it was inappropriate in some general sense.

Speaking as a "non-white" person, I have to say I've heard all kinds of racist terms describing me or my friends and neighbors. Definitely still today. Very offensive and hearing someone described as exotic? Very benign. I'll take being called exotic over what I was actually called growing up, any day.

I am a long time lurker but I read this board daily. Meg - I really don't think you meant it in a negative way.

As far as not able to compliment someone without them being offended ...not sure what I can say? I am not going to be huffing and puffing about it. I just wouldn't like it. and it is definitely not racist.

Personally - If I am at work - "Good job in getting that bug fixed" is a compliment.  "Your name is exotic" is not.

I will respectfully say to @dottyscrapper, that here in the southern US, that to say "that boy over there" would be problematic also.

I think that this conversation is a lot like the weight thread. It's not about political correctness. We are all familiar with only our own life. With a more diverse workplace, we all need to be aware of the negative connotations that come along with our own descriptions and categorization of others.

In my family, I was the only sibling with brown eyes. Then I married into a blue-eyed family. I was constantly told that I was "different". WTH? Let's just try to stop labeling according to physical features and subjective terminology. It's just right to treat people in the manner that you expect to be treated.

Would you have said exactly the same thing in exactly the same way to a fellow Aussie?, a Canadian? An Irish?, etc etc. If the answer is yes then its not. 

Based on what Meg stated I don't think Suzanne is a common name in Australia.

I think as others have said, what the women on this board think is not really the point.  What Suzanne felt about what you said is important.  

I don't think commenting on how someone looks, or even his or her "sweetness" is really appropriate in the workplace, the ability to work well with the team, to fit into the culture, experience in doing the job, value they can add, those things matter.

If you focus on the person in relationship to the job, you will find the waters much easier to navigate.

When we were hiring teachers for my daughters school. The Ex. Director wanted to hire a particular counselor, who she described multiple times as "so stinking cute" and said the kids would love her.  Two years in the kids despise her. She maybe "so stinking cute" but she completely alienates the kids she is meant to be helping. She still has her job, despite being terrible at it, I can't help but wonder if it is because she is "so stinking cute".

It was very unprofessional of the EX. Dir to describe her in such a way when advocating to hire her.  I think when we are in professional situation we need to ensure we are using professional language. Meg I don't think you intended to be unprofessional or insensitive, if it were me, I would offer to take her out for a coffee, sincerely apologize and put the situation behind you.

I would have been fine with that but everyone has different life experiences and words that hold power to them. Not everyone is aware of everyone else's. I like to consider the intent and I think AussieMeg had no negative/racist intent so I would hope it was taken that way. I would have taken it as Meg meant, but someone with another point of view may not have immediately be aware of complimentary intent.

I also believe when "you know better, you do better" so if I found it may be considered offensive to some I would put that in my memory bank for future use- or non-use in this instant.

So what would you call a male 7/8/9/10 or whatever age, year old who owned that ball as per my post

The child/kid over there in the red/blue/purple shirt?

Racist? No. Odd? Yes.

Yes, use descriptors.