Originally Posted by Jay

A bit research.. probably right and probably not so accurate – How Longhairs got Persian titles in the first place.

Malaysia (Malaya) was under British colonial for many years. Those days, the “madams” and “Sirs” used to have expensive Pets especially Persian cats.

Most Malaysians (not all) at that time were:-
1) Malays – Farmers or British men’s drivers or maids
2) Chinese – Working in Tin mines / open businesses
3) Indian – Working in Rubber Plantations
The fact was, most Malaysians at that time were uneducated or attended British school in Primary levels only except royalties and few Rich families.

They have seen these longhair cats (mostly Persians) in the big mansions and they were amazed because they knew they couldn’t afford to buy or to have them. The word “Persian” was synonym to them referring to Longhair cats belongs to the “Madams” and “Sirs”. To them, all longhairs are “Persian” because that is what being told to them. The fact is, actually these Madams and Sirs found it as not important to explain the breed to the low education people. They don’t see any points explaining in lengthy that some of their cats are Mixed Persians with others.

From time to time until the end of British era, all these Persians have mixed with “Kampung Cats” but because the Madams and the Sirs at once said “Longhair cats are Persians and they are EXPENSIVE”, the so called “tacit knowledge” have been passed on to generations – and unfortunately until TODAY!.

My dear loving grandmom (late) until the last of her days in life still refers “Longhair Cats” as Persian. She was a Singaporean and her father used to work with British Madams and Sirs. When I asked her why she called the longhairs as Persian, she told me all these stories about Persians and the Madams and Sirs. She heard the “term” from her mother; her mother heard it from her mother and on and on.

These misunderstandings have been passed on for generations, the moment a baby was born, their parents will say longhair cats are Persians and that’s why every time new users came in this forum, they will say PERSIAN, that is basically the only name for cat’s breed that they knew other than kampung cats. Did you notice that?

I know this because I too at once upon a time thought all longhairs were Persian. I learnt my mistake well and I tend to tell other fellow Malaysians that.. “Stop laaa… we are no longer living in British era”. Not to forget, some people didn’t hear it from their parents or grand parents but from friends who heard it from their parents!