Yes, but "lao wai" is not actually a particularly respectful usage of "lao". It's usually said with the intent of excluding someone, which is inherently not a r

Yes, but "lao wai" is not actually a particularly respectful usage of "lao". It's usually said with the intent of excluding someone, which is inherently not a respectful thing to do. Respectful uses of "lao" are not used to exclude someone from the group. If it is absolutely necessary to refer to someone's exclusion for logistical (e.g. visa, legal) reasons the usual way to say it is 外國人，外籍人，外賓, the latter of which is usually the most formal and respectful.