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AIBU?

you don't say "there's too many Indians around here..." to someone that just employed two on her team

89 replies

twoopsie · 22/12/2014 08:14

OK I think I may have overreacted, but in my early morning meeting my manger started saying "there are too many Indians around here.."

I've recently employed two for my team, so I butted in with a long rant including the British empire, the equality act and so on while raising my voice.

He actually was saying "there are too many Indians and not enough chiefs" as a general statement for our department.

Was IBU to but in? I think I've made a tit of myself

OP posts:

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FreeSpirit89 · 22/12/2014 08:16

I think it's a lesson in not every statement needs to be cried racism at. The PC police need to give it a rest, it's getting a little tedious now.

And yes you did make a tit outta yourself

CookieLady · 22/12/2014 08:16

Don't worry about it.

Jinglebells99 · 22/12/2014 08:16

Lol that is actually quite funny.

Hassled · 22/12/2014 08:17

:o

When I saw the thread title I did assume the Dean Martin song (which is actually "there's too many Chiefs and not enough Indians"). But at least now your manager knows that you're fully aware of Equal Ops, which has to be a good thing.

StackladysMorphicResonator · 22/12/2014 08:18

arf! That's hilarious!

HarveySchlumpfenburger · 22/12/2014 08:19

I would have assumed he meant not enough chiefs but he really ought to have made himself clearer. Don't think it was unreasonable to butt in, he might be more careful next time.

bigjimsdiamondmine · 22/12/2014 08:19

yeah well it's one of those stupid office jargon type phrases anyway, he should speak more clearly. You will probably eventually look back and laugh, eventually Its embarrassing, but your heart was in the right place

Mulderandskully · 22/12/2014 08:25

The too many Indians phrase is inappropriate IMO. It's outdated and not PC

PhaedraIsMyName · 22/12/2014 08:47

Do you mean "Native American"is the correct term? There's by not consensus on that amongst the people concerned.

royaldavescity · 22/12/2014 08:49

Oh dear. Yes you did make a bit of a tit out of yourself

MrsLindor · 22/12/2014 08:52

A new office legend is born :)

We'd be chuckling about that for years.

waithorse · 22/12/2014 08:54

That is funny.

Mulderandskully · 22/12/2014 08:55

No I mean the whole phrase is inappropriate in the workplace

tobysmum77 · 22/12/2014 09:08

He's probably petrified he's going to end up getting sacked for racism. tbh I wouldn't actually use that phrase myself for the exact reason that someone may misunderstand/ take offence.

peacefuleasyfeeling · 22/12/2014 09:11

Oh, I was looking forward to a grammar pedantry show down...

Stealthpolarbear · 22/12/2014 09:13

There is another thread where "doing a foreigner" is widely accepted. Though I suppose maybe it's generic,were all foreigners.

Hatespiders · 22/12/2014 09:24

Just don't remark that someone is the n*** in the woodpile...

There are lots of old sayings which are unacceptable now. I actually think 'too many chiefs not enough Indians' is a bit non-PC nowadays. We call them Native Americans. He ought to be a bit careful in today's multicultural society; it's so easy to offend somebody. YANBU in my view.

MehsMum · 22/12/2014 09:29

We call them Native Americans
But isn't it up to THEM what they are called? As Phaedra says, there is disagreement as to whether they want to call themselves 'Indians' or 'Native Americans', and I have heard both terms used by those to whom they apply. So it seems a bit unjustified to declare 'too many Indians' non-PC. (Normally, I thought, the phrase is 'too many chiefs and not enough Indians' for top-heavy management).

OP, you gave me a laugh... Your post was not what I had expected!

Tobyjugg · 22/12/2014 09:44

We call them Native Americans
FWIW it's more complicated than that. In Canada the preferred term is "First Nations".

PhaedraIsMyName · 22/12/2014 09:50

Maybe we should ask someone like the writer of this blog.

blog.nmai.si.edu/main/2011/01/introduction-1st-question-american-indian-or-native-american.html.

HoHonutty · 22/12/2014 09:51

twoopsie · 23/12/2014 13:54

ERM the PC term for them is not important, but this phrase should be banished. I'm still a bit embarrassed today

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MomOfTwoGirls2 · 23/12/2014 15:00

ha ha, an old boss of mine did something similar.

'Trouble with this project is that its all fucking Indians'. (He didn't add 'and no fucking chief' but that is what he meant)..

Almost all the many consultants on the project were Indian.

I didn't know the expression, I don't think the non American's on the team did either. My jaw dropped and hit the floor. I was mortified for the team.

My husband filled me in on the saying when I told him in horror when I got home.

Nomama · 23/12/2014 15:07

I look forward to a really long life. Then I can haunt such forums and piss myself laughing when today's sayings are ripped to shreds in a similar manner.

The young have absolutely no patience with anything old, twas ever thus

mynewpassion · 23/12/2014 15:13

You did make a tit out of yourself. One good thing is that your boss will be a bit more careful now as there are real Indians among the employees.

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