Would you consider this a Micro-agression?

[ChequeredHistory]

To ask someone of Chinese Heritage if they know a good Chinese restaurant? Or someone of Pakistani heritage a good Indian restaurant? I know that there are many different cuisines in China and Pakistan is not India and again there are tons of different cuisines within both countries but is it offensive to ask someone?

This was given as an example of a micro-agression on a radio programme I heard a snippet of when I was in the car . I'm from an ethnic minority and hadnt considered this a problem. I'd say I only know a certain type of cuisine well so couldn't give an informed opinion on others but I know where people of my ethnicity
and different groups within my ethnicity like to go to eat and so far haven't felt offended to be asked. I just wondered what others think about this as an example of micro-agression.

^and no, I didn't class it as such, it didn't even cross my mind tbh. However I'm just wondering if anyone would, or would they only class it as a micro-aggression if it were directed towards someone of a different nationality to them ie Pakistani, Indian etc.

It’s not the first thing I’d ask, no. You can’t be sure of anyone’s heritage. I have a Nigerian friend, I only know she is Nigerian because I know her well. If someone assumed she was Jamaican and asked if she knew any good Caribbean restaurants I’d certainly class that as a micro aggression.

I think if you know someone is really into food and in particular food from their cultural/ethnic background it would be ok? But not someone who has never shown any interest in food. You'd use your judgement. But it's not for me to say.

Nobody is minimising anti Semitism at all.

Far from it. That's why I expressed surprise that the OP thinks being Jewish and being asked where to buy chicken soup and bagels would not be a micro agression. I find that difficult to believe. But each to their own.

Just don't attempt to whip up dismissive remarks about the everyday experiences of Black and Asian people and talk about proper racism.
It's not a competiive sport.

These things sound harmless as a one off, being constantly asked the same thing becomes wearing.

Like being asked by a white person if they can feel my hair, so they know what black hair feels like. I'm sure you are a lovely person and mean well.
But No Way!

@AwaAnBileYerHeid

I'm Scottish, I was chatting to a man in duty free a couple of years ago and he asked me for any recommendations on "Scotch" as he called it. Is this a micro-aggression?

But you ARE scottish. So, while you may or may not know anything about whisky, he wasn't making assumptions based on your race. It would be a micro aggression if you were born and bred in Scotland, had a Scottish accent BUT were of Asian heritage and so, even though you clearly sound Scottish, if someone asked you to advice them on something Chinese, then THAT would be a micro aggression.

I mean, sure, he made an assumption that you know about whisky, but it was an assumption based on the fact that you are in fact Scottish. Also, micro aggressions are aimed at historically disadvantaged groups.

I think its contextual "have you got any suggestions about where I could try authentic food?" OK
"You are Chinese, you must know where the good restarants are" less ok

These things sound harmless as a one off, being constantly asked the same thing becomes wearing.

Quite.

I'm not orthodox or hasidic so no one is going to identify me as a Jew when I walk down the street. The same can't be said for Black and Asian people. So (possibly mis) identifying someone as Chinese and asking where's best to eat - micro aggression and they might have dealt with it ten times that day. Same with Black hair etc as outlined above.

Random conversation where me being Jewish comes up and someone asks for a bagel recommendation based on the culture I've just identified myself as being part of? Not a micro aggression, in my opinion. And it wasn't for you either, so why are you trying to retrofit one?

I'd say if you asked someone Chinese where the best Chinese restaurant was BECAUSE they were Chinese that would be a bit racist, yes.

It feels sort of like you're trying to say 'well I wasn't offended so either these people are wrong and microaggressions like this don't exist, or I was wrong and I must now feel oppressed'.

It's not really a binary situation, and I don't think your experiences are comparable.

I’m white British and would definitely not ask someone for recommendations for a Chinese restaurant based on the fact she was or looked Chinese. Although microaggression is a modern term, I can’t think of a point in my life when I would have thought this was anything other than rude at best.

Asking someone who you know is interested in Chinese restaurants is completely different.

If you are asking the person where the best Chinese restaurant is based purely on the fact "they look Chinese" then that is absolutely a micro aggression and extremely rude, how can anyone not think it is

It's a question based on a whole load of assumptions.

It depends on context.
If it’s a newly moved in neighbour and we are talking about what the local area offers and they in the middle of a conversation about the areas restaurants and they ask “where’s the best Chinese food here?” Not a micro-aggression. It’s a natural part of the conversation.

But if it’s a group of people and someone says, “Plan will know the most authentic Sichuan Chinese restaurant, don’t you Plan?” (Because I’m the only Chinese ethnicity person in the group) That’s a micro-aggression.

I am of part Asian heritage and this wouldn’t offend me.

I think some people are way to eager to look for offence. Life’s too short!

No I am not offended.
We love our food and heritage and are always on a lookout for places that remind mum of home so she doesn't have to cook. And I'm happy to share that information with anyone who asks.

A total random asking based on how I or anyone of my family looks would be odd, unusual, but I wouldn't jump to it being a micro aggression.

My friends are a mix of ethnicities and they often suggest the best restaurants from their heritage cuisines and I often ask them too. They do know where the best food is.

But they're my friends and so I guess I'd know that it wouldn't upset them and I also know that they actively seek out the best food spots. I wouldn't ask a stranger.