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

[twoopsie]

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

I do think the phrase is outdated, and perhaps you should have mentioned it wasn't the most culturally aware thing to say.

However, since you were talking about people from India (rather than American Indians), you probably just made yourself look a bit dim...

I thought the phrase was too many chiefs and not enough indians. As in too many managers and not enough people doing the actual work.

The story doesn't make sense, really.

I agree with others who say that this phrase sounds outdated and I would be surprised and rather at someone who used it in the workplace.

I'm getting a strong mental image of Clare from Clare in the Community (in a nice way).

It's just a misunderstanding - I got it correct from the thread title.

However, if you weren't rude it might actually stand you in good stead - in the face of perceived racism you spoke out.

It's an expression not heard that much nowadays. But really it's something and nothing and not worth making any kind of fuss about.

Yes ywbu and made a right plank out of yourself. I hope you apologised to him.

The misunderstanding is quite funny but completely understandable IMO. It's such an old-fashioned saying, I can't remember hearing it in the workplace for at least a decade. I would have assumed it was a racist comment at first (and yes, the phrase itself is on dodgy ground anyway as others have pointed out).

whats "perceived" racism? this is a genuine question by the way (im not trying to be smart) Im only saying that this how so much animosity starts and things get totally blown up out of proportion.

Well he got the saying wrong so you're both a bit daft.

At my work we used to have a staafer given to muttering Too Many Chiefs which was hilarious (to me, anyway) given the number of Indian staff employed.

V funny. But it reminds me of the office problem page Lucy Kellaway does in the FT - someone sent in a problem complaining about the "young Turk" in his office, and lots of people below the line got indignant and said that the guy's nationality was irrelevant. I guess "young Turk" is one of those phrases also not heard very much these days.

While raising your voice to your manager and going off on a rant isn't wise I think the OP was right to challenge the phrase. I think that language is inappropriate in the workplace.

Yes well lets just phase these sayings out.... and not get ridiculous about them.

Its obvious that they are rather old sayings, no one is being "racist" here and just let them pass away, as I will soon No need to rant, no need to accuse, they are what they are, just sayings.

They aren't going to be "phased out" quickly enough unless they're challenged:although as I said it would have been better to do so calmly.

"challenged"? a name like "Ilovesooty" is rather provoking. Things take time.

Named after my cat.

Things take less time if you challenge them.

not the case, things incite, to be young and appreciate these things and let them phase out is a better way.

I think we'll have to agree to disagree on that, I'm afraid.

I could actually take some peoples mentality on and ask you why you call your cat sooty as there again that was yet another word used years ago in a derogatory way. So to be calling people out on things, maybe you need to do your own homework.

He was called that when I got him.

As I said, we'll have to agree to disagree.

My current cat is called Nico. I hope that meets with your approval.

Then maybe you should have changed his name if you feel so strongly about "sayings"

I always thought you like the glove puppet...

I wasnt the one making bold statements here, you were.