How is the expression ‘an Indian’ not offensive?

[Yellownotblue]

As in, an Indian take away or delivery meal.

I find it quite odd to hear one specific type of cuisine referred to like this. Would you say “ we’re going for a French tonight” or “he invited me to his place for an Italian”? Somehow it seems dismissive and disrespectful.

For full disclosure, I’m not Indian but my husband is of Asian ancestry and our children have dual heritage. I’m British (first generation migrant). I was born and brought up in North America and can’t remember the expression ‘an Indian’ ever being used as short for Indian food before I moved to Britain.

Definitely heard people say they’re going for a Chinese or an Italian, it’s normal where I’m from.

We would often (back in the days when people could eat out) discuss whether we fancied going for an Italian, Chinese or Indian meal.

It never occurred to me that was disrespectful?

Give over!

As an Indian, I don't know what you're getting at.
We do say "getting a chinese" and "going for an italian", it refers to food not a person.

I don’t think it would be offensive, unless it was inaccurate I.e. Nepalese food referred to as an Indian takeaway would be inaccurate and offensive.

In our house we use phrases such as an Indian takeaway, A Chinese or Italian food but I’m happy to be educated if this is considered incorrect or offensive.

Its short for Indian takeaway/meal .

A fish supper, an Italian (as a vowel), a burger,

Surely it's just an abbreviation of "Indian takeaway meal"?

Same as, a Chinese, an Italian, a chippy, a Mackie D's, a Wimpy etc etc etc

Are you serious?

I’m specifically referring to abbreviating it to ‘an Indian’. I don’t think I’ve ever heard anyone say they were going for ‘an Italian’. Maybe I’m wrong or it’s a regional thing?

Its just short hand for 'an Indian meal' I'm not sure how it is offensive? I say I'm going for a Nando's, for a Maccy D's, a Chinese etc.

Lots of differences between N America and UK. This is one.
It's just shorthand for style of cuisine.

We say a full English. Is that ok?

Hardly dismissive if you are choosing to go for an Indian/ Chinese/ Thai/ Italian/ Greek/ Turkish etc etc meal? Surely it a celebration of that country’s food.

'We are having Thai tonight' - I really dont think anyone hearing me say that will think I am off to track down and eat an actual person from Thailand.

It’s Indian food and we like it! Surely that’s not racist? Sometimes people say a curry? Is that better?

I have never thought of it as being offensive just a description of a type of food to that region/ country.

I use Chinese, Italian, Vietnamese, Japanese, Mexican in the same way, so not just Indian.

@AdelaideK

We say a full English. Is that ok?

Well no, it’s terrible 😄. There are so many better breakfast options out there! Start by putting some fruit on the plate...

You wot mate?

We're having an Indian
We're going for an Italian
We're ordering a Chinese
We're going to try a Thai

All things I've said and hear people around me say. It's so utterly basic i think it's odd you find it odd

How is the expression ‘an Indian’ not offensive?

Literal answer to this - because the person hearing it is not offended.

Which is not just me being arsey. It emphasises what a useless concept "offensiveness" is. It doesn't have any objective meaning.

Offensive OP?

I give you " fanny pack".

Now, there's offensive!😉

I would definitely say I was going for "an Italian" or "a Chinese". It's a fairly normal turn of phrase where I live and definitely not restricted to Indian cuisine.

Where are you from OP?