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.

I would usually say “a curry” for an Indian takeaway, is that offensive? Hope not!

@steff13

As an American, someone saying they're going for an Indian does sound odd to me, because we don't say it that way here. We mostly just say Indian, or Chinese, or Mexican, etc. But I don't think it's offensive. 🤷‍♀️

A lot of phrases you all use sound odd to me, and vice-versa, I'm sure. Like, why do you say "in hospital" instead of " in the hospital?"

Or 'horse-back riding'

Like, where else are you gonna rides fecking horse???

@CandyLeBonBon, in a horse drawn carriage/ sleigh.

[quote Yellownotblue]@CandyLeBonBon, in a horse drawn carriage/ sleigh.[/quote]
That would be in, not on.

My husband has very close Indian heritage. He calls it "having an Indian" all of the time.

My mother was Italian. I call it "going for an Italian".

It's just a way of speaking.

It’s just “lesser” (ethnic) cuisines that are referred to that way.

Ok so now you are into linguistics, this is offensive you are implying that there are lesser cuisines, and no there are not.

Having seen other responses actually, in my opinion it’s you that is dismissive and disrespectful

I tried to read the whole thread but skimmed it. Sorry. English, or UK folks refer to some cuisine as a whole. I will have a Chinese. I will have an Indian. I will have an American. I will have a Thai. I will have a Turkish. I will have a greek
And the list goes on. World wide. When I ask my daughter what she wants as a takeaway for a treat and she replies... An Indian... I don't Thi j she is doing anything than expressing her choice of food. If anyone sees that differently then we need another convo

Linguistic conventions can often sound strange to outsiders.

The proprietor of the Indian takeaway near my dad's village is known to everyone as Manny The Indian due to their linguistic convention of referring to people by how you might know them - Mary The Shop, Dai The Post, Dewi The Chip. Manny himself is not actually an Indian person at all.

Honestly it's no deeper than knocking off "takeaway" or "meal" from the end of the sentence.

"Shall we order a takeaway tonight?"
"Yes, I fancy an Indian [takeaway]."

I wouldn't repeat takeaway, that's 3 whole syllables.

I quite fancy an Indian tonight
Do you fancy getting a Chinese tonight. Is what I say

It's grammer.

A lot of phrases you all use sound odd to me, and vice-versa, I'm sure. Like, why do you say "in hospital" instead of " in the hospital?"

It’s an overhang from the days of workhouses for the poor. Hospitals, almshouses, workhouses were not clearly delineated from each other for quite a long period of time. With the result that we still vaguely have this cultural view/ linguistic approach of hospitalisation being vaguely akin to being institutionalised.

Just a generation ago it wasn’t unusual to meet very old ladies who were absolutely terrified of being admitted to hospital because they thought they wouldn’t be allowed to decide to leave again.

So yeah, looming, faceless institutions, and we of course don’t have that sense of being customers when we are in NHS hospitals so there is a slightly infantilising aspect to it.

OP: AIBU?
Every single reply: yes, YABU
OP: Nuh-uh...

Oh and I definitely also say "a KFC/Subway/Burger King/Costa which doesn't make linguistic sense but it's shorter than saying "A coffee and sandwich in Costa".

@banned

It's grammer.

Please tell me that was deliberate @banned

Sorry posted too soon. Its grammer, its colloquial terms, it's regional, or wider, its just language

I’m not sure if you’re trying to be woke or you’re just plain daft, but I’m fairly sure you could find offence in an empty bag.
I hope your husband doesn’t mind us eating an Indian for valentines or having Chinese tomorrow

@babbaloushka

I think you referring to ethnic cuisines as "lesser" speaks volumes more than people saying they're having an Indian...

I agree

@hammeringinmyhead

Oh and I definitely also say "a KFC/Subway/Burger King/Costa which doesn't make linguistic sense but it's shorter than saying "A coffee and sandwich in Costa".

When my eldest (now 19) was young we'd go for a 'luvin' it'

Guess the food brand!!

People definitely say ‘going for an Italian’.

The restaurants themselves say outside ‘Indian restaurant’.

You’re overthinking.

Oh my. Grammar. Darn it

This thread is comedy gold.

@RickiTarr

A lot of phrases you all use sound odd to me, and vice-versa, I'm sure. Like, why do you say "in hospital" instead of " in the hospital?"

It’s an overhang from the days of workhouses for the poor. Hospitals, almshouses, workhouses were not clearly delineated from each other for quite a long period of time. With the result that we still vaguely have this cultural view/ linguistic approach of hospitalisation being vaguely akin to being institutionalised.

Just a generation ago it wasn’t unusual to meet very old ladies who were absolutely terrified of being admitted to hospital because they thought they wouldn’t be allowed to decide to leave again.

So yeah, looming, faceless institutions, and we of course don’t have that sense of being customers when we are in NHS hospitals so there is a slightly infantilising aspect to it.

Same in France, you read Emile Zola, the greatest indignity is being taken to/dying in hospital.

Thank you for posting this, that’s interesting.

I’m fairly sure you could find offence in an empty bag.

I'm stealing that!!!