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.

@MrsSchadenfreude

OP - how would you feel about “I could murder an Indian”? Because I would take that to mean “I am starving, let’s have a curry” rather than “I wish to kill someone from South Asia.”

You’re nuts OP

I was brought up calling it, P Food.

And that phrase was used by everyone regardless of ethnicity.

I do now say 'Indian' but my local is actually Bengali so not acurate.

@MrsSchadenfreude - now you see - I am Poirot & I overheard you whilst I was lurking behind the drawing room curtain. Would you join me in the library with my associate Captain Hastings and the other suspects who have said - e.g. - Let's get a Chinese delivered - I just fancy that

Streuth - but MrsSchadenfreude

I agree, I had to correct myself when telling an Indian colleague that we were going for an Indian, wondering if i was not being PC

Op. I get you totally. The worst is a continental breakfast. When someone says they want the continental, it’s so so offensive.

With you alll the way 😂😂😂

@AIMummy

I definitely say "a Chinese or a Mexican" and I'm Indian (well by ethnicity anyway). It's just British slang.

I know in North America there's been issues over the years with native Americans wrongfully being called "Indians" and stereotyping of Indian accents on TV, maybe that's where your misunderstanding comes from?

Also just wanted to add that as an Indian, I never say 'an Indian' because something like 95% of 'Indian' restaurants in the UK are NOT Indian (mostly Bengali, some Pakistani). The first time I ever went to one was at a work do and I actually had to get one of my white colleagues to decipher the menu as I didn't recognise most of it.

Don’t people use ‘an’ because Italian and Indian start with vowels?

Also hate ‘fish supper’ but maybe it’s a regional use than a fauxposhington one?

I don’t think it’s a “lesser” cuisines thing. It’s a takeaway thing. If I’m going to the sit-in Thai restaurant near my office I say ‘I’m going to a Thai restaurant for dinner’, but if I’m having a takeaway I’ll say ‘I’m having a Thai’. I’ve had a think and I’m pretty sure this is true across the board for me.

Takeaway is obviously “lesser” as compared to a restaurant, but it’s not a judgment on the culture of origin. It’s a judgment on the dining experience.

‘Ethnic’ is not considered a polite or appropriate word to use as a descriptor of other cultures: everydayfeminism.com/2016/07/stop-using-ethnic-to-describe-poc/

although to be fair i understand most Indian restaurants are actually Bangladeshi

Really? YABU.

I like how OP mentioned that her partner is Asian in an attempt to prove how definitely not racist she is when she called “ethnic” lesser.

A bit like the whole “I have a black friend”.

Ironic using the US as a good example when hate crimes against Asian people are soaring.

@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.

For full disclosure, I’m not Indian but my husband is of Asian ancestry

Unless your husband is Indian this statement is pretty offensive because you're using the words 'Indian' and 'Asian' as though they are interchangeable.

One funny thing is scotland exports curry to India as our curry is so different to what they have there

I get what you're saying. I guess when we get pizza... you would just say "I'm having pizza tonight" but if ordering a Chinese or Indian you generally order 2 or 3(or more) separate dishes. So you wouldn't say.. I'm having rice,chowmein and spring rolls tonight. You would just say Chinese. And the same for Indian I guess.

@Yellownotblue

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?

I've definitely heard people say we're going for an Italian. I really think you are looking too much into it and making an issue that is not even there.

What? No! It's just leaving the 'meal' part off as we can be a bit lazy with words. 'I'm ordering an Indian meal from the Indian takeaway' or 'I'm ordering an Indian' same meaning less words. please describe in what way this could be offensive and what the potential meaning is that you are worried about?

I wouldn't order an Indian takeaway in the US anyway. Here, I wouldn't say 'an Indian' because it feels a bit ...sloppy. You're right, I haven't heard anyone say 'an Italian' or 'a Thai'. Think it's because curry houses are such a basic part of English life they are often perceived generically. But I do associate 'having an Indian' with people who go for a generic fiery curry and beer, rather than something more regionally specific.

Is this racist?

Going for 'an Italian' is definitely widely used here but then there are many Italian restaurants here so 'going for an Italian' is as common as 'going for an Indian' funnily enough we don't say 'going for a Greek' (our favourite meal but there aren't many places) - maybe it's slightly regional depending on demographic.

although to be fair i understand most Indian restaurants are actually Bangladeshi

Well if they refer to themselves as Indian takeaways it's fair to refer to them as such!

Here, have my very first

Full English (breakfast) an Italian (meal), a Chinese (meal), an Indian (meal)

It's the cuisine. It's just shortened. if it was referring to people, that would be wrong - mostly because you're talking about what you're having for dinner.

In the context of your meal, you're talking about a geographical area where a type of food and combination of ingredients and way of cooking originated that you enjoy and want to eat.

In my area a lot of Indian restaurants are owned and run by people from Bangladesh. We still refer to the food as Indian because it's from that region.

It’s very common usage in the UK. But honestly, hearing people talking about ‘an Indian’ has always made me uncomfortable. It feels disrespectful.

NB I am not ‘woke’. I am old and I like good manners.