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.

We have Scottish breakfast when in Scotland

It must have square sausage

Which seems to be oblong

Another lie of the cuisine world 😭

An English breakfast
Chinese for tea here today 😊👍

We had an Indian yesterday 😊

Happy Chinese New Year!

I find it odd, but accept that people say it. I've always just said, "we're having indian/chinese/thai/jamaican/whatever" tonight without including a or an. I do say "we're having a chippy" though. But that's the only time I can think of when we say a before the type of take away.

Lockdown getting to you OP? Touch some grass

It's Indian so u call it Indian if its Chinese u call it a Chinese if its Thai u call it Thai if its Italian u call it Italian if its pizza its pizza if its chips its chips whats the issue?

Oh please.
You win the prize for the most woke non problem ever.

What about a full English is that offensive? Errrrrm no

I am having a pizza
I am having a burger
I am having a Chinese

Simple as, there's no grand conspiracy, move along.

“Fancy an Indian?”
says my husband, with a

Saturday night chez Principle...

DH: What's for tea? (Yes, we're northern)
Me: Takeaway?
DH: Sure, what do you fancy, Indian, Chinese, Italian?

Not really seeing the problem.

We’re having an Indian tonight... or I would be if he’d keep still

I don't think anyone would expect going for an Indian to be served a human , on a plate with a serving of pilau rice and peswari nann.

@Yellownotblue

Maybe it’s a class or regional thing. I literally have never heard anyone say ‘going for an Italian’. It’s just “lesser” (ethnic) cuisines that are referred to that way.

I just posted out of curiosity. No need to get all agitated. I’ve read all the answers and taking it all on board. I’m interested in linguistics.

This might actually be the most ridiculous thing I’ve read on mumsnet.

How can Indian be "lesser" when it's the most expensive! Well it is in my area anyway, an Indian costs a fortune compared to a Chinese

I don’t think I’ve ever heard anyone say they were going for ‘an Italian’.

People do say this. I say this all the time. I'm referring to food, not a person.

Yes well, I’m Spanish and people don’t really say, “Let’s go for a Spanish,” but I think that’s because Spanish food is not so traditionally entrenched in British society (ie people might be unsure what that involves, beyond maybe paella). I mean every village in the U.K. probably has an Indian and Chinese restaurant, doesn’t it? Isn’t the most popular British dish a chicken tikka masala?

I think people actually say, “going for a curry,” more than, “going for an Indian,” but they do say, “going for a Chinese,” more than, “going for noodles / dim sum.” I think, if anything, it’s a sign of familiarity or fondness, or of how much Chinese and Indian food have assimilated into the British psyche.

I think people do kind of say, “going for an Italian,” but as this is invariably pizza, they are more likely to say, “going for pizza.”

Anyway, DH is Indian / Iranian and he wouldn’t give a hoot about matters such as this.

I *think people do kind of say, “going for an Italian,” but as this is invariably pizza, they are more likely to say, “going for pizza.”
*
I'd always say "going for an Italian". It's my favourite cuisine and I say this often.

Stop the world. I want to get off.

I'm offended you are offended.

Ridiculous. I'm going for a Chinese tomorrow, I'm looking forward to the food not the person. They are a bit chewy.

Let's go for a Lebanese. Oh yes please

@LouJ85

I *think people do kind of say, “going for an Italian,” but as this is invariably pizza, they are more likely to say, “going for pizza.” * I'd always say "going for an Italian". It's my favourite cuisine and I say this often.

I don't think pizza is necessarily always that. Italian to me is pasta and bruschetta and wine

Where I live it is normal for people say they are having a Chinese or an Italian or an Indian.

I dont say them because I cant eat any of it due to food intolerances. But I would not think it odd for others to.

Going for an Italian
Going for Chinese
Going for Thai
Going for a full English

randomer oh, yes please! There are no Lebanese restaurants anywhere near me, let alone one that would deliver.
If I am in London for work, I track down the nearest one and present myself, drooling like a rabid dog....