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AIBU?

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Original poster

How is the expression ‘an Indian’ not offensive?

894 replies

Yellownotblue · 11/02/2021 23:21

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.

OP posts:
RedGoldAndGreene · 11/02/2021 23:38

In the UK people say "having a(n) Indian/Chinese/Italian/Nando's/roast" It's short for "an Indian meal" and nothing nasty. Equally it's normal to call the places serving the meal "the Indian/Italian/Chinese"

RickiTarr · 11/02/2021 23:38

Where do you stand on widespread American use of “retard” and “handicapped” OP?

ElliFAntspoo · 11/02/2021 23:38

@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.

ROFLMAO. You need to socialise more.
BloggersBlog · 11/02/2021 23:39

But you don’t say “we’re having A Thai”?

Yep, sure do.

Example of this -

'We are having an Indian tonight Bloggers - what about you '

'I think we are going to have a Thai/Chinese/Indian too'

Normal convo round here. Where on earth do you live, that literally EVERYONE on this thread has heard of this turn of phrase - apart from you?

Original poster
Yellownotblue · 11/02/2021 23:39

@RickiTarr

Where do you stand on widespread American use of “retard” and “handicapped” OP?
🧐
OP posts:
JaneNorman · 11/02/2021 23:39

I can’t tell if you’re joking.

Things we definitely say, as do many other people:

Shall we order a Chinese?
Do you fancy Indian tonight?
We haven’t had a Thai for ages
I love a Mexican.

The one thing I probably wouldn’t say is Italian. It would either be I fancy pasta or I fancy pizza.

FrostyChocolateMilkshake · 11/02/2021 23:39

This can't be serious OP? Crying racism over how we refer to a takeaway? Confused

FredaFlintstone · 11/02/2021 23:39

Maybe it’s a class or regional thing. I literally have never heard anyone say ‘going for an Italian’.

Maybe it's just a 'you' thing? Because so far it seems 100% of everyone else has!

babbaloushka · 11/02/2021 23:39

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

Happycat1212 · 11/02/2021 23:39

Well I definitely say I’m gonna order a Chinese, I don’t really say Indian as I don’t ever order it (not a massive fan of Indian food) I did cringe a bit once when my 8 year old shouted mum the Chinese man is here

ElliFAntspoo · 11/02/2021 23:40

@RedGoldAndGreene

In the UK people say "having a(n) Indian/Chinese/Italian/Nando's/roast" It's short for "an Indian meal" and nothing nasty. Equally it's normal to call the places serving the meal "the Indian/Italian/Chinese"
You can't say, going for a roast! Some snowflake will be offended by that.
Ginfordinner · 11/02/2021 23:41

@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 have. Loads of times.
TheRealJackieWeaver · 11/02/2021 23:41

You use the word 'a' before a word that starts with a consonant eg going for a Chinese. When the word begins with a vowel, it's 'an' eg I'm going for an Indian. Going for an Italian. An Chinese doesn't work, an Indian does.

CandyLeBonBon · 11/02/2021 23:41

What would YOU suggest to be the appropriate description @Yellownotblue ?

VanGoghsDog · 11/02/2021 23:42

@FredaFlintstone

Maybe it’s a class or regional thing. I literally have never heard anyone say ‘going for an Italian’.

Maybe it's just a 'you' thing? Because so far it seems 100% of everyone else has!

Except me. I would never say "going for an Italian", it's weird.

I'd say "going to the Italian restaurant" or "having an Italian meal". Or, more likely, "a pizza".

babbaloushka · 11/02/2021 23:42

Another who says we're having Italian, Mexican, Chinese, as does everyone I know.

Thislittlefinger123 · 11/02/2021 23:42

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

This

DENMAN03 · 11/02/2021 23:42

I can't say I'm offended or find it in any way offensive. I say I'm going for a Chinese, I fancy an Italian/Thai/Mexican or what ever type of food I like. But then I'm not professionally offended at times when it's actually harder to find the offence than not...

RickiTarr · 11/02/2021 23:42

@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.

I think it’s to do with whether a cuisine is seen as fine dining or affordable takeaway.

Anything you can collect or get delivered takes “a” or “an”, but the grammar is different for an eating in “fine dining” experience.

I’m really confused that you’ve zeroed in on this, though, of all the things a Yank settling in Britain might pinpoint as potentially offensive, I would never have guessed at that one.

toconclude · 11/02/2021 23:43

@Yellownotblue

Then there'd be no room for the black pudding...

RedGoldAndGreene · 11/02/2021 23:43

You can't say, going for a roast! Some snowflake will be offended by that.

😂 I meant roast dinner but probably should have used another example

LaBellySausage · 11/02/2021 23:44

I think we probably need to let Indian people decide what they find offensive. Otherwise it reeks of white saviour syndrome.

It reminds me of that campaign to get little green women in dresses on pedestrian crossings. Probably run by a man.

No woman gives a shit about that. We'd just like equal pay, thanks.

heyjude12 · 11/02/2021 23:44

As an Indian i would say that there are bigger things to worry about rather than taking an innocent phrase and twisting it into racism. Its a part of British language not racist. HTH

LunaHeather · 11/02/2021 23:45

@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?
Lots of people say this.

The only exception I can think of is "going for a French" and I can see why because that sounds like you're going for a snog! 😂

VanGoghsDog · 11/02/2021 23:45

Anything you can collect or get delivered takes “a” or “an”, but the grammar is different for an eating in “fine dining” experience.

I think this is the crux of it, I've never had an Italian take away, therefore I've never "had an Italian"!

(I've also never had an Italian)

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