Latest news with #casualracism
News.com.au
8 hours ago
- News.com.au
‘Sickening' 1 word question Macca's worker asked Melbourne man
A Melbourne man has spoken out about the reality of casual, everyday racism after being stereotyped while trying to order food at a McDonald's. Praveen Param said a staff member at the fast food chain assumed he was an Uber Eats driver when he approached the counter. 'The gentleman behind the counter looks at me, looks at the screen, and he looks back at me, and I already knew what was gonna come out of his mouth,' he explained in a clip that has now amassed nearly 700,000 views on TikTok. 'He then says, 'Uber?' I said, 'No, I'd like to order please'.' After Mr Param, who is Indian Singaporean, received his meal, he decided to question the employee's assumption. 'I said to him, just because a lot of people from my ethnic background may do Uber, it doesn't mean that everyone of that background does Uber,' he said. 'And assuming that only makes you look like an a**hole.' Mr Param claims the worker, who he says was white, 'double downed' on his comment. 'He said, 'I didn't mean it like that. It's just that the people who come to this Maccas who are Indian oftentimes end up being Uber drivers',' Mr Param explained. 'And I said, that's exactly what I'm saying. Don't assume that someone would be an Uber driver, end of discussion.' He said this is, unfortunately, the reality of being a South Asian person living in Australia. 'It's that no matter what your achievements are, no matter who, how you treat people, no matter how you dress, no matter how you conduct yourself, you will always be reduced to a stereotype,' he said. 'And that's the thing that's so bloody sickening about being in Australia sometimes, because people here think that they're open-minded when in reality they're not.' He then asked commenters not to justify the employee's remark, saying it's 'exhausting' and 'frustrating' hearing the same excuses repeatedly. 'It's 2025. Australians just do better. Come on, like be better,' he concluded. A McDonald's spokesperson told 'We are committed to giving our customers a great experience every time they visit our restaurants. 'Our doors are open to everyone, and we strive to ensure our restaurants are safe, inclusive, and respectful workplaces for our customers and crew. 'Our crew undertake regular safe, respectful, and inclusive workplace training. 'We are sorry to hear of this customer's experience and encourage them to reach out to our customer service team so we can investigate further.' Comments on Mr Param's video have since been turned off, but before they were, many defended the McDonald's worker, as Mr Param had anticipated. Some even argued that the TikToker was in the wrong for being offended by being mistaken for an Uber driver. 'Nothing wrong with the assumption. The Uber guy is just doing a job, just like you have a job. It should not bother you if you respected others doing Uber,' said one commenter. Another said he was 'playing the victim' and the worker likely wasn't 'doing it out of malice'. However, others came to Mr Param's defence, saying, 'You just proved his point. Shame on you'. 'What is wrong with these comments? His point is that an assumption was made about him based on his race and that is inherently RACIST,' said another. 'You all need to change your mindset,' added another user.
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- General
- Daily Mail
Melbourne man unleashes over comment from McDonald's worker: 'Australians - do better'
A Melbourne man has highlighted the 'reality of casual everyday racism' after he was stereotyped while trying to order food at a McDonald's. Praveen Param said a staff member at the restaurant assumed he was an Uber Eats driver when he approached the counter to order. 'The gentleman behind the counter looks at me, looks at the screen, looks back at me and I already knew what was going to come out of his mouth,' he said. 'He says: "Uber?" I said, "No, I would like to order please".' After receiving his meal, Mr Param questioned the employee's assumption. 'I said to him, "just because a lot of people from my ethnic background may do Uber, it doesn't mean everyone does Uber - assuming that only makes you look like an a**hole",' Mr Param said. The McDonald's worker then decided to push back. 'This white man then obviously decides to double down on his racism and says, "oh nah I didn't mean it like that, it's just that the people who come into this Maccas who are Indian oftentimes end up being uber drivers".' @ casual everyday racism in Australia ♬ original sound - Praveen Param Mr Param said this response perfectly illustrated his point about casual racism in Australia. 'This is the reality of being a South East Asian person living in Australia. 'No matter what your achievements are, how you treat people, how you dress, [or] how you conduct yourself you will always be reduced to some stereotype by some white person out there,' he said. 'Australians - do better.' 'People here think that they're open minded, when the reality is they are not.' He said that this wasn't an isolated incident, but part of the everyday experience for many non-white Australians simply trying to live their lives. Mr Param urged Australians to reflect on their own casual racism - but many dismissed his concerns, accusing him of overreacting. One said: 'I'm half Sri Lankan. I've been stereotyped like that before. Instead of playing the victim I had a laugh with the worker and told them not to worry about it. It's not that deep. They're not doing it out of malice.' A second said: 'Nothing wrong with the assumption. The UBER guy is just doing a job just like you have a job. Nothing bad at all to be assumed you do UBER. Sorry mate. It should not bother you if you respected others doing UBER.' A third said: 'I'm a South Asian and I don't find that assumption offensive if it was made in good faith. Not everyone is racist.' But others were disappointed by the backlash and defended Mr Param's message. 'What is wrong with these comments? His point is that an assumption was made about him based on his race and that is inherently RACIST,' one said. 'I am a white woman and no one would ever assume I was doing Uber. These comments telling him to leave Australia are disgusting. Shame on all of you.' A second said: 'The comment section just proved his point. You all need to change your mindset.'
