‘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 news.com.au, '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.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Age
2 hours ago
- The Age
Israel strikes Iran's notorious Evin Prison
Israel targeted Evin prison in Tehran on Monday, one of the most potent symbols of Iran's governing system, in what Israel called the most intense bombing yet of the Iranian capital, a day after the United States joined the war by blasting nuclear sites. Iran repeated earlier threats to retaliate against the United States. But it had yet to so in a meaningful way more than 24 hours after US. bombers dropped 30,000 pound bunker-busters on its underground nuclear sites, while US President Donald Trump openly mused about overthrowing the Iranian government. Oil prices barely budged on the first trading day after the U.S. joined the war, suggesting traders doubted Iran would follow through on threats to disrupt oil supplies from the Gulf. The Mizan news outlet of Iran's judiciary confirmed that the prison had been hit. It said part of the building was damaged but the situation was under control. A video posted by Israeli foreign minister Gideon Saar on X showed an explosion at a building with a sign identifying it as an entrance to Evin prison in northern Tehran and the accompanying words: 'Viva la libertad!' - Spanish for 'Long live liberty.' Reuters could not immediately verify the video. Loading Evin has been the primary prison for housing political detainees and security prisoners, notably since Iran's 1979 revolution, and the site of executions that remain potent symbols for the opposition. It is where several high-profile foreign prisoners are also held. Dr Kylie Moore-Gilbert, a Melbourne-based scholar of Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies was held in solitary confinement at the prison following her arrest in 2018. Moore-Gilbert, who was sentenced to 10 years on trumped-up charges of espionage after attending a conference, returned to Australia following a prisoner swap in November 2020. Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz made clear that Israel was no longer limiting its attacks to its initial stated targets such as Iran's nuclear programme and missiles, and would go after the Tehran government's ability to maintain power.
Sydney Morning Herald
2 hours ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
Israel strikes Iran's notorious Evin Prison
Israel targeted Evin prison in Tehran on Monday, one of the most potent symbols of Iran's governing system, in what Israel called the most intense bombing yet of the Iranian capital, a day after the United States joined the war by blasting nuclear sites. Iran repeated earlier threats to retaliate against the United States. But it had yet to so in a meaningful way more than 24 hours after US. bombers dropped 30,000 pound bunker-busters on its underground nuclear sites, while US President Donald Trump openly mused about overthrowing the Iranian government. Oil prices barely budged on the first trading day after the U.S. joined the war, suggesting traders doubted Iran would follow through on threats to disrupt oil supplies from the Gulf. The Mizan news outlet of Iran's judiciary confirmed that the prison had been hit. It said part of the building was damaged but the situation was under control. A video posted by Israeli foreign minister Gideon Saar on X showed an explosion at a building with a sign identifying it as an entrance to Evin prison in northern Tehran and the accompanying words: 'Viva la libertad!' - Spanish for 'Long live liberty.' Reuters could not immediately verify the video. Loading Evin has been the primary prison for housing political detainees and security prisoners, notably since Iran's 1979 revolution, and the site of executions that remain potent symbols for the opposition. It is where several high-profile foreign prisoners are also held. Dr Kylie Moore-Gilbert, a Melbourne-based scholar of Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies was held in solitary confinement at the prison following her arrest in 2018. Moore-Gilbert, who was sentenced to 10 years on trumped-up charges of espionage after attending a conference, returned to Australia following a prisoner swap in November 2020. Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz made clear that Israel was no longer limiting its attacks to its initial stated targets such as Iran's nuclear programme and missiles, and would go after the Tehran government's ability to maintain power.
News.com.au
4 hours ago
- News.com.au
Football racism storm erupts as Antonio Rudiger accuses Pachuca opponent of slur as ref enforces new protocol
Real Madrid star Antonio Rudiger accused opponent Gustavo Cabral of making a racist remark during last night's Club World Cup match. The Spanish giants took on Mexican side Pachuca in Charlotte. With Real leading 3-1 late on, Rudiger claimed that Cabral had fouled him. The pair were subsequently involved in a heated exchange. Rudiger, 32, alleged to referee Ramon Abatti Abel that he had been racially abused, according to The Sun. Abatti subsequently instigated Fifa's anti-racism protocol by crossing his forearms. Step one of the protocol sees a match stopped – with steps two and three leading to games being suspended and then abandoned. Cabral, 39, denied making a racist remark – claiming that he had called Rudiger a 'coward'. The match soon got back underway, with Real Madrid winning 3-1. More arguments between players followed after the final whistle. After the game, Real Madrid boss Xabi Alonso came to Rudiger's defence. The Spaniard, 43, said: 'Toni has informed us about something. 'We have to wait and see now. I think the Fifa protocol has been activated to investigate. 'But if something did happen measures need to be taken and we support Antonio because this is something unacceptable. 'There's no tolerance for this at any level of football and whenever it occurs measures must be taken. 'That's what Antonio has told us and we believe him.' Cabral came out to deny racially abusing the German. The veteran defender said: 'It was a fight. We collided. 'He said that I hit him with my hand, and then there was an argument and the referee made the racism sign, but I was telling him the same thing the whole time.' Pachuca boss Jaime Lozano was coy on the incident. The Mexican, 46, said: 'I haven't spoken to Cabral about this. 'I cannot give you an explanation about it because this is the first [I've heard of] this news. 'It cannot be justified at all. I've known him for a little while and I have never heard of something like that with Pachuca players. 'I cannot defend my captain at any cost but I will talk about it with him.' Real Madrid had gone down to 10 men after just seven minutes, when Raul Asencio was sent off for bringing down ex-West Brom and Everton striker Salomon Rondon. Nevertheless, the LaLiga giants took the lead on 35 minutes through Jude Bellingham, before Arda Guler made it 2-0 before halftime. Fede Valverde added a third 20 minutes from time, with Elias Montiel grabbing a consolation for Pachuca. The Mexican side have been eliminated after losing both of their matches, while Real Madrid sit atop Group H with four points.
