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".'
@praveen.param
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.'
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