Hello. Remember that time you told me about the GREAT Indian restaurant you went to? Why did you think I cared? I didn’t tell you about the bland mashed potatoes and steamed vegetables I ate. 1/8

I get it. You’re trying to show me you appreciate my culture. And that’s really nice. I’m not being sarcastic. But what do you expect my response to be? “Oh please.. tell me more of your experience with the mystic wonders of the East”. 2/8

Maybe you’re legitimately just making small talk. That’s fine. But unless we have this regular rapport where we discuss what we ate, I’m inclined to think you’re telling me this because I’m Brown. 3/8

If you’ve done this (you know who you are), don’t worry. This does NOT make you racist. If this is the WORST thing you do to me on the basis of race, we can still be friends. I promise. I KNOW you’re trying to be nice. Just know that internally, I am rolling my eyes at you. 4/8

The same thing applies if you randomly decide to say to me...
“You know, I’ve spent some time in India. Such a beautiful country and culture.” 5/8

OR.... “Hey... I went to this Sikh wedding and it was fascinating”. You realize, you’re not some anthropologist describing a strange ceremony of a lost and mysterious people. 6/8

OR... “You know, I once dated a Punjabi woman”. Try to understand how weird that sounds? Imagine if I said “You know, I’ve had sex with white women” to you. That would be weird. 7/8

Again... you’re not racist. Really. I 100% mean it. You’re trying to show me that you’re willing and able to make the effort to connect with me. I get it. Thank you for your genuine effort.

But I will make fun of you if you say any of these things. 8/8