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2012-09-05 11:49 AM

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Coach
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Stairway to Seven
Subject: culturally insensitive woman at a thai restaurant....
I'm sitting outside at a coffee shop. Next to me on the sidewalk is a nice Thai restaurant...servers & owners are from Thailand, speak English as a second language.

The waiter lists the drinks available...Thai Coffee, Thai Ice tea (Mmm my favorite!), water, etc...

The woman orders a "Chai" tea, waiter brings her a "Thai" tea. An argument ensues and the waiter, exasperated exclaims, "We only have THAI tea here..."

Why would you go to a Thai restaurant and order an Indian tea? Am I way off base in thinking this woman is culturally insensitive?


2012-09-05 11:56 AM
in reply to: #4396360

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Champion
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Two seat rocket plane
Subject: RE: culturally insensitive woman at a thai restaurant....

Is it wrong that I can see the beginning of a comedy sketch in your description?

Yeah, the woman who ordered chai tea (not on the menu) in a Thai restaurant is kinda dumb.

2012-09-05 12:04 PM
in reply to: #4396360

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Pro
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Omaha, NE
Subject: RE: culturally insensitive woman at a thai restaurant....
I'd probably say it's more about cultural ignorance.  I don't drink either, but I've never heard of Chai tea and would guess it was from China personally.  (disclaimer, I am very culturally ignorant)  
2012-09-05 12:17 PM
in reply to: #4396360

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Alpharetta, Georgia
Subject: RE: culturally insensitive woman at a thai restaurant....

I did not know Chai tea was Indian - I thought it originated at Starbucks Laughing

But seriously I did not know it was Indian.
Also seriously, it may have just been a mis-interpretation of the menu item. Do they rhyme? Chai/Thai? Pretty easy to get confused.

2012-09-05 12:23 PM
in reply to: #4396419

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Sensei
Sin City
Subject: RE: culturally insensitive woman at a thai restaurant....

Both are freaking DELISHIOUS!  I would laugh and drink either.  But I also know the difference, so would never make the mistake.

Try a Sago Gulaman (Philipino drink)  You won't be dissapointed.

2012-09-05 12:29 PM
in reply to: #4396432

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Champion
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Subject: RE: culturally insensitive woman at a thai restaurant....

I also vote culturally ignorant.

It's just like when I tell people my sister-in-law is from Taiwan and they say "Oh, I love Thai food!"  



2012-09-05 12:30 PM
in reply to: #4396360

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Master
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Sunny Southern Cal
Subject: RE: culturally insensitive woman at a thai restaurant....
No Coke, Pepsi...
2012-09-05 12:30 PM
in reply to: #4396432

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Coach
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Stairway to Seven
Subject: RE: culturally insensitive woman at a thai restaurant....
Kido - 2012-09-05 11:23 AM

Both are freaking DELISHIOUS!  I would laugh and drink either.  But I also know the difference, so would never make the mistake.

Try a Sago Gulaman (Philipino drink)  You won't be dissapointed.



I'll order it at t he next Indian restaurant I go to!! Hahahha
2012-09-05 12:40 PM
in reply to: #4396444

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Champion
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Evergreen, Colorado
Subject: RE: culturally insensitive woman at a thai restaurant....
BikerGrrrl - 2012-09-05 12:29 PM

I also vote culturally ignorant.

It's just like when I tell people my sister-in-law is from Taiwan and they say "Oh, I love Thai food!"  

I also vote culturally ignorant...I don't think she was being insensitive...I think she heard Thai and thought he said Chai and she probably doesn't even realize there is a difference.  I didn't know what Thai tea was until sometime in the last decade...

2012-09-05 12:48 PM
in reply to: #4396360

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Member
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Subject: RE: culturally insensitive woman at a thai restaurant....

AdventureBear - 2012-09-05 12:49 PM Am I way off base in thinking this woman is culturally insensitive?

Yes.

 

 

2012-09-05 1:08 PM
in reply to: #4396484

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Pro
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MA
Subject: RE: culturally insensitive woman at a thai restaurant....
jldicarlo - 2012-09-05 1:40 PM
BikerGrrrl - 2012-09-05 12:29 PM

I also vote culturally ignorant.

It's just like when I tell people my sister-in-law is from Taiwan and they say "Oh, I love Thai food!"  

I also vote culturally ignorant...I don't think she was being insensitive...I think she heard Thai and thought he said Chai and she probably doesn't even realize there is a difference.  I didn't know what Thai tea was until sometime in the last decade...

^^^ More of that.  I am Asian, and I didn't know Chai tea is Indian.  heheh.

But getting into an arguement?  Accept the misunderstanding, learn a new thing and go to Starbucks to get the Chai!

 



2012-09-05 1:12 PM
in reply to: #4396360

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Pro
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the Alabama part of Pennsylvania
Subject: RE: culturally insensitive woman at a thai restaurant....

AdventureBear - 2012-09-05 12:49 PM I'm sitting outside at a coffee shop. Next to me on the sidewalk is a nice Thai restaurant...servers & owners are from Thailand, speak English as a second language. The waiter lists the drinks available...Thai Coffee, Thai Ice tea (Mmm my favorite!), water, etc... The woman orders a "Chai" tea, waiter brings her a "Thai" tea. An argument ensues and the waiter, exasperated exclaims, "We only have THAI tea here..." Why would you go to a Thai restaurant and order an Indian tea? Am I way off base in thinking this woman is culturally insensitive?

Given that more people have heard of Chai than of Thai tea, this surely cannot be the first time some ordered Chai. And if the waiter had any doubts, he should have clarified before bringing the drink. The "exasperated" tone of the waiter seems a problem to me.

2012-09-05 1:13 PM
in reply to: #4396360

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Seattle
Subject: RE: culturally insensitive woman at a thai restaurant....

I don't think so.

She ordered a Chai tea and didn't get what she asked for. I mean, it's not my style to get into an argument over something like that nor do I really think it's appropriate but I don't think she was being insensitive. 

I've ordered a Coke at a Thai restaurant before, I don't think that makes me insensitive. 

2012-09-05 1:16 PM
in reply to: #4396580

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Champion
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Chicago
Subject: RE: culturally insensitive woman at a thai restaurant....
D.K. - 2012-09-05 1:08 PM

jldicarlo - 2012-09-05 1:40 PM
BikerGrrrl - 2012-09-05 12:29 PM

I also vote culturally ignorant.

It's just like when I tell people my sister-in-law is from Taiwan and they say "Oh, I love Thai food!"  

I also vote culturally ignorant...I don't think she was being insensitive...I think she heard Thai and thought he said Chai and she probably doesn't even realize there is a difference.  I didn't know what Thai tea was until sometime in the last decade...

^^^ More of that.  I am Asian, and I didn't know Chai tea is Indian.  heheh.

But getting into an arguement?  Accept the misunderstanding, learn a new thing and go to Starbucks to get the Chai!

 



I'm half Asian and I didn't know Chai was Indian. But if I'm at a Thai restaurant and I order tea, I'm ordering Thai tea.

I get flustered when I'm in a Japanese restaurant and I order tea and it's brown, not green. I'm all `Ya'll a buncha posers!' and then I dance like a Japanese man right out the door, while singing karaoke and taking pictures.
2012-09-05 1:21 PM
in reply to: #4396604

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Sensei
Sin City
Subject: RE: culturally insensitive woman at a thai restaurant....
mr2tony - 2012-09-05 11:16 AM
D.K. - 2012-09-05 1:08 PM
jldicarlo - 2012-09-05 1:40 PM
BikerGrrrl - 2012-09-05 12:29 PM

I also vote culturally ignorant.

It's just like when I tell people my sister-in-law is from Taiwan and they say "Oh, I love Thai food!"  

I also vote culturally ignorant...I don't think she was being insensitive...I think she heard Thai and thought he said Chai and she probably doesn't even realize there is a difference.  I didn't know what Thai tea was until sometime in the last decade...

^^^ More of that.  I am Asian, and I didn't know Chai tea is Indian.  heheh.

But getting into an arguement?  Accept the misunderstanding, learn a new thing and go to Starbucks to get the Chai!

 

I'm half Asian and I didn't know Chai was Indian. But if I'm at a Thai restaurant and I order tea, I'm ordering Thai tea. I get flustered when I'm in a Japanese restaurant and I order tea and it's brown, not green. I'm all `Ya'll a buncha posers!' and then I dance like a Japanese man right out the door, while singing karaoke and taking pictures.

You have embarassed me one too many times doing that - AND left me with a 1 trillion yen bill.  Which is about $10.75

2012-09-05 1:24 PM
in reply to: #4396604

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Champion
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SoCal
Subject: RE: culturally insensitive woman at a thai restaurant....
mr2tony - 2012-09-05 11:16 AM
D.K. - 2012-09-05 1:08 PM
jldicarlo - 2012-09-05 1:40 PM
BikerGrrrl - 2012-09-05 12:29 PM

I also vote culturally ignorant.

It's just like when I tell people my sister-in-law is from Taiwan and they say "Oh, I love Thai food!"  

I also vote culturally ignorant...I don't think she was being insensitive...I think she heard Thai and thought he said Chai and she probably doesn't even realize there is a difference.  I didn't know what Thai tea was until sometime in the last decade...

^^^ More of that.  I am Asian, and I didn't know Chai tea is Indian.  heheh.

But getting into an arguement?  Accept the misunderstanding, learn a new thing and go to Starbucks to get the Chai!

 

I'm half Asian and I didn't know Chai was Indian. But if I'm at a Thai restaurant and I order tea, I'm ordering Thai tea. I get flustered when I'm in a Japanese restaurant and I order tea and it's brown, not green. I'm all `Ya'll a buncha posers!' and then I dance like a Japanese man right out the door, while singing karaoke and taking pictures.

Are you tossing up peace signs too?



2012-09-05 1:31 PM
in reply to: #4396631

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Pro
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McKinney, TX
Subject: RE: culturally insensitive woman at a thai restaurant....
Big Appa - 2012-09-05 1:24 PM

mr2tony - 2012-09-05 11:16 AM
D.K. - 2012-09-05 1:08 PM
jldicarlo - 2012-09-05 1:40 PM
BikerGrrrl - 2012-09-05 12:29 PM

I also vote culturally ignorant.

It's just like when I tell people my sister-in-law is from Taiwan and they say "Oh, I love Thai food!"  

I also vote culturally ignorant...I don't think she was being insensitive...I think she heard Thai and thought he said Chai and she probably doesn't even realize there is a difference.  I didn't know what Thai tea was until sometime in the last decade...

^^^ More of that.  I am Asian, and I didn't know Chai tea is Indian.  heheh.

But getting into an arguement?  Accept the misunderstanding, learn a new thing and go to Starbucks to get the Chai!

 

I'm half Asian and I didn't know Chai was Indian. But if I'm at a Thai restaurant and I order tea, I'm ordering Thai tea. I get flustered when I'm in a Japanese restaurant and I order tea and it's brown, not green. I'm all `Ya'll a buncha posers!' and then I dance like a Japanese man right out the door, while singing karaoke and taking pictures.

Are you tossing up peace signs too?



Probably....as he's climbing into a civic that's lowered with a huge spoiler on the back and a muffler the size of a pie plate that makes a weed-eater noise.

2012-09-05 1:31 PM
in reply to: #4396604

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Subject: RE: culturally insensitive woman at a thai restaurant....
mr2tony - 2012-09-05 1:16 PM
D.K. - 2012-09-05 1:08 PM
jldicarlo - 2012-09-05 1:40 PM
BikerGrrrl - 2012-09-05 12:29 PM

I also vote culturally ignorant.

It's just like when I tell people my sister-in-law is from Taiwan and they say "Oh, I love Thai food!"  

I also vote culturally ignorant...I don't think she was being insensitive...I think she heard Thai and thought he said Chai and she probably doesn't even realize there is a difference.  I didn't know what Thai tea was until sometime in the last decade...

^^^ More of that.  I am Asian, and I didn't know Chai tea is Indian.  heheh.

But getting into an arguement?  Accept the misunderstanding, learn a new thing and go to Starbucks to get the Chai!

 

I'm half Asian and I didn't know Chai was Indian. But if I'm at a Thai restaurant and I order tea, I'm ordering Thai tea. I get flustered when I'm in a Japanese restaurant and I order tea and it's brown, not green. I'm all `Ya'll a buncha posers!' and then I dance like a Japanese man right out the door, while singing karaoke and taking pictures.

 

video please

2012-09-05 1:34 PM
in reply to: #4396665

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Seattle
Subject: RE: culturally insensitive woman at a thai restaurant....
bradleyd3 - 2012-09-05 1:31 PM
Big Appa - 2012-09-05 1:24 PM
mr2tony - 2012-09-05 11:16 AM
D.K. - 2012-09-05 1:08 PM
jldicarlo - 2012-09-05 1:40 PM
BikerGrrrl - 2012-09-05 12:29 PM

I also vote culturally ignorant.

It's just like when I tell people my sister-in-law is from Taiwan and they say "Oh, I love Thai food!"  

I also vote culturally ignorant...I don't think she was being insensitive...I think she heard Thai and thought he said Chai and she probably doesn't even realize there is a difference.  I didn't know what Thai tea was until sometime in the last decade...

^^^ More of that.  I am Asian, and I didn't know Chai tea is Indian.  heheh.

But getting into an arguement?  Accept the misunderstanding, learn a new thing and go to Starbucks to get the Chai!

 

I'm half Asian and I didn't know Chai was Indian. But if I'm at a Thai restaurant and I order tea, I'm ordering Thai tea. I get flustered when I'm in a Japanese restaurant and I order tea and it's brown, not green. I'm all `Ya'll a buncha posers!' and then I dance like a Japanese man right out the door, while singing karaoke and taking pictures.

Are you tossing up peace signs too?

Probably....as he's climbing into a civic that's lowered with a huge spoiler on the back and a muffler the size of a pie plate that makes a weed-eater noise.

hehehehehe

oops, now that might have been insensitive. 

2012-09-05 1:40 PM
in reply to: #4396360

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Coach
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Stairway to Seven
Subject: RE: culturally insensitive woman at a thai restaurant....
Thsi thread is officially derailed!!!
2012-09-05 1:43 PM
in reply to: #4396604

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Pro
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McKinney, TX
Subject: RE: culturally insensitive woman at a thai restaurant....
mr2tony - 2012-09-05 1:16 PM


I'm all `Ya'll a buncha posers!'


Do you say "Y'arr"



2012-09-05 1:54 PM
in reply to: #4396444

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Expert
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Central New Jersey
Subject: RE: culturally insensitive woman at a thai restaurant....
BikerGrrrl - 2012-09-05 1:29 PM

I also vote culturally ignorant.

It's just like when I tell people my sister-in-law is from Taiwan and they say "Oh, I love Thai food!"  



That ranks up there when someone asks me about my name (Noelani) asking if I'm Hawaiian (yes, I was born there). Do you have dual-citizenship. My answer. Yes absolutely. Really??????
2012-09-05 4:14 PM
in reply to: #4396667

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Champion
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Fairport, NY
Subject: RE: culturally insensitive woman at a thai restaurant....
wingsfan - 2012-09-05 2:31 PM
mr2tony - 2012-09-05 1:16 PM
D.K. - 2012-09-05 1:08 PM
jldicarlo - 2012-09-05 1:40 PM
BikerGrrrl - 2012-09-05 12:29 PM

I also vote culturally ignorant.

It's just like when I tell people my sister-in-law is from Taiwan and they say "Oh, I love Thai food!"  

I also vote culturally ignorant...I don't think she was being insensitive...I think she heard Thai and thought he said Chai and she probably doesn't even realize there is a difference.  I didn't know what Thai tea was until sometime in the last decade...

^^^ More of that.  I am Asian, and I didn't know Chai tea is Indian.  heheh.

But getting into an arguement?  Accept the misunderstanding, learn a new thing and go to Starbucks to get the Chai!

 

I'm half Asian and I didn't know Chai was Indian. But if I'm at a Thai restaurant and I order tea, I'm ordering Thai tea. I get flustered when I'm in a Japanese restaurant and I order tea and it's brown, not green. I'm all `Ya'll a buncha posers!' and then I dance like a Japanese man right out the door, while singing karaoke and taking pictures.

 

video please

Three points:

1) OP- Probably cultural ignorance, although once corrected, arguing the point is lame.

2) BTW, Indian and Thai cuisines are not dissimilar. I cook both and there are many common ingredients and techniques.

3) The best karaoke I ever saw was an octogenarian Chinese man singing Chinese opera at a restaurant in Chinatown in Montreal.

2012-09-05 4:15 PM
in reply to: #4396360

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Expert
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Subject: RE: culturally insensitive woman at a thai restaurant....
When I spent a semester in Vienna I got a (very delayed) letter from my then boyfriend that had been misdirected to AUSTRALIA first!!
2012-09-05 4:56 PM
in reply to: #4396360

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Champion
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NOVA - Ironic for an Endurance Athlete
Subject: RE: culturally insensitive woman at a thai restaurant....
I thought that Chai tea was Jewish Tea.  What a mashugina I am!
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