Racism in Australia is a topic that’s often swept under the rug, but every so often, a story comes along that forces us to take a closer look at the everyday experiences of people from diverse backgrounds.
One such story recently made waves online, after a Singapore-born Indian man living in Australia shared a moment at McDonald’s that left him feeling stung and unwelcome—a ‘slap in the face’, as he put it.
Praveen Param, 29, has called Australia home for eight years. He works a corporate job, enjoys the same fast food as the rest of us, and, like many, sometimes pops into McDonald’s for a quick bite.
But on this particular day, his experience was anything but ordinary. As he approached the counter, the cashier didn’t greet him with a friendly ‘Hi, what can I get for you?’
Instead, the worker looked him up and down and asked, ‘Uber?’—assuming, based solely on his appearance, that he was there to pick up a delivery order.
It’s a small moment, but as Praveen explained in a social media video that quickly went viral, it’s one that cuts deep.
‘I’d say it was a bit of a slap in the face when that comment first came, probably because I wasn’t expecting it,’ he said. ‘This has happened before; it’s not a one-off incident here. It’s sporadic, but it does happen, and each time it does happen, it’s frustrating.’
For many Australians, especially those from non-white backgrounds, this kind of casual racism—often called a ‘microaggression’—is all too familiar.
It’s not always the overt, headline-grabbing stuff. Sometimes, it’s a throwaway comment, a joke, or an assumption that reveals a deeper bias.
As Praveen put it, ‘Essentially this moment, while it was a very short interaction, the assumption that was made by the McDonald’s worker, that I was a delivery driver, was based solely on my appearance, my background, and a classic example of an everyday racial microaggression.’
The reaction to Praveen’s video was, unfortunately, a story in itself. While some viewers offered support and empathy, the comments section was flooded with dismissive and even hostile responses. ‘Go back to your own country,’ some wrote.
Others mocked him, saying, ‘Just put the fries in the Uber bag and deliver them, bro.’ There were also those who accused him of ‘playing the victim’ or told him to be ‘grateful’ to live in Australia.
It’s a pattern that’s all too common: when someone calls out a subtle form of discrimination, the response is often to deny, deflect, or diminish their experience.
As one commenter insightfully put it, ‘It’s clear that many white Australians have never experienced the sting of casual racism, it’s like a slap in the face, catching you off guard, while people expect you not to react. This is a conversation we need to have, and it’s disappointing to see it derailed like this.’
Praveen himself had to stop reading the comments. ‘They’re really ugly, and at some point they’re also pretty much the same thing being said over and over,’ he admitted.
But he also pointed out a crucial aspect of these interactions: the difference between intent and impact. ‘People may not intend to be racist, but impact, and how that comes across and how it makes the other person feel, matters a lot more than your intent,’ he said.
‘So if we’re calling something out and the first reaction from the other person is to get defensive instead of being reflective, that’s privilege.’
It’s not just about white Australians, either. Praveen noted that some people of colour in the comments were quick to dismiss his experience, perhaps in an effort to fit in or avoid rocking the boat.
But, as he said, ‘Our experiences are valid, and that placing someone else’s comfort, placing someone who’s got a lot more privilege in a comfortable position, isn’t doing them any good. Speaking out isn’t weakness, it’s power. I don’t need to justify my pains to anyone. I just want to be heard.’
For their part, McDonald’s responded with a statement: ‘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.’
So, what exactly is a microaggression? It’s a subtle, sometimes unintentional, comment or action that communicates a negative or derogatory message towards members of a marginalised group.
It could be a ‘casual remark, jokes, assumptions, or even compliments, you know, ones that say, ‘You’re really smart for… etc.’’
The impact, Praveen says, is that it reduces the person on the other side to a demographic, reinforcing harmful stereotypes and making people feel like outsiders in their own communities.
Why does this matter? Because these small moments add up. They shape how people feel about themselves and their place in society.
They can make someone feel unwelcome, unseen, or unfairly judged. And, as Praveen’s story shows, they’re not as rare as we might like to think.
We believe in the power of sharing stories—especially those that challenge us to reflect on our own assumptions and behaviours.
Have you ever experienced or witnessed a microaggression, whether at a fast food counter or elsewhere? How did you handle it?
Do you think Australia is making progress when it comes to tackling casual racism, or do we still have a long way to go?
We’d love to hear your thoughts and experiences in the comments below. Let’s keep the conversation going—because the only way to build a more inclusive Australia is to talk openly, listen deeply, and learn from one another.
Also read: Supermarket boss is standing up for staff after online racist incident
