There is a new employee at the office. He is an older guy and kinda awkward. He came by my cubicle and asked if I had lunch today. I said, “Yes I have eaten lunch”, and then he said, “Chinese food?”. I said, “Lol No just a sandwich.”
I happen to be Asian (Taiwanese not Chinese), so I’m thinking this was a microaggressive comment. Is it racist?
Is it racist
I mean he probably didn't mean anything evil by it, so I wouldn't judge him or anything, but yeah this kind of stuff can be super annoying to deal with and it might very well be rooted in some stereotypes. Best way to deal with it is probably to try to ignore it, and if it gets excessive, just tell him it makes you uncomfortable.
Theres a good chance he was just trying to start small talk in one of the most awkward ways. (e.g. he likes chinese food, sees your asian and so thinks you like it too: had you said yes -> what was it -> oh I love that, do you like xy -> and so on)
Quite the all in strat though, if that was what he was trying to do, but even if not, I really wouldn't attribute malice to it at this point.
To me it sounds like a failed attempt at starting what could've been a meaningful conversation about sandwiches. Like many other users have already commented, I don't think he's being microaggressive or racist. However, I do not possess a comprehensive understanding of the context you're in, but from what you've said, he's a new employee, so perhaps he was just trying to get acquainted.
I do this often (pop in for small talk with people I don't know well), and while I don't use stereotypes like he did in your case, I can confirm that it can work.
Doesn’t sound aggressive. I don’t think he was trying to “hurt” you by asking if you’re eating Asian food.
It’s just that weird thing older people do when they try to connect. He doesn’t know anything about you other than you’re Asian so he is using that as an “opener”.
I would think most people can tell by delivery and demeanor if a person is weaponizing his words.
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