My Problem with Indian People (Part 6 of a 500-part series)

This past Saturday was ridiculously busy. One of the chefs didn't show up, dad had to be in the kitchen, house was packed all night, and we ended up doing 117 covers (we're a 40 seat restaurant). Throughout this craziness, an Indian family came in with an online reservation for a 4 seat. I sat them down and handed them menus, asked their drinks a few minutes later (4 waters no ice), and gave them some time to decide on dinner. After 15 minutes (they asked for more time) with 3 tables waiting at the door, they decided to tell me that they didn't want to eat. Why? Because it was too expensive.

(Most) Indian people are cheap. There it is. When they come into the restaurant, I don't expect to write much of an order let alone a reasonable tip. The majority of families will come in and order 1 dish and 4-5 breads, which is like 1.5 pieces of chicken or paneer per person. After eating and expressing their enjoyment of the food, they will always complain that it's too expensive. No matter how amazed they are with the quality, it's always too fucking expensive. It's behavior like this that causes us to say "Oh shit, desis" under our breath when they walk in, which makes us look like dicks, but whatever.

This character trait doesn't just apply to food, but to all facets of life. Every transaction becomes an opportunity to haggle or complain, no matter how much money they make from their cushy IT job (yes I stereotype fuck you very much). Many of the people my parents know are disgustingly rich (Newport Coast rich) and praise our food every chance they get, yet haven't been to the restaurant within the last 10 years, because they're fucking cheap. They will continue to frequent the cheapest, crappiest Indian fast food Orange County has to offer and pretend like it's fucking ambrosia, because who could say otherwise about $5.99 for Tandoori chicken?

Indian people are often portrayed as either uptight or laid back and carefree, but I think we all know which way they really lean. They need to lighten up and enjoy the money they work so hard to make. If Asian people can do it, god knows desis can too.