What are the etiquette guidelines for T-shirts referencing ethnicity?

October 12, 2009 8:36 AM

How likely is it that a white American woman in NYC wearing this shirt in public and in the workplace will be deemed offensive?
posted by Eater to Human Relations (43 answers total)

p ~ 1.
I'd think you were pretty clueless if I saw you in that shirt.
posted by Methylviolet at 8:39 AM on October 12, 2009

Absolutely NEVER in the workplace. As a general rule, even for super casual workplaces: 1) No writing 2) Nothing see-through (even with a tanktop underneath) 3) No crack (of cleavage or butt). Stick with these tips and you'll be set, seriously.
posted by banannafish at 8:43 AM on October 12, 2009

Maybe if you work in a used record store, tattoo shop, or someplace like that. Not otherwise, though.
posted by deadmessenger at 8:45 AM on October 12, 2009

I wouldn't think you were offensive, really, just clueless and trying too hard.
posted by runningwithscissors at 8:48 AM on October 12, 2009

I wouldn't ever wear it to the workplace (inappropriate and offensive) or around the city (extremely offensive)
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 8:50 AM on October 12, 2009

A good rule is that if you have to ask, it's probably not ok.
posted by electroboy at 8:51 AM on October 12, 2009

Offensive to my sense of propriety? Or offensive to my fashion sense? Probably not the former, but the latter? Absolute travesty.
posted by majick at 8:52 AM on October 12, 2009

I remember reading some anecdote in some fluffy women's magazine about a boss having to fire someone for wearing a t-shirt with cartoon people demonstrating various sexual positions. The boss expressed disbelief that the employee could have thought it was possibly appropriate, no matter how casual the workplace it.

I've got a bit of the same disbelief right now.

If it's your shirt, keep it in the same drawer with your "Two Wongs Can Make it White" shirt. If this is an employee, distribute a memo saying no writing on clothing.
posted by Juliet Banana at 8:52 AM on October 12, 2009

Its fine if you work in Williamsburg. Anywhere else, not so fine.
posted by ElmerFishpaw at 8:52 AM on October 12, 2009

I don't quite get it, so I'd probably look at the wearer weird and try to figure out whether or not it's offensive. Whether or not it actually is offensive, it might be wise not to wear it and avoid the puzzled wait-are-you-a-racist looks.

If it's a workplace where people regularly wear T-shirts with whatever written/printed on them, a shirt in that general visual style might be okay. Workplaces like that do exist, but I've never worked in one.
posted by Metroid Baby at 8:55 AM on October 12, 2009

What are the etiquette guidelines for T-shirts referencing ethnicity?

Shirt referencing the wearer's own ethnicity? Moderately acceptable in extremely casual situations.

Shirt referencing an ethnicity other than the wearer's? Never acceptable. It doesn't matter if the wearer thinks it's funny, or if the wearer doesn't mean any offense, or if the wearer has friends who are of the referenced ethnicity. Novelty tee shirts are not the medium through which to have a conversation about ethnicity.
posted by Meg_Murry at 8:57 AM on October 12, 2009

Yes, to clarify, this is a casual workplace where printed T-shirts are not outside the norm.
posted by Eater at 8:58 AM on October 12, 2009

Not OK, ever.
posted by ellF at 8:59 AM on October 12, 2009

Probably not to work...but I said probably.

IRL I'd wear it, just to make people tell me why I shouldn't.
posted by TomMelee at 9:00 AM on October 12, 2009

IANSA (I Am Not South Asian) but...don't. Not even if some of your best friends are _____________.
posted by availablelight at 9:00 AM on October 12, 2009

I don't get it, but is seems to be poking fun at males of India. Not to be worn at work. Shouldn't even be a question.
posted by naplesyellow at 9:01 AM on October 12, 2009

Looking at that, I realize I don't understand the context of the humor. Is there a particular reason why these mustaches choices are amusing? In India? Or to the white woman in question? It seems like some sort of in-joke, and I don't know it.

If the woman in question didn't know it either, she might refrain from wearing the shirt.

Because body-part humor could go either way, even in NY. So if she's not sure if it's reading more like "Shades of black people in America" (probably inviting a beatdown, unless one was trying to make a point about beauty coming in every shade and the tshirt reflected that somehow) rather than a probably benign "80's hairstyles on American women"(probably will go over like gangbusters. I'd buy one of those) maybe a different tshirt is in order.

And I'm not sure what work place would be okay with tshirts with witty banter - maybe at a place like an indie record store or something?
posted by anitanita at 9:05 AM on October 12, 2009

It would definitely be inappropriate in a workplace. If I saw it outside of work, I'd just consider it crude and maybe clueless.
posted by Solon and Thanks at 9:09 AM on October 12, 2009

Can't you just wear a deep v tshirt, copious amounts of forever 21 jewelry, and a keffiyeh from H&M like the rest of us?

But, no, it's not approriate for work no matter how casual a work environment is that you work in. It is also offensive and can't be worn as "ironic" since you are not Indian. And it's not one of those shirts that you could vintage up or make hipster fabulous in any way. It's just a silly, dumb, tshirt who's only purpose is to reflect negatively on the facial hair choices of a significant portion of the world's (and NYC's) population. But considering how many young women I see wearing tights and leggings as pants, I can't see how that tshirt is more odious than what's seen on the streets of NYC every day. Be prepared to get stares and comments while wearing this shirt and negative comments and if that's the attention that you are looking to gain, then more power to you. There's also the chance that you'll give off some very negative first impression vibes when you happen to run into an old kindegarden friend or future business associate or whatever while wearing a shirt who's purpose is to make fun of others. But that shirt, by itself, would not be the end all, be all of offensive fashion choices in NYC.
posted by Stynxno at 9:20 AM on October 12, 2009

I'm with Meg_Murry - t-shirts making fun of something to do with someone else's ethnicity is never okay, no matter how innocuous it seems. At best it's cluelessly appropriative; at worst it's maliciously appropriative. Gross.
posted by ellehumour at 9:24 AM on October 12, 2009

I'm Indian, and while I find it mildly amusing, I don't find it offensive. Worn by anyone. But I guess it's a whole different ball game there in the US.
posted by dhruva at 9:42 AM on October 12, 2009

[Couple comments removed. I like stats weenieing too, but not here, guys.]
posted by cortex at 10:06 AM on October 12, 2009

I work in an environment so casual that no one bats an eyelash at my metal t-shirts.

I would not wear that shirt to work. Or anywhere, for that matter.
posted by spinifex23 at 10:29 AM on October 12, 2009

If you have to ask the question, then it probably isn't a good idea.
posted by TheOtherGuy at 10:36 AM on October 12, 2009

Does your work involve interaction with customers? If so, chances are high that you'll come across as offensive to someone (as witnessed by this thread).

If you're interested in hairy t-shirts that are not offensive, check out Hirsute History.
posted by Bukvoed at 10:47 AM on October 12, 2009

If you're Indian, that's one thing...

Keep in mind how easy it is to make fun of other cultures and how annoying it is when people from other cultures make fun of yours.
posted by 2oh1 at 11:41 AM on October 12, 2009

IN NYC in public it wont be offensive. Trust me much more offensive things are worn in NYC. in work then yes it would be offensive since business in NYC can be very professional.
posted by majortom1981 at 11:47 AM on October 12, 2009

I'm Indian, live in NYC. Even without those qualities, I find no offense in this shirt. And no Indian friend I've sent this question to finds it offensive, either. I'd have to agree with dhruva -- mildly amusing. As for wearing it at work, probably not a great idea, simply because somehow people can find offense in anything that has words on it. I'm wondering now if I should be sitting at my desk with an International Order for Gorillas shirt on.

Finally, in India you can make a little extra cash by growing a moustache.
posted by sub-culture at 12:04 PM on October 12, 2009

I am interested in the extremity of the assumed sensitivity on offer here (writing from the UK). I regularly wear T shirts with text and images to work and no-one has ever said a thing and I am rather high in the organisation. From an outsider's perspective, the comments here show an interesting tendency to assume offence on the part of others - viewers and Indians - which I think is purely local to the US. I note the correspondent from India says above, mildly amusing and not offensive at all. I agree
posted by A189Nut at 12:04 PM on October 12, 2009

And I note since I posted a second Indian finds it amusing and not offensive. Case proven
posted by A189Nut at 12:05 PM on October 12, 2009

Potentially offensive, and very tacky. Unless the writing on the shirt spells the name of the employer, don't wear it.
posted by theora55 at 12:06 PM on October 12, 2009

I have no idea what the shirt really means. Even if it's not offensive, it looks offensive and will be perceived like that to many people who also don't really know what it means.
posted by yeti at 1:21 PM on October 12, 2009

Despite the two Indians that have posted here saying that they have no issue with it, this is still one of those things where it only takes one person to harsh everybody's cool and throw a temper tantrum. I mean, look at the things PETA gets up in arms over.

One bad egg, man, and you can't wear a shirt with some mustaches.

Then again, I am generally of the persuasion that these types of shirts are really only funny the first time you read them, and often times aren't funny at all. If I manage to attain a shirt with some sort of off-the-wall reference (generally something nerdy in my case), I wear a scarf or hoodie over the top of it and pray no one sees that I didn't do laundry and asks what it is.
posted by june made him a gemini at 1:23 PM on October 12, 2009

UK perspective here: wtf is up with all of you? It's a T-shirt about moustaches. Christ, you're not allowed to say "hello" to women on the train, and T-shirts with writing (the horror!!) on them are, like "no way man, that's offensive"... Are all Americans so touchy?
posted by mr. strange at 1:46 PM on October 12, 2009

Also from the UK and I agree - there is some perverse self-censorship going on here. It demeans tolerance and multi-culturalism to internalise it so peculiarly.
posted by A189Nut at 2:47 PM on October 12, 2009

Indian here. I wouldn't personally find it offensive, I don't think, but I don't really understand what's going on with that shirt anyway. I get the talwar and jhadu ones (see, he's a military guy and his moustache looks like a sword, haha! oh, my sides, that sweeper's moustache looks just like a broom! i can't breathe!), but the other ones don't really seem related, and the neo-Dali one doesn't even have anything to do with India. It's not very funny and it's kind of stupid, which is to say that my dad would love it and I should probably buy it for him.

But I'd be sort of impressed that they knew what a peshwa was. And I'd be very sad if I asked them about it and they didn't know, they just thought the word "peshwa" was funny. Well, not sad, but now they're definitely in the "jackass" category. So yeah, if you don't know what all the words on your hilarious T-shirt mean, then maybe give it a rest.

I agree with the general sentiment that racial humor is tricky to navigate at best of times, especially in a workplace context, and you're probably better off not going there if you don't have to.
posted by Errant at 2:47 PM on October 12, 2009

(I am a white woman also, who lives in a pretty diverse city). It doesn't really strike me as offensive or racist per se, but I still don't think that a shirt that's basically like "LOL India" is in particularly good taste. If I kind of cringe thinking about wearing that to hang out with an Indian friend (because it's not my joke to make, I think), it is probably not a good idea, at work or elsewhere.
posted by SoftRain at 4:25 PM on October 12, 2009

Un-moustachioed* Indian male here. Not only do I not find it offensive, I do not find it funny as well. That I'm not offended comes from the fact that I work in a videogame studio where people try to be as 'alternative' and 'edgy' as they can. I guess a certain amount of racial ignorance is also needed to appreciate humour such as this. "Indian guys with elaborate moustaches, oh lawrdy"...

Were I to come across someone wearing this shirt, I'd smile wanly and give them my best Apu accent and say "Oh nice to be engaging your company and countenance, nice to be knowing you accept and acknowledge mine culture circa the Sepoy Mutiny. Thank you come again."

*not a real word
posted by prufrock at 4:53 PM on October 12, 2009

I'm in NYC and I think it's in bad taste to poke fun at people's appearance or especially ethnicity. $.02. Celebrate that we're fortunate enough to live in a very diverse city and be respectful of the different people here as much as possible. That's the code of living closely with 19m international neighbors. There's enough b.s. racial tension as it is. Why court the mentality that people are there for you to laugh at and judge? Take people seriously and grant them dignity, just as you'd like them to do to you. It fosters a much-needed atmosphere of tolerance and equality. Because guaranteed no matter who you are there is someone else on the subway every day who judges you by your appearance and culture, and thinks you're a pathetic, depraved, ignorant, Godless walking joke with terrible fashion and no common sense who's going to Hell - and yet we all grant each other common courtesy and respect so we can all get along. It's a beautiful thing.
posted by Marnie at 6:08 PM on October 12, 2009

I find it amusing how many non-Indians are horribly offended by that tacky, unfunny shirt while the Indians don't seem to mind.

Don't wear it, because it's ugly and stupid and not funny at all and you'll look like a complete tool. Or, do wear it, because it's sure to irritate thousands of pompous, self-appointed crusaders for censorship and the blandification of language and humor, which is hilarious in its own way.

Hmm, a quandary...
posted by balls at 8:58 PM on October 12, 2009

It looks like something Michael Scott would wear. Do with that what you will.
posted by 4ster at 9:16 PM on October 12, 2009

This shirt has no meaning for me, a non-Indian.

Personally, I wouldn't wear it just because I have excessive paranoia about attracting attention from the one weirdo on public transportation or at work who wants to tell me ALL ABOUT his/her experience with Indians and the entire nation of India. And I'd have to listen with growing discomfort, nodding and smiling and glancing at my watch.

But I have excessive paranoia like that.
posted by thisperon at 12:51 AM on October 13, 2009

I guess it depends on the workplace. I worked for many years at a software company, and many people (myself included) wore t-shirts with writing on them. In fact, that's pretty much what 99% of the engineers wear to work. Several of them routinely wore shirts from t-shirt hell to work. I don't see what the big deal is, unless your job involves dealing with customers face to face.
posted by darkshade at 5:59 AM on October 13, 2009