You are absolutely right and the guy you are replying to has a very strange idea about Australians. We don't hate anyone as long as they behave themselves. South Asians are fine. I've worked with plenty of South Asians in my time, including Indians and ethnic Indians from Singapore, Sri Lankans, and Nepalese, and a range of East Asians, too, they were all good people and good colleagues. No native-born Australian working in our offices had a problem in the world with these guys. They did their work, they were good workers, intelligent conversationalists, and they easily socialised with their Australian-born co-workers. They were liked and respected. Some of them may have been Muslim for all I know. In the West it is considered impolite to ask somebody what their religion is and we don't as a rule talk on religious matters. The person has to volunteer that sort of information himself or herself. We are a tolerant, generous people and if people come to our country to work and have a better life all we ask is that our laws are observed and culture is respected. Your religion and culture are in turn is respected and tolerated. Hindus celebrate Diwali, Chinese Buddhists and Taoists celebrate their festivals including Chinese New Year, as do other East Asians such as the Vietnamese, Muslims observe Ramadan, all this goes on in Australia and that's fine and it adds richness to the society. As long as everyone obeys the law and respects the other person's culture, there isn't a problem.
