Identity crisis - how do we fix this?

[Gibbs]

Right we are all arabs and descendants of muhammad bin qasim
The nations who distort their history get themselves distorted.

South Asians can be categorized as Indus people (originating from Indus civilization), Not necessarily Indian, Indian is a nationality not a distinct ethnic group

On the subject.. Almost all Indian restaurants in Britain are run by Bangladeshis.. They are the creators of dishes like Chicken Tikka masala and Butter Chicken are Bangladeshi's not Indians.. It's a matter of marketing, Not many natives of those cities would have any idea of Bangladeshi cuisine, But someone somewhere would have tasted curry which they instinctively relate to India

 

[Shamsher1990]

Furthermore, these guys are often not the highest educated people to understand such distinctions and they are economic immigrants and do whatever it takes to sell the product and pay the bills.

Not in Canada. A lot of CAs, Phds etc are in catering business. Most of them label their cuisine as Indian or at best Desi or Punjabi. And yeah, every damn immigrant from subcontinent is an economic immigrant. Not too many retirees immigrated here from those places.

 

[Dalai Lama]

South Asians can be categorized as Indus people (originating from Indus civilization), Not necessarily Indian, Indian is a nationality not a distinct ethnic group

On the subject.. Almost all Indian restaurants in Britain are run by Bangladeshis.. They are the creators of dishes like Chicken Tikka masala and Butter Chicken are Bangladeshi's not Indians.. It's a matter of marketing, Not many natives of those cities would have any idea of Bangladeshi cuisine, But someone somewhere would have tasted curry which they instinctively relate to India

True about Bangladeshis running most Indian cuisine restaurants. Butter Chicken is a Punjabi dish though. It's popular in restaurants in Mumbai, Bangalore etc.

 

[Gibbs]

Taste is good. Not extraordinarily different to Indian. Some unique dishes (Nehari, etc). Servings are even bigger I would say.

No idea why more Indians wouldnt visit Pakistani establishments.

Usually expats communities tend to be more extreme nationalistic than their counterparts back home, It manifests in kind of ganging up mentality especially with regards to issues back home.. I've noticed this within the diaspora of almost all developing nations that resides in other countries

 

[I.R.A]

Dude there's a 'Café India' in a small *** town in the middle of Ireland with Indian paintings and music. The place is run by some of the friendliest Pakistanis and serves one of the best Chicken Lahoris there is.

It's just clever branding and marketing, not some psychosocial affliction. No different to Chinese restaurants being run by Koreans/Viets etc.

So free promotion for india ....... though I don't know what made them opt this idea of marketing and branding strategy ....... I don't see why such a business would fail otherwise if you cleverly choose another name for it, and sell the same stuff.

 

[Gibbs]

True about Bangladeshis running most Indian cuisine restaurants. Butter Chicken is a Punjabi dish though. It's popular in restaurants in Mumbai, Bangalore etc.

But i believe originated in British Curry houses run by Bangladeshi's.. Correct me if i'm wrong

 

[Dalai Lama]

So free promotion for india ....... though I don't know what made them opt this idea of marketing and branding strategy ....... I don't see why such a business would fail otherwise if you cleverly choose another name for it, and sell the same stuff.

I know a lovely Sri Lankan lady struggling to brand her food. There is definitely interest in Sri Lankan/Pakistani cuisine. It's a niche market though.

 

[Gibbs]

Yes i have had keryla gosht, but thats not a vegetarian dish. I am talking about proper vegetarian dishes. Plus you might have got a bad daal experience, my personal experience is contrary to yours.

Simply because most Indians tend to be Vegetarians hence they tend to make Vege dishes extremely well, Cos naturally they would concentrate on those food they consume more.. I agree with you Indian vegetarian dishes are some of the best in the world, Especially South Indian cuisine

 

[Dalai Lama]

But i believe originated in British Curry houses run by Bangladeshi's.. Correct me if i'm wrong

I think Tikka Masala did originate in curry houses in the UK. According to wiki; Butter Chicken originated in the '50s in Delhi.

You'll find Butter Chicken in India but it's uncommon to find Tikka Masala. At least from my own experience.

 

[padamchen]

Usually expats communities tend to be more extreme nationalistic than their counterparts back home, It manifests in kind of ganging up mentality especially with regards to issues back home.. I've noticed this within the diaspora of almost all developing nations that resides in other countries

Overcompensation.

Also its easy to be a dick when being a dick is not going to affect you personally.

This is what I have noticed about the Indian expat crowd. I'm sure its no different for the Pakistanis either.

Cheers, Doc

 

[I.R.A]

I know a lovely Sri Lankan lady struggling to brand her food. There is definitely interest in Sri Lankan/Pakistani cuisine. It's a niche market though.

Sri Lankan and Pakistani cuisine may be different .... compared to similarity between Indian and Pakistani cuisine? Niche market for Pakistani cuisine?

 

[padamchen]

I think Tikka Masala did originate in curry houses in the UK. According to wiki; Butter Chicken originated in the '50s in Delhi.

You'll find Butter Chicken in India but it's uncommon to find Tikka Masala. At least from my own experience.

In most places not in the north, the two are synonymous.

What you get in most non-north places is a reddish tomato based gravy with butter inside.

The butter chicken in the north as well as their daal is to die for. Small nondescript dhabas on the highways. Fog and chill in the air. Food is good up north.

Cheers, Doc

 

[Gibbs]

I know a lovely Sri Lankan lady struggling to brand her food. There is definitely interest in Sri Lankan/Pakistani cuisine. It's a niche market though.

Sri Lankan food is finally gaining ground in North America and Europe but it had it's own share of the market in Australia for some time now.. Till now Sri Lankan restaurants in Places like Canada and Britain main served essentially South Indian food, Basically because large proportion of those were run my Sri Lankan Tamil diaspora unlike in places like Sydney and Melbourne

But now distinctive Lankan cuisine is getting some limelight in the west

Some even run by British Indians

https://www.viamichelin.com/web/Restaurant/Soho-W1D_4SG-Hoppers-ykatdtvn

http://www.lankantucker.com/

https://www.theworlds50best.com/asia/en/2017-The-List/21-30/Ministry-of-Crab.html

Overcompensation.

Also its easy to be a dick when being a dick is not going to affect you personally.

This is what I have noticed about the Indian expat crowd. I'm sure its no different for the Pakistanis either.

Cheers, Doc

Tbf it's not just Indians and Pakistani's either, Most wankers fresh off the boats have this mentality

 

[padamchen]

Tbf it's not just Indians and Pakistani's either, Most wankers fresh off the boats have this mentality

Its easier dehumanizing the "other" when you are a minority yourself in a foreign land. Its reverse ghettoization. Or ghetto projection.

Cheers, Doc

 

[Maarkhoor]

So my family have come back from holiday in Rome, Italy. I could not go because of some business demands. In Rome after few days they yearned for Pakistani food. So they found a nice place which served good, simple Pakistani food. The restaurent owner was incredibly nice and gave personal service once he found out they were of Pakistani origin. So no complaints there.

The guy was about mid 40s and had migrated from Eminabad, Pakistan about 5 years before. So he had done good for himself. From nothing he had worked hard and now ran a small restaurent eve if the inside decor was gaudy and heap. The food though was good.

To recap this he was over the moon to see fellow Pakistanis even if they were from UK. He asked them where they were from in Pakistan etc. Being in his mid 40s he was born at least 25 years after Pakistan became independant from British rule. To sum up he was a full product of Pakistan and had only left as migrant 5 years before. He had never been anywhere else then his native Pakistan and Italy. Below is his card for his restaurent.

Notice he has decided to brand and sell his restaurent as "Indian" and just as after thought added "Pakistan". No Indian ever on mother earth would add "Pakistan" on anything. Yet a 'pucca' Pakistani is branding himself as Indian. This is sad and tragic. Pakistan now is a elderly country and one of senior members at UN. Most UN countries came about in 1950s, 1060s, 1970s. UAE is from 1970s. Singapore is from 1960s. Yet after 70 years this guy has a weak sense of identity or conflicted indentity that he needs to prefix his identity with "Indian". This exposes something terrible and deep malaise in the very notion of being Pakistan and identity as a nation.

Is there any hope for us out of this befuddled idea off who we are?

He did it because of business demand since north Indian and Pakistani food is quite similar so he wants Indian customer as well.