‘Sickening’ 1 word question Macca’s worker asked Melbourne man

A Melbourne man has detailed a “frustrating” encounter he had with a McDonald’s staff member, leading him to call on Aussies to “do better”.

A Melbourne man has spoken out about the reality of casual, everyday racism after being stereotyped while trying to order food at a McDonald’s.

Praveen Param said a staff member at the fast food chain assumed he was an Uber Eats driver when he approached the counter.

“The gentleman behind the counter looks at me, looks at the screen, and he looks back at me, and I already knew what was gonna come out of his mouth,” he explained in a clip that has now amassed nearly 700,000 views on TikTok.

“He then says, ‘Uber?’ I said, ‘No, I’d like to order please’.”

After Mr Param, who is Indian Singaporean, received his meal, he decided to question the employee’s assumption.

“I said to him, just because a lot of people from my ethnic background may do Uber, it doesn’t mean that everyone of that background does Uber,” he said.

“And assuming that only makes you look like an a**hole.”

Mr Param claims the worker, who he says was white, “double downed” on his comment.

“He said, ‘I didn’t mean it like that. It’s just that the people who come to this Maccas who are Indian oftentimes end up being Uber drivers’,” Mr Param explained.

“And I said, that’s exactly what I’m saying. Don’t assume that someone would be an Uber driver, end of discussion.”

He said this is, unfortunately, the reality of being a South Asian person living in Australia.

“It’s that no matter what your achievements are, no matter who, how you treat people, no matter how you dress, no matter how you conduct yourself, you will always be reduced to a stereotype,” he said.

“And that’s the thing that’s so bloody sickening about being in Australia sometimes, because people here think that they’re open-minded when in reality they’re not.”

McDonald's has been called out over 'casually racist' remark that a worker made. Picture: TikTok/@praveen.param

He then asked commenters not to justify the employee’s remark, saying it’s “exhausting” and “frustrating” hearing the same excuses repeatedly.

“It’s 2025. Australians just do better. Come on, like be better,” he concluded.

A McDonald’s spokesperson told news.com.au, “We are committed to giving our customers a great experience every time they visit our restaurants.

“Our doors are open to everyone, and we strive to ensure our restaurants are safe, inclusive, and respectful workplaces for our customers and crew.

“Our crew undertake regular safe, respectful, and inclusive workplace training.

“We are sorry to hear of this customer’s experience and encourage them to reach out to our customer service team so we can investigate further.”

McDonald’s Australia has apologised. Picture: Scott Olson/Getty via AFP

Comments on Mr Param’s video have since been turned off, but before they were, many defended the McDonald’s worker, as Mr Param had anticipated.

Some even argued that the TikToker was in the wrong for being offended by being mistaken for an Uber driver.

“Nothing wrong with the assumption. The Uber guy is just doing a job, just like you have a job. It should not bother you if you respected others doing Uber,” said one commenter.

Another said he was “playing the victim” and the worker likely wasn’t “doing it out of malice”.

However, others came to Mr Param’s defence, saying, “You just proved his point. Shame on you”.

“What is wrong with these comments? His point is that an assumption was made about him based on his race and that is inherently RACIST,” said another.

“You all need to change your mindset,” added another user.

Originally published as ‘Sickening’ 1 word question Macca’s worker asked Melbourne man