I SAY "don't say Indian"

It's very common that kids talk out loud in public without any worry. Every parents should have, at least once in their parenthood, experienced embarrassing moment when kids say something inappropriate in the public. I do foresee this and I always remind my kids, speak gently & softly whenever you are outside of your house.

It's normal for a 5 years old girls can't differentiate races. However, she likes to use this to express her thoughts. "mummy, just now that Malay girl look over here" or "that Indian man is talking so loud over his phone" Well, the best part is -- she always guess it wrongly. In fact, the Malay girl was actually an Indian woman & the Indian man was actually a Malay man. I suppose they don't mind this type of remark from a 5-year old girl. Anyhow, it's not nice to mentioned it this way. So, I told her many times, don't ever mentioned it this way. It may sound provoking to certain people. Well, I guess she got me.


One day, I overheard her conversation with her bro.
Yvaine : Koko, did you see my teacher in the clubhouse this morning?
Ian : Which one? So long ago, how can I remember.
Yvaine : Neh, the one who was standing in front of the office glass door, with 2 children.
Ian : Oh, that Indian woman? You mean she is your teacher?
Yvaine : Don't say Indian. Yes, she is my English teacher.
Ian : Why can't I say Indian? She is an Indian what?!
Yvaine : I say cannot say Indian.
Ian : Why? (puzzled)
Yvaine : Not nice to say like that. (this is definitely & completely "copy" from me & "paste" on her bro). Do you see that, my teacher has 2 kids.
Ian : Well, what you are trying to tell about your Indian teacher, and the Indian boys? (not sure he is purposely or unintentionally)
Yvaine : (sound a bit irritated) I saaaayy....don't say Indian. Cannot say like that.
Ian : Then how you want me to put it?!
Yvaine : (smartly divert the topic) Eh, you know, my teacher is very smart. 
Ian : How smart?
Yvaine : She can speak English & a little bit Mandarin.
Ian : Oh, your Indian teacher can speak Mandarin. Then you speak Mandarin with her la.

From far, I did not hear any respond from the sister. I think Yvaine must have fed up and tired with the reminder "cannot say Indian". She must have smartly slipped away & choose not to respond to her brother.