I have lived in different cities across India, and after graduation, I spent around four to five years working in Mumbai and Bangalore. During that time, I never really faced any serious discrimination based on my skin colour. Sure, there were a few casual jokes here and there, the kind people often make without thinking much, but nothing that ever felt too personal or offensive.
That changed when I moved to Delhi.
One evening, I was at a friend’s place. We were just relaxing and having a good time. At some point, her new flatmate, who had recently moved in, came home. My friend called her into the room to join us. She refused. We figured maybe she was tired or just didn’t feel like socialising, which is completely understandable.
But the next day, when my friend casually asked her why she didn’t come in, her response was shocking. She said, very bluntly, “I don’t like to hang out with kaale log.”
I’m a dusky-skinned guy, and to be honest, that has never been something I’ve paid much attention to. But hearing that felt like a punch in the gut. It wasn’t just rude. It was unapologetically discriminatory.
That moment opened my eyes. After that, I started noticing more of it around me. The way people in salons behave, for example, how they treat clients differently based on skin tone. It’s not always loud or obvious, but it’s there. In the glances, in the tone, in the way suggestions are made. It’s a mindset that seems to be deeply rooted, and in Delhi, I felt it more strongly than anywhere else.
This was the first time I truly experienced this kind of direct discrimination. It made me realise how normalised colour bias still is in some parts of our society. Moving out to some another city is an option, let’s see when shall I execute that option.
I’ve been living in the NCR for the past four years. I agree with what you said. While I haven’t personally experienced discrimination, I know it exists. Another deeply ingrained issue here is the culture of showing off.
Yaa, that too for no reason. bhyi I understand your gali might be having all raees and can afford chowkidar, and sbne apna personal chowkidar rakha hai and how there are 15 families in that gali and 21 drivers hai, all is fine, but tum voh icecream vendor ke aage ye sb bolke kya show off kr rahe ho. This happened yesterday itself, and I was like why these people behave like that mtlb uss vendor ke aage power trip leke kya he mil raha hai.
I wish I could disagree. They peak at being classist. Their attitude is only matched with celebrities from Mumbai.
We had joke - delhites wouldn't mind eating shit, if it is served in a golden plate.
@Curiousify
This is simply unapologetic behavior.
Seems your friends flatmate was some hoor pari.
Yes Entire North India has this fascination for goori chitti kudi.....
Surprised that this has percolated to guys also.
On a lighter note:
Have this colleague turned friend in ZA. Once on a business trip, we were hanging out together in evening. He caught me eyeing someone standing at the bar, and he remarked "Once you go 🖤, you won't go back".
I also have faced this intense focus on looks, clothes, and what not.
Have a real incident around it. Keeping it short.
My friend is loaded, bought a 🚗, brand starts with L.
He meets me somewhere in GGN, we go to this Asian restaurant opp to Sector 43, metro. Hosted within Blooms.
My friend is waiting in car, I walk up in my Sandals, Worn Old Threadbare 👖 and faded collared Polos. Ask: Table for 2. Nothing for next 1 hr at 9PM on Sunday(understable). Tell the lady, waiting in car for next 10mins, just let us know if something opens up. She asks, which car. I point at Urus. Table is available in 15 secs.
Inside, we are having our meal. Table right next to us has this family, Parents and a Young Lady (early 20's). My friend is also dressed like me.
Mother and Daughter spend their entire meal rolling their eyes at us. Must be thinking "Kaise Bhikhari Aa Jate Hain"
We finish before them, I am 🚬 leaning against car, and they come out. Chauffeur driven Creta.
I finish my smoke get inside my friends car.
The Girl literally was trying to jump out of Creta's window and about to literally land on our laps 😜
Looks like some interesting stories people have on discrimination!
Thanks to bollywood who think north India and Punjabi are the only symbol of India :) Now earning their bread from the remake of south films.
I am from North and I can say that this is region has all the worst traits of humans. Lot of toxicity and zero sum game. Lot of rage and no space for others. Too much jealousy and zero humbleness.
Come to hyd bro. Not a single person u encounter like that also y would u go to a city which has High AQI
Sadly lavanya opened your eyes. But bro this is very common issue, I have full sympathy for you but it’s surprising you did not notice this while working for 4-5 years. I mean I have a college friend and he has been said every possible remark on being black in college itself. He is trained for the world already
Not sitting with me just because I am black is just some another level of racism which I have never faced earlier.
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