Dots on the head, not feathers.

So, uh, today I met this woman. She seemed very nice. We got to my name, which is a popular Indian name. And as so many people do upon hearing it, she asked its origins.

ME: It's Indian. I'm half-Indian.

She kind of looked at me strangely. Usually people do when I explain that. As mentioned before, I just don't look it. Apparently that's not why she was looking at me strangely.

HER: Then you should know that the correct term is "Native American."

ME: ...

I explained my mom's from India.

But she still seemed put out that I didn't use the term Native American.

Sigh. There's no pleasing people.