Speech patterns / mannerisms might be one factor, but looks are another:
I worked on Wall St for over a decade. I regularly walked into the corner store (Duane Reade) in a high-end suit, $300 Thomas Pink shirt, cuff-links, a tie, and shiny shoes. I also had the mannerisms i was expected to take on having gone to an Ivy League undergrad.
Still on at least 5 or 6 occasions, individuals would walk up to me and ask "oh which aisle has the detergent" as if being of Indian origin automatically made me the store keeper. They saw right through my impeccable outfit, ignored it all, and saw "the Indian store-keeper guy."
I worked on Wall St for over a decade. I regularly walked into the corner store (Duane Reade) in a high-end suit, $300 Thomas Pink shirt, cuff-links, a tie, and shiny shoes. I also had the mannerisms i was expected to take on having gone to an Ivy League undergrad.
Still on at least 5 or 6 occasions, individuals would walk up to me and ask "oh which aisle has the detergent" as if being of Indian origin automatically made me the store keeper. They saw right through my impeccable outfit, ignored it all, and saw "the Indian store-keeper guy."