Laura, the answer to all your questions is "NO" in my opinion Nepal 's issue is not about racism it is more about socioeconomic status. it is very funny that when i was in Nepal i could easily differentiate the hilly nepali and terai nepal and people of south of the border. when i came to USA most of my ability to differentiate incapacitated. i could tell if somebody was of indian origin but couldnot if the person were nepali or not.