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Published: July 12th 2005
** This entry is in no way negative. I am simply venting to American friends and family as to why I feel like I am really in a foreign land. NZ is great, and I love being here. I am just wanted to point out the differences. and in fact, I am mostly doing it all in good humor, read on with a sense of sarcasm and you will probably get a kick out it. **
Even though I am in a country where English is spoken and on the outside it may seem not too far from US culture, I am definitely feeling the cultural differences and the fact that I am truly in a foreign country is setting in. First off, Maori, the native language of the indigenous NZ people is dually used on signs, menus, instruction manuals etc along side English. I even have come across quite a few Maori words in ever day conversation, which makes me constantly go, HUH? on that note- despite the fact that I speak (or supposedly) speak the same language as the Kiwi's 90% of the time I don't get anything they are talking about. I just smile and nod. The main reason for that is because the Kiwis are known for using a multitude of slang words in their every day language. I constantly feel like a moron here and it will come to a surprise to you all that I am mute 60% of the time for fear of sounding dumb. I know, it'll pass. Take for class the other day- I am the only non-kiwi in a lecture class. I asked a question and immediately everyone just looks at you, like, OH she must be American, one of those wacky patriots. people assume that all us Americans love p diddy and j lo and George Dubbya and we all eat burger king and steaks, and that we all know all the celebrities. NO, I’m sorry we're not all like that. I think I surprise people when they hear me talk, I cant count how many people in my class who told me they thought I was Irish. obviously that was before they heard me talk.
Some weird (or just rather different) things I've found in the Kiwi culture:
-their water faucets in the sinks are not combined into one spout. this makes having neutral luke warm water to wash your face, hands, brush your teeth what have you, nearly impossible, It is the most frustrating thing ever. I must say. I miss my luke warm water. Here, in NZ you either have boiling hot water on the left, or freezing cold artic water on the right. take your pick people.
- when you flush the toilet (or the loo) I am always lifting my leg to hit the handle with my foot. but NO. there are no handles. instead, every where you go, you have to use your finger, yuck, to press down a little tiny wee bitty button on top of the toilet, or the wall. gross. what’s the point of that
- guys don’t open doors here. at all. it is such an egalitarian society, (NZ was the first country in the world to grant women the right to vote, awesome I know) that men just kind of disregard that women sometimes like being treated like a lady every now and then. sheesh. I know I’m giving them a hard time, they’re really great but I mean, I sometimes like my door opened.
- all their NZ food tastes and looks the same. how many veggie paninis can I eat in a week. I lost count. if you don’t like lamb or beef or any other meat, you have to resort to veggie paninis. or mince pies. ick, what is a mince anyway?? I DO like all the ethnic food we have in town though, their Turkish and Malaysian food is amazing.
**** Did you know, Wellington, NZ has more cafes, pubs, bars, restaurants what have you, per head than NYC does? yeah that’s right. bring it New York. ********
- NZ charges you for everything . cell phones are crazy pricey, the internet is a rip off, and the Uni even charges for printing. plus, shoes and makeup, shampoo, clothes, basically everything is majorly overpriced. I wanted a magazine the other day- guess what EIGHT bucks. I know, with the converted money its less, but it only takes it to like 6 bucks. still $$. oh yeah movies, are 12-15 dollars. which is like 10 us dollars.
I asked why the $$ stuff, and I figured out, duh, that NZ imports everything practically except meat and poultry goods. I mean, that makes sense, there are only 3.4 million people in the whole country. and that would be expensive making a small amount of products and charging so little.
- people here are so independent. I thought I was. I still think I am , but these guys are always on the go and don't ask many questions. I get the weirdest looks when I ask a question. I think they think Americans ask too many questions.
for example, the other day I was in the bookstore. I asked "do you have any paper folders to put in my binder?" :blank stare, followed by, I don’t know what you are talking about. "you don’t have any, or you don’t know what it is? Its simple, a paper folder with pockets that go in a binder."
I walked away empty handed. Apparently I have realized that NZ does not and will never have ANY a) Three ring binders (all theirs are Two rings, what the eff) and b) Binder folders to hold excess paper handouts.
In fact, I bought my first 2-hole puncher today. what a thrill. I mean, it makes No sense to have only 2 holes. the paper rips all the time in my binder, and the paper just hangs out because it lacks the proper security it needs to stay still, which a proper three ring binder would ensure.
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On another note. I have some pictures to put up tomorrow hopefully. they are of the past weekend, the Third and final rugby match. We had a bbq for the international housing complex. it was heaps of fun. I got a major kick out of watching Mike and Angela the Singaporeans freak out at the rugby game, they were like hardcore super bowl fans...x 10. Apparently they don’t have an organized sports culture in Singapore. They had a great time cheering and jumping up and down, they even yelled at the reffs at every bad call. it was a hoot.
I also want to post pictures from my trip across the bay. Rachel and I went to East borne and Days bay on the Dominion Post ferry. ~ 8.50 Us dollars round trip. We ate at a little cafe (Chocolate Dayz cafe) yes I did choose it based on the name. thankyaverymuch. I even had chocolate ice cream. yum. We then perused the local art gallery Shoppe and picked out things to buy and send home, we have to go back and buy them ASAP.
We then walked along the rd. to a little coffee and cafe shop, and studied as the sun went down. It was so quiet over the bay. The city, though small, ( 200, 00 people) , is quite loud and bustling. I enjoyed the scenic and serene mini-afternoon trip across the harbor. Around 5 30 we caught the ferry back to the city and ordered a pizza (kiwi style ..they delver it on a vespa like thing) to be delivered to my flat.
One of my goals of this trip is off to a good start: I bought some NZ music. Rachel Lauren and I are sharing three cd's between the three of us, and we feel that much more connected to Kiwi culture now. I love my CD, its a collaboration of many NZ artists. and I cant wait to bring it back to the states!
Today I caught the bus to the supermarket and bought heaps of food to last me a while (or that is my intention) I just cant handle a another massive long day trip to the supermarket. it is a long walk or bus ride there, and a taxi ride back. which is a long journey for food. but I made some yummy soup with fresh veggies and had some Kiwi tea to go along with it.
Tonight I am going to work on an essay and go to the Tramping club meeting on campus. I am really pumped about tramping around NZ. This trip is like a dream, totally unreal. even the school work is fun. (I might not be saying that come finals week though)
One final note : For Literature and Theatre in NZ I read my first kiwi play "Jeannie Once" by Renee.
It has to do with NZ in 1879 during a major immigration period. It is a feministic play. Renee is NZ's leading playwright, and has won many awards and accolades for her work. Because of NZ's small size, I am lucky to have the advantage of hearing the playwright speak to our class about her play. Renee came to class yesterday and discussed the motives behind her writing and left us feeling inspired. I really enjoyed her visit. Its not something you would get in the states on a daily basis.
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I hope everyone is doing well back home. I will post pictures soon, and I would even welcome pictures from home! send me some😊 tell me how you are doing.
NZ says hello. and so do I!
cheers, shelly
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daddy
non-member comment
love the updates
just remember shell, it's best to be thought a fool by your silence then to open your mouth and remove all doubt! just kidding , (that was in response to your questions). it is a unique experience to be in another country and be immersed in their culture i know you are enjoying it. keep the updates coming, loved the pictures would like to see more pls. love you, dad