Culture Shock

Kia Ora,

That is the greeting in New Zealand. Although I have never heard anyone actually use it. I have heard some people use the expression ‘Sweet As’, but it doesn’t sit so well in my South African frame of reference. Probably because that phrase is all too often used in a different context back in South Africa.

Anthony says he loves his job. New Zealand’s organisations invest a lot of time and energy in their staff… such as providing free fruit baskets, coffee and outdoors activities to build team cohesion and increase morale. Anthony did not want to tell me just HOW MUCH he loves his job because he feels sorry for me as I am still unemployed. But, I as his wife, obviously knows this and once I told him that I am so happy for him, he gave a sigh of relief… And then blurted out that his employers take such good care of him that he does not really have a reason to come home anymore. Well that left an awkward silence.

I have learned to say the word ‘yeah’, quite often. And Anthony has decided to adopt Kiwi culture by saying ‘cheers’ as ‘thank you’. It really confuses me…

• Anthony: Good day, do you have this item in stock at your store?
• Cashier: Let me go and find out.
• Anthony: Cheers.
• Lorraine: ??????

Something else to consider is the accent- especially with words containing ‘e’… Bed is pronounced ‘bead’ and bear is ‘beer’… And to clarify, those are totally different things!!!

Cashiers are super friendly and always ask you how your day is going. They will quickly pick up on our South African accent and all I can tell them about South Africa is that is warmer and sunnier than NZ. They usually smile and nod with a frown… and that is when I notice that they are dressed in short sleeve shirts… and me… I am looking like a hibernating, warmly dressed ‘beer’ from the zoo.

Post is delivered to your post box… which is awesome in itself. But even cooler…. it is delivered by someone driving a golf cart. You must also sort your trash for recycling… Well sort of. Carton, milk bottles, cans and glass have a special green container. This is fetched once a week. If you decide to leave the recycling people a little gift in the container, such as a chips packet, they will simply not take it. Spoiler alert.

And then there is driving. 50 km per hour. That is your average speed. And don’t dare to go faster! Our car GPS will quickly tell you that ‘YOU ARE OVER THE SPEED LIMIT’. Also, the Police is not a force to be reckoned with… What I am saying is that I am too scared to drive faster! Other roads will allow 80 km ph, and your highways are typically 110 km ph. And that is the road speed my friends! Better stick to it.

The bus system works well and Anthony uses it every day to travel to and from work. It is a standard flat fare of $2.40 per trip. And yes, it is ‘cheap’. If you continue to think in South African Rand, you will not make a living. Take away coffee is affordable (and so good). But it stops there. No more ‘eating out’.

And don’t buy anything at the store, unless it is on sale. New Zealand stores know how to have a good sale: 50% OFF everything in store. I knew I shouldn’t have bought those mugs the other day…Darn it!

More to follow as we explore our home town, Hamilton.

Cheers (not the ‘thank you’ version),

Lorraine