NZ has a lot of weirdness in the country. Here is a listing of some of things I find odd (ok, I'll be nice - just different).
]1. New Zealanders LOVE their beet "root". Yes, the purple veggie. They put it on EVERYTHING, including sandwiches, salads, and burgers. no, they don't eat pickeled beets tho.
2. Pop = fizzy drink. They don't know what pop is.
3. It is a headache ordering a coffee around here. You can order: Flat White Short or Long Black -- they don't get the concept of just coffee and MILK. Now my morning coffee is a half cup of coffee filled up with whipped milk. (Latte)
4. Skim milk = Trim milk
5. Trash can = Rubbish bin (Garbage is rubbish)
6. They don't have Dentyne gum. Just discovered that today.
7. Everyone knows that NZ drives on the wrong side of the road but they have a weird driving law. I'll explain it in our side of the road language so as not to confuse too much. -- If you are turning RIGHT and there is a car facing you wanting to turn LEFT into the lane you are headed for, you MUST let the left turning car turn first.
8. Although I forgot to check the way our toilet water flushed before I moved, it doesn't really matter bc NZ toilets don't really have turning water like ours. It's more of a woosh and there it goes. Toilets do have two flushing buttons - one's a "half" flush, the other a "full" flush. Not sure what the difference is yet.
9. Flip flops = Jandles
10. McDonalds always have regional favourites. Nz is no different. -- Kiwi Burger: burger with an egg and beets, as well as meat. -- The Boss Burger: not sure what this one is as I heard of it today.
*** New Note: I tasted the kiwi burger a few weeks ago. I will not order another one anytime soon. It's kinda like you're eating a breakfast sandwich because of the egg AND a burger for dinner. On top of it all, the beet root as a garnish is kinda weird. I'm not a fan of boiled beets so it ruins the taste. I have't seen this "Boss Burger" in a restaurant. I think the girl that told me made it up. BUT on a happier note, they throw avocado on some burgers! YUM! I luv avocado and it's so plentiful here. Very cheap too - low low price of 74 cents NZ the other day which amounts to 57 cents CAD.
11. No thanksgiving in NZ. Thanks for the turkey b4 I left mom.
12. Subway has a Lamb with Mint Sauce sub. It's a new sub that the New Zealanders apparently asked for. I will try it soon... not sure about mint sauce tho.
** New note: I bought a lamb and mint sub the other day. It was odd. The lamb was slightly dry and the mint sauce was minty! Go figure. I put pickles and black olives on the sub, along with onions and lettuce (my sub staples) Probably not the most ideal toppings cuz it was an interesting taste.
13. Kindergarten is daycare over here. Children complete "Years" in school, not grades. There is still Year 13 in NZ.
14. There are a lot of pie shops in NZ. Pies...such as chicken pie, mince pie, steak pie. They also call the dessert pies pies. Confusing, yes.
15. Tank top = Singlet
16. AHHHHH choooooooo!!!! In NZ all you hear is silence after a sneeze. No one says bless you.
