WONDERFUL!!!! I do love it when you tell stories on yourself, Julia — and I firmly believe the ability to laugh at oneself is a clear symptom of sanity.
I was in a movie theater in London once when a preview for the movie "Free Willy" aired — and my Brit friends had to explain to me why the entire audience erupted in laughter.
Bahahahahaaa!!! Julia! Your timing is impeccable because my next travel piece is also about (foul) language in another country 😂 I'm totally referencing this post in mine next Tuesday lol!
At the end of four years in Australia, I had largely lost my American accent and was no longer the target of the worst of the jibes. The slang was the worst of it, and I stepped on my tongue often!
What a delightful re-telling of your New Zealand adventure, Julia! Since we do have The Internet now, a quick search suggests the fabulous volcano image is that of Mt. Taranaki towering over waters still as glass. Did you venture on to Australia and walk sections of the coastline? This essay was thoroughly enjoyable. As always.
More stories to follow, Gary. I spent almost four years gone, most of it living in Australia. So yes to some of it. I have some digging to do to get more tales to tell!
Julia, what an excellent, entertaining story, showing us the language/cultural differences between people who come from different places and cultures. I have to admit, I found myself laughing as I was reading this.
I don't travel a whole lot, but I have studied Spanish for years. Still, I've made language faux pas over the years. One time, I was practicing conversational Spanish with someone over breakfast, and I said, "I love eggs." He started laughing hysterically. Apparently, "eggs" in Spanish is slang for testicles! Who knew? Also, on a Spanish exam, I wrote an essay about how I was excited to have a great summer. My teacher told me that the word for "excited" in Spanish means sexually aroused. Oopsie.
I love that, Beth, got my morning off to a great start. When in Fiji, I bumbled a request for milk for my tea at a village chief’s house. The chief got up and walked towards me to the laughter of all. My friend told me that I had just offered him my breast milk!
Oh I loved this - such a great story - and can relate. When first living in Scotland, my new friend Betsy walked into the local pub wearing orange velvet trousers. Enthusiastically, I shouted, “Nice pants!” and everyone in the place turned and stared. It was mortifying and hilarious at once. Needless to say I was quickly clued in!
Years ago, on a recruiting trip to Australia on behalf of Microsoft, our HR person made the mistake of letting the candidates know we were rooting for them. Whoopsie!
Spent two weeks in a caravan driving with my bestie through New Zealand South Island, Christchurch outwards. I loved it. If the immigration laws were more flexible, I'd be there now.
It would be fair to say that they were just as ignorant as I was in terms of different cultures. We ended up just fine, even if I didn't manage to continue to offend them with language!
Haha I grew up in England and emigrated to New Zealand.... NZ English, from my perspective, is an interesting fusion of British English and American English. For example in NZ we talk about cell phones and gas stations (mobile phones and petrol stations in the UK).... it's a minefield alright. Thanks for the entertainment Julia, love it 😂
Could not stop laughing! Wonderful article, and I'll be sure to watch my language in New Zealand.
WONDERFUL!!!! I do love it when you tell stories on yourself, Julia — and I firmly believe the ability to laugh at oneself is a clear symptom of sanity.
I was in a movie theater in London once when a preview for the movie "Free Willy" aired — and my Brit friends had to explain to me why the entire audience erupted in laughter.
Bahahahahaaa!!! Julia! Your timing is impeccable because my next travel piece is also about (foul) language in another country 😂 I'm totally referencing this post in mine next Tuesday lol!
Thanks so much!
Great story, Julia.
This brought back memories.
I lived in Australia for a year while attending university.
In the first few weeks, I was continually ridiculed for my accent as well as pronunciation of words.
I quickly learned the correct way of saying things and what the local terms were for common items.
In the end, I picked up the accent very quickly and played bar games proving that I was Canadian and not Australian. (I always won). It was a hoot!
At the end of four years in Australia, I had largely lost my American accent and was no longer the target of the worst of the jibes. The slang was the worst of it, and I stepped on my tongue often!
Yes, and you quickly learn how to put the men in their place. They cannot always get away with some of the hurtful comments they say.
Throw it right back in their face. Derogatory terms like "Sheila" come to mind.
Oh my god I lived with that one aplenty.
I also got "Septic" since some thought I was American initially. Many students hated Americans back then.
What a delightful re-telling of your New Zealand adventure, Julia! Since we do have The Internet now, a quick search suggests the fabulous volcano image is that of Mt. Taranaki towering over waters still as glass. Did you venture on to Australia and walk sections of the coastline? This essay was thoroughly enjoyable. As always.
More stories to follow, Gary. I spent almost four years gone, most of it living in Australia. So yes to some of it. I have some digging to do to get more tales to tell!
Julia, what an excellent, entertaining story, showing us the language/cultural differences between people who come from different places and cultures. I have to admit, I found myself laughing as I was reading this.
I don't travel a whole lot, but I have studied Spanish for years. Still, I've made language faux pas over the years. One time, I was practicing conversational Spanish with someone over breakfast, and I said, "I love eggs." He started laughing hysterically. Apparently, "eggs" in Spanish is slang for testicles! Who knew? Also, on a Spanish exam, I wrote an essay about how I was excited to have a great summer. My teacher told me that the word for "excited" in Spanish means sexually aroused. Oopsie.
I love that, Beth, got my morning off to a great start. When in Fiji, I bumbled a request for milk for my tea at a village chief’s house. The chief got up and walked towards me to the laughter of all. My friend told me that I had just offered him my breast milk!
Hysterical!
Oh I loved this - such a great story - and can relate. When first living in Scotland, my new friend Betsy walked into the local pub wearing orange velvet trousers. Enthusiastically, I shouted, “Nice pants!” and everyone in the place turned and stared. It was mortifying and hilarious at once. Needless to say I was quickly clued in!
Such local idiosyncrasies are part of the joy of traveling once we get over the horror of our innocent mistakes. Bravo!
Years ago, on a recruiting trip to Australia on behalf of Microsoft, our HR person made the mistake of letting the candidates know we were rooting for them. Whoopsie!
Yeppirs!
Spent two weeks in a caravan driving with my bestie through New Zealand South Island, Christchurch outwards. I loved it. If the immigration laws were more flexible, I'd be there now.
Well you’ve made this Aussie laugh with your ‘ripper’ of a story 😂
Ohmigod, have I got plenty of Aussie stories. I'll be digging them out over time.
Shake a leg then ...🤣
Thank you!
You would think they’d have a little more compassion and take pity on a poor American. Then again, it was a different time.
Considering how impolite my language was, they were quite kind about it. We ended up laughing at it months later.
It sounds like they made you feel welcomed in the end, which I think matters a great deal.
It would be fair to say that they were just as ignorant as I was in terms of different cultures. We ended up just fine, even if I didn't manage to continue to offend them with language!
LMAO! This is too funny. Thanks for sharing.
Haha I grew up in England and emigrated to New Zealand.... NZ English, from my perspective, is an interesting fusion of British English and American English. For example in NZ we talk about cell phones and gas stations (mobile phones and petrol stations in the UK).... it's a minefield alright. Thanks for the entertainment Julia, love it 😂
Thanks so much!