In fact, let's start a thread.

[theweaselking]

I need a list of stereotypically AUSTRALIAN things I can ask the New Zealanders if I can do while in New Zealand.

#1: "Can I pet a dingo?"
#2: "Where are the Kangaroos?"
#3: "Are we going to see Uluru?"
#4: "Let's have a local beer. Foster's, right?"[1]

Of course, there's the standard insistence that this "Aussie hospitality" is absolutely wonderful and asking people not to put themselves down if they say they're Kiwis.

If I can't get myself tossed into the pacific ("Oh, hey, is that the Great Barrier Reef?") by an exasperated mob, I'm not doing it right. Help me out!

[1]: This one's insulting to Australians, too. They don't like to be reminded about Foster's.

Comments

[lurkerwithout.livejournal.com]

#5: Which house belongs to Paul Hogan?

#6: Did they film Road Warrior nearby?

#7: What does "Waltzing Mathilda" mean?

[j-v-lynch.livejournal.com]

"Did you know you sound just like an Australian?"

[theweaselking.livejournal.com]

I think I really want my attitude to be "Australia, New Zealand, same difference - so show me all your cool Aussie stuff!"

[zenandtheart.livejournal.com]

Can I climb the Harbour Bridge?
Can I catch the ferry to Manly?
Will we go surfing at Bondi?
Where can I cuddle a Koala?
Can go see Australia Zoo? I'm a big fan of Steve Irwin!
And don't forget to mention how much you love Australian band Crowded House (actually from NZ) and Australian Pavlova (they claim to have invented it).


Don't forget to pester them about Lord of the Rings. Surely they're sick of it by now.

[theweaselking.livejournal.com]

Steve Irwin! That's great - I need to express my condolences on the death of their national hero.

[razelore.livejournal.com]

Is that one Ayer's Rock?

How about that one?

You got some big rocks out here!

Is that one Ayer's Rock?

[speck.livejournal.com]

Ask to see where Priscilla, Queen of the Desert was filmed?

[razelore.livejournal.com]

Thought of more...

Are you the guy from Men at Work/Midnight Oil?

Where are the Drop Bears at?

[autobotsrollout.livejournal.com]

This one's insulting to Australians, too. They don't like to be reminded about Foster's.

This is true. They will then extol the virtues of Toohey's New, which actually manages to be far, far worse.

[theweaselking.livejournal.com]

They're a country that invented Vegemite, and then promptly didn't bury it and everything it had ever touched far, far out in the desert.

[reyl.livejournal.com]

Can we put some shrimp on the barbie?
So where's this outback I've heard so much about?

[theweaselking.livejournal.com]

Kiwis use "put another shrimp on the barbie", too.

[lafinjack.livejournal.com]

How has the economy been since they stopped making Crocodile Dundee movies?

[heraldofchaos.livejournal.com]

"could i borrow your knife?"

[theweaselking.livejournal.com]

Oh, crap, I'm going to need to take my knife off my keychain before I get on the plane.

Or just leave my keys at home, I suppose.

[winterlime.livejournal.com]

So, do you still hunt with boomerangs?

[theweaselking.livejournal.com]

Or even just "Hey! I need a souvenir - where can I buy a boomerang?"

[dianavilliers.livejournal.com]

Hats with corks:
- Where is their one?
- Where can you buy one?
Possums:
- So cute! So fluffy! It's a good thing they're protected.
Crocodiles:
- Refuse to get within 20 metres of any body of water. Including childrens' paddling pools.

[holyoutlaw.livejournal.com]

I'm surprised no one's suggested toad licking yet.

Or you could say you have a good recipe for hassenpfeffer.

[winterlime.livejournal.com]

Yes! Ask every five minutes if they're sure there are no cane toads around.

[elffin.livejournal.com]

Fear. All. Spiders.

[theweaselking.livejournal.com]

I was planning to do that ANYWAY.

There's nothing on that fucking subcontinent that isn't poisonous.

[quotation.livejournal.com]

I really hope they congratulate you on your new black president.

[theweaselking.livejournal.com]

Oh man, that would be the greatest response EVER and I would have to get a picture with that guy.

[scaryhobo.livejournal.com]

"Can I climb the Harbour Bridge?" - you can climb the Auckland harbor bridge now i think.

Umm....

* Where you can see some snakes, crocs, wombats, kangaroos, gum trees.
* When the opera house tour starts
* Where you can buy a didgeridoo or boomarang
* Ask about an Australian rugby/league team like "hey whens the next panthers game i wanna go see it"
* Ask how long it would take to drive up to the gold coast for some surfing.
* insist that 'neighbours' is way better than 'shortland street'

[catsidhe.livejournal.com]

‘Outback Steakhouse’ is about as Australian as any given ‘Irish’ pub is Irish.

[aeduna.livejournal.com]

* am I too late for the Aussie Rules season?
* I thought aboriginals were darker than that. (+)
* How long does it take to drive to Sydney from here?

Bonus questions:
* why are they called the all blacks?

+ I take no responsibility if a maori tears your arms and legs off.

btw, I suspect it'll be less that you're annoying them, and more that you look like an idiot american tourist :) (yes, i am aware you are from Canadia, I'm just sayin')

[singingnettle.livejournal.com]

You win.

[drjon.livejournal.com]

Stress how cute and cuddly the possums are, and how sad it is that they're endangered.

Tell them how much you love Aussie actors and performers like Crowded House, Russell Crowe, Lucy Lawless, Sam Neill, Keith Urban...

[singingnettle.livejournal.com]

Ask if they've had much trouble with funnelweb spiders lately.

[graethorne.livejournal.com]

How wide is the wingspan on a wombat?

...at least it should get you some interesting looks...

[graethorne.livejournal.com]

....and asking for a "Thunder Down Under" is Right Out...

...or a thundermug of tea...

[dreamshade.livejournal.com]

"Hey, how much would it cost to get opera tickets on short notice?"

[xenogram.livejournal.com]

Nah, it's not like there's no opera in New Zealand. He might have to go to one.

Wrong side

[errolwi.livejournal.com]

If I can't get myself tossed into the pacific ("Oh, hey, is that the Great Barrier Reef?") by an exasperated mob, I'm not doing it right. Help me out!

That's shows a late of ambition, the Pacific is generally placid (well do'h!)in comparison to the Tasman side, much more impressive if you get tossed into the real surf. Try Pancake Rocks!

Also, when they tell you that you can't drive to Sydney, say "So I'm in Tasmainia?"
As you're in Marlborough, ask about wine tours to the Barossa, and talk about how you hate white wine.
There's a nice long semi-natural breakwater at Nelson Harbour, ask if _that_ is the Barrier Reef.

Despite the quite good TV ads, don't drink Tui beer.

[dewhitton.livejournal.com]

Find a large Rugby stadium and ask "Is that the Wallabies home ground?"