Obvious differences between Australia and America

November 14, 2011

Susan asked me a while back if we could understand the people here in Australia.

Most Auzzie born people we can understand quite well. It is those Tongans and other Islanders that have their heavy accent that we have trouble with.

Interesting facts about Australia.

1. The dirt is bright orange (we feel like we are in New Mexico) come on down and visit us.

2. Americans that we have met here have all told us that Australia is about 30 years behind time, except for computers. Just look at their roads.

3. 30 yrs ago, Thongs were what you call Flip Flops today in America. They still use the word Thongs like they did in the 70's. A real Aussie told us this one. "The reason that the Aussie's wear Thongs is because they don't have the IQ to be able to tie shoes."

4. The crows and magpies sit along the side of the road waiting for their road kill. When they see a car coming they just walk slowly off the side of the road. Very few get up and fly. They are probably too fat and heavy from all that meat they eat. (Kangaroos, fox, what ever)

5. Police cars are either white, blue or yellow with checkered pattern on them.

6. There are a lot of Taxi's running around town. Every block, just about, you will see a Taxi or more.

7. When getting gas you pump and then go in the store and pay. No swiping of the card outside the gas station.

　

Obvious language differences from Americans.

1. Ute= flat bed pickup. (Utility truck).

2. If a word ends with an "R" they don't pronounce the "R".

3. They pronounce an "A" as "R"

4. Example: Mazda (you know the car?) They say (pronounce the "ma" as you would in "mad"

add the "z" sound and put an R on the end. Stephanie Collins from Utah laughs her head off when she hears them say it that way.

5. Petrol = gas

6. Timber = lumber

7. Ring me or give them a ring = call on the phone

8. Lollies = candy of any sort.

9. when you go to McDonald's they ask "ate hey or go?" = eat here or go? Remember they don't pronounce a lot of their "R"s It took us a few times to figure that one out. (We've only been a few times)

9. If you say Thank you to some one, they say "No worries" back to you.

10. Noows = Nurse

11. You don't sit around and visit with someone, you sit and "chat" with them.

12. A "road train" = A semi truck.

13. The letter "Z" is pronounced "Zed".

14. The letter "H" is pronounced "Hach" with the "a" being the long sound as in hate.

15. Teen numbers are pronounced with a deen on the ends. Like Eighdeen, thirdeen.

16.. "Dear" = expensive. Ex. The bananas are sure dear. Now say it without saying the "R". It sound like they are always saying Deee.

17. Push bike = bicycle

Foods

1. Sultanas = raisons

2. Semoina = cream of wheat.

3. The Mayonnaise pours out of the bottle and is sweeter than Miracle Whip. Susan would hate it.

4. Sour cream pours out of the container too.

5. Potato Nuggets = Tator Tots

6. No loose hash browns at all

7. No Pistachio pudding, only chocolate and vanilla

8. Glucose syrup = corn syrup

9. Haven't found Enchilada sauce yet.

10. Tasty cheese = Cheddar cheese

11. No cinnamon flavored candies

12. Yay, I found some Worther's.

13. Ice block = ice cream bar on a stick.

14. Chick peas = garbanzo beans

15. No Catalina Dressing

15. No curly chips to make the Catalina dressing salad.

16. Sweet & sour Cucumbers = sweet pickles

17. Dill cucumbers = dill pickles

Additional information:

1. Lots of different animals: kangaroo, Emu, brown snake, lots of Llama,

2. Power poles are straight from the tree, whether it has a curve in it or not.

Stores

1.. McDonald's in just about every little town you go to. Like Stephanie Collins puts it. "There are as many McDonald's here as there are Temples in the Salt Lake Valley." I will add "as many LDS chapels as in Rexburg". You never lack for food.

2. Kentucy Fried Chicken are usually found right next to a McDonald's.

3. Subways are usually close by too.

4. K-Mart

5. Target

6. Woolworth's

7. Cosco ( in Sydney only) I hear they have some American foods that we can't get out in our little towns.

8. IGA only they are called Supa IGA. Might as well, they don't pronounce their r's on the end of words anyway.

9. Police cars are either Blue, Yellow or white with checker board pattern on them.

10. Rubbish bin = trash can