What is the Difference between Australians/Kiwis actually?

[jrussel]

This morning a "Kiwi" got all offended when I referred to him as Australian and when I was then quite indifferent about my "mistake".

I understand that they come from different countries, obviously, and that they speak with slightly different accents, but for London purposes, does it really matter? We all know what kind of Aussies/Kiwis tend to come to London and the way they behave, so making a distinction between the two seems quite academic. It would be a bit like complaining about calling someone a "hoodie" when in fact they weren't technically wearing a hooded top but perhaps had a large collar and a large hat on instead but still with the intention of disguising their identity.

Obviously the context in which you refer to someone as "Australian" or "Kiwi" has some bearing on whether the distinction is relevant but if the context is discussing their impact on London, or the activities they engage in, then I really don't see the problem.

[*Bob*]

Can anyone else hear the theme music from 'Beadle's About' playing?

[Keef]

If they sound like they're talking about sex when they're saying six, they're kiwi.

[Brendan]

And just exactly what ?kind of Aussies/Kiwis tend to come to London? and what are these "activities they engage in? or ?their impact on London? for that matter?

[jumpinjackflash]

They say the word CHICKEN differently !

[CamberwellOz]

It's like the Canada/America thing. Smaller brother gets pissed off about big brother. Big brother doesn't mind.

Us Aussies pronounce our vowels maaaaaaaaaaate. Just think of us as people who have been left out in the sun too long. Everything gets elongated and goes up at the end of every sentence.

[Pickle]

Ditto Brendan's question!

[Strawbs]

Is this guy posting the too many trees dude?

[SeanMacGabhann]

Thats him strawbs. * bob * said it all btw

But the question did make of wonder what "london purposes" might be

[Strawbs]

All I have to say really is ... zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz Snoresville!

[Brendan]

Yeah. So I wasn't really going to respond as he is quite clearly either on some kind of medication or insane but I succumbed to temptation.

Personally I quite enjoy confusing kiwi?s and ausies (especially when talking cricket) just to wind them up but then I read the tone of the rest of his post and though, ?hang on a bit.?

[Ted Max]

Drinking champagne at lunch will do that to you.

[Strawbs]

@ B - your first pint at the next drinks is on me!

[Pickle]

To Strawbs it would be "snores veeeeeele", to me "snores vul". That's the difference between Aussies and Kiwis ;-)

[*Bob*]

It's easy to spot the difference. Pop into any bar in London.

Kiwis = punters

Australians = staff

[Tony.London Suburbs]

Just call the average Jock "English" or even "British" down Sauchiehall Streetand you might get the general idea!

I was walking with my (then) tall,slim,Jamaican g/f in Princes Street,Edinburgh.I was not talking yet the Girl who was walking with a Guy coming towards us said "English B***rd" as they passed and carried on their merry way:))

Charmed,I'm sure:)

[jrussel]

Brendan Wrote:

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> And just exactly what ?kind of Aussies/Kiwis tend

> to come to London? and what are these "activities

> they engage in? or ?their impact on London? for

> that matter?

I think everyone knows perfectly well what I mean. I am not talking about all of them, but a very significant portion, perhaps 80 to 90 percent. The activities and impacts are similar in some ways to that of the Brits in the south of Spain. Although there are also significant differences, admittedly.

I wish people would read my opening post properly before piling in with their kneejerk/"humourous" responses by the way. I stated quite clearly that I was not talking about the obvious differences in accent for example. The question is how their nationality is relevant when one is discussing their engagement (or lack of) with the community they are living within; ie. London.

I challenge anyone to explain to me in what way one can make a generalisation about any difference in the way the two nationalities behave whilst in London.

[mockney piers]

I think I remember reading recently that Kiwis have the most homogeneous accent of any English speaking nation, which I thought was quite interesting. I can't remember why that was the case though.

[Brendan]

I'm not even going to bother.

[Brendan]

mockney piers Wrote:

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> I think I remember reading recently that Kiwis

> have the most homogeneous accent of any English

> speaking nation, which I thought was quite

> interesting. I can't remember why that was the

> case though.

That?s probably because there are only 10 of them and they live on 2 little islands millions of miles from anywhere.

[david_carnell]

I know I'm gonna regret this but....

...your opening assumption is wrong. The stereotype of Aussie/Kiwi bar workers is just that. Sure, they exist, but to imply the entire diaspora as lager-swilling idiots is simply naive.

So the difference between them is moot. What's the difference between any bunch of young-twenty somethings with money in their pockets away from home and up for a good time? Regardless of nationality.

[macker]

I challenge anyone to explain to me in what way one can make a generalisation about any difference in the two major trolls posted by jrussel. I think everyone knows perfectly well what I mean.

[jrussel]

Are you going to pretend that it would not be possible to distinguish between, say, French twenty-somethings in London, and Aussie/Kiwi twenty-somethings?

david_carnell Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> I know I'm gonna regret this but....

>

> ...your opening assumption is wrong. The

> stereotype of Aussie/Kiwi bar workers is just

> that. Sure, they exist, but to imply the entire

> diaspora as lager-swilling idiots is simply

> naive.

>

> So the difference between them is moot. What's the

> difference between any bunch of young-twenty

> somethings with money in their pockets away from

> home and up for a good time? Regardless of

> nationality.

[DaveR]

We all know the kind of people who come on to internet forums (or perhaps "fora"?) and talk b@llocks, so it does it really matter whether you call them "tw@ts" or "f&ckwits"?

I challenge anyone to give a toss about any of this.

[Strawbs]

the difference is is that they come from different countries with different cultures, backgrounds etc and regardless of where they are or their supposed behaviour they deserve to be recognised correctly as to what country they come from... You are rude to even think that you have the right to just put them both in to one pot because you think the difference is academic..

If you dont want people to post back 'kneejerk/humeruous' responses then dont allow your posts to sound like such a joke! (and by that I do not mean a funny joke)