[Diva]

I can't get a decent reply from you on this subject let alone a history lesson.

Well.....any shops in Germany with signs in the window saying "100% German"?

or, more accurately "Not owned by Austrians"

(or do I mean Australians?)

[DSC]

If you really want to discuss this, then may I sugest that we do it via PM?

[Debbie P.]

Yes...but songs sung at sporting events are different to signs


oh, forget it...I'm wasting my time. NZ doen't seem to have much of a racial problem at the moment but, let's be honest, it's going to go the same way as Australia and pictures like the one that started this thread are hardly proving me wrong!

Yep, I was right to regret getting involved. I'll leave you guys to it :exit

[willowshouse]

Maybe this is the first country you have been to where a very large proportion of the major companies .. and I think all of the banks (correct me someone?) are all owned by your bigger neighbour.... with whom you have a healthy sporting rivalry... and feel quite free to generally poke fun at .. and vice versa.

It is nothing to do with defending NZ because this is a NZ forum .. it's just about not getting your knickers in a twist over something that is insignificant to an awful lot of people - of ALL nationalilites.

[Diva]

The original photo said

"NO Australian owners here"

If that is Kiwi humour, then I'll call it culture shock and we can all go to bed.

Either way, I'm in trouble.....if that is a NZ idea of a joke, then I'm not laughing. And if it isn't a joke, then I'm glad I'm on a tourist visa....

But again, let's be positive. If racism in NZ is the odd grumble and a silly sign in a window, then that's fine by me. It's relatively harmless. A pathetic copy of the England-Scotland rivalry but...no harm in that.

But still, this country should judge itself on its own merits (of which it has many) instead of looking over its shoulder at the bigger neighbour.

[Moorf]

I think perhaps "tongue in cheek" might be a more appropriate label for the sign - it was playing on the fact that many Kiwi's prefer to "buy Kiwi" or see their money going to NZ, not Australia and probably a lot to do with the recent frays between Oz and NZ supermarket chains/workers etc.

It was probably more factual than anything - a statement. Much like some Scottish shops which say "100% Scottish produce" or "100% Scottish Crafts" - I guess what they are saying is "No English/Australian/German Crafts Here" just in a much more polite (read British?) way...

The reason they could put up such a sign in the first place is because they know their audience. Maybe it will take you a while longer before you "get" it, I certainly didn't understand many of their humorous references when I first arrived and would often gasp as opposed to giggle, but I find it refreshing and now just giggle! (Although that Zilch ad really does still make me gasp lol!)

[Diva]

The reason they could put up such a sign in the first place is because they know their audience. Maybe it will take you a while longer before you "get" it, I certainly didn't understand many of their humorous references when I first arrived and would often gasp as opposed to giggle, but I find it refreshing and now just giggle! (Although that Zilch ad really does still make me gasp lol!)

This is my worst nightmare.....the natives aren't racist, they just think Dai Henwood is actually funny


AAAAAGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH:wah :wah

[Moorf]

I haven't a clue who he is.

I'm not sure why you chose to say "a pathetic copy of the English Scottish rivalry" it's nothing to do with that sort of "rivalry", perhaps some history and some insight in to the competitive nature and the "joshing" between Oz and NZ might help you appreciate what's going on here?

Have you been in Australia and told them you're living in NZ? If you do, be sure to expect some dig about sheep/cricket/rugby - it's almost expected - and get some retorts ready too! :laugh Don't give them a lecture on racism, for gods sake!

You know how they say smaller dogs are more feisty - well, Oz is a Great Dane and NZ a Terrier....

[Diva]

I haven't a clue who he is.

I'm not sure why you chose to say "a pathetic copy of the English Scottish rivalry" it's nothing to do with that sort of "rivalry", perhaps some history and some insight in to the competitive nature and the "joshing" between Oz and NZ might help you appreciate what's going on here?

You know how they say smaller dogs are more feisty - well, Oz is a Great Dane and NZ a Terrier....

Actually, I'm not sure why I said 'pathetic' either.... jet lag? But still...NZ and
Scotland...so similar, no?

(Trust me, you don't want to know who Dai Henwood is......unless you want to attempt to look 'cool' in front of teenagers.....)

[Sam B]

Grrr, just wrote a fairly articulate reply and lost it all. That's the computer telling me this debate is just not worth it. Let's just drop it - there is real racism aplenty to get steamed up about if we want to. Racism is surely about the oppression of people with less power than the opressors? That does not apply here.

[eternalkiwi]

Foodstuffs (Pak n Save) nor NZ society fear anything from Australia or Australian businesses. Overall we share a very positive relationship in almost any area you find.

The sign also did not include anything to suggest that being Australian owned is a bad thing, nor did the sign mention race.

As Willowshouse mentioned the thrust of the ad was to encourage people to buy from a NZ owned and operated store rather than from their large (but not larger) rival group that is Australian owned and currently battling with Foodstuffs to buy NZs largest non-food retailer.

In recent years many overseas businesses have purchased NZ companies. This includes almost all non-Foodstuffs co-operative supermarkets and most NZ trading banks (Kiwibank is the main exception). This situations is creating potentially negative impacts for the NZ economy.

One of the ways the NZ public can help strengthen the economic balance is by buying from NZ owned businesses.

Therefore at worst Pak n Save was promoting a potentially obvious point of difference between them and their exclusively Australian owned rivals

Shawn

[Moorf]

But still...NZ and
Scotland...so similar, no?



Very much so :yes

[Sam B]

I can't help but keep sticking my oar in! You can see similar signs to this all over Cornwall about how it is family run by proper Cornish, only stocking local products. Plus you would see tongue in cheek comments about Devon, and vice versa. Devonians joke that you have to pay to leave Cornwall but it's free to get in, due to the one-way tolls on the Tamar bridge. no-one was ever offended because each county knew it was the best really.

[Diva]

Racism is surely about the oppression of people with less power than the opressors?

Usually that's true....but a lot of my colleagues 'hate' the USA and they are the current world empire....so racism is more complicated than that.

but then again 'eternalkiwi' says that the sign isn't racist because it only mentions Australians....

hmmmm......interesting.

[Diva]

One of the ways the NZ public can help strengthen the economic balance is by buying from NZ owned businesses.

And then they can take the shopping home in those Toyotas that the Japanese have dumped here....:laugh

[ellenmelon]

This is my worst nightmare.....the natives aren't racist, they just think Dai Henwood is actually funny


AAAAAGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH:wah :wah

big generalisation there. channel 4 caters to a very distinct target audience as far as i know(im in that target audience and i hate him). doesnt indicate the humour of most NZers at all..

[ellenmelon]

TSB (taranaki savings bank) is NZ owned..yaay! :D
ive had an account with them since i was a wee one. its not just kiwibank.

[Jenny & Mark]

This thread has gone way off its billing. I went all the way through the posts in hopes of more interesting Kiwi signs to lighten the mood, but at last, no new pics... :( Perhaps another day.

Mark.

[vixxann]

Jen - read mine a few pages back - there's no pic but it's supposed to be on topic and funny :p

[ellenmelon]

This thread has gone way off its billing. I went all the way through the posts in hopes of more interesting Kiwi signs to lighten the mood, but at last, no new pics... :( Perhaps another day.

Mark.

tell me about it.. :uhoh

[eternalkiwi]

One sign that I have seen a couple of times on the net is the one below from the South Island.

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/133/387549064_3df4065024.jpg?v=0

[sarahw]

Eternal - I love it!!

[zardell]

I'm glad I'm on a tourist visa....
If racism in NZ is the odd grumble and a silly sign in a window, then that's fine by me. It's relatively harmless.



Your words - not mine.........

And your words are quite right too.


Julie

xx

[Jenny & Mark]

One sign that I have seen a couple of times on the net is the one below from the South Island.

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/133/387549064_3df4065024.jpg?v=0

Awesome. Thanks. Mark

[Trigirl]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/timparkinson/263775167/

[jen]

A very important sign (so people can safely get their coffee on BOTH sides of the road by the Chocolate Fish Cafe):

http://www.flickr.com/photos/kalavinka/29772586/

[Howie]

Apparently someone put this up an an Auckland beach as a joke.

[ellenmelon]

unrelated but i had to say...

there is a pub down the road from where we lived in limerick that had quite a popular restaurant attached to it. on the two entrances to the pub there were signs saying

"guide dogs only allowed on premises"


:laugh


my mum cracked up eeeeverytime. i had a wee giggle at the thought of a pub for dogs! LOL!

[stu70]

unrelated but i had to say...

there is a pub down the road from where we lived in limerick that had quite a popular restaurant attached to it. on the two entrances to the pub there were signs saying

"guide dogs only allowed on premises"


:laugh


my mum cracked up eeeeverytime. i had a wee giggle at the thought of a pub for dogs! LOL!
That is cute now :laugh

[Rusty]

I have read through all this looking for more signs, the ones shown were excellent.
But, I am slightly disappointed to find the over the top PC brigade in NZ. This is one of the reasons for wanting to leave the UK. I hope they are not becoming too prominent?Or is it just new immigrants that don't get it imposing their views?

Anyway, as an example of the UK nanny state - a goverment minister today announced that they are thinking of 'tagging' OAP's so they know where they are!! I kid you not.

[willsken]

Or is it just new immigrants that don't get it imposing their views?



Seems that way. Certainly haven't met too many Kiwis like that. :yes

[Moorf]

Seems so sometimes, but the Kiwi's make it hard for 'em :D

[Diva]

But, I am slightly disappointed to find the over the top PC brigade in NZ. This is one of the reasons for wanting to leave the UK. I hope they are not becoming too prominent?.

Sorry Rusty...you can run but you can't hide! We PCers are everywhere now and we never sleep!!:laugh :laugh

Sorry, can't stay here. I just heard somebody say "Chairman" on the TV. 'Man' as we all know, should be 'Person'...and 'chair' is offensive to other items of furniture. I'm going to picket the TV station until they promise to say "Tableperson" in future.

Gotta dash:exit

[Jezza]

Anyone got any more pics of funny signs then?

OK, this is from Vietnam, not Kiwiland, but it still cracks me up.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v424/JezzaD/DSC02297.jpg


Humour's such a personal thing, isn't it? ;)

[Andy-Dee]

Some anedotal funny signs ....

Love the 'beware penguins crossing' near Punakaiki - didn't get a picture though

The sign near Auckland spotted by Billy Connolly that said - 'full set of enclopeadias for sale - no longer required as wife knows everything' :laugh

and the graffitti in Auckland when Australia were playing New Zealand - someone had written 'New Zealand sucks' underneath someone had written Australia nil.:laugh

D

[Sam'n'Kelv]

Our local doctor's surgery had a sign in the waiting room.

Incontinence Problems?
Come along to our drop-in centre.



Dropping centre?

Well it made me laugh....

[Jezza]

http://meeb.eu/familyplanning.jpg

[NoelMC]

We found this sign at Omaru (hope I've managed to attach it) near the blue penguin observatory grandstand.

Wonder what they taste like, similar to the puffin I had in iceland last month I would think
Well just trying to keep as PC as possible on this particular thread ;-)

[Andy-Dee]

Thats the lovely penguin sign - thanks for that - really regret not getting a snap whilst I had the chance.

Love the family planning one and 'drop in' centre too.

[SarahEDH]

Andy-D, here's a sign out by Eastbourne -- I'm still hoping to see one, or fifty, of the little blue sweeties.

[Bruckner]

LOL Jezza!

[jen]

These bilingual signs are at all the off-leash areas around Wellington:

[stu70]

http://meeb.eu/familyplanning.jpg

Now that takes the banana..no pun intended :laugh :laugh

[mish&al]

:laugh

Gawd I love the last one...


Us Aussies are not offended by mere signs in a supermarket-we have bigger things to deal with, have you seen our news lately-what about our nsw state election-we have had enough to laugh at..

I think you just have to get this Aussie-kiwi rivalry-it is only a joke.

Although not when my hubby gets out the all blacks gear when the rugby's on. The kids think he is mad. Maybe he is...:raebanana

[Moorf]

Hubby drives past a sign outside a beauty parlour daily and it's been tickling him for months...

"BRAZILIAN WAXING... from $30"

FROM? ... :laugh


(tickling probably wasn't the best adjective there!!)

[vixxann]

(tickling probably wasn't the best adjective there!!)

:laugh :laugh

OUCH:exit

[Tia Maria]

Moorf wrote:

Hubby drives past a sign outside a beauty parlour daily and it's been tickling him for months...

"BRAZILIAN WAXING... from $30"

FROM? ...:laugh

So what do they do, assess the 'scale of the job' and say "mmmmmm I'm afraid you're gong to need a $50 wax?"! :o

Perhaps its like having your roots dyed - different costs depending on whether we're talking 1 months regrowth or 3 months?!

Cheers

Tia

[Moorf]

:laugh Yep Tia - that's what tickled him - wouldn't you be upset if they said "ooohhh, that'll be a $60 job" :D

[andy141]

This was the funniest we saw in 1990!!

[jess]

andy141 - that's great!! :laugh

[katandbob]

I saw this in my local Liquorland tonight, and thought of this thread - so I quickly snapped a photo of it.

[The Hodges]

Could be the UK too that one...

[pinkpiggy]

There's a sign that I've seen around Hamilton that makes me laugh everytime I see it. I keep meaning to take a snap but never have the camera ready in time but it says -

"GET NOTICED
EXPOSE YOURSELF IN PUBLIC"

Hhmmm.

[tiefchord]

I was joking about being offended by 'pak n save'

But I think that any shop that puts a sign in the window claiming to be better than other shops on racial grounds is making a dangerous joke.

Let's be clear..."No Aussies' is hilarious but "No Jews/Blacks/Sheep" is evil.

Is that how it is?

It's a pretty far stretch to say an "Aussie" is a race in the first place. It'd be like saying "Not owned by Americans" is "racist" when it isn't.

[steviec]

Hubby drives past a sign outside a beauty parlour daily and it's been tickling him for months...

"BRAZILIAN WAXING... from $30"

FROM? ... :laugh


(tickling probably wasn't the best adjective there!!)

Local beauty shop pamphlet.
Weekend Tidy Up $130
includes, eyelash and brow tint, brow shape, underarm wax, G string or high bikini and leg (full or half)
You would be wrapped in cold towels for a week after all that waxing.

[DMcG]

One from the collection :)

http://www.photoshare.co.nz/PhotoShareGallery1/101474/108538/Warning17343_S.jpg

Dougie

[Ana&Steve]

http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g263/carlson523/Unique.jpg
We saw this sign in a neighborhood in West Auckland; we had to do a double take! If you look close, the sign reads: "Stop! Unique Pot/Plant Combo" It was a house selling arranged potted plants. (Their neighbors were selling art made out of wine corks!) We couldn't figure out if they used white paint on purpose, or if it had just faded:confused:
Ana

[The Hodges]

Prime Minister Helen Clark has reportedly said that towns repeatedly hit by extreme weather may have to move.

You couldn't imagine a prime minister in another country saying that could you?

(the article is here (http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/1/story.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10450943))

[The Hodges]

I was down in Christchurch for work this week and I saw this bike.

http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa178/tonyclarehodge/Forum/P1050492.jpg

The best bit, it has a valid WOF.

[Myrkk]

Off topic again......sorry. Just interested to know if Diva thinks the UK companies who now advertise "UK only call centres" are being offensive?

And I actually found the comment made to DSC about "do you really need a history lesson" quite offensive.

I'm not in NZ so can't contribute to the signs sorry.

[wilson182]

I read this thread from begining to end this morning, and my jaw dropped in disbelief.

Im am not pro PC, and what happened to this thread is a perfect example of why that is. PCism (or whatever label you care to call it) is increasingly going from the sublime to the just plain stupid, and I find that scary.

The advertisment in the picture is a NZ owned supermarket stating that, unlike some other supermarkets in NZ it is not owned by an Australian company. That's it. End of. I would be willing to bet that any Australians reading this thread will be having a right old laugh at us. (But the sad fact is, they probably have better things to do with their time.)

Frankly, as a Pak n Save shopper, I am more offended by this

But it's the "pak 'n save"...I suppose they have to keep it simple....

and as for this...

You seem to be posting from Germany DSC....do you really need a history lesson?

Well, to be honest I am speechless, and I congratulate DSC for not sinking to that level.

Apologies to SarehEDH and DSC, and I hope that this thread does not put either of you off posting in the future.

[jen]

Here's a couple signs that caught our attention during the two weeks we just spent on South Island.

The first is from Kairkoura Penninsula Walkway where we very carefully picked our way between the water and the seals lounging on the beach:

http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x147/graciec_2007/South%20Island%20September%202007/smallseal.jpg

This one is from Golden Bay. There was another sign across the way advising us that we could visit the Anatoki historic tame eels. We never did go down the road to find out how eels could be considered "historic". :confused:

http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x147/graciec_2007/South%20Island%20September%202007/smalleels.jpg

Jen

[aggelon]

the famous and historic Anatoki tame eels. Experience for yourself these free and wild creatures as you hand feed them just as they have been for over 90 years