Observations on my first week in Sydney
May 6th 2011, 11:39 pm
#16
Rhino with a big horn!
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 3,117
Re: Observations on my first week in Sydney
I sometimes have to say hot chips if it's not clear from the context that I'm talking about chips and not crisps but usually the context is clear (i.e. fish and chips).
May 7th 2011, 12:00 am
#17
Frequent Flyer Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Location: Melbourne
Posts: 10,994
Re: Observations on my first week in Sydney
May 7th 2011, 12:06 am
#18
Rhino with a big horn!
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 3,117
Re: Observations on my first week in Sydney
She was probably wondering why you came to a hardware store to buy daffodils
May 7th 2011, 1:47 am
#19
Crazy Cat Lady
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 65,493
Re: Observations on my first week in Sydney
May 8th 2011, 3:41 pm
#20
Forum Regular
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 90
Re: Observations on my first week in Sydney
Love that Englishmans Diary. I also hate Air Con repair companies, they can make up their own prices as they go along. Im considering opening up a rival company, seems like a licence to print money here.
Reminds me of being in Philippines.
Anyway, it took me 6 months to find out what a globe was.
Also, Capsicums ??
WTF who calls them capsicums. I got a text from a mate to buy capisicums. My wife and I were perpelexed, and wondered the supermarkets. I shyly asked where the capsicums were, and got pointed to a fruit & vege section. Im like, Where ?? Where ?? Where ??I had to make the assistant go over and physically touch it(she was thinking I had issues at this stage) before I would believe that it was a simple Bell pepper.
On the news, I finally figured out what Capisicum spray is.
Back to Topic, with Sydney, I liked it to visit, but I wouldnt like to live there. I didnt like the attitude of the people. Reminds me too much of big city life. And im a city boy, but I believe every other Aus city is more friendly.
Reminds me of being in Philippines.
Anyway, it took me 6 months to find out what a globe was.
Also, Capsicums ??
WTF who calls them capsicums. I got a text from a mate to buy capisicums. My wife and I were perpelexed, and wondered the supermarkets. I shyly asked where the capsicums were, and got pointed to a fruit & vege section. Im like, Where ?? Where ?? Where ??I had to make the assistant go over and physically touch it(she was thinking I had issues at this stage) before I would believe that it was a simple Bell pepper.
On the news, I finally figured out what Capisicum spray is.
Back to Topic, with Sydney, I liked it to visit, but I wouldnt like to live there. I didnt like the attitude of the people. Reminds me too much of big city life. And im a city boy, but I believe every other Aus city is more friendly.
Last edited by smidsy; May 8th 2011 at 3:51 pm.
May 8th 2011, 11:02 pm
#21
Rhino with a big horn!
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 3,117
Re: Observations on my first week in Sydney
How often do you hear the term Bell Pepper in the UK? They were called peppers where I lived (along with chillies just to confuse things).
Not sure how but I knew what a capsicum was before I arrived. Must have heard it somewhere and stored in my sub-conscious. However I did notice my parents had never heard of the term.
Not sure how but I knew what a capsicum was before I arrived. Must have heard it somewhere and stored in my sub-conscious. However I did notice my parents had never heard of the term.
May 9th 2011, 2:40 am
#22
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 6,039
Re: Observations on my first week in Sydney
May 9th 2011, 6:24 am
#23
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Mar 2008
Location: Sydney, NSW
Posts: 7,580
Re: Observations on my first week in Sydney
I work with small children so am forced to say YOgurt and lollies. Still trying to get over "thongs" instead of flip flops- asking a 3 year old where her thongs are still makes me feel uncomfortable. Did you know that lollipop sticks are called paddlepops??? Or that muffin cases and cake cases are called pattypans? Caused me no end of confusion when asked to go and get them from the store room.
May 9th 2011, 6:35 am
#24
Rhino with a big horn!
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 3,117
Re: Observations on my first week in Sydney
I work with small children so am forced to say YOgurt and lollies. Still trying to get over "thongs" instead of flip flops- asking a 3 year old where her thongs are still makes me feel uncomfortable. Did you know that lollipop sticks are called paddlepops??? Or that muffin cases and cake cases are called pattypans? Caused me no end of confusion when asked to go and get them from the store room.
May 9th 2011, 6:41 am
#25
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Nov 2005
Location: Yorkshire - Queensland - NSW
Posts: 843
Re: Observations on my first week in Sydney
So there we have it, my first week in Sydney over, arrived last Friday morning, rested over the weekend and had a good walk around and started work on Monday!!!!! Had a full week at work already! 
No rest for the wicked 
Just a few general day to day observations on Sydney so far -
I have learnt that Sydneysiders don't like you saying 'morning' or 'good morning' as you pass them on your way to the station
I come from a small Northern town where by a friendly greeting to a stranger first thing is kind of the done thing. On my way to the station on Monday morning I said 'Morning' to the women I passed and she jumped out of her skin and looked at me like I was going to do something horrible to her. Undeterred I tried the next person I passed and they blanked me Everyone seems in such a hurry here.
There was a guy at the station this morning who sprinted past me for a train and ran up to the doors as they were closing and just missed it. He started swearing and calling City Rail everything under the sun, until another train came down the line 3 minutes later FFS
Amused me anyway.
And I will be dammed if I can understand a word those City Rail train guards say over the PA system. Pulling towards North Sydney the other day and what the guy said sounded NOTHING like North Sydney next stop, maybe it is a language I have yet to learn.
In a meeting at work they put some sweets out on the table. I said 'oh sweets thanks' to which everyone stopped and told me they were in fact lollies, I refuse to call them lollies as that will always be something on a stick.
I also refuse to call crisps - chips and y'oh'gurt - y'OO'gurt.
What a fantastic city though, the harbour is just stunning and the fresh food on offer mind blowing. And the coffee is way better than anything I have had in the UK.
Rant over anyway, settling in ok now after a shakey start. People said starting work so early was a bad idea but I think it helped me focus and get back in a routine.
No rest for the wicked Just a few general day to day observations on Sydney so far -
I have learnt that Sydneysiders don't like you saying 'morning' or 'good morning' as you pass them on your way to the station
I come from a small Northern town where by a friendly greeting to a stranger first thing is kind of the done thing. On my way to the station on Monday morning I said 'Morning' to the women I passed and she jumped out of her skin and looked at me like I was going to do something horrible to her. Undeterred I tried the next person I passed and they blanked me Everyone seems in such a hurry here. There was a guy at the station this morning who sprinted past me for a train and ran up to the doors as they were closing and just missed it. He started swearing and calling City Rail everything under the sun, until another train came down the line 3 minutes later FFS
Amused me anyway.And I will be dammed if I can understand a word those City Rail train guards say over the PA system. Pulling towards North Sydney the other day and what the guy said sounded NOTHING like North Sydney next stop, maybe it is a language I have yet to learn.
In a meeting at work they put some sweets out on the table. I said 'oh sweets thanks' to which everyone stopped and told me they were in fact lollies, I refuse to call them lollies as that will always be something on a stick.
I also refuse to call crisps - chips and y'oh'gurt - y'OO'gurt.
What a fantastic city though, the harbour is just stunning and the fresh food on offer mind blowing. And the coffee is way better than anything I have had in the UK.
Rant over anyway, settling in ok now after a shakey start. People said starting work so early was a bad idea but I think it helped me focus and get back in a routine.
May 9th 2011, 12:56 pm
#26
Forum Regular
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 90
Re: Observations on my first week in Sydney
I work with small children so am forced to say YOgurt and lollies. Still trying to get over "thongs" instead of flip flops- asking a 3 year old where her thongs are still makes me feel uncomfortable. Did you know that lollipop sticks are called paddlepops??? Or that muffin cases and cake cases are called pattypans? Caused me no end of confusion when asked to go and get them from the store room.
The picture of thongs around a tradies big toe is too disturbing to contimplate.
May 9th 2011, 12:58 pm
#27
Home and Happy
Joined: Dec 2002
Location: Keep true friends and puppets close, trust no-one else...
Posts: 93,816
Re: Observations on my first week in Sydney
May 9th 2011, 1:11 pm
#28
Mostly Harmless
Joined: Jan 2010
Location: Semi-rural wonderworld, Brisbane
Posts: 15,109
Re: Observations on my first week in Sydney
Adapt Or Die.
(Or at least Adapt Or Look like a foolish Pom who refuses to let go)
(Or at least Adapt Or Look like a foolish Pom who refuses to let go)
