Originally posted by Sandra
Not knowing the name of things!

Still feel a big Wally when trying to buy things in shops and do not get the right name, yep there are the usual things like Doona/Duvet etc. But spent last Saturday trying to get extra bits and pieces for the house. The minute I asked for something I was looking for in certain shops and they went wha? (no t’s in Sydney) I started stammering (emotive tic) so along with the Belfast accent it made it all worse. Loads of Money to spend (been saving for a year to get the extra bits for our new house)…..Sunday I stayed home!!!

I wanted a fridge – just a fridge – ie no freezer part……hard to get
I wanted a fridge/freezer with the fridge on top, but I wanted an ice tray not just drawers in the freezer part….ah upside down one….Yes cost more and no ice tray
I wanted a pressure washer for the patio…gave up trying to find what I supposed to ask for.
When buying a new suite for the lounge, found out it is just called a lounge…no not the room the suite!
Of course this is all very very trivial but at times it does make some of the process harder trying to fit in and get on.
I can learn things quick in IT terms so why can't I learn to say EFTPOS instead of SWITCH and when asked is that Savings…why do I stammer saying Cheque.

I like things too – when I get over the crap I am talking, some people go out of their way to help me and explain what it is I am looking for.
I now have a local butcher here (brilliant South African place run by a guy from North of England – recognized my Reading Football Shirt!)
The people I work with think it is great fun talking the piss out of me but also laughed when I turned up on Monday in a NZ Rugby Shirt (for those that don’t know the Wallibies were stuffed on Sat).

Over all it is a case of take your time – rant and rave when you get home and go out next time with a big smile on your face…..response is definitely better. Cause in the case of the earlier post about banks….my new bank manager at the bank for my mortgage did not like me telling her she was running a legalised crime industry with the fees she charged!

Much Fun

Originally posted by Pollyana
Nows heres a question that just makes my new family dissolve in puzzled giggles - you have "rellies" and "firies" but "ambos" and "salvos" - OK, I can cope with shortening everything - but HOW do you decide with it becomes an "ie" or an "o"? I've used the wrong one a couple of times with more unfamiliar ones, and it keeps them chuckling for hours!

Originally posted by Carrianne
Being the realist I am I would appreciate any comments on the feelings and frustrations you felt on arriving and settling in Oz.

I wish I could let you know but I haven't got there yet. If only ...

Originally posted by lynnj
Pollyanna

I couldnt sleep last night (too much curry on a pregnant tummy) and despite having loads of problems to mull over, the sad git that i am couldnt get your "ie" or "o" problem out of my head, i eventually came to the conclusion that it is a gender thing, like french une and un, ie une bier (f) "tinnie" La cuisine (f) barbie, my husband is John (Johnno) my son Dominic (dommo) but i would be Lynnie, the next qhestion is how do you figure out which is male and female, this is probably whay i failed higher french, it could be of course that you just go with whatever sounds right, you'd sound daft drinking out of a tinno and your binman might walk funny if he was a garbie. Anyway after i reached this conclusion i slept very soundly, i hope it hasnt done the same for you.

Lynn