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-   -   Taboo-subjects in NZ? (https://britishexpats.com/forum/new-zealand-83/taboo-subjects-nz-603004/)

THR Apr 11th 2009 5:35 pm

Taboo-subjects in NZ?
 
I would be very grateful if you told me what are the so called taboo-subjects to talk about in NZ. If a person wants to visit NZ are there some issues which you better not talk about, such as if you visit Northern-Ireland you may not be very wise to talk about religion or if you visit Australia you may irritate your hosts if you tell them how badly they have treated the aboriginals.

Are there any such subjects with NZ that if you start talking about those subjects there's bound to be an argument if not even a fight?

ukkiwi Apr 11th 2009 10:01 pm

Re: Taboo-subjects in NZ?
 
Calling NZ a shitty island off the coast Australia normally inflames a reaction:huh:

Batty Apr 11th 2009 10:32 pm

Re: Taboo-subjects in NZ?
 

Originally Posted by THR (Post 7471632)
I would be very grateful if you told me what are the so called taboo-subjects to talk about in NZ. If a person wants to visit NZ are there some issues which you better not talk about, such as if you visit Northern-Ireland you may not be very wise to talk about religion or if you visit Australia you may irritate your hosts if you tell them how badly they have treated the aboriginals.

Are there any such subjects with NZ that if you start talking about those subjects there's bound to be an argument if not even a fight?

You'd probably get a reaction from some people if you spell Whanganui properly ;)

kiwinow Apr 11th 2009 11:13 pm

Re: Taboo-subjects in NZ?
 
It depends who you are with and whether or not you want an inflamed discussion.

It's a popular topic to complain about all the benefits Maori are entitled to that white NZ'ers aren't, but you might not want to do this in a largely Maori gathering.

You could complain about sickness beneficiaries ripping off the country, but you may not want to do this at a fundraiser for the disabled.

You could talk about how ridiculous it is that your childs student allowance is based upon your income until the "child" is 25, but his family allowance payment is stopped at 18. You may not wish to mention this during an 18th birhday party.

It's commonsense mostly.

this charming man Apr 12th 2009 2:20 am

Re: Taboo-subjects in NZ?
 
great post,will the next one be as thought provoking?
id just say anything/everything to anyone/everyone until somebody lamps you,then come back and advise us accordingly with your findings, take one/a few for the team.

Nice Guy Apr 12th 2009 3:24 am

Taboo-subjects in NZ?
 
I remember once I was taken to task by a youngish Maori lady about my pronunciation of certain Maori words.

I was working at Whaitakere and instead or a guttural Maori pronunciation I did it like a pom, wait-a-kery, she went off the wall, reported me, did not get into much hassle but she was most unpleasant.

Later that week I had to check her PC as it was running slow, found a whole load or porn and porn website addresses on there, revenge is.......well.....so sweet.

Nice Guy Apr 12th 2009 3:31 am

Taboo-subjects in NZ?
 
Must say that I have met many members of Maori population in Oz, strange how all the whenau connections and references seem to fade to nothingness.

I suspect it is because the Aussies have a very low tolerance of something that is un-Australian.

Browner_ Apr 12th 2009 4:42 am

Re: Taboo-subjects in NZ?
 
Asking whether the father of the house sleeps with his daughters is probably on dodgy ground.

And this is not a joke.

englishheaven Apr 12th 2009 5:43 am

Re: Taboo-subjects in NZ?
 
It might be imprudent to admit that the last nine years of Labour misrule have turned NZ into the PC, FemiNazi, pro criminal, dole-blugging Peoples Republic of Aotearoa. Unless you are in the company of ordinary people who dont read the Listener or listen to Radio NZ in which case they will probably agree. www.Libertarianz.co.nz;)

janek Apr 12th 2009 7:47 am

Re: Taboo-subjects in NZ?
 

Originally Posted by kiwinow (Post 7472135)
It depends who you are with and whether or not you want an inflamed discussion.

It's a popular topic to complain about all the benefits Maori are entitled to that white NZ'ers aren't, but you might not want to do this in a largely Maori gathering.

You could complain about sickness beneficiaries ripping off the country, but you may not want to do this at a fundraiser for the disabled.

You could talk about how ridiculous it is that your childs student allowance is based upon your income until the "child" is 25, but his family allowance payment is stopped at 18. You may not wish to mention this during an 18th birhday party.

It's commonsense mostly.

very well said

janek Apr 12th 2009 7:49 am

Re: Taboo-subjects in NZ?
 

Originally Posted by Browner_ (Post 7472531)
Asking whether the father of the house sleeps with his daughters is probably on dodgy ground.

And this is not a joke.

That sort of question would raise eyebrows in any country in the world I would have thought, but then again maybe not Austria.

Am Loolah Apr 12th 2009 10:15 am

Re: Taboo-subjects in NZ?
 

Originally Posted by janek (Post 7472706)
That sort of question would raise eyebrows in any country in the world I would have thought, but then again maybe not Austria.

:eek::eek::eek:

Perry Groves Apr 12th 2009 5:24 pm

Re: Taboo-subjects in NZ?
 

Originally Posted by englishheaven (Post 7472581)
It might be imprudent to admit that the last nine years of Labour misrule have turned NZ into the PC, FemiNazi, pro criminal, dole-blugging Peoples Republic of Aotearoa. Unless you are in the company of ordinary people who dont read the Listener or listen to Radio NZ in which case they will probably agree. www.Libertarianz.co.nz;)


wow, sounds just like home!:rofl:

sparkie down under Apr 12th 2009 8:09 pm

Re: Taboo-subjects in NZ?
 

Originally Posted by THR (Post 7471632)
I would be very grateful if you told me what are the so called taboo-subjects to talk about in NZ. If a person wants to visit NZ are there some issues which you better not talk about, such as if you visit Northern-Ireland you may not be very wise to talk about religion or if you visit Australia you may irritate your hosts if you tell them how badly they have treated the aboriginals.

Are there any such subjects with NZ that if you start talking about those subjects there's bound to be an argument if not even a fight?


I'll think you'll find that kiwi's don't take well to criticism based on their own personal view of the world.

They think they have the best rugby team in the world:mad:, they have the best yachting team:ohmy:, the best lamb, beef:huh:, the best scenery:blink: - you name it.

Try and say that it might be better elsewhere and then that really is a taboo subject. So use a well worn kiwi phrase back, "whatever"!

Ash1 Apr 12th 2009 10:53 pm

Re: Taboo-subjects in NZ?
 

Originally Posted by sparkie down under (Post 7474031)
I'll think you'll find that kiwi's don't take well to criticism based on their own personal view of the world.

They think they have the best rugby team in the world:mad:, they have the best yachting team:ohmy:, the best lamb, beef:huh:, the best scenery:blink: - you name it.

Try and say that it might be better elsewhere and then that really is a taboo subject. So use a well worn kiwi phrase back, "whatever"!


The kiwi`s wont tolerate any disrespect about the All Blacks. Where as us pomms accept that we aren`t going to win the football world cup because our team is crap but we support them anyway , the kiwi`s will not accept that they aren`t the world champions and every game they lose they were robbed !!!!! Roll on 2011. I`d love to see England beat them in the final.
Ash


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