I would have to agree with this quote. My father-in-law was always amused at how I would [I]race[I]to the pump before the attendant could get there. We'd then spend the journey debating service and self-service.

I'm glad that you are enjoying your time in NZ.

Yeah its weird... I find in Auckland at least there are more people employed than the UK to do some things, but less for others.

Example... fuel stations, people attempting to fill your car... at Roadworks with guys holding lollipops...

And less... I saw a really cool dustbin lorry with a robotic arm... we pulled over and watched it work... it was awesome.

Its what makes the world interesting!

Yeah we're loving it so far... work starts on Monday!

Where my in laws live the dustcarts are manned by a few men but they have to sprint after the cart because it dosn't stop. My husband says that it is a popular job on the side for some rugby players as it keeps them fit. It would be really funny to see our local binmen try - bless em!

Lucky you to be living in Titirangi. It's my favourite place in Auckland and is hopefully where we will be headed next year.

France - they play songs with lyrics in English and uncensored versions. Hence, my very young children heard songs with the 'f' word and worse when we went on holiday there.

Paul Henry

Paul Holmes is worse.

Lack of customer service - wrong thread -that is actually quite important.

I love this....keeps people in jobs and takes me back to my 1960s UK childhood before it went self-service.

I have always had great customer service here except at the car compound! It's all relative though, I was in a country with awful service ( not UK) just before I came here.
It's easier to get good service when you have a common language as well I feel.
I got some bad service in Australia when on holiday though.

Yep I'm in NZ and this is correct so driving on the motorway is crazy and you can have cars passing you on both sides at once if you're in the middle lane!! And lorry's can use any lane they like which is even scarier especially on the harbour bridge

I've remember another good driving one (in the South Island, anyway):

Idiots who remain stubbornly in the left lane of the "motorway" when the right lanes are free, forcing traffic entering the "motorway" to come to a complete halt and wait until the idiot has trundled past.

I don't like New Zealands geography, it should be one island again and located a hundred more miles north.

Yes and preferably flatter, apart from the bona-fide mountains

The date being pronounded number month, rather than numerical index of month.



(....and I like dub dub dub, life's too short)
We've only got one set of traffic lights in Taupo

Shortland Street