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Thread: understanding kiwis in the workplace

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Posts
    36

    Default understanding kiwis in the workplace

    Hiya,

    This is for (non-british) immigrants who are planning to work in NZ :-). They can be a confusing bunch - Kiwis and Brits are so scared of being impolite that they find it impossible to just say what they mean...

    kiwis.jpg

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jul 2012
    Location
    Las Vegas----> Western BOP, NZ
    Posts
    112

    Default

    I laughed so hard. When I first met my husband we had these exact miscommunications.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
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    37,823

    Default


  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jul 2012
    Location
    India
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    56

    Default

    sounds confusing....especially considering Professional talks :-). I need to grasp them........

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
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    37,823

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    These expressions aren't confined to the workplace. British and New Zealand formal English (and behaviour) is known for understatement - not giving big public expression to personal emotion. Someone who has just been extremely offended may say, 'That's a bit much.' The best possible outcome could be met with, 'It's very satisfactory.' Odd people, aren't we?!

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Oct 2012
    Location
    Egypt->Wellington->Auckland
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    226

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    This is really nice to share we are here in Egypt are considered as rest of the world and I was surprised to find some meanings to be the opposite. I think this will be a challenge when we start work there

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Aug 2012
    Location
    UK
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    I hear what you're saying. I think this is all very interesting. I'll bear it in mind when I'm talking to people. It's really quite good.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Oct 2007
    Location
    Christchurch
    Posts
    384

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    This is all good stuff but do keep in mind that most of communication is body language and the tone used when speaking. These aspects are easier to understand than the actual words used.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    May 2012
    Location
    NZ (Auckland; via Canada)
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    1,350

    Default

    "Quite" is an interesting one. In Canada it means "very"; in the UK it means "somewhat". My poor English husband was soooo confused!

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Apr 2012
    Location
    NZ
    Posts
    317

    Default

    I think I must actually have been born and raised here... the "What Kiwis Mean" column is what I understand those all as.

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