New Zealand, a former British colony, may have been touched by the impact of diversity. Both countries have gone through whirling transitions that are converging on a daily basis. Nonetheless, as diverse as diversity is, there are remarkable resemblances that one can pluck between the two nations, which were once historically connected.
So how similar are the Kiwis with the British? Here are five intriguing facts that link the two countries:
1. Humor
A joke is determined by their interpretation filtered by the cultural context. New Zealand is a commonwealth of the UK, so it comes as no surprise that both have related cultural references when it comes to delivering jokes.
In many ways, Kiwis and Brits share the same style of humor, which is subtle and natural. Brits are famous for their usage of sarcasm and quick wit in almost all circumstances. British sarcasm is short, witty, quick and derivative of a knowing, intelligent person. Kiwis, on the other hand, are no different. They engage in a quick verbal snip here and there, which flies over most people’s heads. Brits and Kiwis are definitely funny people.
2. Mother Tongue
While New Zealand English slang has a lot of similarities with British slang, it does have a bit of an identity of its own. New Zealanders have their own set of special Kiwi words and phrases used in their day-to-day conversations, but there isn’t much of a difference between the two. In the case of Kiwi slang, the terms used can be traced back to words and sayings commonly seen in Southern England. Both Brits and Kiwis use English as their medium of communication.
3. Gastronomical Preferences
Grab the chance to experience long, languid and laid back meals where you can savor every mouthful of the culinary delights that can be found in both New Zealand and the UK. Pies, sandwiches and fish ‘n’ chips, popular dishes among the British, are staple lunchtime snacks for Kiwis as well. In addition to that, Indian curry, Thai food and kebabs are all common favorites for both races.
4. Predilection for the “Pigskin” Sport
Sports has become a universal past time for many people all over the world. Kiwis and Brits share a mutual commonality in their magnificent obsession for rugby.
Rugby is a type of football named after the Rugby School in the United Kingdom during the 19th century, and over time, it has caught the world’s fascination.
The national rugby union teams of England and New Zealand have been playing against each other in Test Rugby since 1905, and in November 2010, they had met in 34 test matches.
This full contact sport may have originated from United Kingdom, but rugby mania has swept both countries by storm.
5. Matrimonial Success
Brit and Kiwi couples are known to be more capable of preserving marriage compared to those from other Western countries. This fact is largely due to the conservative nature that has remained as a potent force in Brit and Kiwi societies.
Known to innately possess the tenacity to nurture the romantic spark, most Brit and Kiwi couples keep their matrimonial beds for years and years for sentimental reasons as a testament of their commitment to stay together. Beds play a central role in their success in their married life as it serves as an intimate place where they can connect as two people in love.
United Kingdom and New Zealand may have undergone a monumental transition over the centuries, but there are some facets of these two nations that have remained untouched. The impact of diversity has not changed the fundamental commonalities between the Brits and the Kiwis in any way.
Author bio: Patric Seeley is a Global Brand Manager at Mattress-next-day.co.uk/ -The uk’s no 1 mattress brand and the best suppliers of bedframes and divans. Mattressnextday include well known names such as: Sealy mattress, Silentnight mattress, Sleepeezee, Dream Works, Serene, Sprungland, and Joseph International, just to name a few.