This is annoying:

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Geektastic:

 

DarthKermit:

 

Geektastic:

 

Use of Americanisms such as "stemware" and "serveware" (looking at you, Briscoes).

 

 

The side walk by the gas station a block away from our house. City Hall needs to get their construction crew out to fix it.

 

 

Begone, foul prince of darkness!

 

You need to apologize for saying that, bud! There's at least three yards of broken cement on that side walk. I'll call City Hall about it tomorrow. I don't want to see a lawsuit brought against them.

DarthKermit:

 

You need to apologize for saying that, bud! There's at least three yards of broken cement on that side walk. I'll call City Hall about it tomorrow. I don't want to see a lawsuit brought against them.

 

You misspelt apologise.

Fred99:

 

MikeB4:

 

Fred99:

 

Geektastic:

 

Use of Americanisms such as "stemware" and "serveware" (looking at you, Briscoes).

 

 

Don't Briscoes also have a "Manchester" department? (nowadays I doubt that anything in that department comes from Manchester, possible exception of some staff members)

 

 

 

 

Manchester is a noun used in Australia, South Africa and NZ for house hold linen it is not meant to be the town from that small island off Europe

 

 

 

 

But most of the china in Briscoes comes from China. Oh wait - most of everything in Briscoes comes from China.

 

And Bunnings, Mitre 10, Placemakers, The Warehouse, Apple stores, Non Apple phone stores. 

frankv:

 

DarthKermit:

 

You need to apologize for saying that, bud! There's at least three yards of broken cement on that side walk. I'll call City Hall about it tomorrow. I don't want to see a lawsuit brought against them.

 

 

You misspelt apologise.

 

I was taking the mickey out of all the Americanisms that are creeping in. 

When you try to buy food and the person taking your order has insufficient English to take you order correctly understanding of English.

Sometimes it's harder to order food in NZ than it is overseas.

MikeAqua:

 

When you try to buy food and the person taking your order has insufficient English to take you order correctly understanding of English.

 

Sometimes it's harder to order food in NZ than it is overseas.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

it's cool, we are a diverse nation with lots of great ethnic groups, it greatly enhances our nation.

I'm a strong believer in ethnic diversity but people serving the general public should be competent in the main language. 

Rikkitic:

 

I'm a strong believer in ethnic diversity but people serving the general public should be competent in the main language. 

 

 

 

I disagree strongly,

MikeB4:

 

MikeAqua:

 

When you try to buy food and the person taking your order has insufficient English to take you order correctly understanding of English.

 

Sometimes it's harder to order food in NZ than it is overseas.

 

 

it's cool, we are a diverse nation with lots of great ethnic groups, it greatly enhances our nation.

 

Yes diversity is great.  9/10 times that I eat out it's cheap and cheerful Asian food. 

But in the particular incident that prompted my post the waitress was from the same ethnic group as me (with a different first language) and working in a mid-price cafe that sells western food.

Communication problems are not cool if your dining companion has a problematic food intolerance.

My expectations are not high. I just want someone who understands simple phrases like "no-onion in that please" or "gluten-free bread please".

MikeB4: The IT industry carries a lot to blame for American English becoming common usage, not necessarily a bad thing. English is a dopey language.

What is the largest country that speaks english? Makes sense that their version is followed.

richms:

 

MikeB4: The IT industry carries a lot to blame for American English becoming common usage, not necessarily a bad thing. English is a dopey language.

 

What is the largest country that speaks english? Makes sense that their version is followed.

 

You may find more people speak English as first language outside the US than inside it.

richms:

 

MikeB4: The IT industry carries a lot to blame for American English becoming common usage, not necessarily a bad thing. English is a dopey language.

 

What is the largest country that speaks english? Makes sense that their version is followed.

 

So, Indian English then?

MikeB4:

 

Rikkitic:

 

I'm a strong believer in ethnic diversity but people serving the general public should be competent in the main language. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I disagree strongly,

 

Seriously? How can you maintain that? Surely people in a job that involves communicating with the public should be expected to speak the dominant language of the country they are in. Why should customers have to struggle to get their point across, especially in the case cited here.