Listography - 5 reasons I know I'm a...

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This week Kate at Kate Takes 5 has chosen the subject of "5 reasons I know I'm a (fill in the blank).

I'm making my Listography into "5 reasons I know I'm a South African (living in the UK)".  Yes it's silly, but I'm feeling a little homesick today and this has made me feel slightly better for some odd reason.

The 5 reasons I know I'm a South African (living in the UK)...

1.  I say 'now now' and 'just now'.   In every place that I have worked in the UK and every person that I have met in the UK over the past 8 years, I have had to explain to them what I mean when I say these words.  What do I say?  "Now now" means that I'll do it shortly when I can or want to and "just now" means I'll do it later.  No actual timescale given.  Simple enough.

2.  I say 'shame' way too much.  It is a word with hundreds of different uses.  Such a fabulous way of expressing emotions and reactions to different situations.  Love it!

3.  25 degrees celcius is not hot.  It's not a heat wave.  It was 3 days of slightly warmer weather.  I will not be rushing down to a pebbly beach, getting stuck on the M25 for hours for a touch of colour.  I know a fabulous place locally that does a nifty spray tan in 20 minutes, thanks!  (I'm honestly a very positive person, trust me!).

4.  I don't eat rhubarb.  Ate it once.  Didn't like it.  Brits can keep it!

5.  I talk to people on tubes, trains and buses.  I even talk to people when I pay for things in a shop.  Oh, the shock and sheer horror of it all!  It's called being friendly.  The world would be a much better place if we were all a bit nicer to each other, don't you think?

Ax

Comments

  1. Hannah18 March 2012 at 15:25

    Haha! I love this one. Especially the last one, it's not often people will talk to eachother on the trains/buses/tubes and if you do you're 'weird'..Id talk to you! lol

    ReplyDelete
  2. Ally18 March 2012 at 21:04

    lol! I know! It's a real culture shock. Luckily people in Hertfordshire are more pleasant.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Jennifer Jain18 March 2012 at 21:31

    Great list! I don't like rhubarb at all though!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ally19 March 2012 at 21:28

      I might try it again one day. Maybe after a large glass of red wine?! :)

      Delete
  4. melanie18 March 2012 at 22:49

    ha! Great list :) I truly love rhubarb...!
    one of my dear friends is a south african - still living out there :) and you sound just like her!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ally19 March 2012 at 21:29

      LOL! When I go back home my accent gets much stronger. Oh, how I miss it!

      My daughter loves rhubarb. She was born here so is excused :) x

      Delete
  5. Rollercoaster Mum19 March 2012 at 00:35

    Great listography! I love South Africa and the South Africans. I do like rhubarb though - it can be yummy - honest!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ally19 March 2012 at 21:30

      Okay, okay! I'll try it again one day, I promise! :) Yes, South Africans are great, if I do say so myself! xx

      Delete
  6. Claire T19 March 2012 at 06:17

    I love this list. As a Kiwi expat I can so relate! We talk on buses too and even thank the driver as we get off! I love the way Shame is used by South Africans - as you say it covers a myriad of situations brilliantly. I feel like I stole your idea as I have just completed my list as a Kiwi but I didn't see your list first, honest!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ally19 March 2012 at 21:31

      Not stealing at all lovely! We are just similar Southern hemisphere types :) x

      Delete
  7. graceandme19 March 2012 at 09:56

    Thanks for the follow - I thought I'd pop over and have a peak at your blog - great listography. I used to work with a bunch of South Africans, super people, beautiful country. I'm stop by again :0)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ally19 March 2012 at 21:35

      Fab, and thank you! Why not stop by South Africa too??! :) x

      Delete
  8. Trouble Doubled19 March 2012 at 11:33

    You want to come further north in the UK. Here people actually do talk to each other. When I moved to London for a while in my 20's, I used to say good morning to random strangers on purpose just to freak them out. Such larks! Great list.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ally19 March 2012 at 21:36

      And freak them out you do! Love it! The Hertfordshire folk are pretty friendly too but a trip up north is definitely on the cards :) x

      Delete
  9. Kate19 March 2012 at 14:26

    'Now now' and 'just now' is like 'out out' and 'popped out'. Love it!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ally19 March 2012 at 21:34

      Lol! I love 'popped out'. It brings visions to mind of people disappearing in great puffs of smoke! x

      Delete
  10. Rachel Selby19 March 2012 at 20:05

    Not silly at all! As an expat myself I feel your frustration - shame :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ally19 March 2012 at 21:38

      he he! I feel like I'm whinging but honestly, I did feel happier after writing it. Guess you can't escape your roots? x

      Delete
  11. Discontented Mother19 March 2012 at 20:18

    I definitely agree with the last one. I'm British but I think many people lack manners in this country.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ally19 March 2012 at 21:33

      It was a ridiculously generalised statement that I made, but yes, some really do. I guess that some South Africans do too? Just haven't found any yet ;P x

      Delete
  12. Leadership Learning19 March 2012 at 20:49

    Totally agree with the last one! The world would definitely be a better place :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ally19 March 2012 at 21:32

      Indeed! It doesn't hurt to be nice now, does it? :) x

      Delete
  13. Grenglish (Sarah)20 March 2012 at 06:12

    Totally agree with the last one too! OUr summers do leave a lot to be desired, I have to say!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Emma @mummymummymum20 March 2012 at 22:38

    I love rhubarb, and it would be great if we were all friendly! x

    ReplyDelete
  15. Anonymous21 March 2012 at 09:14

    I'm with you on the weather thing, I'm a Brit in Southern Spain and 25 degrees is still long sleeve/jumper weather to me these days despite the tourists walking around in swimming cossies with a lovely burnt lobster look at every possible opportunity.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Unknown21 March 2012 at 13:41

    Loving your list. I hate rhubarb too and as a shop assistant I like it when customers start chatting to me. It's a shame us Brits are that outgoing

    ReplyDelete
  17. Unknown21 March 2012 at 13:42

    That was meant to be areN'T that outgoing LOL

    ReplyDelete

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