We think we have been able to gain some further insight into the New Zealander.  There does seem to be less confidence in people here than in America, which has somewhat hindered innovation, but has also allowed the New Zealander to create a much more stable society.  The people here do lack encouragement to push further, but there is a general competence it seems with everyone we meet.  In America you run into so many people where you can’t help but thinking,  ”I can’t believe you remember to breathe”.   This competence has lead to a very pragmatic people, that have sense enough to think things through without blind ego leading the way.

The strong pressure to conform here seems to come from their English heritage.  In English literature the protagonist becomes part of society in the end where the American is the lone rebel.  It’s funny. We live at the top of Cuba Street, which is a little similar to Bedford Avenue in Brooklyn.  Every time we tell someone where we live they refer to it as the alternative area with a slightly negative tone of voice.  It is the place where kids play dress up while finding themselves playing Bob Dylan, Radiohead and Ramones songs on acoustic guitars, talking about communism and anarchy, while wearing skinny jeans, ponchos and leather, with dread locks, mohawks, and expensive hipster haircuts.  Which from our perspective, there is nothing that alternative about. It is just another street where ideas along with cd’s and t-shirts are sold, but although their rebellion may be recycled, the general notion on Cuba Street says the corporate capitalist doesn’t have a monopoly yet in New Zealand.  Which may be true, in that most of what is sold on Cuba Street is made here, and the New Zealander still maintains a relationship with his fellow man and doesn’t seem to harbor the loneliness of the American individual.

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The feeling that we have been on vacation is starting to wear off and the feeling that we have just torn apart our whole lives and moved to a speck on the globe out in BFE is starting to set in. New Zealand and its people are not like America or Americans in any way shape or form. As it has only been three weeks we have only been able to come up with observations but no conclusions yet. That is not to say that the culture shock we are experiencing is not fascinating or disconcerting to our immediate state of well being. The following is a short list of things that we will either like, learn to tolerate or will eventually make us leave.

• Nature is awesome.
• The status quo is very important here. Individuality and excellence not encouraged and almost frowned upon.
• If you can’t say anything nice, say something nice. Imagine me in a place where you can’t say boo to someone. Ha!
• Government agencies here are awesome. There is usually one or two people in line, even at the DMV. When you get to the counter the person is smiling and has you on your way in a matter of minutes. I had to throw in a value judgement on that one.
• New Zealanders like to talk about the weather.
• Cost of living is high in city centers. Our rent is more than NYC, and the cost of goods is astronomical.
• The New Zealand businesses that we have encountered aren’t as savvy and organized as their American counterparts, for better or worse.
• We went to see a free concert put on by the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra. They played “The Final Countdown”. Enough said on that.
• New Zealanders can’t operate a parade in the proper way, but they can organize a great street party.

These are just some initial observations, and they seem to be mostly negative, but we might just be a little homesick. I am sure over the next coming months we will be able to elaborate more and have a better understanding of the nature of New Zealand and the New Zealander.