Backwards Blog

So tonight's posting is going to be dedicated to all the things that I have found to be different here in South Africa and everyday vocabulary that can get you in trouble!

-The toilet water swirls the opposite direction.

-After going to the bathroom, I consistently reach for the flusher handle on the left side (where it is in the States--here it is on the right) and nearly fall down as I put my weight onto an object that is not there!

-The steering wheel is on the right side of the car and they drive on the left side of the road. Supposedly, if you remember that the steering wheel always goes in the center, it should help keep you on the correct side. :) I find myself always checking the rearview mirror and getting totally disoriented because it tilted towards the driver.

-They use the metric system for EVERYTHING. I went to guestimate a weight of an animal the other day and I nearly blew my brain trying to convert pounds to kilograms! And all the thermometers calculate the animals temps in Celsius. An animal could have a raging fever and I would never know! Also, when I was baking cookies I pulled a measuring spoon out looking for a tsp and it read 25g! I have no earthly idea what that conversion is!

-If you see a date written 2/1/2010 it is referring to January 2 not February 1!

-Time is a relative factor unless it is teatime, lunchtime or end of the day time. Those are observed most strictly.

-If someone tells you to bring your "costume", they plan on going swimming!

-Cookies are "biscuits" and biscuits are "scones".

-They are not "fanny-packs", they are "bum-bags".

-"just now", "now" and "now now"--"Just now" means they will be there in a few hours, "now now" is in 30 min-1 hour and "now" means they are actually on their way. You confused yet? :)

-Pudding is referring to any dessert.

-French fries are "chips" and potato chips are "crisps".

-If you needed to check your oil, you would raise your "bonnet" and then when you get to your home to unload groceries you will need to open your "boot".

And the best one is:
-If you are at dinner and ask for a napkin, you are likely to be laughed at all night long. A napkin in this culture is referring to a baby's diaper or feminine product! They call them "serviettes". :)