OpenTube

New Zealand Feels America Adjacent...ish

Still Human Project

17,142 views

When we moved to New Zealand, I expected things to feel completely different.

Instead, the weird part is how familiar everything feels...

and yet somehow it doesn't.

The language is mostly the same. The stores feel familiar. The neighborhoods look familiar.

But then you notice things like roadside fruit stands running on the honor system, neighbors introducing themselves almost immediately, a rubbish system that seems designed by engineers, no tipping, robot lawnmowers, AI golf caddies, and a hundred other little things.

None of them are huge.

But together they create a feeling that's hard to explain.

The best description I've come up with so far?

New Zealand is America adjacent...ish.

Welcome to Episode 1 of Same But Different.

#StillHuman #NewZealand #SameButDifferent #MovingToNewZealand #LifeInNewZealand #Aotearoa #ExpatLife #NewZealandLife #Omokoroa #bayofplenty

Join the free Still Human Community:
https://www.skool.com/still-human-com...

A place for deeper conversations, Kiwi advice, video ideas, personal stories, and the questions that don’t really fit in a YouTube comment section.

Support the journey:
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/stillhum...

Business inquiries, sponsorships, collaborations, and media requests:
partner@stillhumanproject.co

I’m trying to keep viewer questions and deeper conversations in the community so others can join in and the threads don’t get buried.

20 Comments

@tewhekerapaki7904 4 months ago (edited)

Nobody is trying to be better than you and we believe in living your life your own way. Just enjoy your space brother. The only thing we will push back on is if you try and push your own values onto others. Respect each other's space. Not to say we won't come over and share a beer if invited. We live by 1 simple rule- treat others as you would have them treat you. Pretty easy. We don't do drama.

@cheriegoldie7179 4 months ago

It seems bizzare to me that the customer has to essentially pay the wait staff. If i go on a plane i dont pay the flight attendents directly, if i go to walmart i dont pay the person that checks me out. Its just so weird that the owner of the establishment gets away with underpaying their own staff...

@DownunderScotsman2979 4 months ago

I lived in PA USA for 6 years and never adjusted to tipping. On one occasion after an atrocious meal with abusive service I left a tip of one penny - to make sure they knew it was intentional. When we arrived home the phone was ringing. It was the restaurant calling to abuse me for not tipping. I told them I had over-tipped ... and hung-up!!

@nickolimorice1495 3 months ago

Yep your right brev no tipping here

@mwin3303 4 months ago

Yes I just came back from New York and the tipping culture is crazy but you know it’s kind of expected. But in NZ no do not tip. I’m glad we don’t have it here.

@squab101 4 months ago

Never tip. We do not need that in NZ. We have a proper minimum wage.

@Troy13 4 months ago

Ah! Movies. Your obliged to feel excitement any time NZ is mentioned in movies/tv shows. This is the 'NZ mentioned' effect.

If you ever need NZ movie recommendations, taika waititi is great but there are others also.

And dont worry about the comments. Theres about 5 million of us. It's going to take a while to meet us all 😂

@andrewg4761 4 months ago

Some restaurants have a tip jar or a tipping option on the payment terminal. Tipping is completely optional. If you choose to leave a few coins, notes, or select “yes” on the terminal, the staff genuinely appreciate it. However, it’s the employer’s responsibility to pay fair wages, staff should never have to rely on tips to reach minimum wage.

@Snoddypossie 4 months ago

As a New Zealander I have never experienced tipping.

@kimgarvey1 4 months ago

The 30 foot hedges are actually 9 metre's and are called Shelter belts. They break up the wind so the kiwi fruit don't get beaten to death on the vines with the wind.

@brucehowe194 4 months ago

In most residential areas around New Zealand 🇳🇿 home owners will put surplus food from there fruit trees and vegetable gardens out at the front of their houses on the footpath's for free to take away and you only take what you need you don't take the lot always leave enough for other people.

@SueHowie152 4 months ago

Peace with fingers and palm forward does mean peace.Palm towards yourself means eff off.😊
Hope you're really happy here.

@KarmenSylviaOfficial 4 months ago (edited)

We’re so happy for you, honestly, you look right at home here in New Zealand You’ve got that proper New Zealand calm going on, not stressed at all. Like I said, I’m from LA, so I totally get where you’re coming from… it’s a bit like the States, but also not at all. There’s a different vibe here, a softer pace, and you can really see it on your face. Beautiful video, loved every bit of it. Catch you again soon. - Karmen / She‑Hulk 💚

@gemininz48 4 months ago

I was in Plymouth MA some years ago visiting a friend. Three of us had lunch in a restaurant and the waiter was abysmal. He was sullen and offish and didn't interact with us. I was shouting my friends the meal, so I paid by Visa. I didn't tip and as we walked out I heard the guy moan to someone that I hadn't. My friends were shocked and amazed by what I had done but I just said "he didn't deserve a tip". To me tipping someone is a way of thanking them for good service with a smile but I'm glad we don't do that here as a rule.

@Bodge-hz9ry 4 months ago

An older Kiwi here who has lived and worked in many countries. I returned to NZ pre-retirement as many do. It is still interesting to hear newcomers perspectives on our quirks. P.S. don't tip, but leave out a few beers for the rubbish collectors at 🎁

@DownunderScotsman2979 4 months ago

Nice garden backdrop. BTW those 30ft hedges you mentioned were probably wind-breaks for a horticultural property, possibly kiwifruit in your area.

@Violetta683 4 months ago

Love hearing the updates! I’m weirdly invested 😆

@barba5537 4 months ago

We certainly wouldn't want it a bit like USA...

@marycressy7640 4 months ago

Many of us donate our excess fruit and veges via the share shed or just put them on the side of the footpath or outside the gate... no payment required. Share

@JoshuaAnderson-l1k 4 months ago

If an eftpos machine comes up with a tip option. Most kiwis - myself included - recoil at that. Just a bit weird for most of us here as we assume everyone working at an establishment are paid fairly. Ive only ever tipped when service was exceptionally good/above and beyond whats expected