Sometimes, you gotta admit being a Wellingtonian means we say some funny things. We're so passionate about our city - we don't always notice how we talk about the city, and the people in it, could sound nutty to others.
Of course, all around the world, people love their city. However, I doubt there are many people as passionate as Wellingtonians. Due to our unique place in the world, we have a different perspective and funny habits that only shine through when someone else from outside is looking in. Safe to say, we're a special lot. Here are some of the classic Wellington lines you'll hear, only in the Capital:
1. "Cheers Driver" - Only Wellingtonians thank the driver when getting off a bus, and name him or her as 'Driver'. Well, it's only manners, right?
2. "You're kidding - that's ages away?!" - On having to walk approximately 50 metres from Cuba Street to Courtenay Place to meet a friend for a drink.
3. "You call this a flat white? This is a bloody latte, mate!" - On being given a caffeinated drink with one millimetre too much foam...
4. "Good luck with that" - On seeing someone (clearly an out of towner) buy an umbrella...
5. "Gorgeous day!" - While holding onto hat to stop blowing away when it is sunny(ish), windy(ish) and warm(ish) [at least over 12 degrees].
6. "Oh yeah - he was in my brother's year at Wellington High School" - On the new leader of the Green Party, proving Eton isn't the only place that moulds politicians...
7. "I was standing on the deck of San Fran and Bret McKenzie was quite possibly stalking me" - On finding oneself at a Black Seeds gig on a rainy night with, you know, an Oscar winner just chilling 2 metres away.... (#truestory)
8. "Quite seriously: this could be it for the year" - On debating whether to head down to Oriental for a swim the 4th, 5th and 6th of January at Oriental Parade...
9. "Hang on, let me just take off my walking shoes" - On wearing your trusty sneakers into town to get to work from Wadestown, Karori or Kelburn...
10. "I got her exactly what she's always wanted - another IceBreaker" - Wellington men think romantically...
11. "We spent our 10th anniversary at Beervana" - Wellington men, and women, actually thinking romantically...
12. "Why would you ever want to move to Auckland" - All Wellingtonians...despite it probably having way better weather - ok, it definitely does...
13. "Oh, yep, that was just a wee 4.3. Nothing to worry about!" - Some Wellingtonians, on a fairly sizeable earthquake...
14. "James Cameron? The guy who made Titanic? Yeah, he comes to buy real fruit ice cream from us when he's driving through" - On how we think Hollywood is, ya know, no big deal mate...
15. "Oh yeah? You work for a tech start-up/Government/Weta? Same, mate, same" - On our varied careers, which again, we're quite passionate about...
16. "You can't beat Wellington on a good day" - All Wellingtonians, just three times a year...
17. "Sup Bro" - On how to address talking to some of the most high powered people in New Zealand (aka Justin Lester/Taika Waititi/Richard Taylor) ...no one ever accused us of being highly strung or class orientated...*
BONUS: 18. “Yeah, yeah, yeah, nah, nah, nah” - People, most days. Unclear still on whether affirmative or negative.
*Ed note - do not actually attempt this IRL - not guaranteed to go down as well as stated in blog.
