I was struck by an interesting observation today, not my own. Kiwi’s are closer to Americans than the English.
This surprised me and I can’t vouch for the American side of it, so I won’t cover it, but the NZ side was a solid argument. My blood is English and I love London and have taken this place as my home so it takes a lot to convince me otherwise. But having been to, and loved being in, the US and having an American sister and brother-in-law and an English sister I can see the traits and commonalities.
This may also surprise a few people as many kiwis still feel for the old country, mother country, whatever.
- Kiwis have a very strong work ethic
Probably because we have to do more for less and the competition to get to the top is so much greater. There are fewer opportunities that, with globalisation, are becoming fewer in the NZ as jobs move elsewhere. There seems to be a lack of consistency in peoples concentration here. There is also a lack of empathy for colleagues and the UK lacks that all for one attitude.
- Kiwis work very fast and focused with a good output.
I think this comes from the end of gliding on days in Rogernomics. But it is also because businesses in NZ are not smart. They don’t invest as they should like English businesses who tend to let technology do the hard yards. English are clearly better strategically whereas Kiwi’s tend to allow too much manual grind. The English though are slow on the grind and lack engagement in it. A balance between the two would be better.
- Kiwis do a lot of hours and tend to prioritise work ahead of fun.
A little unfair on the English as I’ve noticed there are some that live at work however, I have been told numerous times to go home by my boss and last night by my own staff member. Many here dive out the door on the clock and are there purely for the social life and take little joy in their work. Yanks work all hours as a rule but I have to look for those at my work who are the same. The ones that do, seem to be the successful ones putting in the hard yards. But as a group they come up a little short.
- Kiwis take people as they come
There is a clear social structure in the UK whereas NZ there isn’t. I had a comment the other day as to why would I hang out with mid and east European’s. I don’t see the issue but the comment was a bit acidic. And you can definitely see some people repel when they here my own accent. Body language and facial reactions give everything away. However, to be fair I think this is reserved for the more pompous and socially political as I’ve been given a fair turn by most. Particularly those more secure in themselves.
Yes well I didn’t agree with this. I think we’re more likely to be interested in the world but Kiwis are fairly naive on how the world works. The Australians beat us hands down on this and the English, at least in London, are well ahead.
All up though time has moved on and Kiwis are obviously being influenced heavily by American culture. So maybe we are closer to Americans than the English now. I think the points of taking people as they come, having a strong work ethic, being more work focused with a strong work ethic is right and is definitely closer to the US than the UK.
The question though is this. Is it all good or are we just swapping good things for bad things and vice versa?
