What’s polite in New Zealand?

Mobiles and Music

• Turn your phone and other electronics off at the dinner table!

• Don’t listen to music or use your phone when you’re talking to other people

Visiting a person’s house…

• Take something with you– Chocolate– Flowers– Drink

• Ask if you can help• Thank the person for

their hospitality

Feet

• Take your outside shoes off at the door.

• Don’t put your feet on tables where people serve food

Food• Wash your hands

before preparing food• Don’t sit on tables • Finish your mouthful

before talking• Use the utensils

provided (knife, fork, spoon) to serve and eat food with

• Wait until everybody is sitting at the table and has been served before you start eating

• Wait until everybody has finished before leaving the table

• It is rude to criticize food – if you don’t like it leave it at the side of your plate

Bring a plate…

If someone invites you around and asks you to bring a plate, it means that they are asking you bring a plate of food that’s easy to share.It could be biscuits or cake or fruit.

Behaviour in Public

• Don’t spit, belch or scratch if you are in public

• Maintain good personal hygiene.

• Casual clothing is okay for most occasions

• Dress up for weddings, funerals and formal events.

Out and about

• Wait your turn if there’s a queue

• Wait for people to get off a lift before getting on

• On the sidewalk, keep left and walk at the same pace as others

• Respond promptly to personal invitations, especially if you are asked to ‘RSVP’, and be punctual.

• If you are in a group at a pub where people are taking turns to buy a round of drinks, do not leave before offering to buy a round.

• Do not talk during speeches or performances, including film screenings.

Manners

New Zealanders are polite people•Use ‘please’ when you would like something•Use ‘thank you’ when you get given something

Questions

• What is different about being polite in New Zealand compared to China? Why?

• What is the same between New Zealand and China? Why?

• Which rule would you find most difficult if you went to New Zealand?

Nancy Swarbrick. 'Manners and social behavior - A guide to modern New Zealand manners', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, updated 8-Jul-13 URL: http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/manners-and-social-behaviour/page-7