American expat reveals the one festive word used in Australia and New Zealand that’s baffled her most: ‘I saw it at Kmart and was so confused’

  • A US woman in New Zealand was baffled after seeing a ‘weird’ word in Kmart 
  • The expat couldn’t believe Kiwis call Christmas ornaments ‘baubles’ instead
  • New Zealanders contend baubles are very different things to ornaments

An American expat living in New Zealand was baffled after spotting the word ‘baubles’ scrawled across a packet of decorations while shopping at Kmart for Christmas.

As someone who has called the festive buy ‘ornaments’ her whole life, Maddie Gemmel, from Arizona, quickly took to Tiktok and shared the culture shock moment with fans. 

‘I’m just here at Kmart doing my Christmas shopping and I’m confused at what I’m seeing so somebody help me out,’ she said.

‘I don’t think I’ve ever heard this word before. That should say ornaments.’

‘What is that word. What? Do you guys say this or do you say ‘ornaments’ for tree decorations?’ she asked.

An American expat living in New Zealand was baffled after spotting the word ‘baubles’ scrawled across a packet of decorations while shopping at Kmart for Christmas 


As someone who has called the festive buy ‘ornaments’ her whole life, Maddie Gemmel, from Arizona, quickly took to Tiktok and shared the culture shock moment with fans. 

This was a new experience haha #fyp #nz #aotearoa #usa #movingabroadllivingabroadaamericanabroadccultureshockhhuluchippendalesdancebbethereasonvisafy#fypシ

However, Kiwis were quick to defend themselves and many said that ornaments and baubles are ‘completely different’.

‘All baubles are ornaments, but not all ornaments are baubles,’ one woman explained.

‘Baubles are round, but ornaments can be any shape or theme,’ another added.

‘That is actually the correct term. Ornaments can be any shape baubles are round or teardrop shape,’ another agreed.

Some commenters were offended that Madi was so shocked at the word difference.

‘Wow. It’s like you’re in another country,’ one man said.

‘Guys wait till she discovers different countries have different languages too,’ a woman added.

Well here’s some more 😂 #fyp #nz #aotearoa #usa #movingabroad #livingabroad #americanabroad #cultureshock #petsmartmademebuyit #petsmart #amazonsavingspree #intuittouchdowndance #aeholidaycard #candycrush10 #yellowstonetv #chevyevsongcontest #fypシ

Differences between American and New Zealand slang: 

American

See you later

Lets go

Thank you

Awesome

So much

Cool

Don’t feel up to it

Definitely 

 New Zealand

Catch yous up

Is that us? 

Shot

Mean

Heaps

Sweet as

Can’t be bothered

Hard out 

(Source: maditheamerican) 

Madi has noticed other differences since making the move to New Zealand, particularly variations in slang.

She and her husband often share the difference between American and New Zealand lingo.

For example, she noticed that American people say ‘see you later’ whereas Kiwis say ‘catch yous up.’ 

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