October 31st 2024.
Let me tell you about my experience with Quality Street. As a London and Quality Street lover, I never thought I would be surprised by the UK's love for this chocolate. Growing up in New Zealand, we never gave it much thought. In fact, we didn't even have it in our stores, except for a few budget shops. It was never a part of our Christmas traditions like it is for the Brits. So when I arrived in London from Auckland a few months ago, I was taken aback by the nation's obsession with these colorful treats.
As I settled into my new home, I couldn't help but notice all the cliché things that I had only seen in movies before. Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, and red buses were all around me. But what surprised me the most was the love for Quality Street. I had always thought it was just a mediocre chocolate, but the nation's reaction to John Lewis' decision to stop offering personalized tins with their pick-n-mix proved me wrong. I had to try it for myself, and I must say, I was blown away. The different flavors, wrapped in jewel-colored paper, were a delight. Nestle, you've outdone yourself. I even joked that I wanted to be buried in a pile of Strawberry Delight.
This got me thinking, what other delights are our two nations missing out on? I quickly learned that London has a lot to offer, including lunchtime meal deals. In New Zealand, we never had such a thing. I used to spend a fortune on lunch every day, but here I can grab a grown-up version of a snack plate for an affordable price. It's a simple pleasure that I'll never take for granted.
However, there is one thing that I can't get used to - the cost of transport in London. As much as I love this city, I can't help but feel like TFL (Transport for London) is the biggest thief of all. I've heard all the warnings about pickpocketers and thieves on motorcycles, but no one told me about TFL. Every time I travel to the office, I'm left wondering what treat I could have bought with the money I spent on my commute. In comparison, my hometown of Auckland just announced a $50 seven-day fare cap for all modes of transportation. That's a maximum fare of about £3.20 per day. It's one point for New Zealand in the battle of affordable transport.
But despite the outrageous cost of transport, I have to admit that London still has some things that New Zealand hasn't quite caught on to yet. Like the obsession with Marmite. I always thought it was just a spread that no one really liked, but the Brits seem to love it. And don't even get me started on the meal deals. I'll never be able to live without Tesco's meal deals again.
So, as I continue to discover the cultural differences between our two nations, I can't help but wonder what other surprises are in store. Who knows, maybe one day New Zealand will catch on to the love for Quality Street and London will adopt our affordable transport system. Only time will tell.
Growing up in New Zealand, I was always aware of the ongoing Marmite vs Vegemite debate between Australia and New Zealand. However, I was completely unprepared for the Marmite situation in the UK.
I have to admit, I was a bit skeptical when I first heard about the obsession with Quality Street in the UK. As a Kiwi living all the way in New Zealand, I had no idea that this Nestle treat was such a big deal. In fact, we hardly ever see them in our stores. They're usually hidden away in the budget section, and most of us don't even bother buying them. So, you can imagine my surprise when I found out that they are an essential part of every British Christmas.
When I landed in London from Auckland in April, I had all the typical tourist expectations - Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, and red buses. But little did I know, I was about to discover a whole new world of British traditions. It all started with a nationwide uproar over John Lewis' decision to stop offering personalized tins of Quality Street. As a writer, I couldn't resist the opportunity to join in on the discussion. And that's when I found out just how much the British love these chocolates. I immediately went out to Sainsbury's and bought a box, and let me tell you, I was not disappointed. In fact, I was blown away by the variety of flavors. Strawberry Delight quickly became my favorite.
This got me thinking - what other delicious treats have our two nations been missing out on? As a Kiwi, I can tell you that we have our own festive traditions, such as Cadbury Roses and Favourites. But it seems like we've been missing out on some amazing British treats, just as you've been missing out on our Kiwi favorites.
One of the biggest surprises for me was the concept of meal deals. In New Zealand, they are pretty much non-existent. So, imagine my shock when I found out that you can get a delicious and affordable lunch from Tesco, Sainsbury's, or Co-Op. In New Zealand, I used to spend a small fortune on lunch every day, but now I can enjoy a satisfying meal without breaking the bank. It's a pleasure I'll never take for granted.
But of course, not everything is sunshine and rainbows in London. As much as I love this city, I can't help but feel frustrated by the cost of transportation. In New Zealand, we have a seven-day fare cap of just $50, which is equivalent to about £3.20 per day. Here in London, I spend almost that much just for a single trip to the office. And don't even get me started on the infamous TFL. It's like they have a knack for taking your money without you even realizing it.
However, there is one thing the UK just can't seem to get right - Marmite. As a Kiwi, I've always been aware of the Marmite vs Vegemite debate between Australia and New Zealand. But when I tried British Marmite, I was completely thrown off. It's just not the same. Sorry, Brits, but you don't do Marmite justice.
All in all, my move to London has been an eye-opening experience. I've learned so much about British culture and traditions, and I've also discovered some delicious treats. But it's not all one-sided - there are definitely some things that the UK could learn from New Zealand. And who knows, maybe one day we'll have the best of both worlds.
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