Random Thoughts

So, I go to the market on average twice a week, and every time I go, I try to take notice to something new. So I'm just going to share a few with you... Enjoy!
(starts with the American - then the Australian equivalent)

*Ground Beef - Mince Beef (this comes in 1 through 4 stars, premium and quality - don't know the real difference between 4 star and premium or quality) - NEWLY ADDED forgot this one before
*Rice Krispies - Rice Bubbles
*Raisin Bran - Sultana Bran (raisins = sultanas here, you won't find ANYTHING that says raisin)
*Tomato Sauce - Tomato Paste (regardless of texture) (tomato is pronounced Toe-Mah-Toe)
*Ketchup - Tomato Sauce (nothing says ketchup, not even Heinz)
*Meat Sauce - only says Bolognese (I didn't know what that was until 2 years ago - freakin' lame!)
*Scallions - Spring Onions
*Peppers - Capsicums (red and green)
*Ounces and Pounds - Metrics (duh hahaha)
*Shopping Cart - Trolley (people look at you like you're crazy if you say cart)
*There is no Pudding!!! Only Dairy Dessert!!! (and VERY limited in brand and flavors)
*Eggs are NEVER refrigerated in markets... they're always on a shelf near baking goods
*Fly-bys - these are not like savings cards, they give you "miles/Kilometres" toward flights (you still have to apply for a card at every store that offers them when you go)
*Who knows what a yellow squash is!?!? They don't have them here!!!
*Candy - Confectionery
*Fresh Dog Food is sold right next to the human meat (and I mean no separator)
*American Cheese - Tasty Cheese
*Cheddar Cheese - Tasty Cheese
*Aged Cheese/Sharp Cheese - Extra Tasty (this means extra nasty - in my humble opinion, but really look for the fine print "aged for extra flavor" or "aged for extra tastiness")
*Mac & Cheese here really SUCKS and there is no Velveeta
*There are no M&Ms!!!
*There is no Chef Boyardee, just fake substitutes that either use, regular tomato based sauce on their pasta, or a tomato cheese sauce. No Meatballs! No Ravioli! Nothing like that at all.. no Spaghetti O's either... no variety
*You can get baked beans in a cheesy tomato sauce or just a tomato sauce (no variety)
*Aquafresh - Macleans
*There is no Crest! (I can't find it anyway)
*Mascara cost in US $6-$12 for a drugstore brand - Mascara cost in AU $16-$27 for drug store brand (that includes CoverGirl)
*Light Bulbs - Globes
*Biscuits - Bikkies (like cookies, not the dinner sort - they're also not sweet, like Stella Dora)
*Cheer! - Dynamo (laundry detergent)
*Snuggle - Huggle
*Downy - Fluffy
*Clothespins - Pegs
*No Tums! Only Mylanta
*Claratin - Claratyne
*Tylenol - Panadol (with Paracetamol 500mg)
*Drug labels are also very different here, in the states, anything the FDA regulates is specially laid out on the package, there is nothing like that here, sometimes you really have to search for the fine print to find out what is in something (i.e. panadol, deodorant, hand sanitizer, etc)
*Nicorette - Nicodyne (haha, I saw an add for that one)

**For the ladies - Boys skip ahead**
*no applicators! unless you look for the one brand that has them (everything like OB)
*liners are 98% of the time scented
*haven't really found any of the "cure" stuff yet, but luckily, don't need it ;P
*no Midol!
*Make-up - prices through the roof! (for drugstore brands - $20 lipgloss, $25 foundation or powder)

**Ok, it's safe now!**
*There are no Swiffers!
*Paper towels rolls are hard to find
*Removed for censorship purposes.... haha you snooze you lose!
*Veggies need to be extra washed when you purchase them fresh... I've found dirt and bugs in mine after getting them home (ick!!!!)
*Most foods are pretty bland when you purchase them, most sweets aren't that sweet unless it's confectionery and almost all food needs some spices added (and a lot - even when dining out)
*Campbell's Chunky Soups - Heinz Big N' Chunky Soup

Okay, I'm done boring you with my random blob of thoughts. It's just those have been in my mind for some time, so I thought you'd enjoy! And just so you know, I'm not complaining about these things (except the mac&cheese thing), I find them interesting (interesting enough to share). It's crazy all the little differences you find, not even the big ones, it's just the little ones that really stand out! Well, now you know some for whenever you decide to travel here! ;P

Ta!

P.S. This is my own photo of a Macleans box (cut out of the full image) and 2 pics I found on the Aquafresh site for your comparing fun. Note the "Drug Label" on the front of the Macleans box (lower left corner) and also the difference of wording with the Foaming Action! Haha fun! *Click to zoom in*