Bring a Plate..are our neighbours poor?

So, Mr and Mrs new India got invited to their neighbours for a get together! Neighbour said 'R and R please come over to our house on saturday for a get together, to celebrate the end of daylight savings'. Point to note here, Kiwis love to party....we have get togethers for everything here. Sun is shining, party. Sun is not shining, party. Full moon, party. Daylight savings party. Birthdays, weddings..everything is celebrated. latest, is SWINE FLU parties! oh well...I digress...(another Indian trait)

So, Mr and Mrs new Indian get invited to the neighbours house -- who ask them to 'bring a plate'.

There is much debate and discussion at Mr and Mrs New Indian home that night. "ah, bring a plate? what is that about'? says Mrs new Indian. Mr new Indian, who's knows "everything" (never mind that he has never set foot outside his home and office prior to coming overseas), says 'I know, our poor neighbours do not have extra plates in their house". "what to do now " they say in unison.

Next day, Mr and Mrs new Indian look up the newspapers -- for any specials. Briscoes has a 50% sale -- ah, they say "let's go and get our poor neighhours a dozen plates, that way they don't have to ask each and everyone to 'bring a plate'

So, they buy a dozen beautiful plates for their neighbours and go to the party!

'Ding dong'...they ring the door bell. Door opens. "Welcome Mr and Mrs R" says the neighbour. The proud humble new Indians give their neighbours the box -- the box with a dozen plates". The neighbour is expecting something else..but clearly puzzled asked 'so, what did you bring? looks like an Indian delicacy in a box, ah can't wait to taste it'. The new Indians look more puzzled than the neighbour.

"These are a dozen plates for you Madam" they say. "Oh, you can call me Diana" neighbour says "but dozen plates, but we don't need pla......" and then it dawns on her .............!!!

In New Zealand, when anyone says "bring a plate', it simply means 'bring a plate of food of your choice' to participate in the celebrations, party, get together....

So, learnt Mr and Mrs new Indian that day.........