Post #2345433

2026-05-07 01:28 UTC

I'm Pākehā as the driven snow but I relate to the above. I always greet strangers, shopkeepers etc with 'kia ora' or 'mōrena' but, with rare exceptions, non-Māori generally respond with 'hi', 'good morning' or similar.

Replies (2)

@runoutgroover@cloudisland.nz 2026-05-07 01:33

Likewise, when one of the local kids "tēnā koe"s me and I can respond in the Reo it gives me a warm glow.

Open ##2345434
@ConnyChiwa@mastodon.nz 2026-05-07 01:42

@runoutgroover@cloudisland.nz What a wonderful message this article conveys. Back in the day when I was travelling more often, I'd always learn a greeting, thank you and please in the language of the country I was travelling to. It makes such a difference when you show people that you made an effort. A few years ago, I started saying kia ora and ka kite in every shop and written interaction, and I feel that the number of people responding with kia ora has increased. Ka kite is probably less known as a phrase but I'm trying to normalise it, hoping it'll catch on over time. It's such a small effort I can make for someone to feel seen.

Open ##2345435