Rakaia - South Island, New Zealand
On the surface Rakaia appears a quaint, decent, small rural town. It has a large plastic fish on the village green in honour of the excellent salmon fishing available nearby. However, the people are without doubt the most defilent, ignorant, unhelpful bunch of swede-gnawers I have ever come across. I ran out of fuel once in Rakaia whilst driving an LPG vehicle....events included:

STAGE ONE: GET SOMETHING TO EAT

I started out by popping into the one cafe to get something to eat. It was one of those places where they have big photos of the menu items up on the wall. I saw a picture of a toasted cheese and tomato sandwich.

"Can I have a toasted cheese sandwich please"

"No, we don't sell those."

"Could you make me a cheese and tomato one like that?" - pointing at photo.

"Yes"

"Could you just leave out the tomato?"

"No. I would have to ask the boss and he isn't here"

*sigh* "Ok, I 'll have one of those, and a cup of tea please."

"White tea?"

"Yes"

"Do you want milk in it?"

"How else are you going to make it white?"

"No need to be rude.."

etc, etc.

STAGE TWO: LOCATE TELEPHONE (BEFORE CELL PHONES)

I plod off to the local (only) garage to find that it does not sell LPG. Bummer, but fair enough. The assistant informs me that I will have to get towed to the next town, Ashburton (50 miles away), to fill up. Bigger bummer.

"Does your garage offer a towing service"

"Yes"

*relief* "Great, how much to tow me to Ashburton"

"We don't tow to Ashburton. You will have to phone someone from there to come and get you."

*sigh* "Ok. Do you have a number there I could call"

"Yes" - provides number.

"Could I use your phone please"

"No. There is a phone box just down the road"

"sigh* walk 1km down the road to phone box. It is a card phone. I do not have a card. Walk all the way back to the garage.

"Do you sell phone cards?"

"Yes"

"Can I buy one please"

"Yes. Do you need it for the phone?"

"No, I need it to feed the fucking birds..."

"No need to be rude.."

I could tell you more but I think you get the general idea. Kiwis are generally an excellent bunch, but people from Rakaia..unlovable, dim witted bags of shit.
(Mandrill, Fri 30 Oct 2009, 3:21, 4 replies)

click
"Do you sell phone cards?"

"Yes"

Made me laugh. I do hope the "Yes" was said with a deadpan, glassy eyed delivery.
( Ring Of Fire A petty, drooling belming butthurt retard., Fri 30 Oct 2009, 6:31, closed)

I smell a little white lie.
LPG converted vehicles can switch between fuels as they start more easily on petrol.

You were right to use sarcasm, but they probably didn't get it!
(AndyC4m Eject Eject [><], Fri 30 Oct 2009, 10:02, closed)

LPG
No...it was a dedicated LPG ute. I can assure you I would have put petrol in it if I could have done.
(Mandrill, Sun 1 Nov 2009, 2:20, closed)

LPG only
In Oz and NZ a lot of vehicles (usually commercial ones) are factory built as LPG only. They drive well, but it's a bit tricky trying to fill a jerry can with LPG if you run out.
( SteamedCleaner, Tue 3 Nov 2009, 14:33, closed)