I'll Trade You Ten Mint Patties For A Pack Of American Spirit July 11, 2009 6:45 PM Subscribe
Anybody interested in some Australian-American free market shenanigans?
Inspired by this AskMe, I was thinking it might be an interesting idea for Australian MeFites and American MeFites (and, of course, everybody else) to express any potential interest they may have in some international trade.
On a well-populated international discussion forum such as this, there are a lot of products, for want of a better word, that you hear about and think "Hey, that might be nice to try!", but you probably never will. So just as an experiment, I wanted to see if any other members have anything in mind that they want to check out, and would be willing to exchange for?
Obviously economics and legality is a primary consideration, and various international postage and handling laws should be very carefully adhered to, but, y'know, if anybody wants to gag on some Vegemite 'n' cheese (which I am reliably informed is actually pretty good) and wash it down with some Bundaberg ginger beer (which has my personal guarantee), then my list of desired American manufactured consumables is practically neverending. And I doubt I'm alone.
Inspired by this AskMe, I was thinking it might be an interesting idea for Australian MeFites and American MeFites (and, of course, everybody else) to express any potential interest they may have in some international trade.
On a well-populated international discussion forum such as this, there are a lot of products, for want of a better word, that you hear about and think "Hey, that might be nice to try!", but you probably never will. So just as an experiment, I wanted to see if any other members have anything in mind that they want to check out, and would be willing to exchange for?
Obviously economics and legality is a primary consideration, and various international postage and handling laws should be very carefully adhered to, but, y'know, if anybody wants to gag on some Vegemite 'n' cheese (which I am reliably informed is actually pretty good) and wash it down with some Bundaberg ginger beer (which has my personal guarantee), then my list of desired American manufactured consumables is practically neverending. And I doubt I'm alone.
I would like to trade this tray of assorted In-n-Out menu items in exchange for... Ayer's rock.
And a kangaroo. Several, maybe, or a breeding pair.
posted by loquacious at 7:07 PM on July 11, 2009 [3 favorites]
And a kangaroo. Several, maybe, or a breeding pair.
posted by loquacious at 7:07 PM on July 11, 2009 [3 favorites]
I'd be down! Who's into trading Tim Tams for Tasty Kakes?
posted by piratebowling at 7:09 PM on July 11, 2009
posted by piratebowling at 7:09 PM on July 11, 2009
And a kangaroo. Several, maybe, or a breeding pair.
Best I can do is kangaroo jerky. You could make mating noises as the pieces roughhouse in your mouth.
posted by turgid dahlia at 7:19 PM on July 11, 2009 [14 favorites]
Best I can do is kangaroo jerky. You could make mating noises as the pieces roughhouse in your mouth.
posted by turgid dahlia at 7:19 PM on July 11, 2009 [14 favorites]
This sounds interesting, though the best of "America" seems to be off-limits for fear of contamination. I'm moving to the state of Wisconsin in two weeks, though, so I'm sure the regional specialties will be as new to me as to anyone.
posted by mrmojoflying at 7:26 PM on July 11, 2009
posted by mrmojoflying at 7:26 PM on July 11, 2009
Any sort of Polish anything, short the dragon of Wawel Castle and fresh-from-the-kitchen pierogi, is yours, MeFites.
posted by mdonley at 7:29 PM on July 11, 2009
posted by mdonley at 7:29 PM on July 11, 2009
Full disclaimer: I am principally interested in delightful foreign tobaccos, hot sauces, booze, and whatever my special lady friend, who spent a few years in the US some time back, most has a hankering for. This is a little beyond the universally-acceptable small trinkets and bite-sized snacks, but be aware I am all about equitable reciprococity. Sufficient quantities of Gauloises and Gitanes will net one a bottle of the best rum in the world, for example.
posted by turgid dahlia at 7:36 PM on July 11, 2009
posted by turgid dahlia at 7:36 PM on July 11, 2009
I could contribute something (I'm sure) is uniquely Canadian: macaroni and cheese hotdish.
No matter how much you beg, I will not send you Jellied Moose Nose.
posted by reflecked at 7:38 PM on July 11, 2009
No matter how much you beg, I will not send you Jellied Moose Nose.
posted by reflecked at 7:38 PM on July 11, 2009
I would absolutely send someone in Australia something for a package of Tim Tams. My Australian former coworker used to keep some in her bottom drawer at work, and they were just ... heavenly.
posted by limeonaire at 7:39 PM on July 11, 2009
posted by limeonaire at 7:39 PM on July 11, 2009
I have a slightly stale, authentically Canadian Timbit somewhere in my backpack. What can I get for it?
posted by maudlin at 7:49 PM on July 11, 2009
posted by maudlin at 7:49 PM on July 11, 2009
A friend of mine from Australia once sent me an Australian KitKat bar, as the chocolate tastes different, and some Tic-Tacs - ours are colored in clear containers, while it seems Aussie ones are white in colored containers. So, just a couple more suggestions of things you might want to trade.
posted by IndigoRain at 7:49 PM on July 11, 2009
posted by IndigoRain at 7:49 PM on July 11, 2009
IndigoRain: I've heard that too...apparently even if it's Cadbury/Nestle, certain local blends are better than certain other local blends. According to UK colleagues, UK Cadbury is superior to Australian Cadbury, but Australian Cadbury is superior to US Cadbury. It's all in the wrist I suppose.
posted by turgid dahlia at 7:52 PM on July 11, 2009
posted by turgid dahlia at 7:52 PM on July 11, 2009
limeonaire: I would absolutely posthaste you a parcel of your top 6 selections of Tim Tam varietals for a bottle of Cisco and a pack or two of American Spirit organic.
posted by turgid dahlia at 7:56 PM on July 11, 2009
posted by turgid dahlia at 7:56 PM on July 11, 2009
Last I checked, and it was a long time ago, books and CDS were way more costly in Australia, than in the US. I don't know how much Amazon has changed this.
I would be up for some trades.
I had a friend going over there, I asked him to bring me back a red wine, "Pretty much anything," I said. He can back with Yellow Tail.
It might be cool to list just interests and dollar amounts and let the other person go nuts, since honestly I am uncertain what I would like, but I am up for it. I'll also think about it.
posted by cjorgensen at 7:56 PM on July 11, 2009
I would be up for some trades.
I had a friend going over there, I asked him to bring me back a red wine, "Pretty much anything," I said. He can back with Yellow Tail.
It might be cool to list just interests and dollar amounts and let the other person go nuts, since honestly I am uncertain what I would like, but I am up for it. I'll also think about it.
posted by cjorgensen at 7:56 PM on July 11, 2009
I have a slightly stale, authentically Canadian Timbit somewhere in my backpack. What can I get for it?
A smack.
posted by turgid dahlia at 7:56 PM on July 11, 2009
A smack.
posted by turgid dahlia at 7:56 PM on July 11, 2009
I have a teenager, will trade for anything.
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 8:00 PM on July 11, 2009 [6 favorites]
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 8:00 PM on July 11, 2009 [6 favorites]
I've always wanted to find out exactly what Violet Crumble is and what Vegemite tastes like!
The former is delicious. The latter tastes like Satan's jockstrap.
posted by dirtynumbangelboy at 8:05 PM on July 11, 2009
The former is delicious. The latter tastes like Satan's jockstrap.
posted by dirtynumbangelboy at 8:05 PM on July 11, 2009
Mmmmm, Satan's jockstrap!
posted by crossoverman at 8:13 PM on July 11, 2009
posted by crossoverman at 8:13 PM on July 11, 2009
I've been eating it for a while now & I'm getting tired of it, so if anyone wants some stale American consumer debt, email is in my profile.
posted by felix betachat at 8:16 PM on July 11, 2009
posted by felix betachat at 8:16 PM on July 11, 2009
I'd totally participate. I'd be interested in doing a general or specific swap with someone elsewhere who wants stuff from the US.
posted by necessitas at 8:22 PM on July 11, 2009
posted by necessitas at 8:22 PM on July 11, 2009
The latter tastes like Satan's jockstrap.
This is superficially true, but in my experience Americans tend to apply the Vegemite to the bread the same way they would apply the peanut butter to the bread. It isn't a matter of quantity, it's a matter of deft application. Really, on toast, it can't be beaten.
posted by turgid dahlia at 8:24 PM on July 11, 2009
This is superficially true, but in my experience Americans tend to apply the Vegemite to the bread the same way they would apply the peanut butter to the bread. It isn't a matter of quantity, it's a matter of deft application. Really, on toast, it can't be beaten.
posted by turgid dahlia at 8:24 PM on July 11, 2009
I had to look up what the hell a "bottle of Cisco" is. I read, "Low-end fortified wine, syrupy sweet."
So now I am not so sure I believe turgid dahlia's choice of the best rum in the world.
Weird, I live in the middle of freaking Iowa, and I can't think of anything that I want that I can't get. Seriously, I have the choice of several brands of Vegemite with a 30 minute drive. Bear in mind, pretty much everything is a 30 minute drive. Same with booze.
I'm willing to fire up a trade, but I want something no one imports here.
posted by cjorgensen at 8:25 PM on July 11, 2009 [1 favorite]
So now I am not so sure I believe turgid dahlia's choice of the best rum in the world.
Weird, I live in the middle of freaking Iowa, and I can't think of anything that I want that I can't get. Seriously, I have the choice of several brands of Vegemite with a 30 minute drive. Bear in mind, pretty much everything is a 30 minute drive. Same with booze.
I'm willing to fire up a trade, but I want something no one imports here.
posted by cjorgensen at 8:25 PM on July 11, 2009 [1 favorite]
I'd be in for this! I've always wanted to find out exactly what Violet Crumble is and what Vegemite tastes like!
The former is pretty similar to a cadbury crunchie bar. The latter does not smell pleasant enough to tempt me to taste.
You don't need someone from out of the country to send you them, Giant, my local grocery store, stocks both in the british section. Everything else is british, so I don't get why they have Violet Crumble and not Crunchie, but they do. If you want some, I'll send you some.
posted by necessitas at 8:27 PM on July 11, 2009
The former is pretty similar to a cadbury crunchie bar. The latter does not smell pleasant enough to tempt me to taste.
You don't need someone from out of the country to send you them, Giant, my local grocery store, stocks both in the british section. Everything else is british, so I don't get why they have Violet Crumble and not Crunchie, but they do. If you want some, I'll send you some.
posted by necessitas at 8:27 PM on July 11, 2009
So now I am not so sure I believe turgid dahlia's choice of the best rum in the world.
Ah, but you see, you've conflated my impeccable taste in alcoholic beverages with my simultaneous desire to get violently drunk and urinate into my pants.
posted by turgid dahlia at 8:27 PM on July 11, 2009 [4 favorites]
Ah, but you see, you've conflated my impeccable taste in alcoholic beverages with my simultaneous desire to get violently drunk and urinate into my pants.
posted by turgid dahlia at 8:27 PM on July 11, 2009 [4 favorites]
Oh, what my local store does not stock in the British section is Haywards Piccalilli. They have the sweet stuff, but ew. I want the mustard kind. So, if anyone in the UK wants to do a swap and is willing to include Piccalilli....
posted by necessitas at 8:30 PM on July 11, 2009
posted by necessitas at 8:30 PM on July 11, 2009
This is superficially true, but in my experience Americans tend to apply the Vegemite to the bread the same way they would apply the peanut butter to the bread.
I'm Canadian with British parents and a Kiwi stepfather. I know from Marmite and Vegemite :P
posted by dirtynumbangelboy at 8:32 PM on July 11, 2009
I'm Canadian with British parents and a Kiwi stepfather. I know from Marmite and Vegemite :P
posted by dirtynumbangelboy at 8:32 PM on July 11, 2009
Brandon Blatcher, I've never eaten teenager. Wot's it like?
posted by Kerasia at 8:32 PM on July 11, 2009 [1 favorite]
posted by Kerasia at 8:32 PM on July 11, 2009 [1 favorite]
Bitter, greasy, and has a tendency to wake you up in the middle of the night when it wants out.
posted by dirtynumbangelboy at 8:36 PM on July 11, 2009 [4 favorites]
I will trade a t-shirt/jersey from one of my local professional sports teams for a t-shirt/jersey from one of your professional sports teams.
posted by clorox at 8:40 PM on July 11, 2009 [1 favorite]
posted by clorox at 8:40 PM on July 11, 2009 [1 favorite]
A long time ago I sent some invisible internet friends in the USA some Musk Sticks which they were pretty impressed with and were apparently unavailable over there. I'd be happy to do the same for someone else who was prepared to send me something like a Ho Ho bar (or whatever they're called) or some other uniquely American sweety.
posted by h00py at 8:40 PM on July 11, 2009
posted by h00py at 8:40 PM on July 11, 2009
I could buy a few pounds of dry ice and send someone a few less-mysterious-than-the-name-implies It's Its. (it's a pretty boring ice cream sandwich)
Also, for those in the Bay Area, your local Indian grocery carries all sorts of British dry goods. We found both Bird's (for Nainamo bars) and Milo, both of which we feared were lost forever.
But seriously UK and wherever else MeFites, I'm happy to head to the local grocery and get you whatever cheap American chocolate you're interested in being underwhelmed by.
posted by GuyZero at 9:14 PM on July 11, 2009
Also, for those in the Bay Area, your local Indian grocery carries all sorts of British dry goods. We found both Bird's (for Nainamo bars) and Milo, both of which we feared were lost forever.
But seriously UK and wherever else MeFites, I'm happy to head to the local grocery and get you whatever cheap American chocolate you're interested in being underwhelmed by.
posted by GuyZero at 9:14 PM on July 11, 2009
I'm good for New England-y goodies like maple syrup, Whoopie Pies, needhams, Moxie, Sky Bars, etc.
posted by Miko at 9:15 PM on July 11, 2009
posted by Miko at 9:15 PM on July 11, 2009
I can send salt-water taffy and/or missionaries.
posted by mr_crash_davis mark II: Jazz Odyssey at 9:22 PM on July 11, 2009
posted by mr_crash_davis mark II: Jazz Odyssey at 9:22 PM on July 11, 2009
Willing to trade Russell Crowe for Natalie Portman.
posted by UbuRoivas at 9:35 PM on July 11, 2009 [1 favorite]
posted by UbuRoivas at 9:35 PM on July 11, 2009 [1 favorite]
I could mail you some gammalost, or perhaps a pound of the old brunost, maybe even some lutefisk.
No? Fuck, I have a sudden craving for Australian booze.
posted by Dumsnill at 9:48 PM on July 11, 2009
No? Fuck, I have a sudden craving for Australian booze.
posted by Dumsnill at 9:48 PM on July 11, 2009
Wait...dirtynumbangelboy has tasted Satan's jockstrap? I can't say I'm exactly surprised, but I'd love to hear the story in greater detail.
posted by eatyourcellphone at 9:48 PM on July 11, 2009
posted by eatyourcellphone at 9:48 PM on July 11, 2009
^
Willing to trade Russell Crowe for Natalie Portman.
If that works, then we will be claiming Russ as a Kiwi again.
B*&%** thieving Aussies, first Phar Lapp, now Natalie Portman.
posted by Catch at 9:53 PM on July 11, 2009
Willing to trade Russell Crowe for Natalie Portman.
If that works, then we will be claiming Russ as a Kiwi again.
B*&%** thieving Aussies, first Phar Lapp, now Natalie Portman.
posted by Catch at 9:53 PM on July 11, 2009
Hmm… I'm not sure what I have to trade.
The one thing that when I was last up there I thought, yeah, I really can understand craving just this, is Coffee Crisp. That shit is delicious and I don't understand why we don't have it in the states. But everything that I love about Southern California is perishable or readily available everywhere.
I do have flashes of entrepreneurial vim every now and then, thinking about opening a boutique for Midwest transplants out here, where you could get your good beer and cheese and every couple weeks a big shipment of dry-iced sweet corn would come in and we'd all be like, man, fuck this bullshit California corn and people would pay me $10 an ear for it.
posted by klangklangston at 9:59 PM on July 11, 2009 [4 favorites]
The one thing that when I was last up there I thought, yeah, I really can understand craving just this, is Coffee Crisp. That shit is delicious and I don't understand why we don't have it in the states. But everything that I love about Southern California is perishable or readily available everywhere.
I do have flashes of entrepreneurial vim every now and then, thinking about opening a boutique for Midwest transplants out here, where you could get your good beer and cheese and every couple weeks a big shipment of dry-iced sweet corn would come in and we'd all be like, man, fuck this bullshit California corn and people would pay me $10 an ear for it.
posted by klangklangston at 9:59 PM on July 11, 2009 [4 favorites]
I can offer Whittaker's Dark Peanut Slabs (good) and K-Bars (god-awful) as genuine NZ treats, if anyone's interested.
I love to send stuff.
posted by Catch at 10:01 PM on July 11, 2009
I love to send stuff.
posted by Catch at 10:01 PM on July 11, 2009
Oh, I know what's crazy good that's easy to get around here—Mexican Hot Chocolate. Toss a little brandy in with it, mmmmm.
Also, the cookies stuffed with the caramel and dolce de leche that we call Argentinean Moon Pies, but you could probably find those close to the source, since they're imported here.
posted by klangklangston at 10:02 PM on July 11, 2009 [1 favorite]
Also, the cookies stuffed with the caramel and dolce de leche that we call Argentinean Moon Pies, but you could probably find those close to the source, since they're imported here.
posted by klangklangston at 10:02 PM on July 11, 2009 [1 favorite]
cookies stuffed with the caramel and dolce de leche that we call Argentinean Moon Pies
NOM
posted by Miko at 10:03 PM on July 11, 2009
NOM
posted by Miko at 10:03 PM on July 11, 2009
I can send salt-water taffy and/or missionaries.
I'll send YOU salt-water taffy if I can also send you back the missionaries that wander around here (there, and everywhere. Seriously, I think provo distributes those boys in ties out to more locations on earth than coke distributes cola).
posted by necessitas at 10:07 PM on July 11, 2009
I'll send YOU salt-water taffy if I can also send you back the missionaries that wander around here (there, and everywhere. Seriously, I think provo distributes those boys in ties out to more locations on earth than coke distributes cola).
posted by necessitas at 10:07 PM on July 11, 2009
I had to look up what the hell a "bottle of Cisco" is. I read, "Low-end fortified wine, syrupy sweet."
Cisco is also known as "liquid crack". It is the lowest of all bum wines, and makes Thunderbird look like Dom Perignon. It's only sold in convenience stores and liquor stores in sketchy neighborhoods, and has a strange side effect of making the imbiber prone to sudden, irrational violence, more so than plain alcohol. Some black community leaders have claimed in the past that this is intentional, and that it (along with malt liquor, which has a similar side effect) is part of a conspiracy to cause black youths to kill each other and thus commit covert genocide on the black race. It's not really something you want to drink, it's something that you have no other choice but to drink because you're homeless and destitute.
posted by DecemberBoy at 10:42 PM on July 11, 2009
Cisco is also known as "liquid crack". It is the lowest of all bum wines, and makes Thunderbird look like Dom Perignon. It's only sold in convenience stores and liquor stores in sketchy neighborhoods, and has a strange side effect of making the imbiber prone to sudden, irrational violence, more so than plain alcohol. Some black community leaders have claimed in the past that this is intentional, and that it (along with malt liquor, which has a similar side effect) is part of a conspiracy to cause black youths to kill each other and thus commit covert genocide on the black race. It's not really something you want to drink, it's something that you have no other choice but to drink because you're homeless and destitute.
posted by DecemberBoy at 10:42 PM on July 11, 2009
On even more of an "acquired taste" note, I've been curious about what witchetty grubs taste like. But I suppose they might not survive trans-Pacific shipping well.
posted by XMLicious at 10:47 PM on July 11, 2009
posted by XMLicious at 10:47 PM on July 11, 2009
I've been curious about what witchetty grubs taste like
Nutty scrambled eggs.
posted by turgid dahlia at 10:53 PM on July 11, 2009
Nutty scrambled eggs.
posted by turgid dahlia at 10:53 PM on July 11, 2009
Oh, I know what's crazy good that's easy to get around here—Mexican Hot Chocolate. Toss a little brandy in with it, mmmmm.
The kind with the Grandma on the package (Abutela?)? Oddly, even though you can't get decent Mexican food in Toronto for any price, you can get stuff all over the place. So odd. Not exactly a hotbed of Mexican ex-pats.
posted by GuyZero at 11:02 PM on July 11, 2009
The kind with the Grandma on the package (Abutela?)? Oddly, even though you can't get decent Mexican food in Toronto for any price, you can get stuff all over the place. So odd. Not exactly a hotbed of Mexican ex-pats.
posted by GuyZero at 11:02 PM on July 11, 2009
I feel like I can get all the legal stuff I need here in Chicago. What I'm curious about I'd have to travel to try.
posted by heyho at 11:10 PM on July 11, 2009
posted by heyho at 11:10 PM on July 11, 2009
Is there some way I can snag some of the bewitching Australian women through this exchange?
posted by Eideteker at 11:14 PM on July 11, 2009
posted by Eideteker at 11:14 PM on July 11, 2009
Is this just a American/Australian thing, or can we request other countries? I'd love to get some of the Japanese candies I can't find around here. Juntsuyu, grapefruit mentos, pineapple hi-chew or other flavors that aren't typically made/imported for the American market. It is way too hot right now to ship or receive meltables, but if any one wants prickly pear, date or other desert themed candy, I'm your gal! I'm close to a great variety of hot sauces: local (Arizona), mexican and south american.
posted by lizjohn at 11:22 PM on July 11, 2009
posted by lizjohn at 11:22 PM on July 11, 2009
This is awesome...and if we're requesting things from other countries, how about other states? If anyone in Alaska will send me some reindeer sausage*, I'll gladly offer anything in exchange up to and including a kidney and/or my sister's soul, which is my legal property as she traded it to me in 1992 for an ice cream cone.
*Yes, I am a terrible person. Rudolph is delicious.
posted by Dormant Gorilla at 11:27 PM on July 11, 2009
*Yes, I am a terrible person. Rudolph is delicious.
posted by Dormant Gorilla at 11:27 PM on July 11, 2009
Is this just a American/Australian thing, or can we request other countries?
Absolutely, it's up for everybody and anybody!
posted by turgid dahlia at 12:09 AM on July 12, 2009
Absolutely, it's up for everybody and anybody!
posted by turgid dahlia at 12:09 AM on July 12, 2009
I used to buy these Irish cigarettes at a tobacco store that stocked all kinds of imported smokes. I don't remember anything about them other than the box they came in was white and red, and they had a warning label that just said "SMOKING WILL KILL YOU" (although I assume that's common to all cigarettes sold in Ireland). I loved them, but have never seen them anywhere else, and that store is long gone. Any ideas on what these were? And if so, I'd trade something for some of those for sure.
posted by DecemberBoy at 12:12 AM on July 12, 2009
posted by DecemberBoy at 12:12 AM on July 12, 2009
grapefruit mentos, pineapple hi-chew or other flavors that aren't typically made/imported for the American market.
I've ordered them (and other mentos flavors, like mango, etc.) before, via ebay from a seller in japan. I also ordered cucumber pepsi from the same seller. If you can't find someone to send you exotic candy, try ebay!
posted by necessitas at 12:15 AM on July 12, 2009
I've ordered them (and other mentos flavors, like mango, etc.) before, via ebay from a seller in japan. I also ordered cucumber pepsi from the same seller. If you can't find someone to send you exotic candy, try ebay!
posted by necessitas at 12:15 AM on July 12, 2009
DecemberBoy: Winstons? Chesterfields? Marlboros? Lucky Strikes? Any of these? Unfortunately pretty much every cigarette in the world, Irish or not, comes in a red-and-white pack :P
posted by turgid dahlia at 12:44 AM on July 12, 2009
posted by turgid dahlia at 12:44 AM on July 12, 2009
If it's from Ireland it's likely an Imperial Tobacco brand. See here or here.
posted by turgid dahlia at 12:48 AM on July 12, 2009
posted by turgid dahlia at 12:48 AM on July 12, 2009
I think this is a neat idea and will likely involve myself with one caveat; delmoi is forbidden to participate.
posted by Effigy2000 at 1:01 AM on July 12, 2009 [2 favorites]
posted by Effigy2000 at 1:01 AM on July 12, 2009 [2 favorites]
Sigh, it is all because of internet exchanges that my favorite tea is from Finland, and seemingly only available there, and my Finland source has moved on. It is funny what can be considered regional specialties. I sent a bag of marshmallows in exchange for that tea, so that the person in Finland could make S'mores at Midsummer (we decided that digestive biscuits might stand in for graham crackers so I just sent the marshmallows).
Note to mrmojoflying - be sure to have some cheese curds and some frozen custard when you get to Wisconsin.
posted by gudrun at 1:08 AM on July 12, 2009
Note to mrmojoflying - be sure to have some cheese curds and some frozen custard when you get to Wisconsin.
posted by gudrun at 1:08 AM on July 12, 2009
I would trade Violet Crumble / Tim Tams / Vegemite for Twinkies / Peeps / a Babe Ruth bar!
posted by t0astie at 1:54 AM on July 12, 2009
posted by t0astie at 1:54 AM on July 12, 2009
Man, fresh-from-the-kitchen pierogi.
Not really something findable in Japan. Apparently grapefruit mentos can be! I'm a fan of the bontan ame myself. Even though I eat them all at once and then feel ill afterward.
posted by that girl at 2:26 AM on July 12, 2009
Not really something findable in Japan. Apparently grapefruit mentos can be! I'm a fan of the bontan ame myself. Even though I eat them all at once and then feel ill afterward.
posted by that girl at 2:26 AM on July 12, 2009
I'm up for this.
I'll pretty much accept anything from anywhere (tobacco excepted) in exchange for whatever you want: Minties, Fantails, Tim Tams (all varieties), Wagon Wheels, Violet Crumbles, Bertie Beetles, Caramello Koalas, Freddo Frogs, Polly Waffles (warning: may result in instant diabetes), King Island Dairy cheeses, Australian honey, or wine.
I'll even do you a care package of all the above along with a 'love letter', and a photo of a much handsomer man than me, so you can lie to everyone about your Australian boyfriend.
posted by Ritchie at 2:45 AM on July 12, 2009 [2 favorites]
I'll pretty much accept anything from anywhere (tobacco excepted) in exchange for whatever you want: Minties, Fantails, Tim Tams (all varieties), Wagon Wheels, Violet Crumbles, Bertie Beetles, Caramello Koalas, Freddo Frogs, Polly Waffles (warning: may result in instant diabetes), King Island Dairy cheeses, Australian honey, or wine.
I'll even do you a care package of all the above along with a 'love letter', and a photo of a much handsomer man than me, so you can lie to everyone about your Australian boyfriend.
posted by Ritchie at 2:45 AM on July 12, 2009 [2 favorites]
Man, fresh-from-the-kitchen pierogi.
piiraagi are the best things in the world *drools*
posted by UbuRoivas at 2:46 AM on July 12, 2009
piiraagi are the best things in the world *drools*
posted by UbuRoivas at 2:46 AM on July 12, 2009
I would love a collection of USian chocolates: Babe Ruth bars, Peeps, Reeces Pieces and so forth, Twinkies, anything with dulce de leche in it, and a can of Yoder's Bacon for giggles.
Happy to trade anything I can legally fit into a box, including kangaroo jerky, bush tucker spices (lemon myrtle is to DIE for), beer kits and so forth.
posted by ninazer0 at 2:48 AM on July 12, 2009
Happy to trade anything I can legally fit into a box, including kangaroo jerky, bush tucker spices (lemon myrtle is to DIE for), beer kits and so forth.
posted by ninazer0 at 2:48 AM on July 12, 2009
Can someone in San Diego or another S. Californian city send me a couple of tacos or a burrito bought from a sketchy truck on the side of the road? Preferably still hot when it gets here, so maybe send it FedEx® 5Minutes™. I can send you Penn Cove mussels or a slow, timid driver, we have a surplus of both here on the island.
posted by maxwelton at 3:05 AM on July 12, 2009
posted by maxwelton at 3:05 AM on July 12, 2009
I'd totally be in on this. If only because I'm moving to Australia and will have a powerful need for various things (salsa! green chiles! masa! corn husks! cream soda! ... though I have a feeling Quarantine might snatch all of those away, because they're anal and awful and I hate them.)
Tragically, most of the stuff I long for when I'm in Australia can't be mailed - Dairy Queen Blizzards, Jack in the Box locations with a 24-hour drive through, pizza that doesn't have SUGAR in it (what the HELL is up with that, Australia?! Pizza Hut's Barbeque Meat Lover's or whatever it is is LOADED with sugar. It's sweeter than some American candy. So. Incredibly. Wrong.)
My favorite Australian stuffs as an American have been the Darrell Lea licorice (especially the seasonal pineapple flavor and the green apple), the marshmallow-y bananas (similar to circus peanuts, but far more awesome), Natural Confectionery Co. Sour Squirms, Red Rock Deli chips (Sweet Chili & Sour Cream, *swoon*), and the massive variety of curry pastes and powders. Oh, and Bundy ginger beer, of course.
Tim Tams are a major favorite as well, but I tend not to send those in care packages to the U.S., because they're available at Cost Plus for a pretty similar price (A$3.99 a package in Australia, US$3.99 at Cost Plus). Also, the Mint Slice cookies - err, excuse me, biscuits - are wonderful for fans of mint and chocolate.
Not a fan of Vegemite. Repeat, NOT a fan. But I suppose everybody needs to try it for the sake of Australian-ness, so send one of those tiny sample jars.
I love this idea, though. Fabulous.
posted by po at 3:17 AM on July 12, 2009 [1 favorite]
Tragically, most of the stuff I long for when I'm in Australia can't be mailed - Dairy Queen Blizzards, Jack in the Box locations with a 24-hour drive through, pizza that doesn't have SUGAR in it (what the HELL is up with that, Australia?! Pizza Hut's Barbeque Meat Lover's or whatever it is is LOADED with sugar. It's sweeter than some American candy. So. Incredibly. Wrong.)
My favorite Australian stuffs as an American have been the Darrell Lea licorice (especially the seasonal pineapple flavor and the green apple), the marshmallow-y bananas (similar to circus peanuts, but far more awesome), Natural Confectionery Co. Sour Squirms, Red Rock Deli chips (Sweet Chili & Sour Cream, *swoon*), and the massive variety of curry pastes and powders. Oh, and Bundy ginger beer, of course.
Tim Tams are a major favorite as well, but I tend not to send those in care packages to the U.S., because they're available at Cost Plus for a pretty similar price (A$3.99 a package in Australia, US$3.99 at Cost Plus). Also, the Mint Slice cookies - err, excuse me, biscuits - are wonderful for fans of mint and chocolate.
Not a fan of Vegemite. Repeat, NOT a fan. But I suppose everybody needs to try it for the sake of Australian-ness, so send one of those tiny sample jars.
I love this idea, though. Fabulous.
posted by po at 3:17 AM on July 12, 2009 [1 favorite]
I don't know about any of the other states, but if anyone that's looking for US candy is in or near Melbourne, there's a pretty good sweetshop in Newport, down the road from the Pizza Hut, that stocks quite a variety, along with stuff from several other countries. Might be worth a look if you're near the area.
posted by narrativium at 3:28 AM on July 12, 2009
posted by narrativium at 3:28 AM on July 12, 2009
Seriously, I have the choice of several brands of Vegemite with a 30 minute drive.
Erm, what? There is only one Vegemite. The One True Vegemite. You don't get multiple brands of it. There are similar yeast spreads, yes, but only One Vegemite.
Fun fact: Vegemite and cheese on toast is a fabulous hangover cure.
posted by Jilder at 3:28 AM on July 12, 2009 [2 favorites]
Erm, what? There is only one Vegemite. The One True Vegemite. You don't get multiple brands of it. There are similar yeast spreads, yes, but only One Vegemite.
Fun fact: Vegemite and cheese on toast is a fabulous hangover cure.
posted by Jilder at 3:28 AM on July 12, 2009 [2 favorites]
When I get a craving for some Anglo yum yums I just head over to the Australian goods store less than two miles from my house in Santa Clara. When I lived in the peninsula, I'd go over to British food importers in San Carlos. It's just that when I'm jonesing for Heinz baked beans for some English beans-on-toast, Flake and Lion bars, meat flavor crisps--for some reason it has never occured to American potato chip companies to foray into meat flavors-- or wine gums etc. etc. etc., I just can't a wait damn week.
You know what I could go for right now? A huge platter of English tea sandwiches, especially cucumber ones. If anyone can commission a Concorde out of retirement to deliver some, I'm in.
posted by Devils Slide at 3:42 AM on July 12, 2009
You know what I could go for right now? A huge platter of English tea sandwiches, especially cucumber ones. If anyone can commission a Concorde out of retirement to deliver some, I'm in.
posted by Devils Slide at 3:42 AM on July 12, 2009
I'll see your cucumber sandwiches and raise them some watercress sandwiches my good fellow!
posted by turgid dahlia at 4:04 AM on July 12, 2009
posted by turgid dahlia at 4:04 AM on July 12, 2009
what the HELL is up with that, Australia?! Pizza Hut's Barbeque Meat Lover's or whatever it is is LOADED with sugar. It's sweeter than some American candy. So. Incredibly. Wrong.
There are 5 gazillion Italians in Australia running local pizza places why the HELL were you eating at Pizza Hut?
But while we are on sugar plz send Cherry Ripes and Fruchocs to Japan and I will send... er possibly natto flavoured Kit Kats back.... (^_^)
Oh yeah and I've run out of toothpaste again.
posted by gomichild at 4:50 AM on July 12, 2009
There are 5 gazillion Italians in Australia running local pizza places why the HELL were you eating at Pizza Hut?
But while we are on sugar plz send Cherry Ripes and Fruchocs to Japan and I will send... er possibly natto flavoured Kit Kats back.... (^_^)
Oh yeah and I've run out of toothpaste again.
posted by gomichild at 4:50 AM on July 12, 2009
Being an actual American-Australian, I'll just point out that you can buy American stuff in Australia from USA Foods. I believe they also have a physical store in Melbourne. You can also get a selection of stuff at David Jones Food Hall in Sydney, and a lot of sweet shops carry American stuff too. (The "Sugar Fixx" in the Myer Food Court even has Cream Soda and Dr. Pepper.) I haven't had any trouble finding Libby's Pumpkin Pie mix at Thanksgiving, though it's priced pretty outrageously. I'm even told you can by Crisco by the can... at the Toolshed in Newtown. ;)
I hate to say it... but the only stuff I've bothered to have sent from the US (that I can't get here) is COMPLETE CRAP that makes me feel worse after eating it. A cousin sent me a whole case of Little Debbie cakes one year, and by the end of the first box I was regretting it. So I'll just advise any Aussies that you may be underwhelmed by our snack treats. Tim Tams really are way better than anything overseas.
And for any Americans sending stuff over - be real careful with what you send. Australia has strict importation and quarantine laws and they enforce them. I once got a Christmas package from my aunt three months late. Why? Because - despite me telling her dozens of times not to send any nuts or seeds - she sent me a bag of blue popcorn (which, yeah, we don't have here). Quarantine confiscated it.
(Also interesting - check out the USA Foods FAQs: Stove Top Stuff Mix can't be brought in because it contains "less than 2% chicken". Items that have more than 10% dairy are forbidden, which precludes Cool Whip and Velveeta.)
posted by web-goddess at 5:09 AM on July 12, 2009
I hate to say it... but the only stuff I've bothered to have sent from the US (that I can't get here) is COMPLETE CRAP that makes me feel worse after eating it. A cousin sent me a whole case of Little Debbie cakes one year, and by the end of the first box I was regretting it. So I'll just advise any Aussies that you may be underwhelmed by our snack treats. Tim Tams really are way better than anything overseas.
And for any Americans sending stuff over - be real careful with what you send. Australia has strict importation and quarantine laws and they enforce them. I once got a Christmas package from my aunt three months late. Why? Because - despite me telling her dozens of times not to send any nuts or seeds - she sent me a bag of blue popcorn (which, yeah, we don't have here). Quarantine confiscated it.
(Also interesting - check out the USA Foods FAQs: Stove Top Stuff Mix can't be brought in because it contains "less than 2% chicken". Items that have more than 10% dairy are forbidden, which precludes Cool Whip and Velveeta.)
posted by web-goddess at 5:09 AM on July 12, 2009
Redskins and toffee apple bars, please!
what the HELL is up with that, Australia?! Pizza Hut's Barbeque Meat Lover's or whatever it is is LOADED with sugar. It's sweeter than some American candy. So. Incredibly. Wrong.
Barbecue sauce is sweet everywhere. Don't get a pizza with barbecue sauce if you don't want it sweet.
posted by goo at 5:11 AM on July 12, 2009
what the HELL is up with that, Australia?! Pizza Hut's Barbeque Meat Lover's or whatever it is is LOADED with sugar. It's sweeter than some American candy. So. Incredibly. Wrong.
Barbecue sauce is sweet everywhere. Don't get a pizza with barbecue sauce if you don't want it sweet.
posted by goo at 5:11 AM on July 12, 2009
World Market sells Bundaberg Ginger Beer, four bottles for $7. Holy crap is that stuff good.
According to an Australian friend, what America does right is that stuff that's totally wrong for you, Dr. Pepper, cheeseburgers, fried chicken, various candy bars, etc.
Healthcare? Not so much.
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 5:39 AM on July 12, 2009 [1 favorite]
According to an Australian friend, what America does right is that stuff that's totally wrong for you, Dr. Pepper, cheeseburgers, fried chicken, various candy bars, etc.
Healthcare? Not so much.
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 5:39 AM on July 12, 2009 [1 favorite]
According to an Australian friend, what America does right is that stuff that's totally wrong for you, Dr. Pepper, cheeseburgers, fried chicken, various candy bars, etc.
Healthcare? Not so much.
That's pretty much our entire business model as a nation, no? Why the same company owns Weight Watchers and Ben and Jerry's?
posted by The Whelk at 5:42 AM on July 12, 2009
Healthcare? Not so much.
That's pretty much our entire business model as a nation, no? Why the same company owns Weight Watchers and Ben and Jerry's?
posted by The Whelk at 5:42 AM on July 12, 2009
Barbecue sauce is sweet everywhere.
On a sliding scale of sweetness perhaps, but I can find you half-a-dozen local BBQ joints within 10 miles of where I live that have sauce varieties that will be two other things before sweet and I'm not even located in the true geographical south.
posted by mrmojoflying at 6:02 AM on July 12, 2009
On a sliding scale of sweetness perhaps, but I can find you half-a-dozen local BBQ joints within 10 miles of where I live that have sauce varieties that will be two other things before sweet and I'm not even located in the true geographical south.
posted by mrmojoflying at 6:02 AM on July 12, 2009
... what America does right is that stuff that's totally wrong for you ...
This is part of the appeal, I think. When Krispy Kreme opened in Australia there were queues across the Nullabor, and it seemed like every second day someone would turn up at work with a big box of them to share. Krispy Kreme donuts are appallingly delicious, and if it weren't for the slightly rancid aftertaste they leave in my mouth (typically lingering for a few hours) I'd be willing to believe that their primary ingredients are ambrosia and rainbows. I thank my stars that the novelty seems to have worn off amongst my co-workers otherwise I'd probably be on the waiting list for a new aorta.
posted by Ritchie at 6:11 AM on July 12, 2009 [1 favorite]
This is part of the appeal, I think. When Krispy Kreme opened in Australia there were queues across the Nullabor, and it seemed like every second day someone would turn up at work with a big box of them to share. Krispy Kreme donuts are appallingly delicious, and if it weren't for the slightly rancid aftertaste they leave in my mouth (typically lingering for a few hours) I'd be willing to believe that their primary ingredients are ambrosia and rainbows. I thank my stars that the novelty seems to have worn off amongst my co-workers otherwise I'd probably be on the waiting list for a new aorta.
posted by Ritchie at 6:11 AM on July 12, 2009 [1 favorite]
what the HELL is up with that, Australia?! Pizza Hut's Barbeque Meat Lover's or whatever it is is LOADED with sugar.
Top tip: In Australia, if you'd like a pizza, go to a pizza shop. Not "McDonalds Flat".
posted by pompomtom at 6:15 AM on July 12, 2009
Top tip: In Australia, if you'd like a pizza, go to a pizza shop. Not "McDonalds Flat".
posted by pompomtom at 6:15 AM on July 12, 2009
(if you're in Melbourne, I could suggest a couple...)
posted by pompomtom at 6:15 AM on July 12, 2009
posted by pompomtom at 6:15 AM on July 12, 2009
Whelk, I can't tell if you are being serious or not about WTW owning Ben and Jerry's.
posted by josher71 at 6:32 AM on July 12, 2009
posted by josher71 at 6:32 AM on July 12, 2009
Best I can do is kangaroo jerky. You could make mating noises as the pieces roughhouse in your mouth.
*looks around nervously, hops away*
posted by Kangaroo at 7:12 AM on July 12, 2009 [10 favorites]
*looks around nervously, hops away*
posted by Kangaroo at 7:12 AM on July 12, 2009 [10 favorites]
Not in the position to participate in this at the moment, but I just had to say...
TIM TAMS ARE EVIL. DELICIOUS, DELICIOUS EVIL.
posted by elfgirl at 7:18 AM on July 12, 2009
TIM TAMS ARE EVIL. DELICIOUS, DELICIOUS EVIL.
posted by elfgirl at 7:18 AM on July 12, 2009
Speaking of candy, my favorite chocolate (yeah, yeah, I know white chocolate isn't technically chocolate) these days is Lindt Coconut White Chocolate. Unfortunately it's very hard to find (as you can see they're even out of stock at the site I linked to); the only place I've been able to find it locally is this particular Walgreens pharmacy, and even they don't have it most of the time, and when they get a shipment in it's the first Lindt variety to be sold out. That stuff is like crack. I once finished the whole bar before it occured to me to check the nutrituional information, and lo and behold there are 960 calories in a bar! Most of it in the form of delicious saturated fat. That's more calories than an average pint of Ben & Jerry's.
posted by Devils Slide at 7:48 AM on July 12, 2009
posted by Devils Slide at 7:48 AM on July 12, 2009
They sold Tim Tams at Target for about a month, but now I can't find them anywhere...
Will send American things to anyone for Tim Tams!
posted by gemmy at 7:50 AM on July 12, 2009
Will send American things to anyone for Tim Tams!
posted by gemmy at 7:50 AM on July 12, 2009
Y'all can have Mel Gibson back full-time. For free.
However, I've got first dibs on Matthew Mitcham.
posted by ericb at 7:51 AM on July 12, 2009
However, I've got first dibs on Matthew Mitcham.
posted by ericb at 7:51 AM on July 12, 2009
Anybody want anything from Manhattan? A Nutter Butter or macaron from Bouchon? A Magnolia Bakery cupcake? One of the best bagels in NYC? Let's do this!
posted by aquafortis at 8:11 AM on July 12, 2009
posted by aquafortis at 8:11 AM on July 12, 2009
I haven't had Bundaberg ginger beer, but I saw someone drinking it at work yesterday and the latest issue of Bon Appetit has a suggested use for it. So I think the universe wants me to have some.
I am in North Carolina, and can supply any kind of sweet or snack or even the depressing bad, vinegary nonsense that passes for barbecue sauce here.
posted by jeoc at 8:18 AM on July 12, 2009
I am in North Carolina, and can supply any kind of sweet or snack or even the depressing bad, vinegary nonsense that passes for barbecue sauce here.
posted by jeoc at 8:18 AM on July 12, 2009
I'm in Phoenix, AZ and have access to lots of salsa and other Mexican-type things. Also the normal American stuff. I'd love to try anything from Australia. So! Hit me up if you're interested!
posted by TurquoiseZebra at 8:40 AM on July 12, 2009
posted by TurquoiseZebra at 8:40 AM on July 12, 2009
I'm an American in Melbourne for the next three weeks and will smuggle small things in my suitcase for mailing in the US. Send Memail.
posted by bendy at 8:41 AM on July 12, 2009 [1 favorite]
posted by bendy at 8:41 AM on July 12, 2009 [1 favorite]
I will trade positive energy and goodwill for anyone from BC willing to send a bag of the special herbal diet supplements your region is so famous for.
posted by Meatbomb at 8:48 AM on July 12, 2009
posted by Meatbomb at 8:48 AM on July 12, 2009
for some reason it has never occured to American potato chip companies to foray into meat flavors
Lays has/had a Roast Chicken flavour.
It is unsurprisingly vile. They also did a curry one (bleargh), and wasabi (astonishingly good, and I'm going to be making my own wasabi chips for a party in a couple weeks).
posted by dirtynumbangelboy at 9:30 AM on July 12, 2009
Lays has/had a Roast Chicken flavour.
It is unsurprisingly vile. They also did a curry one (bleargh), and wasabi (astonishingly good, and I'm going to be making my own wasabi chips for a party in a couple weeks).
posted by dirtynumbangelboy at 9:30 AM on July 12, 2009
Ummm...not to be Debbie Downer here, but have you all took into consideration shipping costs?
I just sent over a 5 pound package, USPS, NYC to Melbourne. $80.
I think small things, in padded envelopes are the way to go. A candy bar or two. Something like that.
I go back and forth five or six times a year, and have been trying to figure out how I could make a business out of it somehow bringing over hard to get there goods.
No ideas so far, but I do supply my man with cheap Levi's.
posted by newpotato at 9:32 AM on July 12, 2009
I just sent over a 5 pound package, USPS, NYC to Melbourne. $80.
I think small things, in padded envelopes are the way to go. A candy bar or two. Something like that.
I go back and forth five or six times a year, and have been trying to figure out how I could make a business out of it somehow bringing over hard to get there goods.
No ideas so far, but I do supply my man with cheap Levi's.
posted by newpotato at 9:32 AM on July 12, 2009
Who wants to trade for Canadian stuff?
I had so much fun with secret santa, that I'm totally up for this!
posted by sunshinesky at 9:47 AM on July 12, 2009
I had so much fun with secret santa, that I'm totally up for this!
posted by sunshinesky at 9:47 AM on July 12, 2009
(if you're in Melbourne, I could suggest a couple...)
yes! feel free to tell me where the best pizza in melbourne is!
i was enjoying mercadente on lygon st (right up the trades hall end) for a while, until they started skimping out on the prosciutto, capers & chillies.
posted by UbuRoivas at 10:22 AM on July 12, 2009
yes! feel free to tell me where the best pizza in melbourne is!
i was enjoying mercadente on lygon st (right up the trades hall end) for a while, until they started skimping out on the prosciutto, capers & chillies.
posted by UbuRoivas at 10:22 AM on July 12, 2009
Barbecue sauce is sweet everywhere.
No, it most certainly is NOT. There's a whole world of vinegar-based & mustard-based barbecue sauces out there for you to discover.
And more on topic, I would love it if some Canuck would send me a box of Coffee Crisp candy bars. They're awesome. It's baffling why they aren't sold in the States.
posted by BitterOldPunk at 10:34 AM on July 12, 2009
No, it most certainly is NOT. There's a whole world of vinegar-based & mustard-based barbecue sauces out there for you to discover.
And more on topic, I would love it if some Canuck would send me a box of Coffee Crisp candy bars. They're awesome. It's baffling why they aren't sold in the States.
posted by BitterOldPunk at 10:34 AM on July 12, 2009
If any of you blokes in Canuckistan can send me a Nanaimo bar or a box of Timbits or something, I might be able to send... well, I don't know what US confections you don't get.
posted by kldickson at 10:37 AM on July 12, 2009
posted by kldickson at 10:37 AM on July 12, 2009
Anyone want hard candy with a scorpion in it? According to the touristy part of town, that's what my region is famous for.
posted by Ms. Saint at 10:49 AM on July 12, 2009
posted by Ms. Saint at 10:49 AM on July 12, 2009
lizjohn I will trade you anything from the state of California for a Nico's bacon, egg, cheese and potato burrito and a stack of tortillas from that place on St. Mary's and Grande.
posted by carsonb at 10:59 AM on July 12, 2009
posted by carsonb at 10:59 AM on July 12, 2009
I am in the UK and would happily swap anything with any US person for Frank's Hot Sauce and Hamburger Helper!
posted by triggerfinger at 11:16 AM on July 12, 2009
posted by triggerfinger at 11:16 AM on July 12, 2009
"cookies stuffed with the caramel and dolce de leche that we call Argentinean Moon Pies
NOM"
For serial. The best ones are at the empanada place named (descriptively) Empanada's Place, which also makes homemade versions that aren't dipped in chocolate. But there's a bunch of other kinds at the local bodega that aren't as good but are much cheaper.
After each bite you can feel the diabetic blindness creeping in, but that makes them only more delicious.
posted by klangklangston at 11:42 AM on July 12, 2009
NOM"
For serial. The best ones are at the empanada place named (descriptively) Empanada's Place, which also makes homemade versions that aren't dipped in chocolate. But there's a bunch of other kinds at the local bodega that aren't as good but are much cheaper.
After each bite you can feel the diabetic blindness creeping in, but that makes them only more delicious.
posted by klangklangston at 11:42 AM on July 12, 2009
I can offer Dublin Dr Pepper, in glass bottles, no less!
posted by orrnyereg at 11:51 AM on July 12, 2009
posted by orrnyereg at 11:51 AM on July 12, 2009
Bundaberg's gingerbeer is available at BevMo, at least in Cali, as is the Ginger People gingerbeer, which I think is the best around. Aussies know from gingerbeer. I have a, um, professional interest in the stuff.
I would trade a genuine San Francisco Mission burrito for some true New York bagels.
posted by gingerbeer at 12:06 PM on July 12, 2009
I would trade a genuine San Francisco Mission burrito for some true New York bagels.
posted by gingerbeer at 12:06 PM on July 12, 2009
I want a Peppermint Crisp candy bar. Will trade for maple sugar candy or some stupid American candy.
posted by jessamyn (staff) at 12:09 PM on July 12, 2009
posted by jessamyn (staff) at 12:09 PM on July 12, 2009
Vegemite is crap. Marmite is crap.
The true leader in the world of yeast extract is Vitam-R
Try it...you will never go back to the concentrated, salty crap.
Will swap for salmon jerky.
posted by i_cola at 12:22 PM on July 12, 2009
The true leader in the world of yeast extract is Vitam-R
Try it...you will never go back to the concentrated, salty crap.
Will swap for salmon jerky.
posted by i_cola at 12:22 PM on July 12, 2009
I'd be interested in some Nigerien yellowcake if anyone can get their hands on it. Not too sure if it would keep as well as Timbits though...
posted by gman at 12:30 PM on July 12, 2009 [3 favorites]
posted by gman at 12:30 PM on July 12, 2009 [3 favorites]
If you're interested in sweets from the U.S. South, you can order them online here. I have no connection with them other than the restraining order, but I can totally explain that. The Glazed Pecans are da domb.
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 12:41 PM on July 12, 2009
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 12:41 PM on July 12, 2009
I could contribute something (I'm sure) is uniquely Canadian: macaroni and cheese hotdish.
I'm not the only one who will admit they'd gladly send you the neighbor's child in exchange for just one bag of ketchup chips.
posted by Deathalicious at 12:51 PM on July 12, 2009
I'm not the only one who will admit they'd gladly send you the neighbor's child in exchange for just one bag of ketchup chips.
posted by Deathalicious at 12:51 PM on July 12, 2009
Capers on pizza?
*shudder*
Oh, you old people and your finicky taste buds.
Yes, yes, yes. Capers on pizza. With anchovies, a splash of tomato sauce, and just a sprinkling of cheese. I believe it's called a Napoletana.
posted by Deathalicious at 12:53 PM on July 12, 2009
*shudder*
Oh, you old people and your finicky taste buds.
Yes, yes, yes. Capers on pizza. With anchovies, a splash of tomato sauce, and just a sprinkling of cheese. I believe it's called a Napoletana.
posted by Deathalicious at 12:53 PM on July 12, 2009
I'm not the only one who will admit they'd gladly send you the neighbor's child in exchange for just one bag of ketchup chips.
Dude, that sounds like a win-win for you.
posted by gman at 12:56 PM on July 12, 2009
Dude, that sounds like a win-win for you.
posted by gman at 12:56 PM on July 12, 2009
I'll send some delicious chocolate-covered potato chips from Melbourne, FL (my locality) in exchange for some TimTams from Melbourne, AU.
Also, I'd love to trade something for some Mexican Coca-cola, or any soda that uses sugar instead of High Fructose Corn Syrup.
posted by misha at 1:21 PM on July 12, 2009
Also, I'd love to trade something for some Mexican Coca-cola, or any soda that uses sugar instead of High Fructose Corn Syrup.
posted by misha at 1:21 PM on July 12, 2009
We have the best licorice here in NL. So I can send that. I'm not sure what I'd like from somewhere else in the world though.
posted by jouke at 1:22 PM on July 12, 2009
posted by jouke at 1:22 PM on July 12, 2009
Oh, and I'd love saltwater taffy from somewhere else, too!
posted by misha at 1:23 PM on July 12, 2009
posted by misha at 1:23 PM on July 12, 2009
This is a great idea.
posted by lazaruslong at 1:32 PM on July 12, 2009
posted by lazaruslong at 1:32 PM on July 12, 2009
turgid dahlia: Alas, po spoiled the bargain for you. Now that I know I can get Tim Tams at World Market, about a block from work, I think I may just do that. (Also problematic is that I have no idea where to get Cisco.) Sorry!
posted by limeonaire at 1:35 PM on July 12, 2009
posted by limeonaire at 1:35 PM on July 12, 2009
YO NIPPON
I know it's basically wine cooler, but I couldn't get enough of THIS STUFF RIGHT HERE and it's not findable in the states.
posted by Ambrosia Voyeur at 2:27 PM on July 12, 2009
I know it's basically wine cooler, but I couldn't get enough of THIS STUFF RIGHT HERE and it's not findable in the states.
posted by Ambrosia Voyeur at 2:27 PM on July 12, 2009
Carsonb: how about something equally awkward to ship? I'd love to get my hands on some Pliny the Younger. In fact, anyone else for some beer-swappin'? Yes, there are other swapping sites out there, but they're not mefites!
posted by lizjohn at 2:34 PM on July 12, 2009
posted by lizjohn at 2:34 PM on July 12, 2009
I'll trade some stroopwafels or drop licorice or whatever else Dutch (and legal) you might want for some sweet (as in not very vinegary) liquid smoke or liquid smoke-based marinade, some chipotles, and/or maybe a couple packs of American Spirit.
posted by goodnewsfortheinsane at 2:44 PM on July 12, 2009
posted by goodnewsfortheinsane at 2:44 PM on July 12, 2009
I'll send you Yankees however many ketchup chips and Coffee Crisps you want in exchange for some Nat Sherman MCDs.
posted by Go Banana at 2:53 PM on July 12, 2009
posted by Go Banana at 2:53 PM on July 12, 2009
I can offer Dublin Dr Pepper, in glass bottles, no less!
Oh damn. Willwhore self outtrade Italian goods of choice for Dr. Pepper and Timtams.
posted by romakimmy at 3:22 PM on July 12, 2009
Oh damn. Will
posted by romakimmy at 3:22 PM on July 12, 2009
I know it's basically wine cooler, but I couldn't get enough of THIS STUFF RIGHT HERE and it's not findable in the states.
Ah the ol' Chu hai.....
posted by gomichild at 4:27 PM on July 12, 2009
Ah the ol' Chu hai.....
posted by gomichild at 4:27 PM on July 12, 2009
I'm terrifically late here, but a community I once participated in had a great system for something like this.
It was in the form of a perpetual trading thread; people would post the things they were prepared to give away, someone would respond who wanted those things, and offer their own in return, etc. etc. Postage deets and other messy things were worked out in private messages between sender/recipient.
Eg.
Post 1, User 1: vvvv Gets a big bottle of octopus jerky vvvvv
Post 2, User 2: QUOTEvvvv Gets a big bottle of octopus jerky vvvvv/QUOTE>
Yes please!
vvvvv Gets a framed "Uncle Joey", Full House print vvvvvv
Post 3, User 3: QUOTEvvvvvGets a framed "Uncle Joey", Full House printvvvvvv/quote
Thank you!!
vvvvv Gets a shovel, a bag of quicklime, and the boot of my car vvvvv
That thread really rocked along, it was a great system for something like this...
posted by smoke at 5:16 PM on July 12, 2009
It was in the form of a perpetual trading thread; people would post the things they were prepared to give away, someone would respond who wanted those things, and offer their own in return, etc. etc. Postage deets and other messy things were worked out in private messages between sender/recipient.
Eg.
Post 1, User 1: vvvv Gets a big bottle of octopus jerky vvvvv
Post 2, User 2: QUOTEvvvv Gets a big bottle of octopus jerky vvvvv/QUOTE>
Yes please!
vvvvv Gets a framed "Uncle Joey", Full House print vvvvvv
Post 3, User 3: QUOTEvvvvvGets a framed "Uncle Joey", Full House printvvvvvv/quote
Thank you!!
vvvvv Gets a shovel, a bag of quicklime, and the boot of my car vvvvv
That thread really rocked along, it was a great system for something like this...
posted by smoke at 5:16 PM on July 12, 2009
SwapMe.
posted by Dormant Gorilla at 5:42 PM on July 12, 2009
posted by Dormant Gorilla at 5:42 PM on July 12, 2009
Cisco is also known as "liquid crack". It is the lowest of all bum wines, and makes Thunderbird look like Dom Perignon. It's only sold in convenience stores and liquor stores in sketchy neighborhoods, and has a strange side effect of making the imbiber prone to sudden, irrational violence, more so than plain alcohol. Some black community leaders have claimed in the past that this is intentional, and that it (along with malt liquor, which has a similar side effect) is part of a conspiracy to cause black youths to kill each other and thus commit covert genocide on the black race. It's not really something you want to drink, it's something that you have no other choice but to drink because you're homeless and destitute.
If anyone wants to send me a plane ticket to Australia, I will show up with four bottles of orange Cisco*, pound them on your stoop or porch, rip the collar of your shirt and shit in your sink with hearty gusto.**
To paraphrase Achewood: You don't buy Cisco because you like to drink it, you buy it so the cops will have something to wrestle you for.
*Orange Cisco, plumes of neon vomit, I uprooted a small tree, I boxed a ghost, I ate flour.
** I won't do this, I can't drink Cisco anymore, send me a plane ticket though, I really want to see Australia, my homeboy D'Arcy moved down there and he told me it's amazing, one time he was picking grapes and this giant spider jumped out at him, luckily he was prepared and struck it with the Brooklyn Galaxy Fist and severely disrupted its chi. Sounds like good times to me.
posted by Divine_Wino at 5:58 PM on July 12, 2009 [10 favorites]
BLACK FOREST TIM TAMS OH MY GOD, I will send stuff to people for those.
posted by Nattie at 6:11 PM on July 12, 2009
posted by Nattie at 6:11 PM on July 12, 2009
Deathalicious, I'd consider sending you some ketchup chips, but I wouldn't know what to ask for in return!
posted by sunshinesky at 6:11 PM on July 12, 2009
posted by sunshinesky at 6:11 PM on July 12, 2009
The last time I worked in Seattle, they had ketchup chips at the corner StopNShop (might not be the real name of the place). I've never eaten them. Ugh.
posted by reflecked at 6:25 PM on July 12, 2009
posted by reflecked at 6:25 PM on July 12, 2009
Decemberboy: Betcha it was Carrolls smokes.
Carrolls! That was it! Oh man, thanks so much. That's been bothering me for years.
posted by DecemberBoy at 6:47 PM on July 12, 2009
Carrolls! That was it! Oh man, thanks so much. That's been bothering me for years.
posted by DecemberBoy at 6:47 PM on July 12, 2009
OOH. I would gleefully slaughter a schoolbus full of kiddies and nuns to get my hands on some green tea Pocky. WON'T SOMEONE THINK OF THE CHILDREN?
posted by elizardbits at 8:29 PM on July 12, 2009
posted by elizardbits at 8:29 PM on July 12, 2009
I just tried the new Vegemite. It's alright, I guess. Tastes pretty much exactly like what you'd expect Vegemite to taste if diluted with cream cheese.
The result? Well, it's about the colour of nutella, and you have to use ten times as much because it doesn't have the same salty kick.
Which is probably why they redesigned it in the first place - Vegemite never seems to go off, and a large jar can keep you going for years, seeing as you only use the thinnest smear of the stuff if you know what you're doing.
posted by UbuRoivas at 8:35 PM on July 12, 2009
The result? Well, it's about the colour of nutella, and you have to use ten times as much because it doesn't have the same salty kick.
Which is probably why they redesigned it in the first place - Vegemite never seems to go off, and a large jar can keep you going for years, seeing as you only use the thinnest smear of the stuff if you know what you're doing.
posted by UbuRoivas at 8:35 PM on July 12, 2009
Any one want bacon. I mean real bacon. Not that streaky fatty shite USAnians call bacon. That's not bacon, that's a poor imitation, the weasly white-trash of bacon. Real bacon is long and lean with the streaky tail plus a big head o' meaty tasty smoked flesh (to which it is naturally attached). Real bacon is 14" long and more. Real bacon is like both english speaking countries of north America without the border. Real bacon is healthy, hearty and good for you (ok, that may be a fib). But come on America, you say you like bacon? You ain't tried bacon till you've had some honey smoked thick-cut long rashers.
Mmmm, honey bacon. Not to be mistaken for the wife of a late Tasmanian Premier.
Will swap for buffalo jerky. Adorable, delicious jerky. Sexy chewy jerky. Drool worthy jerky. Jeeerrrrkkkkyyyy
posted by Kerasia at 8:48 PM on July 12, 2009 [1 favorite]
Mmmm, honey bacon. Not to be mistaken for the wife of a late Tasmanian Premier.
Will swap for buffalo jerky. Adorable, delicious jerky. Sexy chewy jerky. Drool worthy jerky. Jeeerrrrkkkkyyyy
posted by Kerasia at 8:48 PM on July 12, 2009 [1 favorite]
I think we all need an American Spirit after that one, Kerasia.
posted by heyho at 9:17 PM on July 12, 2009
posted by heyho at 9:17 PM on July 12, 2009
Oddly enough, I was just trying my first Fling candy bar the other day and thinking it was basically a Bizarro universe Twix bar with Violet Crumble in place of the cookie.
posted by BrotherCaine at 12:15 AM on July 13, 2009
posted by BrotherCaine at 12:15 AM on July 13, 2009
Also, I'd love to trade something for some Mexican Coca-cola, or any soda that uses sugar instead of High Fructose Corn Syrup.
This won't help you till next year, but stock up on Passover Coke, it's made with sugar, not corn syrup. I'm not sure about the market for passover coke in melbourne, you might need to take a daytrip to orlando or tampa (isn't that relatively near melbourne? I lived in south fl till I was in my late 20's, but anything north of palm beach or lee counties might as well have been another state).
posted by necessitas at 2:36 AM on July 13, 2009
This won't help you till next year, but stock up on Passover Coke, it's made with sugar, not corn syrup. I'm not sure about the market for passover coke in melbourne, you might need to take a daytrip to orlando or tampa (isn't that relatively near melbourne? I lived in south fl till I was in my late 20's, but anything north of palm beach or lee counties might as well have been another state).
posted by necessitas at 2:36 AM on July 13, 2009
I am informed that there is this thing known as "chocolate Jello". Is this accurate?
posted by turgid dahlia at 3:18 AM on July 13, 2009
posted by turgid dahlia at 3:18 AM on July 13, 2009
Okay, so, here's my list of "desireds":
1 x American Spirit organic
1 x Gauloises
1 x Gitanes
1 x Chesterfields (the classic full-length filterless)
1 x Fig Newtons
1 x "Chocolate Jello"
1 x "the best most american choc chip cookies you can get in the USA"
1 x chocolate cake mix
1 x chocolate-covered pretzels
1 x The hottest hot sauce you know of
1 x The flavoursomest hot sauce you know of
1 x more hot sauce
Basically I'm after smokes and hot sauce. Is this so much to ask for?
I'm in Australia, so if anything here tickles your fancy, I would be super-happy-fun-time to assemble a package of equal or greater dollar value in return for the above, or any combination thereof.
posted by turgid dahlia at 3:25 AM on July 13, 2009 [1 favorite]
1 x American Spirit organic
1 x Gauloises
1 x Gitanes
1 x Chesterfields (the classic full-length filterless)
1 x Fig Newtons
1 x "Chocolate Jello"
1 x "the best most american choc chip cookies you can get in the USA"
1 x chocolate cake mix
1 x chocolate-covered pretzels
1 x The hottest hot sauce you know of
1 x The flavoursomest hot sauce you know of
1 x more hot sauce
Basically I'm after smokes and hot sauce. Is this so much to ask for?
I'm in Australia, so if anything here tickles your fancy, I would be super-happy-fun-time to assemble a package of equal or greater dollar value in return for the above, or any combination thereof.
posted by turgid dahlia at 3:25 AM on July 13, 2009 [1 favorite]
I, too, am in Australia, and willing to trade our local delicacies for your local delicacies.
(But I will not send Vegemite to anyone because I can't have that on my conscience. That shit is vile.)
posted by robcorr at 4:51 AM on July 13, 2009
(But I will not send Vegemite to anyone because I can't have that on my conscience. That shit is vile.)
posted by robcorr at 4:51 AM on July 13, 2009
Also, I like hot sauce and barbecue and peanut-butter/chocolate and things.
posted by robcorr at 4:54 AM on July 13, 2009
posted by robcorr at 4:54 AM on July 13, 2009
Oh, god. Irish rashers. Yea, American bacon is shite compared to rashers.
Dammit, now I have to go eat crap brekkie in the hotel restaurant. Gah. I hate you, Kerasia.
posted by elfgirl at 5:01 AM on July 13, 2009
Dammit, now I have to go eat crap brekkie in the hotel restaurant. Gah. I hate you, Kerasia.
posted by elfgirl at 5:01 AM on July 13, 2009
ROBCORR YOUR CITIZENSHIP IS HEREBY REVOKED! The only way you can reattain it is by getting drunk with your mates and then beating up some "Lebs".
posted by turgid dahlia at 5:18 AM on July 13, 2009
posted by turgid dahlia at 5:18 AM on July 13, 2009
I have a backup Irish citizenship, so I'll pass on the Leb-bashing. The drinking, though, I'm up for that.
posted by robcorr at 5:28 AM on July 13, 2009
posted by robcorr at 5:28 AM on July 13, 2009
As an Aussie living in the US, I can attest to the ludicrous costs and times involved in sending stuff across the Pacific.
turgid dahlia: I'll be heading to your neck of the woods in December, so if you can wait 5 months I can bring you some of the things from your list.
Any Americans craving kangaroo scrotum or whatever it is you want: If I have room in my suitcase after stuffing it with Tim Tams* and Natural Confectionery Party Animals for myself, I'll be happy to bring anything back for you.
Not that streaky fatty shite USAnians call bacon.
This. I went shopping for bacon here for the first time a couple of days ago, and I'm just amazed that this stuff can be legally sold as "bacon". 20+ different brands/varieties on the shelves, and all of them looked like they were about 80% fat. Am I not looking in the right places, or is this the reality of American bacon?
*Count yourself lucky if you have a Cost Plus in your area. The only place I can find Tim Tams locally is at a cinema which sells them for 7 bloody dollars.
posted by ocha-no-mizu at 8:13 AM on July 13, 2009
turgid dahlia: I'll be heading to your neck of the woods in December, so if you can wait 5 months I can bring you some of the things from your list.
Any Americans craving kangaroo scrotum or whatever it is you want: If I have room in my suitcase after stuffing it with Tim Tams* and Natural Confectionery Party Animals for myself, I'll be happy to bring anything back for you.
Not that streaky fatty shite USAnians call bacon.
This. I went shopping for bacon here for the first time a couple of days ago, and I'm just amazed that this stuff can be legally sold as "bacon". 20+ different brands/varieties on the shelves, and all of them looked like they were about 80% fat. Am I not looking in the right places, or is this the reality of American bacon?
*Count yourself lucky if you have a Cost Plus in your area. The only place I can find Tim Tams locally is at a cinema which sells them for 7 bloody dollars.
posted by ocha-no-mizu at 8:13 AM on July 13, 2009
I am totally going to the kangaroo and kiwi tonight, after all this UK-ish food talk. They have violet crumbles and cadbury flake bars =)
posted by nomisxid at 8:21 AM on July 13, 2009
posted by nomisxid at 8:21 AM on July 13, 2009
Wisconsin here; I'd be willing to trade any number of location specific things that people might be curious to try. For instance, I have cheese, beer, kitschy trinkets, mosquitoes and winter-depression (depending on the season).
Lemme know if you are interested.
posted by quin at 8:24 AM on July 13, 2009
Lemme know if you are interested.
posted by quin at 8:24 AM on July 13, 2009
I have cheese
That is NOT CHEESE, it's orange.
posted by jessamyn (staff) at 8:29 AM on July 13, 2009 [1 favorite]
That is NOT CHEESE, it's orange.
posted by jessamyn (staff) at 8:29 AM on July 13, 2009 [1 favorite]
Barbecue sauce is sweet everywhere.
No, it most certainly is NOT
Okay, okay. Barbecue sauce is usually sweet, and that found on a Pizza Hut pizza is always diabeetus-inducing, sickeningly so.
One product I just got my friend to bring back from Australia is Massel Ultracube, faux-chicken and faux-beef bouillon. There's nothing at all similar here in the UK.
posted by goo at 8:36 AM on July 13, 2009
No, it most certainly is NOT
Okay, okay. Barbecue sauce is usually sweet, and that found on a Pizza Hut pizza is always diabeetus-inducing, sickeningly so.
One product I just got my friend to bring back from Australia is Massel Ultracube, faux-chicken and faux-beef bouillon. There's nothing at all similar here in the UK.
posted by goo at 8:36 AM on July 13, 2009
Not that streaky fatty shite USAnians call bacon.
This. I went shopping for bacon here for the first time a couple of days ago, and I'm just amazed that this stuff can be legally sold as "bacon". 20+ different brands/varieties on the shelves, and all of them looked like they were about 80% fat. Am I not looking in the right places, or is this the reality of American bacon?
IIRC, Aussie bacon is that stuff with back bacon (aka Canadian bacon) still attached. (What's up with that? Butchers lazy or something?) Anyway, check the NAFTA aisle.
posted by Sys Rq at 10:19 AM on July 13, 2009
This. I went shopping for bacon here for the first time a couple of days ago, and I'm just amazed that this stuff can be legally sold as "bacon". 20+ different brands/varieties on the shelves, and all of them looked like they were about 80% fat. Am I not looking in the right places, or is this the reality of American bacon?
IIRC, Aussie bacon is that stuff with back bacon (aka Canadian bacon) still attached. (What's up with that? Butchers lazy or something?) Anyway, check the NAFTA aisle.
posted by Sys Rq at 10:19 AM on July 13, 2009
"Back bacon" or "Peameal bacon" (called Canadian Bacon in some places...not in Canada) is pork loin brine-cured (cold) for 5 days, then coated in cornmeal or ground dried peas to absorb the extra moisture created by the brining. Sometimes the coating is washed off after it's done the job. The only fat is the layer of lard that surrounds the loin.
It's very easy to make.
I know this is an interjection crosswise to the purpose of the thread, but bacon lovers everywhere should know this (imHo). :D
posted by reflecked at 11:20 AM on July 13, 2009 [2 favorites]
It's very easy to make.
I know this is an interjection crosswise to the purpose of the thread, but bacon lovers everywhere should know this (imHo). :D
posted by reflecked at 11:20 AM on July 13, 2009 [2 favorites]
Okay, okay. Barbecue sauce is usually sweet, and that found on a Pizza Hut pizza is always diabeetus-inducing, sickeningly so.
You are right if you mean mass market BBQ sauces that you find at Wal-Mart. This was the reason my wife grew up thinking she hated BBQ. Then we moved south and she realized that these BBQ sauces are the exception rather than the rule in this part of the country (a region that takes it pork BBQ as seriously as the heart attack it will cause). Vinegar based sauces are what you will find in restaurants and BBQ shacks that make their own sauce, with mustard being the common exception. Honey-based or heavily sugared sauces are kind of what you would get at a fast-food restaurant. Maybe I should scarf up some of the better local sauces (the ones that actually bottle rather than serve it in styrofoam cups) and take those with us when we move.
posted by mrmojoflying at 1:41 PM on July 13, 2009
You are right if you mean mass market BBQ sauces that you find at Wal-Mart. This was the reason my wife grew up thinking she hated BBQ. Then we moved south and she realized that these BBQ sauces are the exception rather than the rule in this part of the country (a region that takes it pork BBQ as seriously as the heart attack it will cause). Vinegar based sauces are what you will find in restaurants and BBQ shacks that make their own sauce, with mustard being the common exception. Honey-based or heavily sugared sauces are kind of what you would get at a fast-food restaurant. Maybe I should scarf up some of the better local sauces (the ones that actually bottle rather than serve it in styrofoam cups) and take those with us when we move.
posted by mrmojoflying at 1:41 PM on July 13, 2009
I had Bundaberg rum about 20 years ago, and would love to have some again, along with trying some of their ginger beer -- I love ginger beer. I can offer, umm, Boston Baked Beans and Fenway Franks? Mmmm. Any takers, memail me. (I love Vegemite, too, but can get that at the local imports shop.)
(Also, the Aussie that turned me onto vegemite was none other than 7-foot-tall NBL superstar David Stiff, who lived in the next dorm room over while we were in college. He also tried to introduce me to Aussie comedy, which I didn't understand, because, according to him, I "didn't spake the Quoins Aynglish," whatever that meant!)
posted by not_on_display at 2:52 PM on July 13, 2009
(Also, the Aussie that turned me onto vegemite was none other than 7-foot-tall NBL superstar David Stiff, who lived in the next dorm room over while we were in college. He also tried to introduce me to Aussie comedy, which I didn't understand, because, according to him, I "didn't spake the Quoins Aynglish," whatever that meant!)
posted by not_on_display at 2:52 PM on July 13, 2009
Oh my god yes. I've had a facination for all things Australian even since I can remember. Candy, wine, honey whatever. I'm in Southern California and can send whatever I can. I'm not a smoker so I dont know how readily available those brands are but I can send anyone whatever awful American crap I can find. Baby Ruth, twinkies, Jolly Ranchers, Air Heads, Tootsie Rolls, pop rocks, Little Debbie, Hannah Montana hairclips, flavored toothpaste, Pert Plus whatever. I can usually find Mexican coke (sugar!) at Target. And there's plenty of Mexican tiendas I could pop by.
As far as chocolate Jell-O I'm not sure it exists, or as you think. There is Jell-O brand chocolate pudding and while delicious, it just doesn't jiggle quite the same.
Ooh I just keep thinking of more! Reese's peanut butter cups, and Trader Joes sells tiny mini ones that just mellllt in your mouth, Reese's Pieces. Peanut butter filled pretzel bites?
I also just love care packages.
posted by sweetmarie at 7:18 PM on July 13, 2009
As far as chocolate Jell-O I'm not sure it exists, or as you think. There is Jell-O brand chocolate pudding and while delicious, it just doesn't jiggle quite the same.
Ooh I just keep thinking of more! Reese's peanut butter cups, and Trader Joes sells tiny mini ones that just mellllt in your mouth, Reese's Pieces. Peanut butter filled pretzel bites?
I also just love care packages.
posted by sweetmarie at 7:18 PM on July 13, 2009
Well I guess the sensible thing to suggest is if anybody has something they need, or something they can offer, MeMail the relevant parties and take it from there. Hopefully in a month or so we can start another thread filled with success stories and increased waistlines.
posted by turgid dahlia at 10:28 PM on July 13, 2009
posted by turgid dahlia at 10:28 PM on July 13, 2009
I'm not a smoker...
Try it, it's great!
Note: Do not try it.
posted by turgid dahlia at 10:29 PM on July 13, 2009
Try it, it's great!
Note: Do not try it.
posted by turgid dahlia at 10:29 PM on July 13, 2009
Ummm...not to be Debbie Downer here, but have you all took into consideration shipping costs?
Hmm that could be a fly in the ointment. I've just spent some time with the postage calculator on Auspost. Sea Mail is the cheapest, but one also learns about some intriguing import restrictions in the US. Looks like I can't send coffee or alcohol there. There are probably also some brutally unfair regulations that operate in the other direction, which is a real pity because I've always wanted a taser.
posted by Ritchie at 11:42 PM on July 13, 2009
Hmm that could be a fly in the ointment. I've just spent some time with the postage calculator on Auspost. Sea Mail is the cheapest, but one also learns about some intriguing import restrictions in the US. Looks like I can't send coffee or alcohol there. There are probably also some brutally unfair regulations that operate in the other direction, which is a real pity because I've always wanted a taser.
posted by Ritchie at 11:42 PM on July 13, 2009
Shipping is a bitch. But for me it's not the stuff so much as the fun of swapping it, which makes it worthwhile.
(I just paid AU$40 for three small notepads. Shipping is really a bitch.)
posted by robcorr at 4:55 AM on July 14, 2009
(I just paid AU$40 for three small notepads. Shipping is really a bitch.)
posted by robcorr at 4:55 AM on July 14, 2009
I agree, it's fun just for the sake of international swapping. I looked at the USPS postage calculator as for me shipping from the West coast it's a range from $26.50 - $45.90 for a 1 - 5 lb package sent Priority International (6-10 days). Which is not so bad considering candy doesn't weigh all that much.
posted by sweetmarie at 7:57 AM on July 14, 2009
posted by sweetmarie at 7:57 AM on July 14, 2009
Wait, you guys are sure you can't get lead or barbells over there?
posted by klangklangston at 8:47 AM on July 14, 2009
posted by klangklangston at 8:47 AM on July 14, 2009
It is the lowest of all bum wines
If it's so low, then why are there tasting notes?
If it's so low, then why are there tasting notes?
a distinctive mixed berry profile, and a deep red color...balance: medium sweet.posted by Deathalicious at 12:46 PM on July 14, 2009
I love how everyone is wanting to swap things for American Spirits cigarettes. What is this, prison?
posted by Deathalicious at 12:49 PM on July 14, 2009 [1 favorite]
posted by Deathalicious at 12:49 PM on July 14, 2009 [1 favorite]
Can someone in Perth please go check out the Pogo show for me?
Pogo is playing live at the 'Tiger, Tiger' Bar in Perth on the 16th of July around 7pm.
posted by nomisxid at 1:00 PM on July 14, 2009
Pogo is playing live at the 'Tiger, Tiger' Bar in Perth on the 16th of July around 7pm.
posted by nomisxid at 1:00 PM on July 14, 2009
This sounds awesome. I'm in California and would be happy to find a bottle or two of small-run Sonoma or Napa wine.
What would I get for that?
posted by spitefulcrow at 3:56 PM on July 14, 2009
What would I get for that?
posted by spitefulcrow at 3:56 PM on July 14, 2009
I love how everyone is wanting to swap things for American Spirits cigarettes. What is this, prison?
I've got a line on some Napa valley pruno to trade...
posted by BrotherCaine at 4:32 PM on July 14, 2009
I've got a line on some Napa valley pruno to trade...
posted by BrotherCaine at 4:32 PM on July 14, 2009
I love how everyone is wanting to swap things for American Spirits cigarettes.
No, Escape From L.A.
posted by turgid dahlia at 12:29 AM on July 15, 2009 [1 favorite]
No, Escape From L.A.
posted by turgid dahlia at 12:29 AM on July 15, 2009 [1 favorite]
I'm in the UK and would love back-copies of Bust or craft magazines, Sour Patch Kids, Pretzel Flips or Australia-wise, I would love a Lucksmiths t-shirt (they had none at their London show) and would probably pay you handsomely in grocery goods for it (I can obtain Marmite flavoured crisps - the cheese probably doesn't travel too easily). I'm in central London so it's easy enough to get hold of anything.
There's one store here that sells American and Aussie candy, but it is SO expensive. I got a colleague to bring some Fruit Loops back for liquidindian's birthday for me instead. They don't stock Re-Ment either.
NB UK meat products are difficult to export to the US, so I'd step away fromt hat.
posted by mippy at 9:06 AM on July 15, 2009
There's one store here that sells American and Aussie candy, but it is SO expensive. I got a colleague to bring some Fruit Loops back for liquidindian's birthday for me instead. They don't stock Re-Ment either.
NB UK meat products are difficult to export to the US, so I'd step away fromt hat.
posted by mippy at 9:06 AM on July 15, 2009
Oh yeah, there's a market stall near work that does magazines v.cheaply, including fancy design and high fashion ones. If you want anything, and can trade for Bust/Bitch/Frankie or anything, I can hopefully sort you out there. They also do great chips down there but I'm keeping those.
posted by mippy at 9:11 AM on July 15, 2009
posted by mippy at 9:11 AM on July 15, 2009
Can you send cigarettes overseas? I haven't bought cigarettes since I was ten so even purchasing them feels a bit naughty for me.
posted by mippy at 9:14 AM on July 15, 2009
posted by mippy at 9:14 AM on July 15, 2009
Gauloise, Gitane and Chesterfield used to be available from the tobacconist in the food court of the Wintergarden, turgid dahlia. There used to be another really good tobacconist at the bottom of the building opposite Macarthur Central in Queen Street (entrance in Queen Street, at the top of the mall across Edward Street) but I have no idea if that's still there. American Spirit I don't know. They will be import prices but definitely still worth a go given the postage.
Are there any online ciggie retailers for Australia? A cursory search throws up a couple. I get my Stuyvies online from Greece because they're not available here in England.
posted by goo at 11:11 AM on July 15, 2009
Are there any online ciggie retailers for Australia? A cursory search throws up a couple. I get my Stuyvies online from Greece because they're not available here in England.
posted by goo at 11:11 AM on July 15, 2009
No idea, but American Spirit is widely available & quite popular amongst inner-city hipsters who don't believe in smoking all those skanky chemicals, but instead prefer their tobacco as pure as their macrobiotic freerange tempeh & wheatgrass smoothies.
posted by UbuRoivas at 3:05 PM on July 15, 2009
posted by UbuRoivas at 3:05 PM on July 15, 2009
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posted by LOLAttorney2009 at 6:59 PM on July 11, 2009