Dominic George: City country divide now a great chasm

Owning pet lambs is apparently a new fad.

Jafas simply don't help themselves. They call their cats things like Merlot and Latte and now there's a new fad emerging in the swankier Auckland suburbs; owning a pet lamb. Yes, nappy-clad lambs prancing around Herne Bay on leashes is now a "thing".

Now what people do in the privacy of their own homes, I have neither the time nor inclination to pay attention to. However, it has occurred to me in a fleeting moment of contemplation this particular fad may be indicative of a wider issue regarding an aspect of New Zealand life.

Herald political commentator Colin James has written this week of Finance Minister Bill English and his fondness of the term "economic resilience", particularly in relation to the dairy debacle. Such is the reverence that the likes of English and Key are held in among certain circles, their edicts are parroted by their sycophantic supporters, no matter what that edict is.

How many times have you heard that farmers are "resilient", they'll get through the tough times because they're "resilient", they'll ride out this downturn or drought because they're "resilient" - yeah, you've got the picture. I don't know if it was the Nats' top dogs who started churning out this phrase with wanton abandon, or if they picked it up from other industry leaders, but they've certainly run with it and now their legions follow suit.

You can see the same willingness to flock in behind the unflappably popular leadership of Key and his cohorts with issues like fireworks and the insufferable flag. Last November I wrote about a groundswell of support for banning fireworks for personal use after the Great Pragmatist himself floated the idea. In lieu of having an original thought, many followers backed the idea. But after seeing which way the wind is blowing with the rest of the population, Key has wisely neglected the idea this year. However, I know for a fact some of his duplicitous disciples have now remarkably changed their views as well ... strange.

Therefore it's no surprise to hear that tired and unimaginative phrase "resilient" being trotted out ad nauseam where perhaps a modicum of understanding and consideration would be more beneficial. I'm sure there's a degree of truth to the resilience argument; lots of people are resilient in all walks of life and lots of people aren't. But it's reached a point where it's now patronising. And it's here we find the nub of the issue.

The "us and them" mentality harboured by urban New Zealanders towards their country cousins is becoming palpable. It's turning the city/country divide into a chasm and the lambs in nappies fad is a bizarre illustration of this. One lamb-loving family said they wanted their kids to have the experience of having a farm animal - that's fine, but it's hardly a realistic depiction. They put the damn thing in nappies, have snuggles with it on the couch and are adamant it's not going to become a roast when the novelty has worn off! I'm all for city kids getting some country living in them - I do it with mine - but filling their heads with fairy-tale nonsense isn't doing anyone any favours.

Where once there was widespread resentment towards the farmer and his ilk for always moaning and having too much money, there's now an element of pity bestowed upon him by urban folk, especially in light of the recent slump in dairy prices. In a similar vein to the "he's doing a great job for mental health" qualifier people feel compelled to use when criticising Sir John Kirwan's rugby coaching ability, there's a feeling of real pity by some Jafas who can't quite comprehend why anyone would choose a rural existence over traffic jams and pretensions. There's a common attitudinal trend that suggests they're not quite as smart, sophisticated and worldly ... a little rough around the edges, a bit crass, a little unkempt, a touch uncouth, but my word they are hard-working! And resilient! Yes, resilient - that's what John said didn't he? That reminds me; I must change little Johnny-lamb's nappy - it's a bit whiffy!