The Tao of Ta

'Ta' is what Aussies say when they mean 'thank you'.

When you hand someone something, they say 'ta'.

Not everyone uses it, though.

I've encountered it only in two places: church and the supermarket checkout.

When Tricia first taught J to say 'ta', CA and I were nonplussed. Surely 'ta' meant "goodbye', as in when kids say 'ta ta' and wave?

Then Vicky started teaching J to say 'ta'.

Now that J goes to daycare, she is so throughly assimilated in the ways of Oz that she has started saying 'ta' on her own.

Like when she plays give-and-receive with us.

The first time she uttered 'ta' was a shocker.

We hadn't realized how Aussified she has become.

CA and I still prefer 'thank you', but we're resigned to our girls doing what they need to do to be understood.

Beth has managed to get through kinder and Prep without a 'ta', so maybe 'ta' is for bubs and toddlers.