US expat confuses Spotlight employee after using word ‘pillow’ in store

A US woman living in Sydney has shared her “frustrations” after visiting a popular shop – and now, some Aussies agree with her confusion.

A US woman living in Sydney has shared her “frustrations” while trying to find a certain item in a retail store.

Sophie Kim, who moved from Los Angeles to Australia in 2020, has generated almost five million ‘likes’ on her TikToks centred around her experiences Down Under.

In one of her most recent clips, the 30-year-old explained the confusion she encountered when trying to find cushion inserts at a Spotlight store in Bondi, Sydney.

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US expat Sophie Kim, 30, shared aa now viral TikTok about how she got ‘lost in translation’ during a visit to a Spotlight store in Bondi. Picture: TikTok/sophiainsydney

She told news.com.au she asked four employees to point her in the right direction before becoming frustrated after being sent to all corners of the store.

“I kept asking them, ‘Where are the pillows?’ Some people would say the front of the store then I’d ask someone else. I’d be like, ‘Where are the pillows?’ and they would say ‘It’s at the back of the store,’” she said.

“Finally I met this other worker there who was like, ‘Are you talking about pillows or inserts?’ So I was like, ‘What’s the difference?’”

She asked a staffer where the pillows were. Picture: TikTok/sophiainsydney

But what she was after was actually ‘inserts’. Picture: TikTok/sophiainsydney

Sophie, who is a partner at marketing agency Social X, said the staffer told her inserts are for the lounge and pillows are for the bed.

“And so I was like, ‘Inserts, that’s what I need,’ and so the inserts were at the back of the store.”

Sophia wasn’t the only one baffled by the term, with “inserts” also confusing fellow Aussies.

“I’m Australian and I thought they were all pillows too. Who TF says inserts?” one viewer said.

“Never heard of the term inserts in my 37 years of life in Sydney … it’s cushions for the couch? Pillows for the bed. Or cushions to decorate,’” a second person commented.

“I have lived here since ’99, never heard the term insert, always pillows or cushions,” an expat added.

“It’s because they can be sold separately (cushion covers/inserts of the covers),” replied another.

Sophie’s clip has been viewed almost 20,000 times and had many Aussies also baffled by the term ‘insert’. Picture: Instagram/sophiainsydney

Sophie said she has experienced several culture shocks since moving to Sydney two years ago, pointing out the extra cost for condiments such as sauces at fast food restaurants.

“In the US, sauces and refills are always free,” she told news.com.au.

In a separate TikTok, Sophie said she is also getting used to Aussies greeting one another with a kiss on the cheek.

And she’s not the only one.

A fellow US woman, who goes by the name of Brit of the platform, was taken back by the act with her video attracting half a million views.

“It is normal in Australia and probably lots of other parts in the world, but just not in America especially the kissing of the girls,” she said.

“I don’t think I have ever had a man kiss my cheek in a greeting in America. Maybe some older men, but it’s very rare so it’s always weird when it happens.

“And hugging the boys – I feel if they are family members they will hug, but friends don’t really hug.

“[But] Australian men, you guys will do the initial greeting hug and then you will continue to touch and hug each other as you hang out. Like you will touch each other’s heads, put your arms around each other. American guys will not be doing that.”

However, while it is common in Australia, not many Aussies are for it.

“I’m Australian but I cannot stand the kissing greeting; it’s so awkward and always surprises me when a woman goes for it,” one person wrote.