"It's the only type of cooking a 'real' man will do".
When a man volunteers to do such cooking, the following chain of events is put into motion:

1. The woman goes to the store.
2. The woman fixes the salad, vegetables, and dessert.
3. The woman prepares the meat for cooking, places it on a tray
along with the necessary cooking utensils, and takes it to the man, who is lounging beside the grill, drinking a beer.
4. The man places the meat on the grill.
5. The woman goes inside to set the table and check the vegetables.
6. The woman comes out to tell the man that the meat is burning.
7. The man takes the meat off the grill and hands it to the woman.
8. The woman prepares the plates and brings them to the table.
9. After eating, the woman clears the table and does the dishes.
10. The man asks the woman how she enjoyed "her nightoff." And,
upon seeing her annoyed reaction, concludes that there's just no pleasing some women.

:D You mean Brai (sp?) though don't you ;)

My Sowt-efrikan mate used to go on about how brais were so much better than barbies, but he could never explain what the difference was

springbok - interesting name for someone from Devon. :) Nah, a braai is a team event with possibly potjie kos (literally translated as small-pot food) too. :)
jlanng - never actually had or been to a barbie so can't comment on the differences if any. Perhaps it's the type of food cooked?

I was born in Cape Town, parents brought us back to England in 1980.
Still have 2 sisters in Cape Town and a brother in Namibia.
I was back in Cape Town last year for a bit of sun :D

Went to South Africa on business last year - what a great place. The guy who hosted thie visit was a real star and taught me a few Afrikaans words and what a colourful language it is. All I can remember now is:

Doos (sp) - Term of abuse for someone held in low esteem. Translates directly as 'box' i seem to remember.

Babbleass (sp) - The mother of all hangovers.

There was another one he taught me which I am not going to post because it's about the worst thing you can say in Afrikaans, suffice it to say, it makes reference to your mother!

Cheers
Kav

Mark, just remember not to call someone a "box", can be equivalent of c*nt if used in anger. :)