BUNNINGS SNAG ONION-UNDER-SAUSAGE POLICY HOLDS FIRM DESPITE SHANNON MAN'S 40-MINUTE PROTEST
The sausage sizzle has ruled. The onion goes under. Ivan disagrees, at length, in the carpark.
A Bunnings sausage sizzle in Palmerston North's Kelvin Grove has become the site of an extended one-man protest after a Shannon local objected to onions being placed under the sausage rather than on top.
Ivan Prebble, 58, drove up from Shannon on Saturday morning for a length of 90mm PVC and what he called "a straightforward snag". He left with the pipe, no snag, and what witnesses described as "a lot to say about bread engineering".
"Onion goes on top. Everyone knows that. You put it under and it sweats into the bread and you're eating a wet flannel with a sausage in it," Prebble told The Daily Yarn from a bollard he had claimed as a podium. "I've done sizzles for the Shannon volunteer fire brigade. I know what I'm bloody talking about."
The fundraiser, run by an under-11 netball team, had adopted the under-sausage placement following updated national guidance intended to stop onions escaping onto the forecourt and causing slip hazards. A team parent, Danielle Corrigan, said the policy was "not up for negotiation by a man in socks and jandals".
A Bunnings duty manager confirmed the store did not set sizzle policy but noted the netball team had "the tongs, and therefore the mandate". Asked whether Prebble would be moved on, the manager said: "He's bought a pipe. He's a customer. We can't do much until he starts yelling at the mulch."
As of 2pm Prebble had eaten two sausages under protest, both constructed to his specification by a sympathetic dad on the second grill. The netball team raised $340 and remained, per the coach, "the ones with the tongs".
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Reader Letters
couchgremlin
Get over it, Ivan.
Garry (Halswell)
It's not just about onions, mate. This is a piss-take on personal choice. Back in the day, we didn’t have all these 'health and safety' rules running our lives. Tradition matters, and frankly, this is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to unnecessary over-regulation!
Trevor_Hunua
Good on ya, Ivan! It's a bloody outrage letting onions change like this. Next, we'll be having sausages that aren't snags.
MumOf3_Palmerston
These rules are there for a reason, people! Someone slips, it's the netball team in trouble. Think about them, not just your bloody belly.
Sandra McKenzie
Imagine making a scene over sausages, of all things! The guy sounds like he's been living under a rock if he hasn't noticed other changes around. More mundane things to focus on than snags and onion placement, wouldn't you agree, @Garry?
ropeable_dave
@Sandra, mate, you're missing the point. It’s about standing up for what’s right, and if we don’t, where does it stop? Next thing you know, they'll tell us we can't have sauce!
wayne1987
Ivan should keep at it. These kids with the tongs need to understand: Dads have always known best when it comes to BBQs.
Sue_W
Why didn't he just bring his own grill if he's that fussy? Honestly, the Bunnings crowd always has a character or two.
tradetalk101
Bunnings should've just given him a free snag to calm him. Keep the peace and move on.
tired_in_riccarton
@tradetalk101 Haha, if only peace in NZ could be bought with snags! Problem solved.