Aussie Aussie Aussie

[thecheese]

I have had it with the misperceptions of Australian culture by the rest of the world, or more specifically America.
So if you have heard or seen or read anything that seems a little farfetched post it and i will clear that up for you.
Also at various intervals i will be posting common misperceptions that annoy me most.

1: Steve Erwin is an actor Australian people are not like that in the slightest. (From: Crocodilt hunter T.V show)

2. The most popular mode of transport in Australia is NOT the pouch of a kangaroo (From: the dawn of time)

[Broccoli]

1: Steve Erwin is an actor Australian people are not like that in the slightest. (From: Crocodilt hunter T.V show)

Oh, I like Steve Erwin... So, what ARE the Australians like?

[TDM]

i agree with you on this, even though i am American, and our media don't really portray many people well. in fact, anybody hardly portrays anybody well. it's just something that's kinda wrong in this world that we live in.

[Mint]

2. The most popular mode of transport in Australia is NOT the pouch of a kangaroo (From: the dawn of time)

Its not?? darn, and I really wanted to be in the pouch of kangaroo.. LMAO

[Meg Boyd]

I am sorry if people have labeled you with stereotypes, but every culture is labeled by other cultures you know, not just Americans. I am not saying that you aren't being seen through misconceptions, nor am I saying that Americans (or other cultures) are perfect. I am saying, however, that you must realize that the vast majority of Americans know that people from Australia don't ride around in the pocket of kangaroos nor are they crocodile wrestlers. We realize that you too are just normal people. Yet, by you saying that Americans label you, you are labeling Americans as all prejudging people. I don't want to get off on the wrong foot with you thecheese, but I must say I am a little hurt by your post. I know what it feels like to be prejudged by another culture (I happened to be a foreign exchange student in France in the height of the disagreements between France and America.) Let's just say I heard somethings that I hope I never hear again, yet there were so many people there that were so good and nice and ever so kind to me. Although some people did hold their misconceptions over my head, the majority of the people understood my situation. This is what I want to tell you, thecheese. We all don't think what Hollywood portrays Australians as, just as all Americans don't wear cowboy hats and eat hamburgers 24/7, eh???? Anyways, have a nice time here at BaO!!! I look forward to reading some awesome posts from you, and please forgive me if I have come across too harshly. I only mean this as a firm reminder that all Americans aren't prejudging freaks, contrary to your prior misconception. See you around the board!!!!!

[Won Wheezy]

Sorry, Meg - but I think you`re taking this far too serious! I´m sure cheese knows that not all americans are like that.

By the way, lots of (NOT ALL) americans confuse Australia with Austria - they really think we have kangaroos here!

And a friend of mine, when in the states, was honestly asked if we had refrigerators and microwaves! That cracked me up.
Sounds like they thought it´s a third world country.
But, as Meg said, they´re not all dumb. Although they unfortunately have a disgustingly dumb president - sorry, I had to say that.

[Meg Boyd]

I am sorry if i took it too far, but I am sick of people thinking that Americans are all dumb just because our president is an idiot, full of sound and fury signifying nothing. But what ever, I guess I was just sticking up for myself. Sorry

[Charis]

don't apologize meg i agree with your post (except that I don't think our president is an idiot)

but yeah, just like americans (supposedly) have far fetched stereotypes about australians (or austrians ) other countries have stereotypes about us, like we would actually believe that australians ride around in the pouch of a kangaaroo (well... maybe there are a FEW really stupid americans who would)
but it is a good thread and please tell more about australia! i would LOVE to go there some day...

ok... is it just me or is like every single australian guy I've ever met or seen on tv really good looking? *giggles* I suppose steve erwin isn't but there are alot of others. maybe this is like my own stereotype but does it seem like australia got better looking people than the rest of the world? or maybe its just the accent...

[Cougie]

Don't worry Meg. Americans are still the best. Even if they do know nothing about the rest of the world.

[Broccoli]

As far as I know Australia has some really really beautiful places... and it is also very different, so one has to travel to see all the variety. But I also heard that the majority of Australians spend their lives in one place as they don't like to travel. Is it true??

[Cougie]

Isn't that the case with all nationalities? I'd imagine it would be a pretty chaotic world if half the population of every country travels all the time.

[Augusta Longbottom]

the stereotypes aren't just outside one's own country either...

I live a mere 300 miles north of the rest of my family but you'd think I lived on the moon. After 9/11, one relative asked me if the news had made it to our news channels! I wanted to say something like "News? Hmmm, what is this thing you speak of called news...?!?" We have newspapers and news stations just like the rest of the world. My family seems to think we travel by moose up here. My cousin called the other day to make arrangements to visit Christmas and asked if everyone here were inbreds? Sure, it's a small podunk town, but the people here are very nice...and for the most part very normal...lol! Drives me nuts to be stereotyped because we live in a small town.

And on the flip side of that coin, since my family lives in a fairly nice area, my in-laws think they are rich. They are not rich, but I always hear snide remarks at in-law family gatherings about my husband being lucky that he married into money. HA! He might wish he'd married into money (he doesn't)...his family sure are disillusioned! Done with my rant!

And for the record thecheese, in our area, a lot of Aussies live here during our winter months to work at the ski resort nearby and they all come across as fun, good-looking (with thier skiers tan), and intelligent...and the accent is so wonderful....so how's that for my stereotype of Australian's So maybe there's enough people with this type of view to counterbalance the other side as well.

[Augusta Longbottom]

lol @ CougarMan!

I forgot one more thing in my little rant. When I first met my husband, he had a horrible stereotype of the south...not south of the USA, but just southern states. He made some comment about southerners eating fried chicken and grits, but when he said it it came across as so demeaning...I let him have it! I was horrified! So now, everytime we travel to a southern state on business and we go into a nice restaurant or something, I will mutter to him in a really fake southern-twang "I think I'll order me the fried chicken and grits" and smirk at him.

Now that we have moved back to his hometown (the town where my family thinks everyone is a redneck travelling by moose) he now understands how negative stereotypes feel.

[pinky p]

southern stereotypes... ahhh. i myself am a south carolinian, (although my family is from wisconsin, where i live now) and whenever i tell someone where i am from i am constantly asked questions such as "why don't you talk like a hillbilly?" "do you like grits?" "are your parents rednecks?" etc. i find it rather amusing, actually, hehe, since i grew up in a tiny town only existent because the world headquarters of a large company are there. most of the people that live there aren't even from the south! it's a fine community

[Devinci]

Southern Stereotypes can be the worst...

It's actually funny to look at where the stereotypes are directed. Here in gold 'ol VA, we make fun of west virginia, in WV they make fun of Ohio, in Kentucky the make fun of Tenessee, and in Maine they make fun of Virginia (What...me?!?!)

Well, I know that's not the universal idealogy of southern stereotypes, but of the few people I've met from those states...that's what they've said. It's funny how stereotypes travel

Though I think we all agree...Canadians are crazy.