Opinions on Australia - a study.

[Sven und EIN HUND]

In light of recent events, it occurred to me that many people have a warped view of my country. I mean, sure, the government has made some decisions in the past that are definitely..... Bad...... But, come on guys, level with me here; us Australians (most of us) are really very nice people. I'm pretty sure that the same goes for whatever country you hail from; there'll always be some assholes, and the majority will usually be great people. There are a few common misconceptions held about Australia, so let me clear those up right now for those of you who are really that ignorant (not many at all I'm sure):
- No, amazingly, we do not ride Kangaroos to and from work/school, but yes, there are Kangaroos in Australia. Huh.
- Wrestling crocodiles isn't on our list of daily activities, at least not mine.
- Yes, our ancestors are mostly convicts. But, despite this, no, we are not all convicts, and your endless slew of jokes on this matter are really.not.that.funny.

The point of this thread, really, is to get my fellow escapists' opinions on Australia, and it's people. Questions are also appreciated. Thanks.

EDIT: Yes, I can absorb these silly stereotypes with a smile, it isn't as if I'm emotionally scarred forever from all those times a yank said something about crocodiles and kangaroos.

 

[Simalacrum]

Of course we don't hate Australians or whatever.

Infact, a lot of the time we feel great sympathy for Australian gamers because of 1 particular Attorney General that has made himself quite well known these past few months...

 

[Internet Kraken]

Yes I have a question.

Did you really think anyone had those misconceptions about Australia? Come on, we are not stupid enough to think that you ride Kangaroos and wrestle Crocodiles. I've never heard anyone say that outside of a joke.

 

[DemonicVixen]

Yes I have a question.

Did you really think anyone had those misconceptions about Australia? Come on, we are not stupid enough to think that you ride Kangaroos and wrestle Crocodiles. I've never heard anyone say that outside of a joke.

Have you never seen Crocodile Dundee? Course they do that. I happen to know a friend on MSN who has a kangeroo as a pet.

 

[Danny Ocean]

I've always thought of Aussieland as a more easy-going, crazier version of the UK. Those listed misconceptions are like us having bad teeth or only ever drinking tea and eating scones.

No one actually thinks like that.

I like how Britian and Australia have very similair senses of humour, therefore we can rip into each other without any of us taking it too seriously.

Agreed. I really like Australians.

Australians are just like everyone else in the world, just going along with their days. No one actually thinks you ride a kangaroo. Sure, other people poke fun at you, but I say if you can't take a joke about yourself, you shouldn't joke with others either.

Exactly this.

 

[MercurySteam]

No, amazingly, we do not ride Kangaroos to and from work/school, but yes, there are Kangaroos in Australia. Huh.

I was asked this before and also said no. I was also asked if racist Aussies ride Aboriginals to work.

Do racist Americans ride black people to work? No? There's you're answer........

 

[Sven und EIN HUND]

Yes I have a question.

Did you really think anyone had those misconceptions about Australia? Come on, we are not stupid enough to think that you ride Kangaroos and wrestle Crocodiles. I've never heard anyone say that outside of a joke.

Not quite, it's just repeated so often. Gets rather annoying.

 

[Daystar Clarion]

I like how Britian and Australia have very similair senses of humour, therefore we can rip into each other without any of us taking it too seriously.

 

[Sven und EIN HUND]

Have you never seen Crocodile Dundee? Course they do that. I happen to know a friend on MSN who has a kangeroo as a pet.

lol'd.

But yeah, it may be due to Steve Irwin and Crocodile Dundee that some of these misconceptions hold strong.

 

[Biosophilogical]

- No, amazingly, we do not ride Kangaroos to and from work/school, but yes, there are Kangaroos in Australia. Huh.

Well, I reckon we would ... if it weren't for the fact that they cannot reverse, so getting out of a parking space could be .... a hassle.

OT: I'm Aussie, and apart from one Attorney General and .... yeah, apart from him I think we are pretty sweet ... except for any of those D**kheads who think the government is responsible for raising their kids.

 

[Internet Kraken]

Have you never seen Crocodile Dundee? Course they do that. I happen to know a friend on MSN who has a kangeroo as a pet.

lol'd.

But yeah, it may be due to Steve Irwin and Crocodile Dundee that some of these misconceptions hold strong.

Again, I've never heard anyone say these things about Australians unless they were joking. I think you are taking people's comments to seriously.

 

[Sven und EIN HUND]

I've always thought of Aussieland as a more easy-going, crazier version of the UK. Those listed misconceptions are like us having bad teeth or only ever drinking tea and eating scones.

No one actually thinks like that.

You'd be surprised.

 

[DemonicVixen]

Have you never seen Crocodile Dundee? Course they do that. I happen to know a friend on MSN who has a kangeroo as a pet.

lol'd.

But yeah, it may be due to Steve Irwin and Crocodile Dundee that some of these misconceptions hold strong.

Ahem... upon showing this thread to my Austrailian friend, he is a bit angry and pissed off that people do not actually believe that Austrailians don't wrestle crocs. He says that yes they do and "geeze wtf is wrong with them" dis-believing it. (his words not mine)

 

[HollywoodH17]

Does everyone really go to the Sydney opera house every weekend?? Do you go on vacations to Ayer's Rock?? Do you have a wallaby named Rocko??

Australians are just like everyone else in the world, just going along with their days. No one actually thinks you ride a kangaroo. Sure, other people poke fun at you, but I say if you can't take a joke about yourself, you shouldn't joke with others either.

 

[Sven und EIN HUND]

Again, I've never heard anyone say these things about Australians unless they were joking. I think you are taking people's comments to seriously.

No. Allow me to rephrase misconceptions, in this case, as "senseless stereotypes which there are too many of"

 

[ejb626]

I've got nothing wrong with Austrailia except their Soviet-like policies on video games and I don't even live there, yet hearing about them banning another game still pisses me off.

 

[TheLefty]

I just hate those annoying video you guys send to disney channel about the little kids parent's jobs. They somehow find the people with the worst accents to do it which is odd because I usually like an Australian accent. If I can find a video to post i will that way you can see what I mean.

 

[MercurySteam]

apart from one Attorney General and .... yeah, apart from him I think we are pretty sweet.

He did win Yahtzee's 2009 "The Everything Proof Shield Award" for "Most Obstinate Refusal to Die".

 

[Kaboose the Moose]

This thread will go places.

As a pommy who was in Australia for some time, I have nothing but the deepest of respect for Australians. Yes the accent leaves much to be desired (unless it's a girl in bed) and there are endless water restriction making my lovely 30 minute showers reduced to five, the seasons are bloody reversed, most insects can kill you, some spiders are the size of my face, it's very hot and not very humid, ski mountains are really ski hills (I am looking at you Threadbo) and the flies in summer are a nightmare.

It still has a certain charm though, I can't put my finger on what but something about Australia..it invites you to come walkabout.

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