We Australians exist in our own little bubble at the end of the world never imagining we’re at all odd. But Australians are unusual and it is only when the rest of the world takes a close look and gives us some constructive feedback that we really notice.
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We shorten, rhyme and just make words up
Apparently Aussies have more clipped, chopped, mutilated words than any other English speaking nation. We love to wear boardies, eat bickies, have barbies, drink coldies and who wouldn’t? Australian slang is rich, colourful and indicative of the easygoing lifestyle we love. While the rest of the world may wonder what pass the dead horse means, we know what we’re talking about.
Socks and thongs is defo the go
We have become comfortable, some might say too comfortable, wearing whatever we are, well, comfortable in. Socks and thongs are one of those combinations that shouldn’t work, but we love. It may not be a good fashion statement and is definitely bad for the integrity of our socks, but nothing beats the casual comfort of thongs and socks.
We love our Vegemite
As Australians we all know there is nothing quite like fresh white bread and butter with just the right smear of black magic. It might be a dark brown paste made from leftover brewers’ yeast extract, but Vegemite done well is damn delicious. When the rest of the world takes a spoonful and wonders what we are on, we nod knowingly, safe in the knowledge that Vegemite is our secret.
No-one drinks Fosters
As one of the biggest exported Australian beers, Fosters is the beer most often associated with Australia overseas. Here, however, people are parochial to the beers usually made in their own state. Victorians love their VB and Melbourne while New South Wales folk prefer a Tooheys. Queenslanders love nothing more than a XXXX and nobody, not even in Australia, understands that.
Can’t beat the root
Beetroot in a salad sandwich or hamburger is to die for. Nothing beats the beet for sweet juicy goodness that really adds to the experience. For some reason the rest of the world finds this practice repugnant, an acquired taste, but they don’t know what they are missing out on.
We idolise bushrangers
When you look at Ned Kelly on paper - scoundrel, bushranger, cattle and horse thief, bank robber and, in the end, a cold blooded killer who led the Kelly gang until his death by hanging in 1880 - he really doesn’t sound like the stuff of an idol. Whether you see him as Australia’s Robin Hood or a murderous villain undeserving of his folk hero status, he remains a cultural icon, who blazes bright despite the passage of well over a century.
