We don't:
- wear ugg boots – we reserve those for Pamela Anderson and teenage girls to wear with their hot pants sporting catchy sayings on their butt *shudder*
- throw a shrimp on the barbie – okay, we do occasionally, but more often than not it's your standard bbq fare. For the record, they are prawns, not shrimp.
- say "G'day mate" – to everyone we pass in the street. That is reserved for the true country bumpkins, along with the akubra wearing folk and yobbo's (see below).
- have kangaroos hopping around in our backyard – unless of course we live on 100 acres out in the country. Most of us see kangaroos at the zoo, just like you.
- wrestle crocodiles just for fun, unless of course we were the (RIP) Crocodile Hunter … who by the way, most of us did not know personally.
- have accents, you do – ha ha
- live as desert dwellers … surprise, surprise, we actually have buildings and houses and the majority of the population lives around the coastline where the major cities are. This is not to say that we all have a house by the beach, most people live within a few hours of the coastline. Inland Australia is way too dry to inhabit.
- drink Fosters.
Yes we do:
- have department stores and guess what we follow the fashions too.
- love our beer. We also love our wine and spirits too. There are also a number of people who don't drink alcohol at all … shock horror.
- get snow. It may be the sunburnt country, but it doesn't mean there isn't snow on them there mountains.
- experience 4 seasons in a day, mainly down south. If you don't like the weather, never fear, it will change in an hour or so, so please be patient.
Oh and yes, although when tested, toilet water does often run in the opposite direction, this is a myth.
Outback Steakhouse does not portray typical Australian fare.
No I didn't grow up in Sydney – there are other places in Australia and people even live there *gasp*.
What is a yobbo? I thought this was rather comical.
No I am not speaking on behalf of all Australians, I am however de-bunking the stereotype that has been bequeathed upon them. Yes, there may be people who do fit these stereotypes. However, I do not know them personally and honestly each their own. That's what makes us all special, we are all different. The world would be a very boring place if we were all of the same 'stereotype'.
As for the kids at school. Watch out, this mama bear was taught well by those koala's living in her backyard how to claw an eye or two out.
Any other questions?
116 comments
love love love the aussie post! thanks for the education!and i cannot resist…g’day mate!
thanks for clarifying. How often do you get asked these q’s living in the US now?
I really enjoyed this! You are so funny 🙂 Thank goodness I have a real Aussie friend to set me straight, lol!
good one, mate.As an aussie, I may just comment…Ha ha. I actually do say g’day to people at times, but don’t add the “mate” bit .Don’t like prawns, love a Barbie.Prefer wine and spirits to beer there are 3 winerys around me,so why not? (yes, we make our own wine in Australia) have not had a roo in my backyard yet, but there was a dead one down the road…I have met the Crocodile hunter..BUT I am definately NOT a YOBBO!Good on ya for edumacating everyone.You’re a true blue Sheila.
You go girl. Even i had a good laugh. Jackie xxx
Ikes yes, we also get similar things about South Africa. We also do not have lions in the backyard etc. I so understand what you are saying. But I have to state that yes, you do have accents, but so do Americans as well. We on the other hand, do not have (listen to Leo in Blood diamond)
Great Post! Are the kids at school still bothering Jay? It’s so sad that he is going through this. As a fellow student who was always the butt of jokes for one thing or another, I know how he must feel. To this day when I run into someone I went to school with I still hide so that they don’t see me. Your a good mom, I was it was as simple as clawing out an eye or two.Melissap.s.I was positive after the time limit. I’m going to wait to friday now.
I would sooo love to visit this place 😀
Tonya, this is perfection…and an education! I need to share it with my kids! :)(I think YOU are rather comical!)
Thanks for clearing things up! LOL This post was great!
I have a friend that is from Australia (do you know her? 🙂 – and she moved here (to Atlanta) when she was 11. Can you imagine her? With a teacher from the deep south? Neither could understand the other. And she told me that she was constantly teased about her accent. She actually doesn’t have one at all anymore. I could not imagine this happening today. If anything, she would become the point of interest.
You been Boo-ed Stop by my blog and find out!
Very cute! Learned many of those things when we were there several year back, we loved Austalia! I have a friend up in the Northern Territory that I just talked to the other day and I never realized that her kids didn’t celebrate Halloween.Soooo where did you grow up at?
funny, i’ve had people ask if we ride horses to work, and other hilarious questions. when i was in london in high school i was asked to say “fried chicken” by most of the people i met. being in the theater i have worked very hard to get rid of any accent i have. when i was in kenya someone said they had a friend in houston, did i know him? i live about 11 1/2 hours from houston, probably not.
You are so funny!!
Katie – ALL THE TIMEDee Lori – Crack me up girls. Cat – really, no lions, huh ;)Melissa – If they are he hasnt said anything … this is just me being really behind on posts :)Kat – why yes I think I do know her. Wasnt she …. no, tht was someone else. hang on, didnt she ….no no, not her. Mmm, itll come to me.Brooke – I grew up in Melbourne.
I love this! You are such a crack up! I stumble this post!:)
You forgot to mention all your great slang. I love your slang. I can hear you saying it through email and it warms my heart. Why would anyone get made fun of for living in Australia? That’s just bizarre. Its so funny to see what stereotypes people come up with. When I would go to visit my aunt in Washington the kids would ask me if I took surfing in high school and if I knew lots of famous people.
Very informative blog post. I didnt know it snowed in Australia.Stopping by from SITShttp://fabulousgccandles.blogspot.com/2009/08/why-gold-canyons-candles-are-best.html
Hilarious! I remember one of my best friends moms refusing to send us Ugg boots from Oz, she said they were too trashy.Happy SITS day!
How funny! Isnt it crazy what people think sometimes? Im from AZ and people are shocked to learn that we have mountains and snow and forests and that we arent still in the old west times portrayed in the movies
Haha, nice post. Im probably not a good example, because I do wear ugg boots and say Gday all the time – but I dont recall having ever wrestled a crocodile! Happy SITS day!
Thanks for the education! I had no idea that Australia got snow! 🙂 Happy SITS Day!
Hahaha! Thank you for the info. A few things on your list I was guilty of believing…like kangaroos in the backyard and of course I never thought I had the accent:)Happy SITS congrats to you!
Interesting. Thanks for sharing!
Great choice of a post for your SITS Day!
Loved this list! I didnt realize the weather in southern Australia was so changeable. Just like here in New England. Off to find out what a yobbo is!
That was very educational 🙂 Happy SITS day!!
Oh, Ive always wanted to visit Australia … this post makes me want to go even more … but the plane ride, I just cant do it!Happy SITS Day 🙂
I enjoyed your post!
Great post! Stopping by from SITs!At my company Christmas Party, we all got a big giggle out of an Australian brand of wine called Woop Woop! It actually was a pretty good wine.
Oh, you are too funny. Some of these myths had me cackling – particularly the mental image of kangaroos bouncing around in backyards. Bahaha!
Happy SITS day!I have always wanted to go to Australia. Thank you for debunking some of the myths about Australians in such a humorous fashion.
Well, darn, now youve ruined Australia for me. 😉 Kidding…great way to de-bunk those myths. I think there are some about every culture/area of a country. Dont get me started on the South. 🙂
Good tips!! I still want to visit and check out the toilet myself….just sayin.
Great post! People love their stereotypes (unfortunately)! Have a great SITS day!
You know what? I dont care – I still want to visit there!Even though the toilet water myth scares me a little.
funny! my sis-in-law is moving to Australia for 6 months…im fwding this to her now.
I love all Australians – especially their accents. heheheHappy SITS Tuesday!
I kinda assumed all those tales were just that! Thanks for the education.
Funny post. Im sure you get asked about those a lot.Happy SITS day!!
Lol. This was fun! Id love to read a post about the myths Australians commonly use about Americans.
You mean Fosters isnt Australian for beer. Ah ha ha.
How funny! I always wondered about the kangaroos.Great post!
Im sitting here in shock. You dont drink FOSTERS? Its Australian for BEER!
Funny! Great blog…Happy SITS day!Kerriwww.sickofmg.blogspot.com
You are one funny sheila! You must have been lucky enough to never have had a dingo eat your baby like all those other poor Aussies! 😉 So glad to find your great blog! Happy SITS!
That was cute! Although, had you told us you all had adorable pet koalas as children, wed have been jealous! 🙂 Happy SITS day!
this was cracking me up and I dont wake up in the laughing mood lol
Ha ha I really enjoyed this. Thanks for debunking these myths for me!
My husband in lived in Aussie land for a few years, and I love hearing the stories he tells. I think he got to spend some time in Tasmania as well, and I am trying to convince him to take me there one day. It is funny the myths people believe, isnt it?
I lived in Canberra (which I was taught to say correctly!) for a summer, and practically the first thing my family told me was Dont drink the Fosters. They did have kangaroos behind their house, though…Congratulations on being featured blogger!The Van Gogh Cafe
Ive met a lot of Aussies from a time when I was living abroad and thought the stereotype of you all being extremely laid back was spot on… until I met the one that wasnt. Man oh man, was he uptight! Great post and congrats on the SITS feature!
Isnt it funny how people assume things about other countries? Like everyone in America wears a cowboy hat?? Ive always assumed that Australians were pretty much the same as everyone else, they just talk a lot cuter and they have Nicole Kidman!
Too funny! Happy SITS Day!
Hi! Im Canadian. I dont live in an igloo and I only occasionally say eh.Fun post! Way to set us straight.
Thanks! — I needed that!Great post!
Love this post. I have been to Australia before and loved it. Everyone was so nice and thought I had an accent! That was so weird to me. Also I did see wild kangaroos one evening when I was working on a farm. That was exciting for me, but I have deer around my house and I always love to see them too.
Love the post! Happy SITS Day!
Very fun and informative post, thanks for setting us straight.
Hilarious. My surrogate child and his family are fun Australia, so I have a great time making fun of them and these stereotypes.Darn you for call me out on it!:)Happy FB day.
Hey Tonya Happy SITS day! I will happily sip champagne with you in Vegas! BTW, this post is hysterical. I have a ton of Aussie friends in Hong Kong where I used to live and all were so clear to point out that no one really drinks Fosters. Ha.
HILARIOUS!!Stopping by from SITS. Congrats.
HA! I already knew all that…my Aussie friend debunked it long ago.
No Uggs? How could you fall off the fashion show boat?! Gotta get some Uggs!! :+)
great post!!!!!!enjoy your sits day!!!!!
this is very funny and good to know.
happy SITS day!! LOVE your blog!
Ah yes, good old stereotypes. Im sure that there are plenty of em out there in other countries about us Americans too. Ya just gotta learn to laugh at it all!Happy SITS Feature Day!
Thanks for the education! I already suspected most of this – but it was good to have it confirmed. 😉
Happy SITS day.
Nice to meet you and congrats on your SITS feature day! Great post!
What?! No Kangaroos in your backyard?!?! Gasp! My question is whether the movie Australia, you know, the one with dishy Hugh Jackman and Nicole Kidman is very accurate…at least of the olden Australia days?Happy SITS day! 🙂
Har! Thanks for the education.
Hahah, I love the part about the crocodile hunter. NO, we didnt all know him personally. 🙂 Happy SITS day!
LOL….so funny….My daughters and I were very fortunate in having had the chance to spend a few weeks each in Sydney and Perth. We wanted to travel the rails down to Perth but time wouldnt allow it. We were there in Perth to visit with my husband (their father) who was then an officer in the US Navy. They were out at sea and making a port visit. So we went down to see the sights and be with dad.A beautiful country…..and fantastic shopping. My girls still talk about the 3 story (all womens) shoe store in Perth. 🙂
LOL!!! Guess there is no reason to visit now, all the fun is taken out! Just kidding! Thanks for the Tuesday morning laugh!
This is such a fun post!! I feel bad for actually believing some of those myths! I do love Aussie accents though…and I never thought about it like that. I would imagine to you all, we ARE the ones with the accent!!I remember once awhile back I went out with some friends and our waiter was Australian. One of my friends asked if he knew Russell Crowe personally. The guy frowned and said, Yeah, probably as well as you know Al Pacino. I still remember that to this very day b/c it was such a great comeback!
Haha, I loved reading through this. I have gotten a few stereotypes sent my way having grown up in Louisiana – from people asking me if I had to take a boat to school over the swamps, to people asking why my accent isnt more Cajun, as if we all talk that way.We DO hunt alligators down where I am though, haha — sometimes they come out from the canals near my neighborhood and then we have to call Kenny the alligator guy. He wishes he was Steve Irwin!
LOL! Thanks for the reminders! My BIL lived in Australia for 2 years – and he made sure we were aware of most of that stuff too! Happy SITS day to you.
Ha ha… I have rellies all over and thankfully they seem fairly normal. (most of the time!)Happy SITS day!LBM xxxxxxxP.S – As a Brit I play up my stereotype on my blog, not play it down! Readers from around the world love it! 😉
*LOL* Happy SITS day! Kind of like us Canadians dont all live in Igloos. and no it doesnt snow here 12 months a year…
This was so funny, I really enjoyed reading it…. I know that sterotypes are rarely accurate, but to have someone debunk them is just too funny. I love the part about learning from the Koalas (which I know are NOT bears) to claw the eyes out of anyone who harass your babies!!
Haha! I could do a post like this too, but for Las Vegas. So fun!
I cant believe you dont all wear UGGS! How about now that you live in Cali? Since its so frosty cold!Saw you on SITS 🙂
Great post! Thanks for the education:)Happy SITS day!
I love the accent!! Thanks for the info!! Happy SITS day!!
Super fun! I love it! Did you have any stereotypes of Americans before you moved here, that have since been de-bunked?
Cute post. Arent all Americans the same too? People are so silly assuming since you are Austrialian that you fit into their stereotypes.
Happy SITS day! I have a good friend from Australia and she schooled me on most of these facts. Im ahead of the game.XOLeigh
Happy SITS day!
aah. you cleared up so much for me 😉 thanks for clariying. but i hate to inform you, you do have accents. adorable ones at that! happy SITS!
I have whats called a neutral accent. If I wanted to be a local news anchor Id be exactly what they want. lol
Happy SITS day! Love this post! I have a friend in Australia, so shes told me about all of this stuff. Hehe.Funny… my fiance works at OutBack.
Congrats on your SITS day! While I know that there are other places people live that NSW, I think all the people Ive ever met online or in person from Australia come from NSW! 🙂
and I thought that water swirl thing was true- darn!
And now I feel like I have learned something new today, thanks! 😉
HA! We dont all wear cheeseheads in WI as well. 😉
Yeah, and I dont wear a tartan bunnet. ;O)Happy SITS Day!
So I just have to comment, I have met the Crocodile Hunter in person at the Australia Zoo, his zoo on the Sunshine coast. He wasnt famous then..We do have kangaroos not in our backyard but on the land next to us, well we did until a land developer came and tore out all the trees, yep they were gums and made roads and houseblocks, now they are just down the road a 100 feet in the reserve. I do live in a city, Toowoomba actually population approx 100,000. Not a yobbo or actually the new word thanks to Kath Kim (Aussie sit come) is bogan, sorry its hard to keep up hey. Dont dirnk beer, love wine and we have some of the best here, never checked which way the water goes down the loo gross!!! And prefer my prawns garlic or in the good old seafood basket. Great post love it… Oh and I wouldnt be caught in uggs or thongs for that matter, I think you call them flip flops there!!
The picture of the man on tha kangaroo is soo funny.
I love that you said that we dont all drink Fosters. Arent stereotypes crazy! visiting from SITS
I love the kangaroo picture. So funny.
I have a similar feeling becasue I adopted my daughter. I need to do a post about Adoption myths! Good idea! Thanks for the education!
I stand corrected.Happy SITS day.
Good one! Hope you had a great SITS day!
And to think all I ever really wanted to see was an Aussie wearing Ugg boots, eating prawns off the barbie with a Fosters in one hand and a leash on their pet kangaroo in the other. So disappointed.Hey, at leas you have internet down under! 😉
Hi Tonya,You forgot the do we have ATMs? Great to meet you – Im Aussie, , married to (ex)military but were back in Sydney from stints in Washington DC London.All your de-bunked readers might want to have a laugh at the questions we (tourist office) get asked by visitors to Australia. Heres 2 that I get asked at least once a week *Which direction is North in Australia* Will I be able to speak English most places I go? (USA)
Thanks for the great info! I hope I make it there one day, such a beautiful place I hear!
Hey…great to come across you through The Secret is in the Sauce. Im a brit (Shhh dont mention the Ashes) and have relatives in OZ! Id love to go visit, even more now Ive read your post!!
Found you on SITS…I must say, I am deeply disappointed to hear that water doesnt run the opposite way…But I do love your blog. Your photos are spectacular!
I have always wanted to go to Aussie land! Does our accent sound as cool to you as most Aussies accents sound to me? And you could have confirmed that all men from Australia are HOT!
i always feel like i know someone famous when i see your name out there in blogland! Congrats on the sits feature yesterday… im a day behind! 🙂
I do love the Australian accent. I could listen to it all day. I think thats why Im so hooked on McLeods Daughters. I have to order it specially from Blockbuster, but Ive been watching it for years. Im up to Season 7, where is gets really dumb, so I think Im about to go off it. Cheers Mate!
But your accent sounds much better! Lol Congrats again on being the FB!
Thanks for the fun! My niece did study abroad in Adelaide! Ill have to show her this post!Happy SITS day!