Ask about Australia

[DeadlyVenom]

weighing all options

Stay at home. You are a future crime victim statistic.

 

[Robert]

About 39% of the Australian adult male population fought in WWI (all volunteers because we only ever had conscription in Vietnam) and given our demographics it's probably true that most soldiers were from the cities. The digger of legend over here is the young 16-21 year old kid who ran off to fight for the empire for fun and glory. The soldiers called themselves '6 bob a day tourists'. I think we had the highest casualty and death rates (from combatants) of any army in the war.

Australia actually had more deaths in WWI than in WWII despite a large population in WWII and part of WWII actually happening near Australia.

Gallipolli and ANZAC Day hold a pretty big place in Australian national identity.
And interesting fact is that it was a complete disaster so the government use to media to try and turn into a legend to prevent the population getting dispirited. And that's how Sir Keith Murdoch made his mark and a hundred years later his son dominates Western media.

Aye, I read about Rupert Murdoch's dad.

As many English and Welsh soldiers were lost at Gallipolli as ANZACs. Churchill's plan was pretty good but the RN Admiral bottled out because one of his battleships hit a mine. He withdrew his warships, so the infantry had no fire support from the sea. Some of the army officers made terrible decisions too - the English were told not to load their rifles as there would be no fire from the Turks.

A young George S Patton, observing for the USA, reckoned that, had Mustapha Kemal been on the British and Empire forces side, they would have taken their objectives and possibly even shortened the Great War.

 

[Poison]

DV isn't lying TM Riddle. I will find you

 

[Saqs]

Stay at home. You are a future crime victim statistic.

Staying at home he might become another statistic that I probably shouldn't mention here.

 

[TM Riddle]

I love sheep
chubby

 

[endymion248]

There are no vets in NZ, only sheep stylists. If you are good with scissors and make up, you are good to go.

To Aussies, how does it feel living on a land which, through its fauna and flora, literally seems to be rejecting you? Do you guys ever feel like a bad organ transplant?

 

[SL_Fan]

Stay at home. You are a future crime victim statistic.

inevitable!

 

[Smiling Creed]

Convict- I want to back 5-6 years and ask about Cronulla riots. How does a general aussie views that incident? Given the fact that 2005 riots in Cronulla were result of tension starting from 1960's between Lebanese migrants and local white population, but the particular incident happened when a group of middle eastern men assaulted off duty life guards.

Has the issue been solved or the fault lines are still there and just waiting for an issue to happen again?

BTW....What's the deal with Oporto's chilli sauce....the best I ever had !!!

 

[OZGOD]

Is Kangaroo meat legal?

Yes, it's actually quite good.

 

[DHONI183]

Poor Convict is being given too much homework all of a sudden. He shot himself in the foot by opening this thread.

Tasmania has some very nice places. It's also green and not humid which is great.

Queensland of course has the great barrier reef. Kakadu National Park near Darwin is great and Broome in Western Australia is also a pretty good place to go.

Whose honeymoon are you planning to hijack?

In all seriousness, start up in the Gold Coast, take a road trip down to Sydney (you must see the most beautiful harbour in the world), and then go to Melbourne, and fly to Tasmania.

There are nice beaches practically in every major city.

Thank you for the answers, gentlemen! These posts have been noted. I will read them in about a few years time, probably.

The "hijack" comment was funny!

Have you ever beaten up an Indian Student? If yes, was it pleasurable?

Legendary stuff!

 

[OZGOD]

This might be better posted here actually. So you reckon we speak the Queens English? See if you snapperheads can understand this. In reference to the Dodgers and Diamondbacks playing the season opener at the SCG.

Language barrier? Fair suck of the sav, Yanks will understand perfectly

Alan Stokes
Published: March 19, 2014 - 3:00AM

Advertisement
G'day to all Dodgers, Diamondbacks and hangers-on from the land of the Septic Tank. Welcome to God's own country, you pack of old b@stards. We love youse all.

The revamped Sydney Cricket Ground is ready for you to have a red hot go in your season opener in front of a pretty full crowd - not full of it like Lady Muck but full of amber fluid.

''What's that you say, Bud?''

Yeah no mate. Bud tastes like dirty dishwater. Go for a slab or a schooey of Reschs. When you're as dry as a dingo's donger down under, tickle the tonsils with a coldie and she'll be apples.

With that sorted, true blue Ockers will come out in droves to see a bit of biffo between big boofy blokes in baseball clobber. Just don't chuck a wobbly or drop your bundle if some lippy Neville Nobody gives you a bit of niggle. Give give him a fair dinkum gobful back.

Then if Jeremy Kerfoops won't shut his laughing gear, give him the squirrel grip and you'll have him by the short and curlies.

Don't expect us to be all gung-ho for you Americans though. You blokes are big enough and ugly enough to cop it sweet.

Sure, you're paid a squillion quid. But we'll be giving it to you in spades if you rock up and act like a load of bludgers.

Ava go ya mug! No namby-pamby deliberate walks as you try to stop the best batter from getting a fair go. Fair suck of the sav. That's worse than underarm bowling. Don't be surprised, either, if the crowd starts spewin' if $US215 million Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw rubs his fanny on the mound.

''Hey ump, that's foul. He's been doing it all day.''

No pinching the hitter, either - at least not during the game.

Now, if some clown coughs up a can of corn, don't do your nana. There's always corn and diced carrots when you park a custard.

And if someone pops a fly in the infield, please look away.

The Kookaburras will have a good ol' chuckle, but just pick yourself up by the bootstraps and try making some hard yards up the middle.

You should also know that if the ump calls strike, the whole joint will up and bolt out to the rubbededub for a few quiet ones until everyone gets a pay rise.

Yeah no mate, that Australian major leaguer, Dodger and now Diamondbacks assistant manager Craig Shipley is right: ''The culture [in Australia] is very similar to the US. There's no language barrier. The foods are the same.''

You Yanks scoff chilli dogs. We down Dagwood dogs - no, not made from dags on sheep bums or no-hopers who wear tracky-dacks and Uggies.

You eat two-foot franks and nachos in a helmet. We chomp pie floaters - no, not the floaters that emerge after too many Chiko Rolls, but pies with mushy peas. No, not watering the garden-style pees but vegies you grow out the back near the lemon tree you irrigate when you need to go but couldn't be buggered.

But enough about us.

We know you turned up to play.

So pull on your budgie smugglers and get to the dunny before you don your Hector. And don't ask for a bigger cup - that would be well and truly up yourself.

Just pull your head in and get out there.

I feel it in my waters. We'll see plenty of boundaries as pitchers toss up the odd googly, a few offies, the occasional leggie and some reverse swing.

At the end of your four games here, you baseballers will be thoroughly rooted.

But at least you can go home and say, yeah no mate, the boys dug deep.

Such is life …

astokes@fairfaxmedia.com.au

This story was found at: http://www.smh.com.au/comment/langu...will-understand-perfectly-20140318-3503e.html

 

[DeadlyVenom]

I love English slang. Even in the UK you can go to another town and be absolutely baffled by some of the words.

The aussie stuff I cannot understand at all.

 

[Space Cat]

I wish all Aussies spoke like Nick Cummins from the Western Force.

 

[OZGOD]

I wish all Aussies spoke like Nick Cummins from the Western Force.

We gotta share the love with our Kiwi cuzzies from across the ditch.

 

[Saqs]

This might be better posted here actually. So you reckon we speak the Queens English? See if you snapperheads can understand this. In reference to the Dodgers and Diamondbacks playing the season opener at the SCG.

that was so good. I'm quite impressed with myself that I understood 90% of it.

 

[Justcrazy]

Awesome thread .........

Good job Convict


Can we have threads like this for other major destinations as well ?

 

[Badsha]

Wasim Akram. Effects of having an Australian wife.

 

[Artless Dodges]

Is it realistic to study abroad in Melbourne for Spring semester for the 2015 WC considering that:

-Tickets are probably sold out for some of the games (I want to attend Pakistan games against major teams).
-I plan on taking blow off classes but there might be conflict with my studies.
-I only have money for living expenses thus I would have to work part time while there to pay for tickets/flights for all the games I want to attend if they're not in Canberra, Adelaide or Sydney (even then I have a hunch flying maybe cheaper).

Pakistan Games are in Adelaide, Auckland, Brisbane, Christchurch, and then Semis and Finals in Pak make it.



I heard minimum wage is awesome in Australia but you can only work 20 hours a week. What do you guys think, Is my plan realistic, should I get a job and start saving or is it too wishful?

 

[Waseem]

Love the thread, good job "Convict".

Only thing i don't agree is Perth>Melbourne.

 

[FreeBird]

Is it true that Australian inhabitants are more prone to skin cancer ?

 

[Convict]

Convict, what's the most remote place you've been to?

As part of work, I visited Tennant Creek. That was quite an experience.

The second most remote place I've been to is probably Geraldton. Beautiful town.

Most remote? Newman.

I wouldn't call Geraldton remote. It's a major regional WA centre.

Do you wrestle crocs?

Us fast bowlers have to wrestle them during cricket training. Helps build back strength.

How would you define Australia's health system, especially for children? I ask this because my Uncle lives in Sydney and he is facing a lot of issues with his son's treatment. He is 8-9 years old. He is very upset about the treatment his son has been receiving.

Why do many outsiders regard Australia as one of the most hostile countries for immigrants, mostly non-white?

I'd say Australia's health system is very good. We have a mixed private and public system. Access to good health care is avaliable to the entire population without bankrupting people.

America is probably better for the really advanced and high end stuff but on the other hand poorer Australians get much better access to health than most other countries.

Unfortunately there are delays and issues with every health system. I can't really comment on your Uncle and Cousins issue because I don't know about it.

 

[Energetic]

It must suck having to be the first few countries or so experiencing each new day firs while the rest of the world is close to sleeping. Australia is basically the other side of the world hence DOWN UNDER!!

 

[OZGOD]

Is it true that Australian inhabitants are more prone to skin cancer ?

Australia has the highest incidence of skin cancer in the world. There's a couple of reasons for this:

1. the climate is very hot in summer, lots of UV rays
2. lots of fair skinned people
3. lots of outdoor activities people do

If you think about it, the indigenous Australians are very dark, because over time their skin has adapted to the climate. This doesn't make them or other darker skinned Australians from being any less susceptible to melanoma but fair skinned people are at the highest risk.

 

[OZGOD]

Is it realistic to study abroad in Melbourne for Spring semester for the 2015 WC considering that:

-Tickets are probably sold out for some of the games (I want to attend Pakistan games against major teams).
-I plan on taking blow off classes but there might be conflict with my studies.
-I only have money for living expenses thus I would have to work part time while there to pay for tickets/flights for all the games I want to attend if they're not in Canberra, Adelaide or Sydney (even then I have a hunch flying maybe cheaper).

Pakistan Games are in Adelaide, Auckland, Brisbane, Christchurch, and then Semis and Finals in Pak make it.



I heard minimum wage is awesome in Australia but you can only work 20 hours a week. What do you guys think, Is my plan realistic, should I get a job and start saving or is it too wishful?

Someone with more local knowledge of Melbourne would be better served answering this question I think.

 

[Convict]

Aye, I read about Rupert Murdoch's dad.

As many English and Welsh soldiers were lost at Gallipolli as ANZACs. Churchill's plan was pretty good but the RN Admiral bottled out because one of his battleships hit a mine. He withdrew his warships, so the infantry had no fire support from the sea. Some of the army officers made terrible decisions too - the English were told not to load their rifles as there would be no fire from the Turks.

A young George S Patton, observing for the USA, reckoned that, had Mustapha Kemal been on the British and Empire forces side, they would have taken their objectives and possibly even shortened the Great War.

Sounds quite a lot about what I have heard. Sir John Monash is highly rated in Australia for his efforts in the War. Do you hear about him in Britain?

There are no vets in NZ, only sheep stylists. If you are good with scissors and make up, you are good to go.

To Aussies, how does it feel living on a land which, through its fauna and flora, literally seems to be rejecting you? Do you guys ever feel like a bad organ transplant?

I wouldn't say the fauna and flora reject us at all. The 1933 peace treaty of Westonia after the conclusion of the Emu Wars has sorted most of that out.

Convict- I want to back 5-6 years and ask about Cronulla riots. How does a general aussie views that incident? Given the fact that 2005 riots in Cronulla were result of tension starting from 1960's between Lebanese migrants and local white population, but the particular incident happened when a group of middle eastern men assaulted off duty life guards.

Has the issue been solved or the fault lines are still there and just waiting for an issue to happen again?

BTW....What's the deal with Oporto's chilli sauce....the best I ever had !!!

Cronulla is a Sydney issue. Bored youths taking an excuse to get into fights really. Cronulla is viewed quite negatively in Australia.

But it does show that multiculturalism needs to go both ways and that whilst it's easy to continually demonise many of the working class it's important to go slowly and make sure that they're also comfortable with the process. Many people are sensitive to the idea that they have to change for people coming into the country and then it's easy for people to rile them up into a frenzy.

All in all I think Australia has handled things well. I don't think the issue will arise again- and if it does it will just by Sydney again. Sydney is by far the most multicultural city and was the first city to really become multicultural in Australia and there have been some teething problems that the other cities have learnt from.

Though 'wogs' (Lebanese, Italians, Greeks etc) have well and truly created an accepted and recognisably Australian subculture. Most of the issues will fade away with time.

I wish all Aussies spoke like Nick Cummins from the Western Force.

I don't even know what he speaks like.

Is it realistic to study abroad in Melbourne for Spring semester for the 2015 WC considering that:

-Tickets are probably sold out for some of the games (I want to attend Pakistan games against major teams).
-I plan on taking blow off classes but there might be conflict with my studies.
-I only have money for living expenses thus I would have to work part time while there to pay for tickets/flights for all the games I want to attend if they're not in Canberra, Adelaide or Sydney (even then I have a hunch flying maybe cheaper).

Pakistan Games are in Adelaide, Auckland, Brisbane, Christchurch, and then Semis and Finals in Pak make it.

I heard minimum wage is awesome in Australia but you can only work 20 hours a week. What do you guys think, Is my plan realistic, should I get a job and start saving or is it too wishful?

You'll almost certainly want to fly. Try Tiger or Jetstar for budget flights. You'll probably want to start looking into the application process now though. And also at tickets- many may be sold out. Semi Finals and Finals will be very expensive.

I'm guessing that the 20 hour work week is part of the student visa. That's probably around $360-$400 a week and I doubt you'll be able to work longer and study anyway.

Love the thread, good job "Convict".

Only thing i don't agree is Perth>Melbourne.

Westralia is bestralia.

Is it true that Australian inhabitants are more prone to skin cancer ?

Yep. Most people are Anglo-Celts (fair skinned from the British Isles) and they have no natural sun protection. So skin cancer is quite common as Australia has a lot of sunshine.

I'd suspect that white South Africans probably have a similar rate of incidence though.

 

[Convict]

It must suck having to be the first few countries or so experiencing each new day firs while the rest of the world is close to sleeping. Australia is basically the other side of the world hence DOWN UNDER!!

A common (but now pretty old fashioned) name for Australia and New Zealand was the antipodes. Though since the Empire disolved Australia and New Zealand aren't really defined by their location in regards to Britain anymore.

 

[Space Cat]

I don't even know what he speaks like.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XlvlwG9jCv4

 

[Convict]

Yeah. Many Australians speak like that.

 

[SL_Fan]

G'day mate nice day for some shrimp on tha barbie!

 

[Convict]

60% population in Australia take steroids, is that true?

We're just naturally strong. 60% of Australians are 6 foot 5, with bronze skins and the bodies of a Greek god.

Can you deport Hamish and Andy and strip them if their citizenship so we in in UK can take them?

Yeah nah

Are the majority of streets/roads like Ramsey Street?

Nope

Can you differentiate between who is Indian and who is Pakistani? How?

Only by names. Otherwise I can't tell the difference between Bangladeshis, Indians and Pakistanis.

G'day mate nice day for some shrimp on tha barbie!

1/10 too polite

 

[SL_Fan]

Hahaha Convict will be here all day peeps. Fire away with your questions!

 

[Convict]

Hahaha Convict will be here all day peeps. Fire away with your questions!

Yep. I have no intention of starting my assignment anytime soon

 

[avicricket]

Have you founed the plane

 

[FreeBird]

How friendly are the Australians who live in very remote areas/deserts towards foreigners?

 

[OZGOD]

Convict- I want to back 5-6 years and ask about Cronulla riots. How does a general aussie views that incident? Given the fact that 2005 riots in Cronulla were result of tension starting from 1960's between Lebanese migrants and local white population, but the particular incident happened when a group of middle eastern men assaulted off duty life guards.

Has the issue been solved or the fault lines are still there and just waiting for an issue to happen again?

BTW....What's the deal with Oporto's chilli sauce....the best I ever had !!!

Sorry I missed this one. Being from Sydney (though I moved to Boston the year it happened) it was basically a surf and turf gang issue. Basically waxhead gangs in Cronulla didn't like the fact that Middle Eastern gangs were moving into their beaches. Tensions were already hot because of the Skaf brothers gang rapes a number of years ago. Then a young lifesaver got rolled and some Aussie girls got sledged and it just boiled over. Whilst everyone enjoys our beaches, when you're a surfer or part of a gang it's a different story - I used to know which breaks to surf at Maroubra so as not to get offside with the Bra Boys surf gang.

As Convict said it's settled down now but in any multicultural society, particularly where you end up with groups of one ethnicity congregating together you will have the odd conflict. It happened with the wogs back in the day, then with the Vietnamese, now with the Iraqi and Afghans immigrating into the country. Eventually they get assimilated and develop a sense of identity that is part of Australia, with their own unique flavour.

Sydney has always been a bellweather for the rest of the country because it is so multicultural compared to other cities. The Lebanese tend to congregate together in large groups of mostly blokes and to be honest they could be quite intimidating back in the days when I used to go out clubbing in Sydney. Though since my dad is of Spanish descent and my mum's a quarter Chinese I don't look full Anglo so I didn't get rolled as much. But you can't really blame them for what happened - you get the same thing when heaps of yobs from the west come to the city to knock back slabs all night.

Will it happen again? You'd never say never. But I wouldn't say tensions are still there. I think people have assimilated well for the most part, much better than here in the US for example.

 

[Convict]

How friendly are the Australians who live in very remote areas/deserts towards foreigners?

In very remote areas?

Many have remote, isolated syndrome so they're either extremely friendly/helpful to outsiders or very distrustful of outsiders. But I'd count as an outsider as well and there's not really any reason to go to those places in the first place.

 

[OZGOD]

How friendly are the Australians who live in very remote areas/deserts towards foreigners?

Probably the same as people in any rural backwater in any country are towards foreigners.

 

[SL_Fan]

Freebirdy clearly hasn't seen Wolf Creek

 

[Convict]

Freebirdy clearly hasn't seen Wolf Creek

Wolf Creek is a nice place

 

[Saqs]

Most remote? Newman.

I wouldn't call Geraldton remote. It's a major regional WA centre.

Yes, but it's the second most remote I've ever been

 

[Saqs]

Is it realistic to study abroad in Melbourne for Spring semester for the 2015 WC considering that:

-Tickets are probably sold out for some of the games (I want to attend Pakistan games against major teams).
-I plan on taking blow off classes but there might be conflict with my studies.
-I only have money for living expenses thus I would have to work part time while there to pay for tickets/flights for all the games I want to attend if they're not in Canberra, Adelaide or Sydney (even then I have a hunch flying maybe cheaper).

Pakistan Games are in Adelaide, Auckland, Brisbane, Christchurch, and then Semis and Finals in Pak make it.



I heard minimum wage is awesome in Australia but you can only work 20 hours a week. What do you guys think, Is my plan realistic, should I get a job and start saving or is it too wishful?

Pak plays most of their group games in NZ, and the Pak v India clash is in Adelaide. There are actually no group games for Pak in MCG.

The Grand Final, which Pak will obviously reach, is in MCG - but the tickets for that are sold out as far as I know.

 

[prtikul]

Which country have significant influence on present day Aussie culture? US or Britain?

@OZGOD

How does Americans view Australians in comparison with people from Europe or Britain?

 

[Convict]

Which country have significant influence on present day Aussie culture? US or Britain?

@OZGOD

How does Americans view Australians in comparison with people from Europe or Britain?

Britain by far.

America has recently had a superficial influence but the British influence goes right down to the core.

 

[pakistanigoneaussie]

up until 1986 court decisions in Australia could be appealed all the way to the Privy Council in England

 

[prtikul]

I was reading few pages of cheesy romance novel by female indie author from New Zealand. Word 'Love' was often used while describing immediate close family members , Is it really used in New Zealand or Australia ? (I don't read much but never heard this expression that frequently in TV shows or books from in Britain or USA)

 

[Saqs]

It is used by older folk, say shopkeepers etc.

Quite common actually, to be called "Love".

 

[Convict]

I was reading few pages of cheesy romance novel by female indie author from New Zealand. Word 'Love' was often used while describing immediate close family members , Is it really used in New Zealand or Australia ? (I don't read much but never heard this expression that frequently in TV shows or books from in Britain or USA)

It's used a lot by women over the age of 50 and 60.

 

[prtikul]

It's used a lot by women over the age of 50 and 60.

Does this makes 'New Zealand' more culturally similar country to Australia compared to rest of the world at the moment? ( ie accent,language etc)

 

[Robert]

America has recently had a superficial influence but the British influence goes right down to the core.

I like the stuffy elder brother / brash kid brother analogy of the Briton-Aussie relationship.

That's why Britons tend to get cross when non-Aussies call us 'Poms' - they are misusing a brotherly banter word because they do not have that close familial relationship. Kiwis can get away with it, but I bristle when I hear an Asian or Saffer using it.

 

[Robert]

One thing I like about Aussies is their women - they don't wait for you to chat them up - they'll walk up and ask you for a date. That's refreshing. They'll tear your face off if your cross them, though.

 

[prtikul]

Apart from banter & sporting rivarly with Britain, In general, Whether majority of Aussie population is proud of their British heritage or there is more of animosity towards Britain than familiarity ?

Australian nationalism compared to American nationalism?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_nationalism

 

[Robert]

Sounds quite a lot about what I have heard. Sir John Monash is highly rated in Australia for his efforts in the War. Do you hear about him in Britain?

He had a key role in the Hundred Days' Offensive which ended the Great War, I believe.

One of the best Allied WW1 Generals. They gave him the KCMG.

 

[The Dark Corner]

One thing I like about Aussies is their women - they don't wait for you to chat them up - they'll walk up and ask you for a date. That's refreshing. They'll tear your face off if your cross them, though.

I like it rough; and from the looks of OZGOD's post, I won't understand a thing they say, so even better. To Australia fellas... to Australia.

 

[Convict]

Apart from banter & sporting rivarly with Britain, In general, Whether majority of Aussie population is proud of their British heritage or there is more of animosity towards Britain than familiarity ?

Australian nationalism compared to American nationalism?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_nationalism

No animosity against Britain at all but whereas as previous generations considered themselves British as well for the past 40-50 years people only consider themselves Australians.

But Britain is one of the countries we still feel a lot of affinity with.

 

[Convict]

Does this makes 'New Zealand' more culturally similar country to Australia compared to rest of the world at the moment? ( ie accent,language etc)

New Zealand has a very similar culture. There are differences but we're two very close nations. New Zealand was almost part of Australia.

He had a key role in the Hundred Days' Offensive which ended the Great War, I believe.

One of the best Allied WW1 Generals. They gave him the KCMG.

Yeah. One of our major universities is named after him.

 

[Torpedo]

Can you differentiate between who is Indian and who is Pakistani? How?

If there is a cricket match going between Australia and Pakistan and the people watching the match at work/club/pub are mostly Aussies, the couple of Pakistanis will still support Pakistan. Switch that with an Indian and he will cheer the loudest when an Indian wicket falls just to show he fits in. That's what I've seen anyway.


Pakistani's generally run there own businesses like store /restaurant or drive taxi whereas Indians are more likely to be working in professional jobs like doctor/IT etc etc.

 

[Mohsin]

I was reading few pages of cheesy romance novel by female indie author from New Zealand. Word 'Love' was often used while describing immediate close family members , Is it really used in New Zealand or Australia ? (I don't read much but never heard this expression that frequently in TV shows or books from in Britain or USA)

Tbh id say this is more a 'British import' than 'Aussie thing', youll always hear it here in the UK (especially the more up North you go...Manchester, Yorkshire especially)

 

[SL_Fan]

Is it true that there are more sheep in Aus than ppl? If so what kind of ratio are we talking about.

 

[SL_Fan]

Btw space kitty told me to ask that one.

 

[GlitterBomb]

Who/what are POMs?

Do you regularly see large spiders? For example, inside your house/shoe/car?

 

[Convict]

Is it true that there are more sheep in Aus than ppl? If so what kind of ratio are we talking about.

3.6 sheep per person compared to New Zealand 8 sheep per person. Western Australia does have a higher ratio than New Zealand though.

Historically the Australian figure was much higher than New Zealands. But in the past Australia and New Zealand supplied most of the sheep for the whole British empire.

Who/what are POMs?

Do you regularly see large spiders? For example, inside your house/shoe/car?

Poms are Englishmen. And yes spiders are quite common. Huntsmen are pretty awesome.

 

[FreeBird]

Is true that its cold in June/July/August in Australia, and its hot in December/Jan/Feb?

I mean, how does the Santa Clause act all snowy with raindeer when the weather is hot and sweaty on Christmas??

 

[Gilly]

Is true that its cold in June/July/August in Australia, and its hot in December/Jan/Feb?

I mean, how does the Santa Clause act all snowy with raindeer when the weather is hot and sweaty on Christmas??

Tradition is you leave a cold beer in the fridge for Santa.

 

[Convict]

Is true that its cold in June/July/August in Australia, and its hot in December/Jan/Feb?

I mean, how does the Santa Clause act all snowy with raindeer when the weather is hot and sweaty on Christmas??

We have winter in June/July/August and it has similar weather to English summers.

Our summer is Dec/Jan/Feb which is why we play cricket then.

 

[OZGOD]

No animosity against Britain at all but whereas as previous generations considered themselves British as well for the past 40-50 years people only consider themselves Australians.



But Britain is one of the countries we still feel a lot of affinity with.

Yes and put it this way...they've tried a few times to get that Union Jack off our flag but the referendum has always failed lol


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Tera Gawaandi]

Britain by far.

America has recently had a superficial influence but the British influence goes right down to the core.

But your suburbs, houses and roads resemble USA, I often compare cities like Boston to OZ cities. Only city with European feel is Melbourne, be it architecture, cloudy cold weather.

I personally feel Australian are closest to Canadians in many aspects.

 

[Tera Gawaandi]

There are only 30,000 Pakistani's in Australia, it's not even worth discussion. There are more than 400,000 Indians in Australia, one of fastest growing ethnic groups.

 

[Convict]

But your suburbs, houses and roads resemble USA, I often compare cities like Boston to OZ cities. Only city with European feel is Melbourne, be it architecture, cloudy cold weather.

I personally feel Australian are closest to Canadians in many aspects.

Our suburbs, houses and roads resemble the USA because our cities were all founded in an era where those sort of cities were possible. That's a function of getting to skip the Medieval Era.

And one of the superficial things I mentioned. Culturally we're very British.

 

[Mamoon]

I've heard its compulsory to learn swimming in Australia. Everyone has to.

Really?

 

[pakistanigoneaussie]

I've heard its compulsory to learn swimming in Australia. Everyone has to.

Really?

In most Private Schools you have to be able to swim 25 meters without aid and in a decent time in order to stay enrolled

 

[Convict]

I've heard its compulsory to learn swimming in Australia. Everyone has to.

Really?

Yeah. Everyone gets taught in primary school and there are lessons in high school (this is for government schools as well).

And most of the private schools follow the British path of believing in the importance of sports to education.

Given that at least 80% of the population lives on the coast and going to the beach, fishing, surfing etc are very popular pursuits it's a good idea.

 

[Mamoon]

Thank God I am not an Aussie.

I fear water and never have tried to learn how to swim.

 

[Saqs]

There are only 30,000 Pakistani's in Australia, it's not even worth discussion. There are more than 400,000 Indians in Australia, one of fastest growing ethnic groups.

One of the strangest posts I've ever read. What has this got to do with anything?

 

[James]

I always thought it would be really strange having hot sunny outdoor weather on Christmas Day, spending much of the evening gearing up for the cricket on Boxing Day.

Christmas is meant to be a chilly indoor feast by the woodfire, possibly with snow.

 

[Saqs]

Christmas in Summer = Santa-themed mini-skirts.

 

[Convict]

I always thought it would be really strange having hot sunny outdoor weather on Christmas Day, spending much of the evening gearing up for the cricket on Boxing Day.

Christmas is meant to be a chilly indoor feast by the woodfire, possibly with snow.

It's great. Go down to the beach, and drink a few beers whilst playing beach cricket with the cousins and extended family.

 

[Robert]

Christmas is meant to be a chilly indoor feast by the woodfire, possibly with snow.

Yeah, if we export our culture to hot countries in the Southern Hemisphere they will invent these rituals which are incongruous to us.

 

[DeadlyVenom]

Aussie Christmas in terms of weather probably resembles more closely the weather for where Jesus was born.

You British guys are doing it wrong

 

[SL_Fan]

Jen Hawkins or Miranda Kerr?

 

[kinventor]

There are only 30,000 Pakistani's in Australia, it's not even worth discussion. There are more than 400,000 Indians in Australia, one of fastest growing ethnic groups.

Pak population should be 60,000 to keep the balance 7-1