Lack of Culture???
Jan 3rd 2007, 7:25 am
#46
Jedi Princess
Joined: Jun 2006
Location: Melbourne,Australia
Posts: 2,089
Re: Lack of Culture???
I think too that 'culture' goes beyond old buildings, and ethnic food, and art galleries. It also is about how a society interacts with it's members at individual, collective, formal and informal levels.
In OZ there is a pc sense of 'multi-culturalism' but dig a bit deeper and you find that migrants are always migrants, and never really 'one of us'. So no surprise that the most sociable and friendly people I have come across here are others who have also come here from elsewhere, to live.
Jan 3rd 2007, 7:43 am
#47
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Jul 2005
Location: Darwin, NT
Posts: 380
Re: Lack of Culture???
Just curious to know what this means.
I keep seeing peoples posts admittedly on MBTUK forum that Australia has no culture. Can anyone explain this to me
My understanding of culture is about the way peole lead their lifes through language, clothes, foods and values so how does Australia not have a culture.
While we were there during last August we certainly did not find this. In fact there seemed to be plenty of different and exciting cultures around us.
I don't intend to be boring but it puzzles me as people seem to use this as a criticism of Australia. We hope to be in Brisbane this year so beginning to feel a bit protective over our new home.
Kaye
I keep seeing peoples posts admittedly on MBTUK forum that Australia has no culture. Can anyone explain this to me
My understanding of culture is about the way peole lead their lifes through language, clothes, foods and values so how does Australia not have a culture.
While we were there during last August we certainly did not find this. In fact there seemed to be plenty of different and exciting cultures around us.
I don't intend to be boring but it puzzles me as people seem to use this as a criticism of Australia. We hope to be in Brisbane this year so beginning to feel a bit protective over our new home.
Kaye
Jan 3rd 2007, 7:55 am
#48
Account Closed
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 9,316
Re: Lack of Culture???
Jan 3rd 2007, 7:58 am
#49
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Jun 2004
Location: Hills District
Posts: 1,399
Re: Lack of Culture???
[quote=kiwi_child;
In OZ there is a pc sense of 'multi-culturalism' but dig a bit deeper and you find that migrants are always migrants, and never really 'one of us'. So no surprise that the most sociable and friendly people I have come across here are others who have also come here from elsewhere, to live.[/quote]
Have to say I've never found this, but then I've been here a very long time. Think this is the crux of the matter, you have to be here for more than a few years to be truely accepted. No different than if you go to live in some places in the UK, especially villages, you are looked upon as an outsider for a long time. In some places you're never accepted as a local no matter how long you are a resident. I realize that you have been in Australia for some years, but you have no doubt made your feelings about the country known and those would not have endeared you to the locals.
In OZ there is a pc sense of 'multi-culturalism' but dig a bit deeper and you find that migrants are always migrants, and never really 'one of us'. So no surprise that the most sociable and friendly people I have come across here are others who have also come here from elsewhere, to live.[/quote]
Have to say I've never found this, but then I've been here a very long time. Think this is the crux of the matter, you have to be here for more than a few years to be truely accepted. No different than if you go to live in some places in the UK, especially villages, you are looked upon as an outsider for a long time. In some places you're never accepted as a local no matter how long you are a resident. I realize that you have been in Australia for some years, but you have no doubt made your feelings about the country known and those would not have endeared you to the locals.
Jan 3rd 2007, 8:13 am
#51
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Apr 2005
Location: On the edge of the Dandenongs, Melbourne
Posts: 2,387
Re: Lack of Culture???
LOL. Good post BUT don't forget the flies, mozzies, overbearing heat, and the obsession with being seen as the world's best in every form of sport (that counts as sport in their eyes).
I think too that 'culture' goes beyond old buildings, and ethnic food, and art galleries. It also is about how a society interacts with it's members at individual, collective, formal and informal levels.
In OZ there is a pc sense of 'multi-culturalism' but dig a bit deeper and you find that migrants are always migrants, and never really 'one of us'. So no surprise that the most sociable and friendly people I have come across here are others who have also come here from elsewhere, to live.
I think too that 'culture' goes beyond old buildings, and ethnic food, and art galleries. It also is about how a society interacts with it's members at individual, collective, formal and informal levels.
In OZ there is a pc sense of 'multi-culturalism' but dig a bit deeper and you find that migrants are always migrants, and never really 'one of us'. So no surprise that the most sociable and friendly people I have come across here are others who have also come here from elsewhere, to live.
Jan 3rd 2007, 8:15 am
#52
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Nov 2005
Location: at the bottom of a wine glass
Posts: 28,176
Re: Lack of Culture???
I think that people are confused between CULTURE:
• noun 1 the arts and other manifestations of human intellectual achievement regarded collectively. 2 a refined understanding or appreciation of this. 3 the customs, institutions, and achievements of a particular nation, people, or group.
As defined by the Oxford dictionary http://www.askoxford.com/concise_oed/culture?view=uk
and HISTORY:
1 the study of past events. 2 the past considered as a whole. 3 the past events connected with someone or something. 4 a continuous record of past events or trends
Also in the oxford dictionary http://www.askoxford.com/concise_oed/history?view=uk
I think that when people say they think Australia doesn't have any culture they either mean, that it is a different way of life here and they can't adapt. Or they mean there is no history, Although of course Australia has plenty more of that than the UK, just not in the shape of castles
• noun 1 the arts and other manifestations of human intellectual achievement regarded collectively. 2 a refined understanding or appreciation of this. 3 the customs, institutions, and achievements of a particular nation, people, or group.
As defined by the Oxford dictionary http://www.askoxford.com/concise_oed/culture?view=uk
and HISTORY:
1 the study of past events. 2 the past considered as a whole. 3 the past events connected with someone or something. 4 a continuous record of past events or trends
Also in the oxford dictionary http://www.askoxford.com/concise_oed/history?view=uk
I think that when people say they think Australia doesn't have any culture they either mean, that it is a different way of life here and they can't adapt. Or they mean there is no history, Although of course Australia has plenty more of that than the UK, just not in the shape of castles
Jan 3rd 2007, 9:08 am
#53
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Oct 2006
Location: Melbourne
Posts: 545
Re: Lack of Culture???
So, as far as I can see reading this thread there are a lot of people that feel australia has no "culture" because it has no very old churches or castles?? and that it has big apparently "boring" suburbs (which of course do not exist anywhere else in the world).
What kind of "culture" are people looking for when they go to Australia? Personally, I will be looking for the "outdoors culture", I will also be looking forward to taking advantage of the "cafe culture" and the "sporting culture".
I have absolutely no expectations of seeing castles.
and if I miss the old churches and castles that much I can always buy a history book and look at the pictures
Dolly
and that it has big apparently "boring" suburbs (which of course do not exist anywhere else in the world).What kind of "culture" are people looking for when they go to Australia? Personally, I will be looking for the "outdoors culture", I will also be looking forward to taking advantage of the "cafe culture" and the "sporting culture".
I have absolutely no expectations of seeing castles.
and if I miss the old churches and castles that much I can always buy a history book and look at the pictures
Dolly
Jan 3rd 2007, 9:15 am
#54
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Nov 2005
Location: at the bottom of a wine glass
Posts: 28,176
Re: Lack of Culture???
So, as far as I can see reading this thread there are a lot of people that feel australia has no "culture" because it has no very old churches or castles?? and that it has big apparently "boring" suburbs (which of course do not exist anywhere else in the world).
What kind of "culture" are people looking for when they go to Australia? Personally, I will be looking for the "outdoors culture", I will also be looking forward to taking advantage of the "cafe culture" and the "sporting culture".
I have absolutely no expectations of seeing castles.
and if I miss the old churches and castles that much I can always buy a history book and look at the pictures
Dolly
and that it has big apparently "boring" suburbs (which of course do not exist anywhere else in the world).What kind of "culture" are people looking for when they go to Australia? Personally, I will be looking for the "outdoors culture", I will also be looking forward to taking advantage of the "cafe culture" and the "sporting culture".
I have absolutely no expectations of seeing castles.
and if I miss the old churches and castles that much I can always buy a history book and look at the pictures
Dolly
We have lots of churches here in Adelaide
(No castles though 
)
Jan 3rd 2007, 9:27 am
#55
Account Closed
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 9,316
Re: Lack of Culture???
I think that people are confused between CULTURE:
• noun 1 the arts and other manifestations of human intellectual achievement regarded collectively. 2 a refined understanding or appreciation of this. 3 the customs, institutions, and achievements of a particular nation, people, or group.
As defined by the Oxford dictionary http://www.askoxford.com/concise_oed/culture?view=uk
and HISTORY:
1 the study of past events. 2 the past considered as a whole. 3 the past events connected with someone or something. 4 a continuous record of past events or trends
Also in the oxford dictionary http://www.askoxford.com/concise_oed/history?view=uk
I think that when people say they think Australia doesn't have any culture they either mean, that it is a different way of life here and they can't adapt. Or they mean there is no history, Although of course Australia has plenty more of that than the UK, just not in the shape of castles
• noun 1 the arts and other manifestations of human intellectual achievement regarded collectively. 2 a refined understanding or appreciation of this. 3 the customs, institutions, and achievements of a particular nation, people, or group.
As defined by the Oxford dictionary http://www.askoxford.com/concise_oed/culture?view=uk
and HISTORY:
1 the study of past events. 2 the past considered as a whole. 3 the past events connected with someone or something. 4 a continuous record of past events or trends
Also in the oxford dictionary http://www.askoxford.com/concise_oed/history?view=uk
I think that when people say they think Australia doesn't have any culture they either mean, that it is a different way of life here and they can't adapt. Or they mean there is no history, Although of course Australia has plenty more of that than the UK, just not in the shape of castles
Jan 3rd 2007, 9:43 am
#56
Victorian Evangelist
Joined: Sep 2005
Location: Melbourne, by the beach, living the dream.
Posts: 7,704
Re: Lack of Culture???
Jan 3rd 2007, 9:47 am
#57
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Oct 2005
Location: Hill overlooking the SE Melbourne suburbs
Posts: 16,622
Re: Lack of Culture???
In OZ there is a pc sense of 'multi-culturalism' but dig a bit deeper and you find that migrants are always migrants, and never really 'one of us'. So no surprise that the most sociable and friendly people I have come across here are others who have also come here from elsewhere, to live.
It's very obvious that you really have a tough life of it Miss Kiwi.
Jan 3rd 2007, 9:53 am
#58
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 30,102
Re: Lack of Culture???
Here's some food for thought.
The main part of the Palace of Westminster (i.e. where the Lords and Commons sit) is roughly the same age as the Victorian Parliament building.
Lords' chamber opened 1847.
Commons' chamber opened 1852.
The chambers for the Victorian Legislative Assembly and the Victorian Legislative Council opened 1856.
The main part of the Palace of Westminster (i.e. where the Lords and Commons sit) is roughly the same age as the Victorian Parliament building.
Lords' chamber opened 1847.
Commons' chamber opened 1852.
The chambers for the Victorian Legislative Assembly and the Victorian Legislative Council opened 1856.
Jan 3rd 2007, 10:14 am
#59
Jedi Princess
Joined: Jun 2006
Location: Melbourne,Australia
Posts: 2,089
Jan 3rd 2007, 10:22 am
#60
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Apr 2005
Location: On the edge of the Dandenongs, Melbourne
Posts: 2,387
Re: Lack of Culture???
How did you find those cities? I've only lived in Melbourne and so far have encountered very few negatives - but obviously can only speak for my neck of the woods!
As far as culture goes - coming from Bristol/Bath and working in the arts - we would have killed for the Melbourne arts, culture & festivals scene! I'm far from disappointed with what I have found so far on that score.
As far as culture goes - coming from Bristol/Bath and working in the arts - we would have killed for the Melbourne arts, culture & festivals scene! I'm far from disappointed with what I have found so far on that score.