Is Australia a more conservative country than the UK?
#1
Banned
Thread Starter
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 133
Is Australia a more conservative country than the UK?
Weighing up both the attitudes and politics of the two countries, would Australia be considered more to the right than the UK?
#2
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,253
Re: Is Australia a more conservative country than the UK?
Depends on the state, Queensland for example could be classed as far right wing
Overall I find Australia a rather liberal society actually. I heard so many scare stories like the one about the Queenslanders before I went over but the reality is I find Aussies not all that different to us Poms < apart from Queenslanders >
Overall I find Australia a rather liberal society actually. I heard so many scare stories like the one about the Queenslanders before I went over but the reality is I find Aussies not all that different to us Poms < apart from Queenslanders >
#3
221b Baker Street
Joined: Jun 2010
Location: Miles from anywhere, Victoria, Australia.
Posts: 14,125
Re: Is Australia a more conservative country than the UK?
I think these days, both countries are fairly middling.
#4
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Oct 2005
Location: Hill overlooking the SE Melbourne suburbs
Posts: 16,622
Re: Is Australia a more conservative country than the UK?
Depends on the state, Queensland for example could be classed as far right wing
Overall I find Australia a rather liberal society actually. I heard so many scare stories like the one about the Queenslanders before I went over but the reality is I find Aussies not all that different to us Poms < apart from Queenslanders >
Overall I find Australia a rather liberal society actually. I heard so many scare stories like the one about the Queenslanders before I went over but the reality is I find Aussies not all that different to us Poms < apart from Queenslanders >
However...naturally, conservatism does not preclude liberalism!
#5
Re: Is Australia a more conservative country than the UK?
conservative and australia are two words that dont belong in the same sentance!.
The first time I heard adverts on the radio in the middle of the afternoon for viagra style products it was a suprise.
Political correctness has also never really arrived here, or it arrived, was poked with a stick a bit and then ignored.
The first time I heard adverts on the radio in the middle of the afternoon for viagra style products it was a suprise.
Political correctness has also never really arrived here, or it arrived, was poked with a stick a bit and then ignored.
#6
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Oct 2009
Location: Hampshire - soon to be somewhere between Brissie and Gold Coast!!!
Posts: 673
Re: Is Australia a more conservative country than the UK?
conservative and australia are two words that dont belong in the same sentance!.
The first time I heard adverts on the radio in the middle of the afternoon for viagra style products it was a suprise.
Political correctness has also never really arrived here, or it arrived, was poked with a stick a bit and then ignored.
The first time I heard adverts on the radio in the middle of the afternoon for viagra style products it was a suprise.
Political correctness has also never really arrived here, or it arrived, was poked with a stick a bit and then ignored.
#7
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 795
Re: Is Australia a more conservative country than the UK?
I would say that if you are talking about conservative with a small c, then in some ways Australia is more conservative than the UK.
I have worked at Erotica in the UK, along with a couple of smaller shows, and Sexpo in Brisbane, Perth, Melbourne and Sydney, and the difference between the punters is very noticeable. We have a table of toys at the front of the stand. In the UK punters are happy to pick them up, see what the different buttons do and have a laugh with their mates/partner and with the staff on the stand. In Australia people avoid the table like the plague and seem scared to talk to the staff. Brisbane and Perth were the worst, with one of the girls working on the stand being asked by a woman visiting the show what the girl's mother thought of her working there! People pay to go to Sexpo and I would hope have a pretty good idea what to expect to see inside, yet you wouldn't think so from some of the reactions I saw.
Given the number of adult shops in Australia, I was surprised to see such a conservative attitude from so many people.
I have worked at Erotica in the UK, along with a couple of smaller shows, and Sexpo in Brisbane, Perth, Melbourne and Sydney, and the difference between the punters is very noticeable. We have a table of toys at the front of the stand. In the UK punters are happy to pick them up, see what the different buttons do and have a laugh with their mates/partner and with the staff on the stand. In Australia people avoid the table like the plague and seem scared to talk to the staff. Brisbane and Perth were the worst, with one of the girls working on the stand being asked by a woman visiting the show what the girl's mother thought of her working there! People pay to go to Sexpo and I would hope have a pretty good idea what to expect to see inside, yet you wouldn't think so from some of the reactions I saw.
Given the number of adult shops in Australia, I was surprised to see such a conservative attitude from so many people.
#8
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Jun 2010
Location: VIC, Australia
Posts: 397
Re: Is Australia a more conservative country than the UK?
Well, some sectors of Australian society are conservative, others are very liberal. Probably no different to anywhere else. Rural areas are a lot more conservative than urban areas which is a well known phenomenon.
I think as a whole though, from what I've heard about other comparable countries, Australians are a little less concerned or uptight about whether things may offend, perhaps a little less self conscious in some aspects of their behaviour.
This does not mean that they don't care who they offend or lack respect for other people, but just the way it is here. It is a huge load off your shoulders in life if you don't have to feel overly anxious about how others perceive you and just be who you are.
This is what is meant by 'laid back' when describing Australians, people are very down to earth on average and don't take themselves or things overly seriously.
I think as a whole though, from what I've heard about other comparable countries, Australians are a little less concerned or uptight about whether things may offend, perhaps a little less self conscious in some aspects of their behaviour.
This does not mean that they don't care who they offend or lack respect for other people, but just the way it is here. It is a huge load off your shoulders in life if you don't have to feel overly anxious about how others perceive you and just be who you are.
This is what is meant by 'laid back' when describing Australians, people are very down to earth on average and don't take themselves or things overly seriously.
#9
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Oct 2005
Location: Hill overlooking the SE Melbourne suburbs
Posts: 16,622
Re: Is Australia a more conservative country than the UK?
I would say that if you are talking about conservative with a small c, then in some ways Australia is more conservative than the UK.
I have worked at Erotica in the UK, along with a couple of smaller shows, and Sexpo in Brisbane, Perth, Melbourne and Sydney, and the difference between the punters is very noticeable. We have a table of toys at the front of the stand. In the UK punters are happy to pick them up, see what the different buttons do and have a laugh with their mates/partner and with the staff on the stand. In Australia people avoid the table like the plague and seem scared to talk to the staff. Brisbane and Perth were the worst, with one of the girls working on the stand being asked by a woman visiting the show what the girl's mother thought of her working there! People pay to go to Sexpo and I would hope have a pretty good idea what to expect to see inside, yet you wouldn't think so from some of the reactions I saw.
Given the number of adult shops in Australia, I was surprised to see such a conservative attitude from so many people.
I have worked at Erotica in the UK, along with a couple of smaller shows, and Sexpo in Brisbane, Perth, Melbourne and Sydney, and the difference between the punters is very noticeable. We have a table of toys at the front of the stand. In the UK punters are happy to pick them up, see what the different buttons do and have a laugh with their mates/partner and with the staff on the stand. In Australia people avoid the table like the plague and seem scared to talk to the staff. Brisbane and Perth were the worst, with one of the girls working on the stand being asked by a woman visiting the show what the girl's mother thought of her working there! People pay to go to Sexpo and I would hope have a pretty good idea what to expect to see inside, yet you wouldn't think so from some of the reactions I saw.
Given the number of adult shops in Australia, I was surprised to see such a conservative attitude from so many people.
Well, some sectors of Australian society are conservative, others are very liberal. Probably no different to anywhere else. Rural areas are a lot more conservative than urban areas which is a well known phenomenon.
I think as a whole though, from what I've heard about other comparable countries, Australians are a little less concerned or uptight about whether things may offend, perhaps a little less self conscious in some aspects of their behaviour.
This does not mean that they don't care who they offend or lack respect for other people, but just the way it is here. It is a huge load off your shoulders in life if you don't have to feel overly anxious about how others perceive you and just be who you are.
This is what is meant by 'laid back' when describing Australians, people are very down to earth on average and don't take themselves or things overly seriously.
I think as a whole though, from what I've heard about other comparable countries, Australians are a little less concerned or uptight about whether things may offend, perhaps a little less self conscious in some aspects of their behaviour.
This does not mean that they don't care who they offend or lack respect for other people, but just the way it is here. It is a huge load off your shoulders in life if you don't have to feel overly anxious about how others perceive you and just be who you are.
This is what is meant by 'laid back' when describing Australians, people are very down to earth on average and don't take themselves or things overly seriously.
Sexpo. hmm....in my backpacking year, I had a gig as a sex toy travelling salesman...I hit every shop in Brisbane and made one sell. I also went to all the brothels and found it a huge hit that the girls couldn't believe that I was asking them to cough up...Down in Melbourne, I've just met a bloke who runs the family porn and paper's business. Good bloke.
#10
Banned
Thread Starter
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 133
Re: Is Australia a more conservative country than the UK?
America has viagra adverts too and they're far from what I'd call liberal. Perhaps Australians are more libertarian than actually liberal.
Last edited by COF; Oct 17th 2010 at 12:55 pm.
#11
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 371
Re: Is Australia a more conservative country than the UK?
There are parts of the USA that are more Liberal than the entire UK.
Several American states have legalised gay marriage, and Oregon has legalised euthanasia.
#12
Re: Is Australia a more conservative country than the UK?
They truly are a melting pot of ideas, opinions, cultures etc, and apart from some glaring issues, kind of work well.
#13
221b Baker Street
Joined: Jun 2010
Location: Miles from anywhere, Victoria, Australia.
Posts: 14,125
Re: Is Australia a more conservative country than the UK?
Well, some sectors of Australian society are conservative, others are very liberal. Probably no different to anywhere else. Rural areas are a lot more conservative than urban areas which is a well known phenomenon.
I think as a whole though, from what I've heard about other comparable countries, Australians are a little less concerned or uptight about whether things may offend, perhaps a little less self conscious in some aspects of their behaviour.
This does not mean that they don't care who they offend or lack respect for other people, but just the way it is here. It is a huge load off your shoulders in life if you don't have to feel overly anxious about how others perceive you and just be who you are.
This is what is meant by 'laid back' when describing Australians, people are very down to earth on average and don't take themselves or things overly seriously.
I think as a whole though, from what I've heard about other comparable countries, Australians are a little less concerned or uptight about whether things may offend, perhaps a little less self conscious in some aspects of their behaviour.
This does not mean that they don't care who they offend or lack respect for other people, but just the way it is here. It is a huge load off your shoulders in life if you don't have to feel overly anxious about how others perceive you and just be who you are.
This is what is meant by 'laid back' when describing Australians, people are very down to earth on average and don't take themselves or things overly seriously.
#14
Re: Is Australia a more conservative country than the UK?
Well, some sectors of Australian society are conservative, others are very liberal. Probably no different to anywhere else. Rural areas are a lot more conservative than urban areas which is a well known phenomenon.
I think as a whole though, from what I've heard about other comparable countries, Australians are a little less concerned or uptight about whether things may offend, perhaps a little less self conscious in some aspects of their behaviour.
This does not mean that they don't care who they offend or lack respect for other people, but just the way it is here. It is a huge load off your shoulders in life if you don't have to feel overly anxious about how others perceive you and just be who you are.
This is what is meant by 'laid back' when describing Australians, people are very down to earth on average and don't take themselves or things overly seriously.
I think as a whole though, from what I've heard about other comparable countries, Australians are a little less concerned or uptight about whether things may offend, perhaps a little less self conscious in some aspects of their behaviour.
This does not mean that they don't care who they offend or lack respect for other people, but just the way it is here. It is a huge load off your shoulders in life if you don't have to feel overly anxious about how others perceive you and just be who you are.
This is what is meant by 'laid back' when describing Australians, people are very down to earth on average and don't take themselves or things overly seriously.