Re: This is the kind of thing that drives me nuts about Aussies...do you feel the sam
 

Only if you count all the countries that have recently joined, and I was not talking about population.

Re: This is the kind of thing that drives me nuts about Aussies...do you feel the sam
 

Ditto to that post.

:thumbsup:

Re: This is the kind of thing that drives me nuts about Aussies...do you feel the sam
 

What's your point? Europe is still bigger than Australia?

Re: This is the kind of thing that drives me nuts about Aussies...do you feel the sam
 

That's political Europe though as opposed to its 'physical' land area.

Re: This is the kind of thing that drives me nuts about Aussies...do you feel the sam
 

I think it is down to peoples perception of the size of Europe...

Places in Europe, that people rarely think of when we talk about Europe, include Lithuania, Belarus, Ukraine, Russia, etc.

Another map with Australia positioned to the bottom edge of Europe
http://www.users.on.net/~arachne/europeAus.jpg

However, facts do say that:
Europe is about 10,400,000 square kilometers
Australia is about 7,682,300 km2.
(The northernmost point of the European mainland is Cape Nordkinn, in Norway; the southernmost, Punta de Tarifa, in southern Spain near Gibraltar. From west to east the mainland ranges from Cabo da Roca, in Portugal, to the northeastern slopes of the Urals, in Russia)

Re: This is the kind of thing that drives me nuts about Aussies...do you feel the sam
 

I agree. Many people think that Europe simply means the EU, which is doesn't.


I have seen that postcard before and can remember thinking where is the rest of Scandanavia? If it is not in Europe which continent is it in!

Re: This is the kind of thing that drives me nuts about Aussies...do you feel the sam
 

I can understand people in far flung places who are contemplating a 'new life' in Oz being drawn to this refreshing outflowing of national pride

But I'm not convinced being born in a "pretty", sunny place with nice beaches and varied wildlife is something to be proud of per se.

At the same time, I'm not convinced being born in a "grim" place with bad weather is something to be ashamed of either.

I thought pride was something you experienced or demonstrated after an achievement of some kind?

I really struggle sometimes to think of what exactly Australia has *achieved* in it's short history and what it has contributed to the world. As a sports fan I can rightly understand Aussies being proud of their cricket team, but what else?

Or are Aussies always going to play the "what we've achieved per capita" card? i.e small man's syndrome.

People talk about the spirit of being Australian. I was brought up on tales of "getting a fair go", "caring, sharing communities", "being there for one another" etc etc. One only has to pick up a newspaper to see that these ideals or qualities are becoming increasingly rare.

I have nothing against Aussies celebrating Australia Day for the right reasons. But I think the term "pride" is misplaced and for many the day is just an excuse to get drunk and behave like bogan rednecks, which given the country's origins is not entirely surprising.

Re: This is the kind of thing that drives me nuts about Aussies...do you feel the sam
 

That postcard also uses the Mercator projection which does not show area correctly. They should have used the Peters projection which would have been accurate.

You can't tell I am a Geographer can you!:)

Re: This is the kind of thing that drives me nuts about Aussies...do you feel the sam
 

My original point was that flying from Perth to Sydney is like flying from London to Moscow. Australia is a big country and there is lots to explore. People were condemning those that had never left Oz. I wanted to point out the rich variety of habitats that there are here. I intend to explore them. Make the most of what you have near to you- especially when it costs so much to leave the country!:eek:

Re: This is the kind of thing that drives me nuts about Aussies...do you feel the sam
 

Fair enough. I was just pointing out that Europe is bigger than Australia.

Re: This is the kind of thing that drives me nuts about Aussies...do you feel the sam
 

Australian Voting is cool and very popular in democracies around the world.

The fridge is quite popular too. A lot of western homes have fridges based on the method invented in Aus.

The per capita card is often trotted out by Brits as well so I guess they too suffer from the small man syndrome as well? Sounds like petty name calling to me. ;)

Re: This is the kind of thing that drives me nuts about Aussies...do you feel the sam
 

Don't put all Australians in the same boat though. They are not all "drunk bogan rednecks". The same as just because some people decide to cause trouble at football matches, it doesn't mean all football fans are hooligans.

There is nothing wrong with showing pride. In fact, the people I find the most cringeworthy are the recently arrived British expats adorned head to toe in Australian flags, saying things like "Australia is great, Uk is crap blah blah blah". It is so embarrasing.

Re: This is the kind of thing that drives me nuts about Aussies...do you feel the sam
 

Quite. Especially those who do not live here.

Re: This is the kind of thing that drives me nuts about Aussies...do you feel the sam
 

With all due respect, have you ever lived in Australia long enough to be able to formulate an informed opinion (i.e. recent living experience)?

The OP (whether right or wrong) probably has a better insight than yourself into the habits and behaviours of some Australians?

Re: This is the kind of thing that drives me nuts about Aussies...do you feel the sam
 

the irony of this post is sublime...