The cultural aspects of Australia
Oct 18th 2003, 3:13 pm
#1
Guest
Posts: n/a
The cultural aspects of Australia
The people who have lived here knows that the main influence in Australia is
the US. Anyone who has been to LA knows this.
Just take one look at Sydney and it'll be obvious to you.
Australia is the place where American fast food outlets kick off when they
want to expand outside the US. It is second only to Hollywood in the
production of western style movies.
It has been said in the media many times that California has more in common
with Australia than some other US states. We surf like they do, same style
of music, the fast food culture, cheap petrol, muscle cars, architecture.
Not long ago, it was suggested by some think tank that we are so close to
the US both culturally and politically that we ought to become the 51st US
state.
It has not always been this way, back in the 50s and early 60s, the
influence was English but that is long gone now.
Probably the only hangover form Britain is that we still drive on the left
side of the road but that will change too. We have used $$$ since '66.
the US. Anyone who has been to LA knows this.
Just take one look at Sydney and it'll be obvious to you.
Australia is the place where American fast food outlets kick off when they
want to expand outside the US. It is second only to Hollywood in the
production of western style movies.
It has been said in the media many times that California has more in common
with Australia than some other US states. We surf like they do, same style
of music, the fast food culture, cheap petrol, muscle cars, architecture.
Not long ago, it was suggested by some think tank that we are so close to
the US both culturally and politically that we ought to become the 51st US
state.
It has not always been this way, back in the 50s and early 60s, the
influence was English but that is long gone now.
Probably the only hangover form Britain is that we still drive on the left
side of the road but that will change too. We have used $$$ since '66.
Oct 18th 2003, 3:43 pm
#2
Guest
Posts: n/a
i agree with a lot of what you say here but i dont think they will be changing the side of the road they drive on.
could you imagine the chaos this would cause.
could you imagine the chaos this would cause.
Oct 18th 2003, 10:15 pm
#3
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 11,149
Re: The cultural aspects of Australia
Originally posted by Axel Van Kampen
The people who have lived here knows that the main influence in Australia is
the US. Anyone who has been to LA knows this.
Just take one look at Sydney and it'll be obvious to you.
Australia is the place where American fast food outlets kick off when they
want to expand outside the US. It is second only to Hollywood in the
production of western style movies.
It has been said in the media many times that California has more in common
with Australia than some other US states. We surf like they do, same style
of music, the fast food culture, cheap petrol, muscle cars, architecture.
Not long ago, it was suggested by some think tank that we are so close to
the US both culturally and politically that we ought to become the 51st US
state.
It has not always been this way, back in the 50s and early 60s, the
influence was English but that is long gone now.
Probably the only hangover form Britain is that we still drive on the left
side of the road but that will change too. We have used $$$ since '66.
The people who have lived here knows that the main influence in Australia is
the US. Anyone who has been to LA knows this.
Just take one look at Sydney and it'll be obvious to you.
Australia is the place where American fast food outlets kick off when they
want to expand outside the US. It is second only to Hollywood in the
production of western style movies.
It has been said in the media many times that California has more in common
with Australia than some other US states. We surf like they do, same style
of music, the fast food culture, cheap petrol, muscle cars, architecture.
Not long ago, it was suggested by some think tank that we are so close to
the US both culturally and politically that we ought to become the 51st US
state.
It has not always been this way, back in the 50s and early 60s, the
influence was English but that is long gone now.
Probably the only hangover form Britain is that we still drive on the left
side of the road but that will change too. We have used $$$ since '66.
There is more influence on Oz from the UK than the side of the road to drive on. I agree that the US influence is strengthening all the time but on what country is the influence diminishing.
Aussies love Cricket, Rugby League, football (the most particpated team sport in Australia) and Rugby Union. Grid Iron, basketball and baseball do not get a look in.
Australians go to the UK on working holidays more than any other country. The ABC broadcast more UK programs than from any other country. Out of all the post war migrants more have come from the UK than any other country.
Oct 18th 2003, 10:55 pm
#4
Just Joined
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 24
I thought I would make a small contribution to this topic. Being from Canada we are inundated with US television and American tourists, as well as all of there fast food outlets.
While Australia may have similar beaches and climate to California, that's where the similarity ends to the US. Australia is a far more laid back society, and much friendlier. The Australians don't consider themselves the be all and end all of the free world. If I found Australia anything like the US I would not be moving there. I am only a few minutes away from the American border and I will not travel there. Don't get me wrong of course there are great friendly people in the US but they are much more difficult to find.
So, I beg all Australians to keep your individuality and try to avoid the American culture as best you can, I know I do and will.
A great movie (documentary on gun violence) to watch showing some of the American way is "Bowling for Columbine", I highly recommend it.
While Australia may have similar beaches and climate to California, that's where the similarity ends to the US. Australia is a far more laid back society, and much friendlier. The Australians don't consider themselves the be all and end all of the free world. If I found Australia anything like the US I would not be moving there. I am only a few minutes away from the American border and I will not travel there. Don't get me wrong of course there are great friendly people in the US but they are much more difficult to find.
So, I beg all Australians to keep your individuality and try to avoid the American culture as best you can, I know I do and will.
A great movie (documentary on gun violence) to watch showing some of the American way is "Bowling for Columbine", I highly recommend it.
Oct 19th 2003, 12:46 am
#5
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: The cultural aspects of Australia
I couldn't disagree more. Your grammar is still very much "english" as
opposed to "american style grammar". TEA...something we (america)
drink, not dinner. Certainly one does see lot's of american influence,
me personally, I see it more in entertainment than anything else. In
visiting oz quite a few times during the last two years, I'd say it's
much more relaxed (although I've spent most of my time in SA.) then
the northeast coast of America.
opposed to "american style grammar". TEA...something we (america)
drink, not dinner. Certainly one does see lot's of american influence,
me personally, I see it more in entertainment than anything else. In
visiting oz quite a few times during the last two years, I'd say it's
much more relaxed (although I've spent most of my time in SA.) then
the northeast coast of America.
Oct 19th 2003, 4:15 am
#6
Forum Regular
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 248
Re: The cultural aspects of Australia
Originally posted by Axel Van Kampen
The people who have lived here knows that the main influence in Australia is the US. Anyone who has been to LA knows this.
Just take one look at Sydney and it'll be obvious to you.
The people who have lived here knows that the main influence in Australia is the US. Anyone who has been to LA knows this.
Just take one look at Sydney and it'll be obvious to you.
Oct 19th 2003, 9:55 am
#7
Forum Regular
Joined: Oct 2003
Location: Melbourne
Posts: 152
Re: The cultural aspects of Australia
I agree with Welshboy; there's no point in changing the side of the way they drive on the road. This may cost billions - every bit of sign posts on the side of the road need to be swapped places as they will be facing the wrong way, the signs marked on the roads, etc. There's no extra benefit in driving on the right - this will never happen.
Oct 19th 2003, 10:46 am
#8
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: The cultural aspects of Australia
"bondipom" <member@british_expats.com> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Originally posted by Axel Van Kampen
> > The people who have lived here knows that the main influence in
> > Australia is
> > the US. Anyone who has been to LA knows this.
> > Just take one look at Sydney and it'll be obvious to you.
> > Australia is the place where American fast food outlets kick off
> > when they
> > want to expand outside the US. It is second only to Hollywood in the
> > production of western style movies.
> > It has been said in the media many times that California has more
> > in common
> > with Australia than some other US states. We surf like they do,
> > same style
> > of music, the fast food culture, cheap petrol, muscle cars,
> > architecture.
> >
> > Not long ago, it was suggested by some think tank that we are so
> > close to
> > the US both culturally and politically that we ought to become
> > the 51st US
> > state.
> >
> > It has not always been this way, back in the 50s and early 60s, the
> > influence was English but that is long gone now.
> >
> > Probably the only hangover form Britain is that we still drive on
> > the left
> > side of the road but that will change too. We have used $$$ since '66.
> >
> Australia is also used by British companies to trial products and get an
> idea to see if they will be a success in the UK. In particular certain
> suburbs in Newcastle and Melbourne make up an average UK demographic.
> There is more influence on Oz from the UK than the side of the road to
> drive on.
Like what?
I agree that the US influence is strengthening all the time
> but on what country is the influence diminishing.
> Aussies love Cricket, Rugby League, football (the most particpated team
> sport in Australia) and Rugby Union. Grid Iron, basketball and baseball
> do not get a look in.
Aussie Rules is by far the most popular football code in Australia. Viewing
stats show that AR outnumber RL by 4 to 1 when the season is on.
The fastest GROWING sport in Australia is basketball.
Other examples: Indycars (does this even exist in Europe?), Speedway
(Australia is the only country US drivers come to compete in), Supercross
(same thing here with the exception of France).
> Australians go to the UK on working holidays more than any other
> country.
Why would anyone want to do that? Do you have anything to back that up with?
The ABC broadcast more UK programs than from any other country.
> Out of all the post war migrants more have come from the UK than any
> other country.
Sure. Because they want to get out of boring old Europe of course. And they
assimilate with the Australian culture (which is largely based on the US).
news:[email protected]...
> Originally posted by Axel Van Kampen
> > The people who have lived here knows that the main influence in
> > Australia is
> > the US. Anyone who has been to LA knows this.
> > Just take one look at Sydney and it'll be obvious to you.
> > Australia is the place where American fast food outlets kick off
> > when they
> > want to expand outside the US. It is second only to Hollywood in the
> > production of western style movies.
> > It has been said in the media many times that California has more
> > in common
> > with Australia than some other US states. We surf like they do,
> > same style
> > of music, the fast food culture, cheap petrol, muscle cars,
> > architecture.
> >
> > Not long ago, it was suggested by some think tank that we are so
> > close to
> > the US both culturally and politically that we ought to become
> > the 51st US
> > state.
> >
> > It has not always been this way, back in the 50s and early 60s, the
> > influence was English but that is long gone now.
> >
> > Probably the only hangover form Britain is that we still drive on
> > the left
> > side of the road but that will change too. We have used $$$ since '66.
> >
> Australia is also used by British companies to trial products and get an
> idea to see if they will be a success in the UK. In particular certain
> suburbs in Newcastle and Melbourne make up an average UK demographic.
> There is more influence on Oz from the UK than the side of the road to
> drive on.
Like what?
I agree that the US influence is strengthening all the time
> but on what country is the influence diminishing.
> Aussies love Cricket, Rugby League, football (the most particpated team
> sport in Australia) and Rugby Union. Grid Iron, basketball and baseball
> do not get a look in.
Aussie Rules is by far the most popular football code in Australia. Viewing
stats show that AR outnumber RL by 4 to 1 when the season is on.
The fastest GROWING sport in Australia is basketball.
Other examples: Indycars (does this even exist in Europe?), Speedway
(Australia is the only country US drivers come to compete in), Supercross
(same thing here with the exception of France).
> Australians go to the UK on working holidays more than any other
> country.
Why would anyone want to do that? Do you have anything to back that up with?
The ABC broadcast more UK programs than from any other country.
> Out of all the post war migrants more have come from the UK than any
> other country.
Sure. Because they want to get out of boring old Europe of course. And they
assimilate with the Australian culture (which is largely based on the US).
Oct 19th 2003, 10:51 am
#9
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: The cultural aspects of Australia
<[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I couldn't disagree more. Your grammar is still very much "english" as
> opposed to "american style grammar". TEA...something we (america)
> drink, not dinner.
Same here. We drink tea and eat dinner.
Certainly one does see lot's of american influence,
> me personally, I see it more in entertainment than anything else. In
> visiting oz quite a few times during the last two years, I'd say it's
> much more relaxed (although I've spent most of my time in SA.) then
> the northeast coast of America.
Thats true, it is more relaxed than the US eastcoast. I have lived and
worked in both NY and LA as well as Europe on and off.
Believe me, you would be hardpressed to find a place with more US lifestyle
than Australia.
news:[email protected]...
> I couldn't disagree more. Your grammar is still very much "english" as
> opposed to "american style grammar". TEA...something we (america)
> drink, not dinner.
Same here. We drink tea and eat dinner.
Certainly one does see lot's of american influence,
> me personally, I see it more in entertainment than anything else. In
> visiting oz quite a few times during the last two years, I'd say it's
> much more relaxed (although I've spent most of my time in SA.) then
> the northeast coast of America.
Thats true, it is more relaxed than the US eastcoast. I have lived and
worked in both NY and LA as well as Europe on and off.
Believe me, you would be hardpressed to find a place with more US lifestyle
than Australia.
Oct 19th 2003, 10:53 am
#10
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: The cultural aspects of Australia
"SentApril2002" <member@british_expats.com> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Originally posted by Axel Van Kampen
> > The people who have lived here knows that the main influence in
> > Australia is the US. Anyone who has been to LA knows this.
> > Just take one look at Sydney and it'll be obvious to you.
> Maybe that answers the earlier question as to why no one is moving
> to Sydney!?!
Possibly. But this is evident in other cities as well (possibly to a lesser
extent). But in any case, all of Australia is heavily influenced by the US
lifestyle.
news:[email protected]...
> Originally posted by Axel Van Kampen
> > The people who have lived here knows that the main influence in
> > Australia is the US. Anyone who has been to LA knows this.
> > Just take one look at Sydney and it'll be obvious to you.
> Maybe that answers the earlier question as to why no one is moving
> to Sydney!?!
Possibly. But this is evident in other cities as well (possibly to a lesser
extent). But in any case, all of Australia is heavily influenced by the US
lifestyle.
Oct 19th 2003, 12:57 pm
#11
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: The cultural aspects of Australia
"welshboybilly" <member@british_expats.com> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> i agree with a lot of what you say here but i dont think they will be
> changing the side of the road they drive on.
> could you imagine the chaos this would cause.
Many other countries have done it in the past. Sweden did it while I lived
there. Of course, it's painful.
news:[email protected]...
> i agree with a lot of what you say here but i dont think they will be
> changing the side of the road they drive on.
> could you imagine the chaos this would cause.
Many other countries have done it in the past. Sweden did it while I lived
there. Of course, it's painful.
Oct 19th 2003, 10:54 pm
#12
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 11,149
Axel
AFL means jack squiddly to people in Sydney.
The football world cup was one of channel 9s highest raters last year and Australia was not even playing in it.
Current market test product is Caramel Kit Kats
Yes there are indy cars but everyone I speak to is far more into the F1. Europe does show Indy cars on TV but the US does host F1.
Go to London and there are 10s of thousands of Aussies on WHVs experiencing the culture of their forefathers. Go into pubs and offices in London and you are just as likely to be served by an Aussie. The reason they go to London is the variety of work, language and cultural familiarity. You may not like London but I know plenty of Aussies that have loved the place (my wife included).
Australian culture as you stated was originally based on UK culture and hence the poms go there.
Axel I often read your comments and just wish you backed them up with facts. You stated that anyone who has been to Sydney knows that it based on American culture. I live in Sydney and find your statement total BOLLOCKS. Australia is not an American cultural colony and most Aussies I speak avoid what US influence there is.
Europeans that emigrated generally had a choice of US or Oz. They deliberatley did not choose America. Europe is not boring. Yes Europe is old that is what makes the place rich. Wealth is about more than cash, a concept a lot of Americans struggle with.
In Sydney British, Chinese, Italian, Greek, Thai, Serb, Croat and other cultures also have a much greater influence. The mix of these influences is helps make Sydney a great place to live. Friends, Frasier, 20% poverty rate, unaffordable healthcare, 10,000 gun related deaths a year are not the influences I witness.
Axel you will not make yourself popular in Oz with your statement. Yep pommie bashing might make you a few friends but a quote I remember from an Aussie is "better a pom than a yank. At least you have a sense of humour."
AFL means jack squiddly to people in Sydney.
The football world cup was one of channel 9s highest raters last year and Australia was not even playing in it.
Current market test product is Caramel Kit Kats
Yes there are indy cars but everyone I speak to is far more into the F1. Europe does show Indy cars on TV but the US does host F1.
Go to London and there are 10s of thousands of Aussies on WHVs experiencing the culture of their forefathers. Go into pubs and offices in London and you are just as likely to be served by an Aussie. The reason they go to London is the variety of work, language and cultural familiarity. You may not like London but I know plenty of Aussies that have loved the place (my wife included).
Australian culture as you stated was originally based on UK culture and hence the poms go there.
Axel I often read your comments and just wish you backed them up with facts. You stated that anyone who has been to Sydney knows that it based on American culture. I live in Sydney and find your statement total BOLLOCKS. Australia is not an American cultural colony and most Aussies I speak avoid what US influence there is.
Europeans that emigrated generally had a choice of US or Oz. They deliberatley did not choose America. Europe is not boring. Yes Europe is old that is what makes the place rich. Wealth is about more than cash, a concept a lot of Americans struggle with.
In Sydney British, Chinese, Italian, Greek, Thai, Serb, Croat and other cultures also have a much greater influence. The mix of these influences is helps make Sydney a great place to live. Friends, Frasier, 20% poverty rate, unaffordable healthcare, 10,000 gun related deaths a year are not the influences I witness.
Axel you will not make yourself popular in Oz with your statement. Yep pommie bashing might make you a few friends but a quote I remember from an Aussie is "better a pom than a yank. At least you have a sense of humour."
Oct 19th 2003, 11:59 pm
#13
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Dec 2002
Location: Brisbane
Posts: 376
Re: The cultural aspects of Australia
Originally posted by Axel Van Kampen
"welshboybilly" <member@british_expats.com> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> i agree with a lot of what you say here but i dont think they will be
> changing the side of the road they drive on.
> could you imagine the chaos this would cause.
Many other countries have done it in the past. Sweden did it while I lived
there. Of course, it's painful.
"welshboybilly" <member@british_expats.com> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> i agree with a lot of what you say here but i dont think they will be
> changing the side of the road they drive on.
> could you imagine the chaos this would cause.
Many other countries have done it in the past. Sweden did it while I lived
there. Of course, it's painful.
Australia has no reason to change to right side driving other than to make it easier for the tourists. That's no a valid excuse for spending billions in changing roads, road signs and cars.
Oct 20th 2003, 12:02 am
#14
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Dec 2002
Location: Brisbane
Posts: 376
Re: The cultural aspects of Australia
Originally posted by Axel Van Kampen
....
Same here. We drink tea and eat dinner.
....
Same here. We drink tea and eat dinner.
Oct 20th 2003, 12:09 am
#15
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Dec 2002
Location: Brisbane
Posts: 376
Re: The cultural aspects of Australia
Originally posted by Axel Van Kampen
...Aussie Rules is by far the most popular football code in Australia.
...Aussie Rules is by far the most popular football code in Australia.
Viewing stats show that AR outnumber RL by 4 to 1 when the season is on.
The fastest GROWING sport in Australia is basketball.