What Is It About 'Aussies'? (condo, high crime, buying)

[TakeAhike]

The Aussies I meet online are so nice and seem to enjoy life.

I don't know what goes on in Oz, must be good.
'Down Under'--exact opposite of the rest of the world? Hmmm? Might be on to something.
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Here>>>
Australia
http://tinyurl.com/28l4lg (broken link)

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-Shrimp on the barbee?
--Koala bears, kangaroos and the platypus
--The Great Barrier Reef, Crocodile Hunters
--Aboriginal tribes
--Sydney and many other great places
--G'Day Mate
--Vegamite--yuk--scones/crumpets--I think they eat those--good and that hazelnut/chocolate spread--great--(that may be a product of Great Britain--posters all across the globe love it and now I do, too. Saw some in the Kroger yesterday. Could only find it at 'Specialty' stores 5 yrs ago. Try it--if you know what i am talking about.)
--'The Thornbirds'
--Hugh Jackman, Nicole Kidman, Russell Crowe, Natalie Portman?--somebody like that
--'Waltzing Matilda'--we learned that song in 4th grade--a nice tune--but the story behind it is very sad--those who settled Australia were treated very badly by the English--haven't really forgotten and many don't feel inclined to Forgive--they did what they could and now live as Freely as they possibly can --that is what I have heard about Oz.

Do you like Australia?

Why/Why not?

[plaidmom]

I have a thing for wombats.
(google-image "baby wombat" if you wanna go "aaawwww").

And of course I lllloooove Australian Cattle Dogs.

[SteelCityRising]

I just love the accents. If a smiling Aussie guy were to approach me and go "G'day mate! Which way to New York?" I'd probably have to hit myself not to pin him against the car for a make-out session! LOL! I hate living in Scranton and having NO ACCENT---we're such dullards!

[recycled]

Well here's a fair dinkum guide to understanding all that Aussie lingo. I'll bet any bloke or shiela who wants to visit oz would probably do well to learn some of these phrases, so they don't feel like an ocker when drinking a tinnie in a woop woop

[seashelly]

Party People! - and they sure know how to do buffets, lol. When I was in Vegas once there was a group of 'Aussies' ahead of me in the long buffet line and they turned around and told me not to be shy, lol, but grab several plates and fill them up right the first time. lol.

[christina0001]

Of course I like Aussies. We all know Crocodile Dundee and he is so nice!

[grammy164]

My daughter and her husband were stationed in Woomera, South Australia--in the outback. Infact my first grandson was born in Adelaide. They really enjoyed there stay there and wouldn't mind being stationed there again.

[TakeAhike]

Originally Posted by seashelly

Party People! - and they sure know how to do buffets, lol. When I was in Vegas once there was a group of 'Aussies' ahead of me in the long buffet line and they turned around and told me not to be shy, lol, but grab several plates and fill them up right the first time. lol.

the Aussie posters I've met really add a congenial note to a forum--maybe it's the colloquialisms??

I know the background of this song and it has a deeper meaning--very tragic all that went on in Australia when it was an English penal colony.

Glad my 4th grade teacher didnt' explain all of that--I did a big project on Australia--those koala bears and kangaroos and the Barrier Reef --were fascinating to me.

Also--I sometimes feel like Russell Crowe and would like to punch someone hard. Sometimes they just do that in Australia. Probably more than we know.


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Waltzing Matilda

Once a jolly swagman camped by a Billabong
Under the shade of a Coolabah tree
And he sang as he watched and waited till his billy boiled
"Who'll come a-waltzing Matilda with me?"

Down come a jumbuck to drink at the water hole
Up jumped a swagman and grabbed him in glee
And he sang as he stowed him away in his tucker bag
"You'll come a-waltzing Matilda with me'".


Up rode the Squatter a riding his thoroughbred
Up rode the Trooper - one, two, three
"Where's that jumbuck you've got in your tucker bag?",
"You'll come a-waltzing Matilda with me".


But the swagman he up and jumped in the water hole
Drowning himself by the Coolabah tree,
And his ghost may be heard as it sings in the Billabong,
"Who'll come a-waltzing Matilda with me?"


A.B. (Banjo) Paterson

[MoMark]

I've never been to Australia, but my parents lived there on a sailboat for three years and loved it and traveled the continent by train from Sydney to Perth, Alice Springs, southern Australia, northern tropical Australia, etc. They absolutely fell in love with Australia...and didn't want to come home. Circumstances beyond their control forced them to return to America. They still talk about buying a condo there in Queensland.
My impression is that Australia is still evolving, not set in rigid cement, though a very distinctive society. It's clear that Australia is a nation with its own popular culture and a very strong sense of self, much like America is, but without the burden of world issues for the most part.
They have high crime, uncouth and raucous behavior in the streets at times, and some unruly traits, but it also makes them fascinating and high energy and they are known to be exceedingly friendly and open. Plus, the country is beautiful.
If I weren't American I think I'd rather next be Australian.

[dullnboring]

I love Aussies. I met loads of them while backpacking, staying in packs in hostels. They were so friendly and tons of fun.