A question for all those NON AUSSIES: What do you think of Australia?

Show all answers

Jenee N

I have never been to Australia, but I would love to come. My sister and one of my friends are Australia obsessed. When I was little, the Crocodile Hunter was one of my favorite shows. To me, I think he was a great example for your country because I loved him and so did my sister. I didn't think of him like as a stereotype for Australia because I had seen movies and stuff that showed normal Australians. I think most places realize that it s a country just like the United States and is basically normal with a few distinct things that represent us that might not always be accurate. I know that some people think of Australia as just a place with kangaroos, crocodiles, and surfers saying "sheila" and eating vegemite, but most understand that this is not true of all people. I think that some parts of the media have been obsessed with stressing the dundee type thing, but most Americans at least think Australia is really cool and beautiful. Many people also love the accent, but i know some people think it is annoying. I've heard people say the American accent is annoying too, and i just think it is a random preference.

Ed G

I write you from El Salvador, central America
I think both the opera house and kangaroos are emblematic, but for me here I think of your country as a peaceful place to live in, where people from many countries live in a climate of respect for life and law, definitely a place that I would like to live in and raise my kids.
I have researched in the internet for the most livable places on earth, and I was impressed to discover Australia ranks very well as compared with the rest of the world, second country last year just behind france and also three of your cities make it to the top 15.
Yes I would like to come and take my family with me, I have been researching the process and consider undertaking it.
PS Finding nemo also came to my mind

Sheila K

I'm Canadian. I'm sure a lot of what I think about Australia and its people is influenced by the media - I guess that's just natural! Yes, I do automatically picture the Opera House and scenes from Crocodile Dundee - although logically speaking, I know there must be so much more to discover about your country, I'm not sure what that involves. I think of the Australian people as outdoorsy, generally pleasant and enthusiastic, up for a good time - you know, the whole "throw another shrimp on the barbie" stereotype! I have heard that the men can be a bit chauvanistic. Of course, a country that has an opera house for one of its well-known symbols must also be fond of culture. I know Melbourne and Syndey are very cosmopolitan cities.

I would definitely like to visit Australia some day, and discover for myself all the aspects that I am currently missing out on.

slipstreamer

Well, I haven't visited yet as the plane ride is so long and expensive (I am in the US) But many of the Aussie expats I have met throughout the US have been great people and I am curious. I don't think Americans in general know every little thing about Australia (just as Australians have a generalized impression of the US) So I suspect we as a population go with the pre-packaged version that you mention.

It was likely the media that creates the overall impression (which is usually not that accurate for any country). The media (worldwide) just seeks to quickly categorize and file away anything - whether it's culture, politics, musical styles....they want to put whatever it is in a box and slap a label on it and move on to the next.

My impression of Australia is influenced by the Aussies I have met - they say that it is pretty much like California, looks wise. Beachy, great natural beauty, relaxed, excellent food. I do think of the opera house, just as an Australian would think of the Hollywood sign or the empire state building to represent the US.I wouldn't worry too much about the Crocodile Dundee stereotype, - many tourists think everyone in New York talks like Bugs Bunny - it's just what they (think) they know.

I don't agree with those from the UK who claim that Australian culture is completely derivative of English culture - I think it has evolved into it's own thing - a distinctive home grown culture. Australia is like the US - a young country. I think we are doing okay culture wise so far. So what if we aren't Europe :)

JucyLucy25

I'm from New Zealand (please no sheep jokes!) and living in Sydney. Just want to praise how Australians are so focused. Personally I love the way that everyone is focused on their own life here and don't care for the opinions of others.

And it's greener here than what I thought it would be!

creed_nord

I'm French and I'm in Australia. I love your country, it's so nice. And people here as so nice as well. You feel so well living here. I definitively want to stay here!

Kate :)

i would love to move to australia. yall have the best accents and the hottest boyys!

lala

When I think of Australia, actors I like come to mind, such as Eric Bana, Heath Ledger (so sad he's gone), Nicole Kidman, etc...not so much landmarks. I also think of movies, like Ned Kelly (the version with Ledger, of course), Oscar and Lucinda and The Proposition. Anything that isn't the stereotypical travel brochure "lets-sum-a-country-up-in-a-single-cover... sort of thing

corey

I went on a working holiday in australia 2 years ago. I spent 11 months there (mostly in sydney) and loved it. Im from ireland, and when most irish people think of australia we think of, fosters beer, steve irwin, crocodile dundee, kangaroos, neigbours, home and away etc. I was actually really suprised to find out that hardly anyone over there drank fosters. Were made to believe that its the national drink or something. What i loved most about australia (apart from the weather) is the down to earth people who love their booze and love their sport.

dingomi

hi i am italian and i moved in australia in 2006.
what i can say in my best english
pro... nice place to live
bad.....i think the australian will start to think about this : they live in the world and them are not the world.
i think they dont respect so much the other culture.... yes different people from different countries live here but this dosent means the aussie respect their culture. another point i think is a countrie with some contraddiction.
but noworries mate i am happy to be here and one day became aussie (glad to have italian dna) lol
cheers perth

Enter Your Message or Comment

User Name:
User Email:
Post a comment: