Comments | lauriel01: What do you think when you hear 'Australia'?

lauriel01

What do you think when you hear 'Australia'?

Mar 14, 2008 10:46

I was over in the 'Calling All Australians' thread in GW, and the topic of what people in other countries think about Australia came up. One is always curious to know what others think of one's own country. So a few of us decided to ask out flists what they think when they hear the word 'Australia'. What comes to your mind? Is it good? Bad? ( Read more... )

me speak

Comments 12

abracah March 14 2008, 00:24:31 UTC

Good things come to mind when I think of Australia. I think of a neat vacation place I would like to go to one day. I think of heat and light. I think of unusual animals and friendly people. Adventure comes to mind and lots of physical activities.

Of course I do think of big bugs too.

Mostly I don't picture the beautiful cities that are there, but the wilderness and wildlife.

lauriel01 March 30 2008, 05:13:08 UTC

Thanks for replying. It's really strange when other people comment on your own country, because you have to reasess some of your own impressions. I usually don't think of adventure- just run of the mill stuff. And the bugs... good grief! You can have them!!

wraithfodder March 14 2008, 00:44:48 UTC

What do I think of when I hear Australia. Now, don't shoot me. I'm a product of decades of enforced advertisements... Skippy the Bush Kanagaroo, Put another shrimp on the barbie, surfing, Bondi beach (think that's it), blonde, suntans, now lots of skin cancer. Stonefish, those weirdly-named teensy jellyfish that kill, too many kangaroos, mice, bufo toads. Dingos, massive wildfires, droughts. Tony Bonner (from Skippy the Bush Kangaroo) (well, I was a kid and I thought he was pretty hot) ;)

Oh, Ayers Rock. How could I forget that!

lauriel01 March 30 2008, 05:14:59 UTC

Actually, that's pretty close to one of the images Australians have of themselves as a culture (not necessarily individually). We have a strong beach culture here, as most of the population is around the coastal areas.

Thanks for responding.

Oh, and you mean there was something wrong with having a crush on Tony Bonner as a kid?

wraithfodder March 30 2008, 22:31:16 UTC

Heh, nope, nothing wrong with having a crush on Tony Bonner. Sure didn't the show purely for SKippy (although he was awful cute).

parisindy March 14 2008, 01:24:42 UTC

good surfing...

heath ledger, Russel Crowe

gallipoli ...blame mel gibson

Australia zoo

backwards seasons

cheap stuff on ebay

sun and warmth and best of all no snow

lauriel01 March 30 2008, 05:16:28 UTC

Hehe.. Russel Crowe and Heath Ledger are givens, I think.

The cheap stuff on ebay is a surprise to me though, as I often find international stuff cheaper as well. Maybe its a grass is greener type thing? ;)

parisindy March 30 2008, 05:22:28 UTC

hehe maybe... i think its just cause the canadian dollar is doing good right now

squonk79 March 14 2008, 11:21:04 UTC

Australia - my immediate thought is beautiful outback, all those wonderful colours.
And great native animals - kangaroos, koalas, and my fave - wombats!!
Then i think - you have the most species of deadly snake and spider, not to mention a whole load of other creatures that exsist purely to kill you - how are you not all dead?!
You've created some of my favourite TV programmes (Police Rescue, Blue Healers - and as a kid i even loved the crappy soaps!)

And of course - lots of sun.

I've not been, but i would realy like to someday, it looks like a great country. :D

lauriel01 March 30 2008, 05:18:24 UTC

Hey, thanks for answering. (Although my responses are a little slow in coming.)

I don't get many kangaroos or koalas where I live, but heaps of wombats and unfortunately, a few of those snakes and spiders. Still alive though! :)

I hope you do get over one day!

mtee March 14 2008, 19:14:19 UTC

Someplace I've always wanted to visit - but the plane ride will be soooo long!!

I think of the great accent. I think of it as something similar to the US but different - if that makes sense. Not so different as to be intimidating.

Steve Irwin -- should I cringe that I said that?? Big cities, but wide open spaces as well.

Good thoughts - not a bad one in the bunch!

lauriel01 March 30 2008, 05:21:11 UTC

Hey, thanks for your comments. I'm relieved no one has had negative comments, well, except for the creepy crawlies.

I actually cringe when I hear our accent contrasted against others. Some accents are just so musical - Irish, Welsh and Indian are good examples. Ours is really coarse. Ah well.

And the difference/similarity thing does make sense, because that is similar to my thoughts on the US. Definitely differences, but not so much as to be daunting.