The Australian Way Of Life

The People

Australia is ethnically diverse and home to people from over 140 countries. As a nation, Australians are very accepting of people from other cultures and thankfully for us they welcome migrants to their shores. Of course it does help that they are blessed with such a huge land so sharing with others doesn’t lead to conflict as it can do in other countries.

Australians are proud of their country and enjoy showing allegiance to it, especially during international sporting events! Despite the vastness of the country, they enjoy coming together to celebrate national events such as Australia Day and unite in times of need. However, they are not aggressively patriotic, unlike some other nations. They are proud of their soldiers, in particular the old servicemen, and turn out in thousands on Anzac Day to remember those who lost their lives.

They are also a cheerful and social bunch who are on the whole very laid back. They tend to look on the bright side of life and think that most things can be fixed easily, especially if it’s done over a beer. Should you need a hand with directions, or anything else for that matter, most Aussies are happy to stop and help. Chivalry is not dead as, I’m pleased to say, they happily give up their seats on public transport for those in need. They are opinionated and their directness can sometimes be interpreted as rudeness; however, this is unintentional (most of the time).

They are eco friendly and take pride in their beautiful country and understandably do their best to preserve it. Their parks and beaches are spotless, as are their streets, and people tend to tidy up after themselves as littering is considered taboo.

Gay And Lesbian Australia

On the whole the country is gay and lesbian proud and sexuality is not an issue to most Australians, particularly in the cosmopolitan cities of Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. Every March Sydney is home to the notorious and stunningly flamboyant Mardi Gras Festival – the highlight of which is the parade through the suburbs in which over a million people turn out to watch the floats and spectacular sights on offer. It truly is a once in a lifetime experience that is shared by people from all walks of life including families. Other festivals take place at various times throughout the year across Australia.

www.galta.com.au

The Aussie Language

Although the ‘native’ language in Australia is English, you may question this fact after spending some quality time with an Aussie, especially when trading stories with them over a ‘tinny’ or two (a beer to you and me). Whilst most of the words they use are familiar, there are more than a few Australianisms that need a word or two of explanation. The Aussie accent also has a twang that tends to go up at the end of a sentence, leading you to think that everything is a question. If you have a strong British regional accent they, too, might think you sound strange so fair’s fair. See my slang guide (page 269) to ensure that you know precisely what is being said to you and for some ideas on what to say back!

The Lifestyle

It should come as no surprise that Australians love being outside. Who can blame them for making the most of the incredible weather or beautiful surroundings? With the abundance of beaches, nature parks, reserves and forests there are endless outdoor activities to be enjoyed and the Aussies truly do make the most of them.

The country has stunning beaches and wherever you live in Australia it seems that you are never far from the surf. Most locals have grown up with one foot in it and, to many, being in or on the sea is a crucial part of daily life. Surfing is considered a religion for the devoted thousands who are up at the break of dawn, day in day out chasing waves around the country. It is not confined to the young, as people of all ages and from all walks of life can be found popping up and down like seals, come rain or shine.

There are also endless parks, reserves and lakes in and around the cities, all of which offer numerous leisure opportunities including running, cycling, riding, swimming and walking.