Unfortunately, most Aussies think that all of Ireland is in the UK. You’d think that they would know more about the place where the head of State lives, the country that has its flag adorning the Aussie flag.
you shouldnt expect so much from a nation founded by criminals and orphans
Formerly known as @ireland.com
In fairness, it may be part of their disinterest in politics/history, or just a sign that their education system hasn’t been updated in 100 years.
The criminals/orphans thing is a tad of an over-simplification.
Don Pidgeoni
Or that the history of a country half a world away is not taught in favour of the history of their own country or those much nearer. Also over simplified to say the school system must be ancient.
Formerly known as @ireland.com
I did mention that the UK is where the head of State lives, has the flag, etc. So, culturally, politically, it is not a half a world away.
The UK gets lots of coverage in the media here, so it would not take long to figure out that the maps show a border.
The 100 years thing was a joke, as well.
Don Pidgeoni
A cultural affinity doesn’t mean that UK history is taught in Australian schools. The queen may be head of state but that is purely ceremonial and there isa large Republican mockernut in oz. And America gets a lot of coverage as well but who knows where each state is if you aren’t American?
It was a joke alright don… the aboriginals arent criminals ;-)
rotide
They know a whole lot about the UK, considering they are bloody obsessed with England. Everything is seen through a prism of the UK. Sporting achievements, political progress, cultural movements. All of these things are held up and compared to similar in the UK. In fairness, this only really counts towards the older conservative demographic. The younger more liberal types are a lot more switched on in terms of their place in the world.
delacaravanio
If by switched on and aware of their place in the world you really mean capable of substituting the US for the UK, then yeah, the young Aussies are more sophisticated than Jacques Brel.
Great source of pride for ex-pats, getting a hold of Barrys Tea; I was offered some in Santa Rosa, California last week. I’d sooner go for Lyons myself but I couldn’t resist the novelty.
FK
Monster Munch is HOW much? Strewth! Anyone who pays that much for it is a flamin’ galah!
Don Pidgeoni
Really? I would be overjoyed to be able to get my hands on things from home!
delacaravanio
I don’t imagine half of the stuff in the Polish food section of my local Tesco and Super Value is actually Polish. Some of it is definitely Latvian and Czech, but I doubt anyone who’s hankering for sauerkraut and preserved herring gives two hoots.
Don Pidgeoni
Exactly. Do foreigners get as upset about the “international foods” aisle? Some people are a bit precious.
Trotscot
Unbelievable! Imagine putting American products like Coca-cola and Dr Pepper into a UK snacks section – and not even chilled – in the baking heat of Australia. Shocking
Unfortunately, most Aussies think that all of Ireland is in the UK. You’d think that they would know more about the place where the head of State lives, the country that has its flag adorning the Aussie flag.
you shouldnt expect so much from a nation founded by criminals and orphans
In fairness, it may be part of their disinterest in politics/history, or just a sign that their education system hasn’t been updated in 100 years.
The criminals/orphans thing is a tad of an over-simplification.
Or that the history of a country half a world away is not taught in favour of the history of their own country or those much nearer. Also over simplified to say the school system must be ancient.
I did mention that the UK is where the head of State lives, has the flag, etc. So, culturally, politically, it is not a half a world away.
The UK gets lots of coverage in the media here, so it would not take long to figure out that the maps show a border.
The 100 years thing was a joke, as well.
A cultural affinity doesn’t mean that UK history is taught in Australian schools. The queen may be head of state but that is purely ceremonial and there isa large Republican mockernut in oz. And America gets a lot of coverage as well but who knows where each state is if you aren’t American?
Jimmy was probably joking too.
It was a joke alright don… the aboriginals arent criminals ;-)
They know a whole lot about the UK, considering they are bloody obsessed with England. Everything is seen through a prism of the UK. Sporting achievements, political progress, cultural movements. All of these things are held up and compared to similar in the UK. In fairness, this only really counts towards the older conservative demographic. The younger more liberal types are a lot more switched on in terms of their place in the world.
If by switched on and aware of their place in the world you really mean capable of substituting the US for the UK, then yeah, the young Aussies are more sophisticated than Jacques Brel.
Great source of pride for ex-pats, getting a hold of Barrys Tea; I was offered some in Santa Rosa, California last week. I’d sooner go for Lyons myself but I couldn’t resist the novelty.
Monster Munch is HOW much? Strewth! Anyone who pays that much for it is a flamin’ galah!
Really? I would be overjoyed to be able to get my hands on things from home!
I don’t imagine half of the stuff in the Polish food section of my local Tesco and Super Value is actually Polish. Some of it is definitely Latvian and Czech, but I doubt anyone who’s hankering for sauerkraut and preserved herring gives two hoots.
Exactly. Do foreigners get as upset about the “international foods” aisle? Some people are a bit precious.
Unbelievable! Imagine putting American products like Coca-cola and Dr Pepper into a UK snacks section – and not even chilled – in the baking heat of Australia. Shocking