Warning: This post may contain some language that some people find offensive. Continue reading at your own discretion.
So people always ask me what I find different about Australia from Canada (or the US) or things that have surprised me since I got here. Of course I have only been in Darwin so I can't speak for the rest of the country.....yet..........but here are few things that stand out.
1. Australians don't actually say "throw another shrimp on the barbie". Of course they use the term "barbie" constantly (short for BBQ), but Australians don't say shrimp. They call them prawns. The saying came from an Australian Tourism advertisement back in 1984 staring Paul Hogan (you know, Crocodile Dundee). They used the word "shrimp" because the advertisement was aimed at Americans and the actual quote was "I'll slip an extra shrimp on the barbie for you".
2. To continue with point one, Australians really don't like it when you say "throw another ship on the barbie" to them. However, it seems perfectly ok to say "That's not a knife". (please refer to Crocodile Dundee trailers if you do not get this point).
3. Australians don't actually drink Fosters so don't ask.
4. Australians will actually try to convince you that Drop Bears are real......even if you tell them you already know Drop Bears aren't real. They will still suggest you smear Vegemite behind your ears to fend them off. What's a drop bear you ask. Essentially it's a viscous koala bear that will drop on your head and kill you....although I don't know how anyone knows this since no one has actually ever seen a drop bear. Google drop bear and you will be able to see some seriously entertaining videos and here's the link to Wikipedia. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drop_bear
5. They will also try to convince you that Vegemite tastes good. I'm sorry, a paste made of yeast extract....not good!!!! No wonder it scares off the Drop Bears.
6. The language....and I don't mean G'Day Mate or No Worries (I can handle that). I'm referring to the foul language that seems to pop up in every day conversation. Examples: the word "cunt" seems to be perfectly acceptable. Apparently it is even more acceptable if you combine it with the word "fucking". I have yet to truly determine if this is a term of endearment but I have decided that it must be since so many people seem to refer to each other as "fucking cunts".
7. You do in fact need an English/Australian dictionary to understand what people are saying most of the time. Australian really is it's own language.
8. A Ute is an acceptable form of transportation. Not sure what a ute is. Check them out for yourself. I still don't get their purpose but they love them in the NT.
http://www.holden.com.au/vehicles/Ute?gclid=CJKw1MKw3qYCFQHybwodaRns0w#/overview
So there is just a little glimpse of my adjustment to Australia. Of course there are others but for the most part......things have been pretty smooth.
Julie
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