Australians Love These 21 Things, And No One Can Figure Out Why

We love Australia because of all its quirks.

Damjan

• Published in Interesting
• June 25, 2022

When we say Australia, what are the first few things that come to mind? If preconceptions were to be believed, you would have imagined deadly fauna, koalas, kangaroos, loud yet friendly residents, world-class surfing, barbeques everywhere, and overall having a fantastic time at the beach.

However, Australia is much more than what we see in movies, television shows, and the news (though those can help us get a better handle on the culture). And language plays a big role in the magic. Although we all speak English, Australians have a plethora of colorful words, amusing idioms, breathtaking slang, and some absolutely magnificent linguistic liberties that rival the country's tremendous biodiversity.

"This land is cursed; the animals hop not run, birds run, not fly and the swans are black, not white. This land is cursed and I'll have nothing more to do with it," wrote William Dampier, one of the first Europeans to ever explore the continent of Australia, back in 1688.

What better way to honor this interesting country than by appreciating all of the small details that contribute to making our country the beautiful, interesting, and odd place it is? We have collected some of the most interesting things shared by Australians about their country.

They show that Australia isn't just another country, but an entirely separate universe. And we love it!

1. Using the phrase "100%."

You'll never unhear it if you start noticing it.

2. Songs with swearing added

Nothing like swearing at the top of your lungs in front of a crowd.

3. Swearing in general.

"Fuck" is a noun, verb, adjective, and adverb in Australia, while the c bomb is a term of affection.

4. White bread.

It's a key ingredient in all of their favorite dishes.

5. Spag bol, especially your Ma's.

Only Australia could turn an Italian dish into a dinner favourite while still giving it an unappealing moniker.

6. Beets, particularly on burgers.

And, in particular, the canned variety. A must-have for burgers, salads, or simply snacking...

7. Significant events. There are many of them.

The majority of their man-made tourist attractions are simply larger replicas of the most commonplace and insignificant items. We don't question it; instead, we accept it.

8. When celebrities appear in our midst.

"Zac Efron can be seen in Australia, relaxing in a hammock. He presently resides in this city. As a result, he'll always be ours. That's how the game is played."

9. Or we are noticed in some way by other countries.

"When a TV show, movie, or foreign news network remembers who we are, we become the Leonardo Dicaprio pointing meme. Validation! It's something we yearn for."

10. Pink.

Nobody — no country on the planet — adores Pink as much as Australians do. She's almost Australian at this point as well.

11. Duets, a road trip film from 2000.

Although the film was a flop, the music was a hit in Australia, with hits from the album dominating the ARIA charts for weeks.

12. Eurovision.

"They took pity on us and allowed us to join despite the fact that we are not even close to being in Europe."

13. The Nutbush.

When this banger comes on, try to keep an Australian off the dance floor.

14. Disputes about what we call things.

"If you were present during the Great Potato War of 2014, you know what I'm talking about. For some reason, Australians can't understand why people in different parts of the country call things by different names, and we enjoy yelling at each other about it."

15. Bunnings' venerable church.

16. There's also Kmart.

The fact that "Kmart" was the first word to trend when lockdowns ended in Melbourne — and people literally made appointments and lined to visit the sacred store — speaks eloquently about its importance in our culture.

17. Don't forget about Aldi.

"Although Woolies and Coles are well-known in Australia, Aldi is a different story. You almost certainly have at least one member of your family who enjoys bragging about their recent Aldi find whenever you chat with them."

18. Lawns.

"We live in a very suburban country, so it's no surprise that so many Australians are obsessed with grass."

19. Macca's Drive Thru.

Are you even Australian if you don't go on a Macca's run as soon as you acquire your licence?

20. Goon, particularly when hung.

Only Australians would be proud to sip stale, inexpensive wine from a silver bag in a box.

21. Trolling non-Australians, particularly Americans.

For the record, that is not a koala. That's a drop bear, by the way.

After Antarctica, Australia is regarded as the driest continent on the planet. It's hard to believe that approximately 40% of the continent is uninhabitable when you view the bustling Sydney harbor or the magnificent skyscrapers of urban Melbourne.

This arid, inhospitable region of Australia is located in the middle of the continent, distant from the coast (the Outback). And it's for this reason that over 80% of the country's population lives within 31 miles of the coast.

Damjan