A few years ago, American comedian and poster boy for cocaine users with ADHD, Robin Williams, made a comment on The Late Show that Australians are basically English rednecks. You can watch the full video where he explains the comment here.
For what was a seemingly innocent joke about the way in which Australians speak, a lot of anger and resentment was then flung towards Williams by people ranging from then PM Kevin Rudd to a number of media commentators. To fan the flames in this war of words, Rudd then retorted that Williams should spend some quality time in Alabama if he wants to see rednecks.
This, in turn, prompted the governor of Alabama to state, "I'm not sure if Prime Minister Rudd has ever been to Alabama. If he has, he would know that Alabamians are decent, hard working, creative people."
Jokes, quips and anecdotes from drugged-up comedians, overly sensitive politicians and real-life rednecks aside, there is an element of truth to the comment that sparked so much misdirected fury back in 2010. Not that we Australians are, as a whole nation, something that someone would identify as being rednecks (although I've seen a fair element first hand that could be called so) but the way in which we are perceived from other countries is mostly caused by the following:
4 - The Laid-Back Lifestyle
As far as stereotypes go, I've never heard more said from foreigners about Australians than the fact that we are laid back. This of course isn't true, but in the past we have sold an image internationally about our passive and extremely lazy ways.
I'll set my alarm for snooze again at 10:30. Then I might get ready for work.
Even our film industry sells it. We have delivered the same message regardless of the narrative; Aussies love to kick back.
And don't get me started on our tourism industry:
"So what?" You might say. All countries have their lazy elements and sure enough if you want to promote a holiday, then you may as well make it a relaxing one. Yes, that's true, but when you look at the ways in which other countries promote themselves as a destination, it's usually 50% sight-seeing and then 50% taking a break. In Australia, everything, even the sight-seeing, is pretty much sleepy time as can be seen here.
3 - The Language
Now I'm definitely not a prude, and I'm not one to watch my mouth at the best of times, but as far as swearing goes, Australian's are gold medalists. No, that's not a stereotype either. Aussies generally don't have much of a problem with profanity... that is of course based on context. You see, there's a possible perception around the world that the typical workplace in Australia is like a scene right out of an Eddie Murphy stand-up routine. That isn't exactly the case. While we Australians' generally don't have an issue with swearing like some other countries do, it still isn't accepted in most social situations.
It's advertising campaigns that carry the slogan "So where the bloody hell are you?" that kind of ruin the image of a civilised society down here. Then there's the 'ocker' image from the 70's and 80's that we still simply can't shake.
Take this as an example:
Apologies to the future alien archeologists that dig this up
That song went to number 1 for a week in the local charts here in Australia. That just goes to show that for one entire week, we, as a nation completely humiliated ourselves by purchasing an incoherent piece of music 'sung' by one of our national embarrassments. Of course, things aren't so different in other countries...
2 - The Clothing
Take a good, long look at the picture back at the top of this page. That entire ensemble can be purchased at almost any department store in Australia today, and guess what? It's pretty much the outfit of choice for every second Aussie male. Now flannel definitely has it's positives: It's warm, convenient and very comfortable. It's also pretty cheap to buy and there's always a lot in stock.
So why is it so closely associated with the Aussie 'bogan'? (the word we could use to replace redneck) The fact is, so many guys in Australia (and also around the world, let's not forget this) wear flannel, but they're not necessarily rednecks. Again, this comes down to pure stereotypes which, as I've discussed in the past, are completely harmful.
Hell, I'd love to just wear flannel down to the shops every chance I got, but there are some weird and possibly outdated connotations that go along with that choice of garment.
This!
Granted, I don't have a mullet and that's definitely the kind of hat that would suit a career running a meth lab. Don't even get me started on the choice of beverage in his hand.
But manufacturers of flannel shirts aren't the only ones suffering from this association. You only have to look at one of Australia's staples in the fashion industry, Bonds, to see the other dark side of Aussie clothing.
I'd just like to say, you've ruined my look, AC/DC and King Brown stubbies for us!
The famous Chesty Bond's singlet - in its dark blue or pure white wife beater colours has been forever stained by the smear of the bogan.
The problem is, these are also comfortable in our climate, convenient and damn cheap as well. I mean, who wouldn't just want to go five minutes down the road to get a loaf of bread without having to bother pulling on a shirt in 40 degree weather?
And it goes beyond even generic clothing lines. You even have the usual suspects associated with rednecks imagery:
Available in Stoner Grey or Bogan Black
Still relevant?
1 - The Beer
I won't beat around the bush with this one at all; Aussies are fairly heavy beer drinkers. It's not just a small minority. Yes, we're becoming more established in the wine industry as each year goes on, and we have got a pretty good hold on our alcoholism compared to other countries, but Beer is still the drink of choice in any pub, club, home, social gathering, back of the ute, horseback, shed, garage, beach, front lawn, porch, patio and any other place where more than one person are holding a conversation about footy, rugby, cricket, lawn bowls, patio renovations, their ute or farming equipment.
Here's one of the best examples of how the American's see us as beer drinkers:
That episode is classic Simpsons since it's filled with so many stereotypes, you could easily stretch all of them over 4 or 5 episodes, yet the jokes about us just keep flowing, and I love it because it's almost so true!
However, Australians aren't exactly the beer guzzlers that the rest of the world thinks that we are. In fact, when you look at beer consumption per capita, we're 8th on the list, behind the top of the list Czech Republic, Austria, Ireland (of course) Germany (again, of course) and Lithuania to name a few. Yes, we're up there, but only if you don't know about the existence of Europe.
Then again, we place a fair bit of importance on our brews.
Quick, Gazza! Get this emergency carton out to the crew, post haste!
End Note:
Of course, once again like all perceptions of nationality and culture, there are stereotypes involved. No, Australians are not rednecks. Nor are we all racist, drunken bogans. We simply have a very small percentage of the population who adhere to those kinds of values associated with being a redneck. Overall, we're a pretty fun-loving nation who can be laid back, but we also work hard and are fairly intelligent. However, someone should probably tell our politicians and celebrities that it's OK if other countries 'take the piss' out of us from time to time.
You can see more national pride displayed by following @SiCar on Twitter
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