# G'day mate....
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gday-mate/145792
**Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share
**Created:** [December 31, 2002, 1:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gday-mate/145792 "2002-12-31T01:20:57Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@nostromo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nostromo)
#### Post date: [December 31, 2002, 1:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gday-mate/145792/1 "2002-12-31T01:20:57Z")
Hi everyone,
a quick howdy from an Australian newbie. I’ve just returned from a lovely 3 week vacation in the United States and while there, I was asked many questions like:
1. What do you guys think of us Americans?
2. What did you think of the Sep 11 thing?
3. Do you know Nicole Kidman?
Well, I answered all questions as best I could but in the course of some general conversations, I HAD to wonder what the rest of the world thinks of us Aussies. Therefore, here’s a few questions of my own…
1. Do you REALLY think we have kangaroos bouncing down the main streets of our cities?
2. Do you REALLY think that we’re all like Crocodile Dundee (or worse yet), like Steve Irwin, the crocodile Hunter?
3. Do you REALLY believe our country to be so small that I could be on a first name basis with someone as famous as Nicole Kidman?
4. (Based on a conversation I had with a couple of American guys during my military days) - do you think it’s possible to drive from Darwin in the Northern Territory to Melbourne in Victoria (and back) in a three-day long weekend ( in a mini-moke with a top speed of what…50mph, say) hehe!
Just curious…
nostromo
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### Author:  [@Lissa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lissa)
#### Post date: [December 31, 2002, 1:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gday-mate/145792/2 "2002-12-31T01:32:06Z")
> [@](#):
>
> Do you REALLY believe our country to be so small that I could be on a first name basis with someone as famous as Nicole Kidman?
When Hubby and I were in London, we stopped to get some food at an Indian take-out place. The man behind the counter was delighted we were from America. He asked, “Do you know Achmed? He’s my cousin!” From this, I can only assume it’s universal. If you’re from another country, you assume that everyone in another country knows everyone else.
> [@](#):
>
> Do you REALLY think we have kangaroos bouncing down the main streets of our cities?
You mean you don’t? How terribly dissapointing.
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### Author:  [@TheLoadedDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheLoadedDog)
#### Post date: [December 31, 2002, 1:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gday-mate/145792/3 "2002-12-31T01:34:32Z")
G’Day **nostromo** , cobber.
Welcome to the SDMB. You’ve found the best place on the internet.
There are _dozens_ of Aussies on these boards, so you’ll feel right at home. We’ve edjamacated the Yanks about the 'roos hopping down George Street (there aren’t that many at all), but of course I must remind you to NEVER mention the dropbears. 😃
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### Author:  [@BuckleberryFerry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BuckleberryFerry)
#### Post date: [December 31, 2002, 1:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gday-mate/145792/4 "2002-12-31T01:35:18Z")
Hey! I happen to LIKE Steve Irwin, thankyouverymuch!
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### Author:  [@MC\_Master\_of\_Ceremonies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MC_Master_of_Ceremonies)
#### Post date: [December 31, 2002, 1:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gday-mate/145792/5 "2002-12-31T01:36:54Z")
I don’t think you have kangaroos bouncing down the main streets of your cities, I **KNOW** you have kangaroos bouncing down the main streets of your cities.
Incidently, do you know my sister?- she’s living Woolloomooloo at the moment.
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### Author:  [@TheLoadedDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheLoadedDog)
#### Post date: [December 31, 2002, 1:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gday-mate/145792/6 "2002-12-31T01:37:25Z")
Oh one other thing…
It’s a good idea to suss out the different forums here, and familiarise yourself with their functions. So when this thread goes missing (which it will), you’ll no doubt find one of our moderators has whacked it into the MPSIMS forum (it’s the social one).
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### Author:  [@nostromo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nostromo)
#### Post date: [December 31, 2002, 3:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gday-mate/145792/7 "2002-12-31T03:13:51Z")
> [@](#):
>
> but of course I must remind you to NEVER mention the dropbears.
How did I forget the dropbears?
Thanks mate
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### Author:  [@nostromo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nostromo)
#### Post date: [December 31, 2002, 3:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gday-mate/145792/8 "2002-12-31T03:34:51Z")
hi Buckle
> [@](#):
>
> Hey! I happen to LIKE Steve Irwin, thankyouverymuch!
oh, brother!
good to meet you,
nostromo
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### Author:  [@nostromo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nostromo)
#### Post date: [December 31, 2002, 3:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gday-mate/145792/9 "2002-12-31T03:38:12Z")
thanks Loaded,
[QUOTE]
Oh one other thing…
[QUOTE]
I’ll get the hang of it soon enough.
Ta!
nostromo
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### Author:  [@istara](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/istara)
#### Post date: [December 31, 2002, 4:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gday-mate/145792/10 "2002-12-31T04:41:58Z")
I love Australians, all except John Howard, Shane Warne and Mark Waugh - bleeuucch!!! (Mark Taylor is wonderful though).
I am currently in the process of migrating permanently to your country and can’t wait to live there again.
And I love bushfoods. More people in the world should get to try Kangaroo steak and lemon aspen berries and rosella jam and stuff.
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### Author:  [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)
#### Post date: [December 31, 2002, 4:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gday-mate/145792/11 "2002-12-31T04:51:35Z")
I know it’s a fact that everything is Australia is poisonous. Spikers, land snakes, sea snakes, Blue Ring Octopi, platypuses, toads, jellyfish, cycads, wattles, riceflowers, ferns, saltbushes, corals, sponges, Red Kangaroos, dropbears, dingos, wombats, jumbucks all poisonous every last one. Poison, poison, poison.
It’s a deadly land down under where beer does flow and men chunder.
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### Author:  [@Desmostylus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Desmostylus)
#### Post date: [December 31, 2002, 4:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gday-mate/145792/12 "2002-12-31T04:56:17Z")
> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by istara \*
> \*\*…rosella jam… \*\*
What’s that? I always thought a rosella was one of [these.](http://www.canberrabirds.dynamite.com.au/crimson.htm)
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### Author:  [@nostromo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nostromo)
#### Post date: [December 31, 2002, 5:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gday-mate/145792/13 "2002-12-31T05:30:22Z")
> [@](#):
>
> I am currently in the process of migrating permanently to your country and can’t wait to live there again.
Good for you, the more the merrier I say - hope it happens soon for you - any idea yet where you’ll be living?
nostromo
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### Author:  [@istara](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/istara)
#### Post date: [December 31, 2002, 5:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gday-mate/145792/14 "2002-12-31T05:56:35Z")
[http://www.bushtuckershop.com/shop/prod7.htm](http://www.bushtuckershop.com/shop/prod7.htm)
Turns out it is also hibiscus (when I ate it I thought it was a berry, but it seems to be the flower).
I forgot to mention Quandong syrup, which is the most fabulous cordial ever.
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### Author:  [@nostromo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nostromo)
#### Post date: [December 31, 2002, 6:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gday-mate/145792/15 "2002-12-31T06:06:04Z")
hi astro,
> [@](#):
>
> It’s a deadly land down under where beer does flow and men chunder.
Didn’t Men At Work sing something along those lines? heheh!
nice to meet you
nostromo
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### Author:  [@nostromo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nostromo)
#### Post date: [December 31, 2002, 6:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gday-mate/145792/16 "2002-12-31T06:08:02Z")
hi desmostylus,
> [@](#):
>
> I always thought a rosella was one of [these.](http://www.canberrabirds.dynamite.com.au/crimson.htm)
And no, rosella jam is NOT made from parrots, hehe! Just a brand name…
regards,
nostromo
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### Author:  [@reprise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/reprise)
#### Post date: [December 31, 2002, 8:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gday-mate/145792/17 "2002-12-31T08:03:47Z")
And this is in GQ, why?
God I hate our summer holidays (which last until March, just in case the Merkins were a’ wonderin’).
And in answer to number 3). Doctor Anthony Kidman (yes, that is how it’s spelt) holds the chair in psychology at UTS.
UTS Open Day is on Friday if you want to meet Nicole’s dad.
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### Author:  [@Princhester](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Princhester)
#### Post date: [December 31, 2002, 8:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gday-mate/145792/18 "2002-12-31T08:13:24Z")
> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by BuckleberryFerry \*
> \*\*Hey! I happen to LIKE Steve Irwin, thankyouverymuch! \*\*
Good. Would you mind taking him off to wherever it is you live then please?
Immediately would be fine. Sooner if you are able.
Ta.
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### Author:  [@Gleena](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gleena)
#### Post date: [December 31, 2002, 9:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gday-mate/145792/19 "2002-12-31T09:13:04Z")
Well…
Since I just got back from Sydney and am relocating there from Vegas soon, I can say…er…no.
Though I WAS disturbed by the notion of drop bears, which my Aussie boyfriend assures me are everywhere. I was terrified to walk under trees! 😉
He also told me the really poisonus things only bite tourists, so I should be safe once I move there. Was frightened nearly senseless by a small lizard, but that’s only because it ran across my foot.
And Vegemite is nasty. Really nasty. Though the look on my boyfriend’s face when I ate peanut butter and jelly on the same sandwich pretty much made up for the fact he made me try that stuff.
Grace
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### Author:  [@SirRay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SirRay)
#### Post date: [December 31, 2002, 1:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gday-mate/145792/20 "2002-12-31T13:19:37Z")
Will you folks from the West Island please stop lending out your Kangeroos for movie production.
It seems to lead to disasters like the forthcoming ‘Kangeroo Jack’.
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