# You might be an Australian if....... **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [June 4, 2006, 8:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-might-be-an-australian-if/359364 "2006-06-04T08:07:22Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Squink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5e925/32.png) [@Squink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Squink)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2006, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-might-be-an-australian-if/359364/41 "2006-06-09T19:59:57Z")
[QUOTE=kambuckta] You know there are no such thing as dropbears, but you agree to an unwritten pact that you _will_ perpetuate the myth, especially to US backpackers. [/QUOTE] Myth? But we have dropbears in the states, or at least [**a** dropbear.](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oRX1Q7z3qKQ&search=bear%2C%20tree%2C%20trampoline%2C%20tranquilizer) ---
**Author:** ![Cicero](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cicero/32/3594_2.png) [@Cicero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cicero)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2006, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-might-be-an-australian-if/359364/42 "2006-06-09T20:00:45Z")
Scratching! Okay, I need to replace the batteries in my keyboard. (Hey, it’s an excuse for my crappy typing) 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2006, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-might-be-an-australian-if/359364/43 "2006-06-09T20:08:37Z")
[QUOTE=kambuckta] You know there are no such thing as dropbears, but you agree to an unwritten pact that you _will_ perpetuate the myth, especially to US backpackers. [/QUOTE] You guys really do that? I thought it was just a Pratchettism! ---
**Author:** ![Battle\_Pope](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4bbf92/32.png) [@Battle\_Pope](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Battle_Pope)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2006, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-might-be-an-australian-if/359364/44 "2006-06-09T20:34:39Z")
[QUOTE=Anaamika] You guys really do that? I thought it was just a Pratchettism! [/QUOTE] I’ve done it. It usually works best as a throw-away line: US backpaker: “We’re going up to the Blue Mountains for a few days” Me: “Beautiful place, I’m sure you’ll have a great time…just watch out for the Dropbears.” \ ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2006, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-might-be-an-australian-if/359364/45 "2006-06-09T20:44:09Z")
[QUOTE=Vagus] I’ve done it. It usually works best as a throw-away line: US backpaker: “We’re going up to the Blue Mountains for a few days” Me: “Beautiful place, I’m sure you’ll have a great time…just watch out for the Dropbears.” \ [/QUOTE] I knew there was a reason I liked Aussies. ---
**Author:** ![Sierra\_Indigo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f0a364/32.png) [@Sierra\_Indigo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sierra_Indigo)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2006, 11:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-might-be-an-australian-if/359364/46 "2006-06-09T23:36:11Z")
The great thing about dropbears is that they work on foreigners AND small children… I remember being on camp, having half my bunkmates terrified out of their brains on a night walk due to being told about the Dropbears… 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Baker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bb73d2/32.png) [@Baker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baker)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2006, 12:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-might-be-an-australian-if/359364/47 "2006-06-10T00:55:29Z")
[QUOTE=Cicero] You know you are Australian if you have been sending Tim Tams to online friends in the USA for 8 years. [/QUOTE] Those are good, but I was sent some Jaffas and a Cherry Ripe candy bar and fell in love. I’ve got to find an online source in the USA. ---
**Author:** ![Cicero](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cicero/32/3594_2.png) [@Cicero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cicero)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2006, 4:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-might-be-an-australian-if/359364/48 "2006-06-10T04:07:14Z")
[QUOTE=Baker] Those are good, but I was sent some Jaffas and a Cherry Ripe candy bar and fell in love. I’ve got to find an online source in the USA. [/QUOTE] It almost sent me broke sending Tim Tams, Cherry Ripes and Violet Crumble bars to the USA. But I get Salsa and Oreo’s in return 😛 Back to the topic: You Cannot be an Australian male if you have a name like Alistair, Robin or Gerald. ---
**Author:** ![kambuckta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/53a042/32.png) [@kambuckta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kambuckta)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2006, 8:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-might-be-an-australian-if/359364/49 "2006-06-10T08:44:41Z")
[QUOTE=Cicero] Back to the topic: You Cannot be an Australian male if you have a name like Alistair, Robin or Gerald. [/QUOTE] Sure you can!! We embrace all sorts in Australia, even those with weird names like those. Just don’t be surprised if those names get _modified_ to Azza, Razza and Gazza. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Cicero](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cicero/32/3594_2.png) [@Cicero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cicero)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2006, 9:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-might-be-an-australian-if/359364/50 "2006-06-10T09:28:54Z")
[QUOTE=kambuckta] Sure you can!! We embrace all sorts in Australia, even those with weird names like those. Just don’t be surprised if those names get _modified_ to Azza, Razza and Gazza. 😉 [/QUOTE] Coming from Melbourne I am not in the least surprised. 😉 I was actually there last week- great fog. ---
**Author:** ![Bites\_When\_Provoked](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bites_when_provoked/32/18073_2.png) [@Bites\_When\_Provoked](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bites_When_Provoked)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2006, 2:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-might-be-an-australian-if/359364/51 "2006-06-10T14:04:40Z")
[QUOTE=Cunctator] I fail on all of these and I \*am \* Australian. [/QUOTE] You and me both. ---
**Author:** ![Bites\_When\_Provoked](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bites_when_provoked/32/18073_2.png) [@Bites\_When\_Provoked](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bites_When_Provoked)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2006, 2:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-might-be-an-australian-if/359364/52 "2006-06-10T14:14:10Z")
[QUOTE=Cicero] You (if you’re male) have had a girlfriend whose name ends in _lene_ as in Raelene Marlene Sharlene Noelene [/QUOTE] Now, now, that’s a little ageist. I do not personally know of anyone in the zero-to-mid-30s age group with those names. On the other hand, when I went through school every second girl was called Karen or Sharon. For the guys the names-of-the-decade were Matthew and Mark. Perhaps we could amend your statement to add: > [@](#): > > Unless you were born in the 70s, in which case you have had a girlfriend named Karen or Sharon and your name is Matt or Mark. I reckon we’d get a decent hit rate off that. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Bites\_When\_Provoked](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bites_when_provoked/32/18073_2.png) [@Bites\_When\_Provoked](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bites_When_Provoked)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2006, 2:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-might-be-an-australian-if/359364/53 "2006-06-10T14:16:57Z")
You know, I previewed that and \*still \*didn’t pick up that I hadn’t typed what I’d intended to type. Which was: > [@](#): > > Unless you were born in the 70s, in which case you have had a girlfriend named \*\*Kaz \*\*or \*\*Shaz \*\*and your name is Matt or Mark. I’ve become far too accustomed to typing things out properly for my US mates. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2006, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-might-be-an-australian-if/359364/54 "2006-06-10T19:34:43Z")
You might be Australian if you come to Canada and everyone just loves you. We do love us some Aussies here. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![C3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/c3/32/3108_2.png) [@C3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/C3)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2006, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-might-be-an-australian-if/359364/55 "2006-06-10T21:10:48Z")
[QUOTE=Bites When Provoked] Now, now, that’s a little ageist. I do not personally know of anyone in the zero-to-mid-30s age group with those names. On the other hand, when I went through school every second girl was called Karen or Sharon. For the guys the names-of-the-decade were Matthew and Mark. Perhaps we could amend your statement to add: I reckon we’d get a decent hit rate off that. 😃 [/QUOTE] Every Australian girl my husband dated before me (he’s 38) was named some version of Suzanne. He has two friends married to Sooz-es. ---
**Author:** ![Martini\_Enfield](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/martini_enfield/32/11123_2.png) [@Martini\_Enfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Martini_Enfield)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2006, 2:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-might-be-an-australian-if/359364/56 "2006-06-11T02:55:16Z")
You might be Australian if you’re originally from New Zealand. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Ice\_Wolf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/dfb087/32.png) [@Ice\_Wolf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ice_Wolf)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2006, 5:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-might-be-an-australian-if/359364/57 "2006-06-11T05:34:49Z")
[QUOTE=Martini Enfield] You might be Australian if you’re originally from New Zealand. 😃 [/QUOTE] Heh heh heh! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Bites\_When\_Provoked](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bites_when_provoked/32/18073_2.png) [@Bites\_When\_Provoked](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bites_When_Provoked)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2006, 10:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-might-be-an-australian-if/359364/58 "2006-06-11T10:20:09Z")
[QUOTE=C3] Every Australian girl my husband dated before me (he’s 38) was named some version of Suzanne. He has two friends married to Sooz-es. [/quote] How weird is that? I’ve met a couple of people with Suzanne (or variant of Suzanne) as a name (including a double-s ‘Sussan’ \*pronounced \*like Suzanne) and now I think of it, \*all \*of them have been only a little bit older than me. Was there a rush on that name from 1967-68? Enquiring minds want to know! Still have yet to meet a Raelene or Marlene who’s younger than my mother, though, and haven’t met a Sharlene or Noeline at all. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Cunctator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/43a26b/32.png) [@Cunctator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cunctator)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2006, 11:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-might-be-an-australian-if/359364/59 "2006-06-11T11:31:37Z")
[QUOTE=Martini Enfield] You might be Australian if you’re originally from New Zealand. 😃 [/QUOTE] And you’re successful at something. We only claim the successes as our own. ---
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2006, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-might-be-an-australian-if/359364/60 "2006-06-11T15:44:55Z")
[QUOTE=Giles] Well, the dropbears have been mentioned, but not the spiders and the snakes. The average backyard around Sydney will have several species of [venomous spiders](http://www.amonline.net.au/factsheets/spiders.htm) – yes, I’ve seen some in my own backyard. However, don’t worry about it: although children (and adults) will play barefoot in the backyard, it’s quite rare for a pider to bite them, and if they are bitten, there are antivenemes available easily. On the other hand, [venomous snakes](http://www.amonline.net.au/factsheets/snake_fangs.htm) live away from cities and town, so I’ve not seen them outside zoos. And I might add that all monotremes – echidnas and platypus – are venomous, too, though I don’t think humans ever get poisoned by them. Now someone can tell you lot about sharks and crocodiles. [/QUOTE] Well… almost never. [The Platypus Attacks!](http://www.bio.davidson.edu/people/kabernd/seminar/2001/Home/lae/platypus%20attack%201.html) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-might-be-an-australian-if/359364.md?page=2)