THE MEANING OF OZ - All you need to know!

Thank you for the offer, Olga. You are one of the politest and most helpful members on A2K, to be sure.

I am coming to believe that India is way behind as far as safety of women is concerned. In Australia, you are safe till you actually behave sensibly and take precautions. In India, things are,annoyingly, very different. You can't do without carrying red chilli packets in your pockets and a dagger or two for your safety!

Know what, I am a Karate Orange belter. I really don't think so I would have ever ventured to learn this martial art if I were in Australia.

And I think, its about your bedtime.

Goodnight, dear Olga.

That's interesting, spider. I'd be interested to know more about your reasons for your view (not being an expert, by any means, about life in India).

If you carried those things in your pocket here - we'd think you were going off to cook something.

You can't legally carry knives of any sort in your pockets (in my state - not sure about the others - like those lawless Victorians!)

You won't get a bite out of me, Ms margo! (Walks away, whistling nonchalantly.)





Actually, this past weekend in the western suburbs (of Melbourne) there was a "knife surrender"-thing happening. Young people were encouraged to surrender their knives, in exchange for music posters, tickets to events musical & other events, etc. Apparently quite a few knives were collected!

Do any of you Oz folk know how the ABC got to be called "Auntie"? This came up in a discussion today & none of us knew how or why.

... though it is indeed a very appropriate & endearing name. Love my Auntie!

The BBC has been called "Auntie" for years. Maybe it was something brought in with the Brit immigrants?

Might well be, Ellpus. She's been Auntie for as long as I've known her. Poor old soul, times are tough!

In case you have any doubts (given the current "debate" about Aussie values ) here's a test from the SMH which should sort you out! Are you fair dinkum or not, hmmmmmm?:

Are you Aussie enough?
September 18, 2006/SMH



Australia is yet to devise its own citizenship test, but John Howard says fair dinkum immigrants will have no problem passing it. See how you fare with the Herald's ridgy-didge quiz.


1: Which of the following is NOT an Aussie value?

A: Telling jokes that involve New Zealanders and sheep, or Asians and homework.

B: Ignoring Warnie's off-field transgressions because he is the Sheik.

C: Living in England and claiming Steve Irwin was being reckless.

D: Rubbishing Australia's parliaments and politicians.


2. What is Australia's official language?

A: Yes.

B: Que?

C: I am very happy to be in Australia.

D: English


3: What does "girt" mean?

A: Sorry, could you repeat that in English?

B: Encircled.

C: Confused.

D: Destroyed, as in "Mark Latham girt my camera".


4: What is the significance of April 25, 1915?

A: Phar Lap won the Melbourne Cup.

B: The Anzacs landed at Gallipoli.

C: John Howard became Prime Minister.

D: Greg Norman choked at the Masters.


5: Who is Australia's head of state?

A: Alan Jones.

B: George Bush

C: Tony Abbott.

D: Queen Elizabeth.


6: What is the significance of the number 99.94?

A: It was Don Bradman's Test batting average.

B: Interest rates were this high under Labor.

C: John Howard will retire at this age.

D: Pi (without sauce).


7: Which of the following is an Australian native?

A: Russell Crowe.

B: Mel Gibson.

C: Jackie Kelly.

D: The red-bellied black snake.


8: Which of the following was an unbridled success?

A: Naomi Robson's mission to rescue Wa-Wa from cannibals.

B: The Joh-for-Canberra campaign.

C: The Leyland P76.

D: The 2000 Sydney Olympics.


Answers:1,C; 2,D; 3,B; 4,B; 5,D; 6,A; 7,D; 8,D:

Rate your Aussieness:

8: Welcome, cobber, want a beer?

6-7: No worries.

4-5: Near enough.

3-4: That'll do.

0-2: At least you had a go. Come on in.

:wink:

I didn't love Steve Irwin as much as everyone else seemed to. I thought he was bonkers, and annoying.
Am I a bad human being?

Nope.


He WAS bonkersish and annoying.

But that's no mortal sin.

Germaine Greer had a real go at him/his memory/legacy, before his recent deification.

Did that feature in Oz at all?

Interesting you should ask, as we were discussing that very thing at dinner last night.


My awful local rag reported the most scathing thing she said, which was apparently at the end of the article.....whereas I am told she said much less inflammatory things in the body of the article.


I have agreed to try and look up the article, as one of my friends was saying that it was a perfectly reasonable one, whereas I had got the impression Greer was being a nasty for the sake of it publicity hog, without having read much about it at all.

Have you read it?

What do you think?

Later:

Just read it.

I think she had some perfectly reasonable points, but was being a pain in the bum, too...ie I think she was being more negative than she needed to be, but it was certainly nice to read some vinegar after all the silly fairy floss!

Reactions to Steve Irwin's death:

http://www.able2know.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=2248537#2248537

Jingo, the Thai word for Kangaroo

Really?

By jingo!

then there is 'fairbloodydinkum'.....how oz is that....google it...

Well - maybe - but that's nothing to do with Steve Irwin!

An Australian Love Poem

(Who said Australians men weren't romantic?)



Of course I love ya darlin

You're a bloody top-notch bird

And when I say you're gorgeous

I mean every single word



So ya bum is on the big side

I don't mind a bit of flab

It means that when I'm ready

There's somethin there to grab




So your belly isn't flat no more

I tell ya, I don't care

So long as when I cuddle ya

I can get my arms round there




No sheila who is your age

Has nice round perky breasts

They just gave in to gravity

But I know ya did ya best





I'm tellin' ya the truth now

I never tell ya lies

I think its very sexy

That you've got dimples on ya thighs




I swear on me nanna's grave now

The moment that we met

I thought you was as good as

I was ever gonna get



No matter what ya look like

I'll always love ya dear

Now shut up while the footy's on

And fetch another beer.