What do Aussie's think of Americans...LIVING in Australia?

Hmm...I didn't get that impression when Clinton was US President...one thing was interesting though--the Aussies weren't that curious about America for some reason...at least not when compared to most other countries I've visited. Of course, the world has changed politically since I was travelling extensively.

Hi Samantha,

I'm an American living in Sydney or to be precise, Coogee. I've been here almost a year. So far, I haven't found any real disdain for Americans in my interactions with people. I mean, there are some attempts to take the piss out of me on the basis of my being American, but as far as I can tell, that sort of thing is actually a demonstration of affection here.

It'd be good to get some Australian opinions, but from what I have seen it certainly is not true that "Australians have a real disdain for Americans more so than any other culture". Over the summer I noticed much more disdain for the English (the beaches were crawling with them back in December) than the Americans. And much more disdain for Irish who sing loudly and poorly when drunk.

So what are the points of contention that Australians bring up with you?

Maybe a matter of personality, but I wouldn't apologize for being American and laugh at your own expense. I'd jab back in a good natured way. You'll find that kidding Australians is a bit like shooting fish in a barrel. It's probably almost as easy as giving Americans a hard time about being American. And you come from the best part of a pretty cool state (northern California) - you should be proud of that.

That's very shallow if you tell me. Shallow aussies are definitely in the minority. It's like saying Sydney is full of gay people.

it may be that the vocal minority jackasses are working for your company. it may also be that you are are reading too much into it or being overly sensitive here too. The others may just need abit more time to develop trust and accept an "outsider" - and americans (not your fault) are considered easy targets. That stuff is cliche now and any homosapiens still existing will evolve soon, be patient.

Don't bend your values or rules, as long as you show courtesy and kindness and can laugh at yourself (not necessarily your culture) you will find that most aussies will embrace you like one of them.

Hey Sam, don't read too much into any shit that any one lays on you. Most of us Aussies have a high degree of distain for anyone who doesn't have colonial or convict roots. At least your being a "Septic Tank" (Yank) means that at least you have a sense of humour, even if it gets strained at times, just remember it's not personal, we lay more shit on our people than overseas visitors. I hail from Tassy so after the 10,000th joke about where's my second head, did I enjoy having sex with all my relations etc I can honestly say that you realyy aren't being singled out.
Unfortunately you you have inherited the left over feeling from the Second World War, the catch cry then was "Bloody yanks! Overpaid, oversexed and bloody well over here", and the fact that, you will have to agree to this, many of your compatriots assume incorrectly that the USA has the god given right to dictate to every other country, so again the vocal minority of a great country that gave birth to such greats as John F Kennedy, Dr. Martin Luther King Jnr, Ben Franklin, Elananor & Franklin Roosevelt creates the impression that you all consider yourselves everyone elses superiors which really pisses us off so we use comedy and parody to let off steam. So learn some good Aussie jokes and comebacks and give as good as you get.
TBT

Hi Samantha :) I started writing something in response – but go sidetracked – sorry !

My name is Bloke and I am a Melbournian.

This comes as my own point of view and observations, it’s subjective, it’s just some thoughts.. it might be way off the mark ….

Firstly, I think there is something in what you say beyond your experience at work - you’re not being a paranoid freak…. some Aussies seem keen to take pot shots at many things and America (ns) in particular…

IMO, one of the interesting things about the way some Aussies think of the United States is that Americans are a homogenous group of people represented by a President who has too much power in the world and tries to exercise it too widely.. Apparently all Americans are responsible for this… Some of us will hold you personally responsible for anything and everything your country has done that they think is bad… You will rarely be told it did something good. The ratio of this will be 897:1

One of the interesting experiences for me on Tribe has been the descent expressed by Americans about their own government, culture and society. When I think American descent – I used to think of the past – times like Vietnam – I might think Civil Rights – or very small minorities of politically active protestors - I would miss that descent is actually a constant & important part of American Political landscape – I would think many Aussies might miss this too… I would love someone to tell me more about this… Anyway – I think Aussies love descent.

Many Aussies love having a crack at “tall poppies” and I think many Americans are often perceived as wealthy and powerful tall poppies .. American culture (as represented in the media) seems to often call for systemised conformity- something many Australians don’t like, despite what I say about “tribes” further down..

I think Aussies love taking “the piss” out of each other, the different, and “foreigners”. “Foreigners” are anyone with an accent or who look different – regardless of how many generations they have been here…. Or even if they’re accent is because they come from another Australian State or Territory, or a different part of the same city!! (think Toorak Toff, Westies, Bogans etc) Often this may not sound good natured – but it can be - and often is… the trick is to not get upset about it.. I think you are much more likely to be a target of this if you are living here rather than just passing through as a tourist…

Aussies love being parochial…

“WWWWWWWHhhhhooooooooaaa there Bloke” I can hear Aussie readers say! “We’re not parochial!” “We’re educated, champagne/café latte drinking, international cuisine eating & travelling, cosmopolitan and aware enlighten people!!!!!” (this could end up being another thread)… Yes, many of us are these things and yet parochial at the same time - parochial particularly in our rhetoric, action & humour - but often not in our viewpoints nor the understanding that forms these viewpoints– but we are often parochial in the things we are proud of and what we love to mock (think Jokes about Irish, Melbourne, Sydney, & other cities n states, football, gays, Americans, Political, etc....)

The first time someone called me parochial – I took offence.. Then I thought about it… I am fiercely proud and happy living in <insert suburb> and feel a strong connection to my friends there… I try to shop local… I support the local footy team, I love the local shops, hell I established the local community bank… then I realised - Shit.. I AM parochial!!! How many of us love living in <insert city name> and hanging out in, say Brunswick, or Richmond, or St Kilda – that’s just one form of our parochialism – or am I alone – or full of shit ?


We love tribes in Australia – whether they be social, ethnic, sporting, political, religions and/or geographic… But I think it is easy for “taking the piss” on the basis of this to be mistaken for hate… Sometimes “back handed comments fobbed off as jokes” are indeed derogatory – some are indeed hate – more often they are not - and it can be hard to tell the difference – sometimes; even for the person who is the source of them. People often think they’re being funny when they’re actually being hurtful..

Gabb is probably right when she says your in an “asshole-rich” environment… I think this arsehole rich environment is your particular workplace – not melbourne/australia – but maybe I am wrong – it’s easy to miss prejudice when your not the victim of it…. Does it happen as much in other social settings????

Anyway – I think it is simple – if I (and I hope generally “we”) genuinely don’t like you it is because I don’t like what you say and/or do – not because of where you have come from, go (went) to church, didn’t go to church, voted, your particularly skin shade, your accent, where you live, how much cash you have, what you drink/eat, - but on the other side, if I do like you - I will probably still call you dickhead – and it might be hard to work out if it is said with affection or distain –… Hell, I’M a DICKHEAD :)

I can understand why your “beginning to feel awkward and a bit pissed off. “ How long have you put up with it for?

I can’t see why you need to discard your pride of being a Yank – but if your pride involves telling people how wonderful America is – it will get you into more trouble than it is worth… if you say something is good (especially an establishment, institution or county) be prepared to have a chorus of people saying it is shit… Test it. At work say “<<insert football team>> is the best in the league”. A week later say “Holden make the best cars in the world” – I am sure your will find people impolitely saying your wrong …

I am sure you will “thrive” despite “the oppression” of your nationality – just as long as you don’t develop a complex and carry a chip on your shoulder about being an American. A quiet, confident, and unshakeable pride in being American should give you the strength to get thought this.

But please, please drink the local beer and definitely not Budweiser :)

Perhaps that Ozzy should have articulated why its not American people but American establishment, the US Government is responsible for alot of the worlds issues as the worlds only so called superpower, it controls many aspects of the worlds society. But that does not mean all American citizens should be treated with discontempt. Lastly, I would like to add that i am an Indigenous Australian and I apologise for the treatment of my fellow country man.

Cheers,

Patricia

Hi Samantha. So far my impression from Americans living here has been fine. I used to clean for one at Clontarf. She was demanding but fine. Bad part: I have met some horrid visitors from your country though. I won't go all the way back to primary school but I can tell you that I have met some pig headed american visitors here more recently. I met one whos head should be shoved through a grinder for her arrogance. I met another american who informed me that americans are lousy diplomats and then she dumps her travel gear at my place and chases other men. My mother met a fat american freak who tried to take her for a ride followed by a thin american freak who tried to exploit her mid life crisis and gave me pergatory in the process. The stupid ass used to ride her motorbike drunk. He crashed it and didnt care. He treated this country like an amusement centre. Hello America! The rest of the world is not your oyster nor your amusement centre. Hopefully he is locked up in some institution in FL to spare the suffering of others. I am sorry that you suffer on the account of some ignorant fellow americans.

Further note: Americans have an international image problem which needs improving. Im sure that Australia does too to a far lesser degree. When you visit another country, you show humility and respect toward the people of that country and see how well things develop. No more exploitation for the cunning rich. Send this message back to any Americans who intend to travel here. This rule should be universal. You are smart enough to have so many atomic bombs and space shuttles so you can be smart enough to be good. Send this message to the USA for everyone who visits here or who intends to meddle with the well being of AUSTRALIA! :)

I'm an Aussie travelling in the USA... Whilst being here I've been asked that question about whether Aussies like Americans...
I think that people are people, regardless of where they come from...

I think that any negative stuff towards Americans is because of what the government is doing...

A government doesn't represent their people...

I've been travelling in many countries & found a general disdain towards Americans because of what the USA government has been doing, but I remind them of the above...

Bro, I'd recommend not taking things too personally & reminding any arrogant Aussies whether Howard really represents Australians...
Shit, I know of no one that voted for him...!
Also, Australia is a big place, maybe check out other places - you might find a warmer response somewhere else...
Good luck & peace to you,
Nathan

I can totally relate to your situation. I am an American and have traveled back and forth for visits for the last 15 years, and lived there for about a year. South of Sydney, Bateman's Bay to be exact. I worked in a dentist's office and when I would phone people up to remind them of their appointments they'd say, "It's that Yank from the dentist's office again." I've also heard "Sepo" among other things, but I never felt as if it was vicious, just teasing. One thing Aussies will do is see if you can take it and if you can you'll begin to grow on them and become their best friend. Aussies love to heckle people and sure, there are ones who really don't like Americans, but they probably don't like any foreigners period. Australian people are warm and welcoming and are the salt of the earth. There are nasty people in every country. Just hang in there, hold your head high and continue to laugh at it all. I'm sure they really are just joking with you. I suggest going and having a VB with some of your co-workers.
Cheers and good on ya!

Hi Samantha
I'm not biased, I'll take the piss out of everyone and anyone, even those Eastern Taters. I think we all take life too seriously and since we only live once, then get out there and enjoy it. Oh, by the way, if anyone starts to take the piss out of you, then return it back in them, they'll probably laugh and give you a bit more respect, if not, then that's their bad luck. Or if you prefer, look at it another way, you can always be thankful you're not a pom.

The United Sates Of Amerika government is supposed to be THE PEOPLE. It is not any longer of the people, by the people, for the people. It is Corporate America shafting the world, including its own citizens of the USA for all the money and resources available. It does not care who or what is destroyed or injured in the process. It would rape its own Mother (and has) to get it all.
The world does not realize how many of us are over here screaming to be heard by a press that oppresses our voices. We know G.W. Bush stole the election illegally. We know he and Cheny are war criminals who need to be tried for their crimes against humanity.
We who are innocent, kind, justice loving souls suffer the reactions of the populations of the world because of our arrogant government. We also must bear the reaction caused by our unenlightened fellow citizens who feed off of the illusion created for them by a government telling them how fantastic they are while giving it to them in the rear.
I found the Australian people to be funny, down to earth, playful, and generous when I was visiting Queensland. I am all of those things too, so it was easy for me. When I went to Uluru to do my own private ceremony at the Women's Business place there, nobody judged me harshly for "acting a bit odd" while I did my thing.
I wouldn't want to have to spend an entire working day/week with anyone who disdained anybody just because they are from 'that place'. Any chance of getting a different job, perhaps even one with more pay?

This thread may be almost a year old, but I just joined the tribe two days ago, so it is new to me. Obviously this "it" has not gone away, so why let it drop? Good vibe is good vibe, negative vibe is negative vibe... sweeping things under the carpet does not mean they are gone from the room.