So we've just had Christmas and I hope people got something that they value this year instead of a plastic “cack-ulator” sprayed silver with the words “executive”stenciled in the corner by someone in China. All written in Chin-lish. Of course.
Well we had Crimbo in Melbourne. Its Summer here and its been strange seeing fake snow and reindeer and plastic icicles hanging off trees. Barmy and confusing to be honest. Also the run up to Christmas wasn't helped by our “who gives a crap anyway” attitude that the Aussie summer engenders.
But we struck lucky on a freak cold front coming straight from the Antarctic. Instead of 33 degrees we found ourselves under gray skies shivering in 16 degrees, which is a bit of a shock drop. We ended up with a log fire in our hosts home and the smell of burning Eucalyptus tree.
But Christmas made for a time of heated debate on Australia and our understandings and mis-understandings. Some reasonable some not. In all I think Australia is very similar to back home, but it is in fact a mirrored image which can trip you flat on your face when you least expect it.
One of the things that seems pretty strange to me is the Australian publics reaction to authority. They accept it and sigh – they wont question it – and certainly wont challenge it.
For example: ALL People who enter a shop, on leaving must turn out all their belongings for inspection. You cannot refuse. The first time this happened to me was over a year ago and was quite a shock. I felt under suspicion of shoplifting, when in fact, I had done nothing wrong. I remember saying to the shop staff – are you accusing me? I find this insulting. In fact, they had no suspicions of any sort. But it felt wrong – like, proving you're NOT guilty. So there is an overarching assumption of guilt rather than innocence running right through society here. Its like walking into a shop – paying for you goods and being called a “potential thieving bastard” every time. I know I'm from Liverpool but sheesh!!!
The is little foriegn news here. No independant media - the TV is dumbed down and owned by the Fox. Or Packer. It's all punctuated with lond drawn out Advertising which drives you insane.Banks – very inflexible here – no cash – no overdraft – tough shit. Oh – and it costs money to have an account and they whack you for withdrawals too and ATM use. What the f*ck!!! You HAVE to have a credit card and that costs too. Yuck. People just accept it – they don't complain but they do moan privately.
Every shop here is owned by 2 groups. WestFarmers owns K-mart, Target, Myer, Bunnings (B&Q) and Woolworths, Big W etc. These two groups have wiped out any diversity here and their presence is monolithic. In effect a duopoly. They influence prices. I know its similar back home – but even the big 4 players are fighting each other – so there IS at least a choice.
Traffic – Police can stop you at random – without ANY cause or suspicion and breath test and drug test you. You can also undertake and overtake and take left hand turns on pedestrian crossings as people walk across.
In themselves – they're not really issues – but here's the real crux: you see – as a foreigner, I have been told that I must accept and not question Australia.
This is the cultural difference. I've questioned everything everywhere all my life! What Why where and how - its has formed the back bone of every endeavour for years. But suddenly – it appears that its just not on.
Well – I'm shocked. And I don't feel comfortable being told to shut my mouth, in effect. I certainly never expected any Aussie in the UK to do so.
An Australian Bumper sticker read this morning: Australia: If you don't agree – leave.
Fuck me, what a healthy attitude!
