Australian culture questions. ( i know culture is a bit cliche but there are intelligent questions i promise!)

Question

What are the political views of many Australians? ( i know this is broad...but...)

What do they think of Americans who want to go to Australia, to live/ go to school?

What kind of holidays do they have?

Are there any social conflicts? academics? (example: epedimic like the aids academic in USA and africa...)

---- I'm asking these questions on my own behalf, because i am VERY intrested in moving to Australia, or atleast visiting a few times... but before i do any of that i want to know a little back round..?---

Answer 1

As far as political views of Australians goes....

The majority of us don't usually announce to everyone which political party we support. It's just not the done thing here in Australia.

People who do publically sprout on about the political party they support are not usually well received.

Americans are treated the same as anyone else here.

If you treat us well, we'll do the same for you.

All you have to do is make an attempt to fit in.

We're a fairly decent bunch of people on the whole.

You get the occassional idiot like you do anywhere.

As far as public holidays go (paid days off work).

As well as the ones mentioned above:

Nation-wide we have Christmas Day and the day after, which is called Boxing Day.

I don't think you have the 2nd day off in the US.

Also Easter -- Good Friday, Easter Sunday and Easter Monday.

I don't think you have that many Easter days off in the US.

We also have ANZAC Day the 25th of April, it's a very important day here and in New Zealand.

It's our day to remember and give thanks to all those who have died in wars and those who have fought in wars.

It's not a glorification of war.

It's a day for being thankful for the freedom we enjoy because of the sacrifices made by others over many years.

If you want to find out about the ANZAC Legend go to the Australian War Memorial site. I've put a couple of links below:

http://www.awm.gov.au/

http://www.awm.gov.au/search/results.asp...

The only real epidemic we have is the obesity epidemic much like the US.

Too much high fat, processed food and too little exercise for some people and the numbers are growing (please excuse the pun). This leads to heart disease, diabetes etc.

I hope all this helps.

Keep asking questions and getting different peoples views. That's the only way to find out what the average Aussie thinks on different subjects.

If you want to move here get a good education and a trade or profession that we need and that will help you to be accepted by the government as an immigrant.

Good luck.

Answer 2

Politically Australians are very much what Americans call liberals - we don't really use that term because it's how nearly everybody is. Our major political parties are both somewhat like the Democrats, the differences between them are actually fairly subtle but generally speaking the Liberal Party are supported by business, and the Labour Party by trade unions.

There is much less religion in Australia, and it is usually kept out of public life and politics. It is considered a bit unpleasant in Australia to assume other people are interested in or share your views on politics and/or religion. It is OK though to have a discussion about a particular topic of interest. Australians in general have a very good understanding of economics and finance compared to other countries, and I believe they have the highest proportion of share ownership in the world.

Some topics of interest in Australia recently have included the appalling standard of living and health of indigenous Australians, Iraq/Afghanistan etc, interest rates - they have been lifted many times recently due to our booming economy, petrol prices, the drought, childhood obesity, and care of the mentally ill.

As far as AIDS we don't have the problems of the US as the Federal government tackled this topic early and hard through education.

Australians like anybody who is polite and open-minded - it sounds like you are this sort of person so you will be warmly welcomed. As far as immigrating you need a skill/qualification in demand here, see www.immi.gov.au.

Answer 3

Australia is very similar to the US in most respects, however you will spend more for food and get smaller portions over here, I went to the US last year with my gf and loved it. Generally speaking, we don't see too many Americans over here and are curious about them. As already mentioned, political orientation is not generally talked about that much. I found that most Americans are friendlier and more helpful than Australians, however you won't have a hard time. Have fun and travel to OZ, it is a great place to visit. Have fun.

Answer 4

Political views cover a much broader spectrum in Australia.  The place is full of liberals.

Our opinion of Americans depends on the Americans.  If you are loud and obnoxious you will not do well.

Similar number of public holidays to the US (a couple of days fewer), but most people get 4 weeks paid annual leave.

There are no major epidemics.  Our governments took a sensible approach to AIDS early on, and, while it is a problem, it is pretty well contained.

Answer 5

political views.... its hard to say really. there is a large range of views of all australians so its a tough question, however our current government is the ALP (Australian Labor Party) so its basically a centre-left party...

the liberals were very popular for a while and probably would have stayed in power if it werent for john howard.

as to americans who want to go to AUS to live / go to school.. we're a pretty welcoming bunch over here, we dont (generally) discriminate although i'm sure there will be some rude people somewhere.

Holidays... if you mean school holidays, we have a summer break (mid dec to the start of feb), easter break (generally two weeks around the easter period), two weeks in june/july, three weeks in september/october...

if you mean national / public holidays... it varies state to state.

theres australia day 26th jan, labour day (changes date), anzac day (25th april), queens birthday (this year about the 7th june), melbourne cup day (first tuesday of november)...

i think there are a few more too.

there arent really any social conflicts.

sometimes there is a bit of racial stuff (have you heard of the cronulla incident? google it to find out more) but there is not really much problem with aids etc...

australia is definitely a great place. very welcoming and I think you'll find the people are great fun.

we're very laid back.

however we don't really appreciate people who are too self centred and arrogant, but I think that there are people like that everywhere.

have fun! i hope you come here, its a great place!