What is the real relationship between British and Australians?

Question

I know the 2 banter with eachother about sports, who has the better country, who's tougher, etc, etc, but also, I've heard the way some British and Australians talk about eachother is boarding on actual contempt.

So, what's the deal with Australians and British? Is it just friendly banter and nothing more, or is there some comtempt there?

Answer 1

Well it goes back in history. Originally Australia was a prison colony where British criminals got sent, as a result many of today's Australians are descended from British criminals.

In the past many Brits used to look down on Australians for this reason. I suppose this caused tension which nowadays is mostly just friendly banter.

Any actual contempt you come across is probably sport related. There has always been a lot of rivalry between English and Australian sports teams, especially when it comes to cricket.

Answer 2

oh it's all friendly banter, we can both take a joke and even laugh at ourselves unlike some people *Cough*americans*Cough*

Answer 3

Friendly banter mostly. Although most Australians find the British class system outdated and pretentious.

Answer 4

It's just banter, that's the way Brits and especially Australians talk.  Australians talk to the British that way because we know they have a sense of humour and won't take it personally - it's actually a sort of a sign of friendship.  We wouldn't talk to Americans for example that way, they would take it too personally, but we do it to New Zealanders also. The relationship is very close.

Answer 5

Techniqually, Australians are Brittish. Brittish convicts came here like a bazillion years ago and took over from the aboriginies, so basically australians are brittish with a more annoying accent :D

Answer 6

im an australian and i love the british.

i think they are very much like australia in many ways and is probably the only other country i can see myself living in.

and yeah everyone here is always like OH LETS BEAT THE POMS IN CRICKET. but i dont think theres any real hatred for them.