The Five Things Americans Always Say

In the almost two months that we have been here I have found that Americans always say one of the five following things when they meet you.

1. Where y'all from? England? Scotland?
   Noticing the accent they always go for one of the British Isles first. If you give them enough guesses they will generally get to Australia — but never first time. Oddly enough, some will still insist of talking to you about England or Scotland or New Zealand, even after you have established you are not from either country.


2. I've always wanted to go to Australia?
   To which my standard response is, "Well what's stopping you? In fact, now would be an ideal time because then we wouldn't be having this conversation."


3. I have a friend in Australia. Do you know them?
   Australia is a pretty big place and although we have a population of a mere 21 million, believe it or not I don't know all of them. (Having said that, you'd be surprised just how often I find that I do know the person to whom they are referring. Either that or they live just round the corner from where I grew up, went to the same school or know a mutual friend.)


4. I love the Crocodile Hunter.
   I don't. He's an embarrassment to all Australians and I am happy to pass this on to anyone who brings him up.


5. Something about Crocodile Dundee.
   A few weeks ago I was waiting for a bus, and after the guy who was waiting with me had established that I was not, in fact, from London, but from Australia, his very next statement was: "Crocodile Dundee!" How the heck am I supposed to respond to that?

Comments

[Matt Philips]

That is a classic. You could've just responded with "Jackass!"

[Amber Heeley]

sorry, pretty sure I violated #4 on some level... :-/

[Lachlan]

Unfortunately, MP, I would have had to pronounce it 'Jack-arse'. And that just doesn't work.

Amber – I expect both you and John to come dressed in khakis to our party next Friday.

[Jodi]

i know another place in the world where you could feel more of a freak show... :)
glad to see that you guys are keeping a sense of humour about it though - maybe some of these reasons, and the post below, explain your little faux pas about aussies being behind the times!

[Nick]

I think you have got these spot on. I like your responses. I am going to use them!

[Seanette]

I just got back from Australia (I saw the giant prawn). I thought you might like to hear what we got asked from those of your country:

1) Are you Canadian? or Are you from California?
We met lots of Canadians there. I don't think I sound at all like a Canadian...or a Californian. I guess people from the east coast of the U.S. don't go to Australia.

2) Oh, are you on holiday?
I finally realized that holiday, to Australians, basically means vacation. I kept thinking, "Well there isn't really a holiday, unless it's Christmas and I'm terribly confused." I also found out that Australians "celebrate" lots of holidays. Lots of days off? We need that.

3) Are the American teenagers still getting pregnant over there?
What? Umm...I guess?

I do think we met as many people there that weren't Australian as we did that were. Nice people, though.

Seanette (a fellow Vintage-goer)