Are we (Australia) becomming too american?

[charles_wif_xf]

Come now people, back on topic!

[Falcon Freak]

Exactly. Be sensible or the moderators will lock the topic.

To digress, I would rather the moderators deleted the offending posts instead of locking the thread.

FF

[buickman]

[

QUOTE=protd]oh and on the topic yes maybe we are a little Americanised, but what do ya do

[/QUOTE]

You go along with change in life.
I could be wrong but I think the last unique to Australia youth culture was the Sharpie & most of the music played on the radio in the early 70's was Australian artists.But the old Fish & chip shop still survives somthing the Americans have not removed from Australian landscapes.

[Flouro_Joe]

Originally Posted by Iphido

$5000 a week? I can get it done for $25 a square m, supplied and fitted was pretty good. I know I can get render done for ~$8 a m^2. How the hell are you earning $5000 a week?

I am also a teacher, high school science. I used to earn more as a labourer/leading hand. I was clearing over $1000 a week. Now I'm lucky to clear just over half that. I work just as hard if not harder. But sometimes its not just about the cash.

Teachers are going to get a huge pay rise, atleast in certain areas. In the last 6 years in NSW the starting pay for teachers has gone up nearly 50%!

.

I was clearing just over $1k per week as an Industrial Arts teacher (quit Science too much hard work!)

[henry 351]

Originally Posted by protd

oh and on the topic yes maybe we are a little Americanised, but what do ya do

We are a western country, so of course the U.S will have some sort of influence on us with the size of their economy.

Just remember if a certain Yank by the name of Bill Bourke had not been sent down under to run Ford Australia, we would not be idolising our beloved GT's...

Sometimes a little influence is a good thing.

I think you should go to America before you comment if we are too American.Stay there a few months and come back and you will see the differences very plainly.The mentality of Australians is very different and wont change for a long time in my opinion,and we are a nanny state like England as far as I can tell.Just because we got fast food and pay TV dosent make us too American,after all it is the dominant culture of the world and the largest english speaking country and the third largest population on earth so some of their culture is going to rub off on Australia.
What culture do you American haters want to model Australia after,England?Come on !we have more in common with America/Canada than England.
Alot of good stuff has come out of America and also alot of crap, but the same can be said of all places.
Just stop hating until you have experienced the place is all im saying.

[Deadman]

Originally Posted by Fastfalc

Just stop hating until you have experienced the place is all im saying.

Would live in Hawaii in a heartbeat. Wouldn't live in any other US state unless it was a last resort for some reason - been there plenty of times and really don't enjoy it. Hawaii is different though - a lot of islander locals and a lot of the 'US' people are more or less tourists to (I guess what I'm trying to say, is it's more like Hawaii 'the island' rather than Hawaii 'one of the states of America'). I nearly fell of my chair when one of the US tourists asked me if I got there by ferry :P

At the end of the day I see where the perception is that we are becoming to American. I personally think we are - but as many posts have pointed out, it might just be my perception. I do feel we're 'loosing' a little bit of what it is to be Australian with every generation - but then again, that's just my naive opinion. However, I look forward to getting some acreage soon and getting out of the rat race and back to the 'simple life'.

[Trevor 57]

Americanisms:

Santa was invented by Coca Cola

Their dodgey spelling, the use of Z instead of S (as stated on page 1 of this thread)

There sayings and words, Hi instead of G'day

Guys isnstead of blokes and sheila's

Most of us know who the first American President was, but struggle to know who the first Australian Prime Minister was.

How many of you know that Red Rooster is Aussie owned and how many of you support them based on that fact, or are you happy to buy Subway, KFC, McDonalds, Burger King - sorry Hungry Jacks?

And if you think that Free Trade Agreement with the USA that Little Johnnie is trying to ram down our throats is a good thing then maybe you should go and live in the good old USA where you can own as many guns as you like and kill as many people as you like. :

:

[all4ford]

Originally Posted by Big_Trev

Americanisms:

Santa was invented by Coca Cola

Their dodgey spelling, the use of Z instead of S (as stated on page 1 of this thread)

There sayings and words, Hi instead of G'day

Guys isnstead of blokes and sheila's

Most of us know who the first American President was, but struggle to know who the first Australian Prime Minister was.

How many of you know that Red Rooster is Aussie owned and how many of you support them based on that fact, or are you happy to buy Subway, KFC, McDonalds, Burger King - sorry Hungry Jacks?

And if you think that Free Trade Agreement with the USA that Little Johnnie is trying to ram down our throats is a good thing then maybe you should go and live in the good old USA where you can own as many guns as you like and kill as many people as you like. :

:

Agree on your first 2 points. But Hi instead of G'day, who gives a toss? I prefer guys and girls, but occassionally use the terms blokes and sheila's, although sheila's sounds kind of rough.

Most people should know who the first prime minister of Australia was thanks to that ad that was on tv a while ago. he he.

Red Rooster tastes like rubbish, I'll eat whatever food I want to eat. There are tonnes of chinese and italian restaurants, we all love them, but don't hold it against china and italy.

As for the free trade agreement, obviously you don't have the slightest understanding of economics, so lets not get into that one, and what the hell does the fact you can own guns in America have anything to do with us? We outlawed unlicensed gun ownership after the Port Arthur Massacre in 1996.

[nugget378]

Originally Posted by Fastfalc

I think you should go to America before you comment if we are too American.Stay there a few months and come back and you will see the differences very plainly.The mentality of Australians is very different and wont change for a long time in my opinion,and we are a nanny state like England as far as I can tell.Just because we got fast food and pay TV dosent make us too American,after all it is the dominant culture of the world and the largest english speaking country and the third largest population on earth so some of their culture is going to rub off on Australia.
What culture do you American haters want to model Australia after,England?Come on !we have more in common with America/Canada than England.
Alot of good stuff has come out of America and also alot of crap, but the same can be said of all places.
Just stop hating until you have experienced the place is all im saying.

I think you just may find India has the largest English speaking poulation in the world.

I think were becoming too soft and need to harden the **** up.
I dont know if its an american trend,but running to the teacher/council/police/regulating authority (RTA/EPA whatever) instead of sorting problems out between people face to face id becoming far to common,the culture of dobbing is becoming greater,is this a good thing?
Not IMO,turns us all into robots that need to be regulated/told what to do or little whingers that want everything handed to us and not willing to put up with any tiny inconvenience.

[Sourbastard]

Originally Posted by Fastfalc

I think you should go to America before you comment if we are too American.Stay there a few months and come back and you will see the differences very plainly.The mentality of Australians is very different and wont change for a long time in my opinion,and we are a nanny state like England as far as I can tell.Just because we got fast food and pay TV dosent make us too American,after all it is the dominant culture of the world and the largest english speaking country and the third largest population on earth so some of their culture is going to rub off on Australia.
What culture do you American haters want to model Australia after,England?Come on !we have more in common with America/Canada than England.
Alot of good stuff has come out of America and also alot of crap, but the same can be said of all places.
Just stop hating until you have experienced the place is all im saying.

I lived there for 3 years, and toured asia aswell. And here is the important thing everyone needs to remember.

AUSTRALIA DOESNT NEED TO BASE ITS CULTURE ON ANOTHER COUNTRIES CULTURE REGARDLESS OF COMMONALITY.

We have a rich multi-cultural society with FAR more tolereance than america, far more easy going and far less stress. We dont have alot of the preconceptions that Americans have had drummed into them at an early age and we sure as hell can find other countries on a map.

Our problem is our constant bombardment from american media. Our TV industries entire australian content: Macleods Daughters, All Saints, Neighbours, Home and Away, and bloody Sale of the Century(Temptation my hairy assh0le) Then we get double showings of CSI, Law & Order(The Variety Pack), 24, Supernatural yadda yadda yadda and onward and upward.

We have been brainwashed into thinking our own culture and country are so boring that its greatest influence is the effing home & away stalker.

Not to mention the obvious US political bias that gets injected into local our local news coverage on Foxtel/Free to air. Lets not forget that recently media regulation was diminished, ask yourself who owns our free to air tv stations(Everyone should know who owns foxtel), newspapers, radio stations, AND how many US media concerns do those people ALSO own?

So the question you need to ask yourselves is. Are we that boring and stupid, unimaginative and stagnant in our own culture, that we need to keep shooting up with US Entertainment to keep us awake past 7:30pm?

[Trevor 57]

Originally Posted by all4ford

As for the free trade agreement, obviously you don't have the slightest understanding of economics, so lets not get into that one

You don't have be senior economist to work out that our 22 million people into the USA population doesn't go too well.

Don't tell me you are falling for the BS that is being fed to us by our current Government, telling us that is going to be great for our economy, it will open up new trading arena's, what a crock, go and ask the Canadians about how they view their FTA with USA, it isn't a pretty picture I can assure you. Why do you think it has gone to ground and the Government has stopped talking it up, they have bought into a lame duck and they know it.

It is going to be a super highway of thier stuff flooding our market and us trying to wedge a small amount of our goods into a fish's bum tight USA.

[GRNKPR]

no we arnt but little Johnny is stuck in their presidents annnus

[4.9 EF Futura]

Originally Posted by GRNKPR

no we arnt but little Johnny is stuck in their presidents annnus

Hey, great insight.

On the topic at hand, is it ironic that it be asked on a Ford forum?

"Oh, we dont want american culture, american products, american ways of life, americansims in Australia. Except for Ford".

If you judge our level of americanism based on how much TV is american/how much is australian (comments made MANY times thus far) then take a good, hard look at yourself - becuase its YOU who has been americanised.

You wont find australia on that idiot box.

[Trevor 57]

Can't edit the previous, but USA polulation 301,139,947 (July 2007 est.) versus our 20,434,176 (July 2007 est.) and you think we will win - LOL






Also, what a laugh, I just found this "fact" about Tassie on an alledged CIA website :

Tasmania is one of the world's major suppliers of licit opiate products; government maintains strict controls over areas of opium poppy cultivation and output of poppy straw concentrate; major consumer of cocaine and amphetamines

sourced from: https://www.cia.gov/library/publicat.../print/as.html

[Tote]

A few years ago I remember Weary Dunlop being asked if today's youth could face the challenges that his generation overcame and whether Australian culture was dead. His response was that today's youth were no different to the young men he fought and died with and that Australia's culture was most evident when the going got tough.
Australia has always been subject to American cultural influences dating from the gold rush era. In the Holtermann collection there are photographs of businesses that advertise "the latest from Sanfrancisco"
You can find many historical references to outside influence being the bogeyman of Australian culture from Rock and Roll in the fifties to Rap in the eighties.
Economic conditions will change again and I have faith that Australia will adapt as they always have, thats why we live in the greatest country in the world.
By the way Sourbastard, you forgot to mention that great example of Australian television production, "Big brother" ))

Regards,
Tote

[lotto]

australia has become ,more american, than america!! lmao

[Sourbastard]

Originally Posted by Tote

A few years ago I remember Weary Dunlop being asked if today's youth could face the challenges that his generation overcame and whether Australian culture was dead. His response was that today's youth were no different to the young men he fought and died with and that Australia's culture was most evident when the going got tough.
Australia has always been subject to American cultural influences dating from the gold rush era. In the Holtermann collection there are photographs of businesses that advertise "the latest from Sanfrancisco"
You can find many historical references to outside influence being the bogeyman of Australian culture from Rock and Roll in the fifties to Rap in the eighties.
Economic conditions will change again and I have faith that Australia will adapt as they always have, thats why we live in the greatest country in the world.
By the way Sourbastard, you forgot to mention that great example of Australian television production, "Big brother" ))

Regards,
Tote

I should add that show to swear filter Tote! :P

I agree foreign advertising has always had a place here, as during the same period of the gold rush, we were showcasing Rogers and Hammerstein plays in the theatres.

Originally Posted by 4.9 EF Futura

On the topic at hand, is it ironic that it be asked on a Ford forum?

"Oh, we dont want american culture, american products, american ways of life, americansims in Australia. Except for Ford".

If you judge our level of americanism based on how much TV is american/how much is australian (comments made MANY times thus far) then take a good, hard look at yourself - becuase its YOU who has been americanised.

You wont find australia on that idiot box.

OK then, lets all buy an Australian owned, designed and manufactured cars then? Oh wait, no options. I dont see how considering we have no choices that we are hopelessly americanised. At the very least the products we are choosing were mostly built here locally. Its the best one can do.

I also dont see how wanting more australian content on TV makes us americanised either. I dont see why we cant have more local content on our TV stations based on your argument. If you are trying to argue that its insular thinking like America leans towards, I would argue that it isnt, as our culture is already so varied, what is portrayed will also need to be. If you cant find australian content in our media, we might as well become a state of the US. Independant local media needs to exist to promote independant thought on topics relative and relevant to the location.

Of course there is a requirement for foreign media, but it should exist along side local content, not in place of it.

[Trevor 57]

Originally Posted by sourbastard

. . . Of course there is a requirement for foreign media, but it should exist along side local content, not in place of it.

This was a huge bone of contention with the local TV/Movie people when the FTA with USA was raised.

[Sourbastard]

Originally Posted by Big_Trev

This was a huge bone of contention with the local TV/Movie people when the FTA with USA was raised.

well, along with the media ownership laws, there hasnt been alot of organised opposition. I think the pundits and critics may have caused a stink, but the owners and owners to be certainly would have rubbed their hands together at the benefits.

[Outbackjack]

News sources.......

Did you get all the news today?
Or have you been news limited

[gozza]

Run away and live in a cave..

People need to understand who they are...one day they will find out the true meaning of their existence

[4.9 EF Futura]

Originally Posted by sourbastard

I also dont see how wanting more australian content on TV makes us americanised either. I dont see why we cant have more local content on our TV stations based on your argument. If you are trying to argue that its insular thinking like America leans towards, I would argue that it isnt, as our culture is already so varied, what is portrayed will also need to be. If you cant find australian content in our media, we might as well become a state of the US. Independant local media needs to exist to promote independant thought on topics relative and relevant to the location.

Wasnt really coming from the perspective of the "want" for more domestic TV dave. Of course any opportunity to whinge about american TV shows is going to be embraced with open arms here on AFF and this may be influencing said comments...

But im wondering what makes the percentage of American content on TV the yardstick that it is portrayed as by so many here?

Should we not be looking towards what is happening in the arts, what is happening in the australian fields of science and technology, new and emerging industries, education... for a gauge of how australian australia is?

If you look to the fields of entertainment and consumer products, of course you're going to be led to the one conclusion. Prob the same conclusion you would have reached when looking at TV and running shoes 15 years ago....

[mcflux]

Dammit Martin,

I started thinking about TV and running shoes from the early 90s and now i can't get MC Hammer or Reebok Pumps out of my head!

[Sourbastard]

Originally Posted by 4.9 EF Futura

Wasnt really coming from the perspective of the "want" for more domestic TV dave. Of course any opportunity to whinge about american TV shows is going to be embraced with open arms here on AFF and this may be influencing said comments...

But im wondering what makes the percentage of American content on TV the yardstick that it is portrayed as by so many here?

Should we not be looking towards what is happening in the arts, what is happening in the australian fields of science and technology, new and emerging industries, education... for a gauge of how australian australia is?

If you look to the fields of entertainment and consumer products, of course you're going to be led to the one conclusion. Prob the same conclusion you would have reached when looking at TV and running shoes 15 years ago....

ahh I see your point now. I think you are misunderstanding my point though. Media conveys message. Message is absorbed. Absorbed Message becomes behaviour. Americanism of the Media is like poisoning the well. We have seen time and time again people regurgitate "truth" they have seen on ACA or TT, who are convinced of the authenticity, "cause it was on TV!". And its not just mannerisms and cliches im concerned about, its also the obvious powers that political, religious and special interest groups wield over Media empires.

When the well has turds in it, you dont drink it. The Media is a sewage plant, and we let our children drink readily.

Its very hard to teach your kids to think for themselves, when they are surrounded by media messages that tell them not to bother.

[Psycho Chicken]

Originally Posted by Big_Trev

Also, what a laugh, I just found this "fact" about Tassie on an alledged CIA website :

What's so funny about that? It's true. Where did you think all the morphine they use in hospitals comes from?

[Falc'man]

Originally Posted by Outbackjack

News sources.......

Did you get all the news today?
Or have you been news limited

Are you telling the truth, or did you read that in the T%*graf?

[GRNKPR]

we are not to Americanised until we can bare arms and hunt Bears !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[gtfpv]

well if we were a little more american, we'd have louder exhausts on the BOSS, and alloy engines, straight from the gt40. i could handle that.

[GRNKPR]

and chew tobacco as well as wearing 10 gallon hats