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Post by Obviousman on Feb 24, 2006 2:13:43 GMT -4
Is anyone offended by this?
A lot of non-Australian may not realise that there is a new tourist campaign being promoted for Australia.
It features many of the great attractions of Australia, with a "Where the bloody hell are ya?" on the end - meant to say '"Why aren't you here?".
This has caused some debate here in Oz.
Some consider it crass or offensive; many don't care at all; others think it is a nice touch to bring us back to our heyday in the 1960s and the 'rough but honest' feel that some believe defines us. To gather some understanding of this, I'd recommend reading the 'Nino Cullotta' series like 'They're a weird mob' or 'Gone Fishing' , or perhaps movies like "They're a weird mob" or "The Adventures of Barry McKenzie". We ARE a weird mob at times.
Anyways, I see it like this:
1. Is the campaign actually offensive to some people because of the language used; and 2. Is the campaign actually effective?
IMO, the language used wouldn't bat so much as a small possum's eyelid if used in a church during a visit by the Pope. Then again, I'm an Aussie.
What are peoples opinions on this - especially & specifically those from overseas?
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Post by LunarOrbit on Feb 24, 2006 2:30:10 GMT -4
I don't find it offensive. I'd go to Australia tomorrow if I could, I've always wanted to visit it.
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Post by Obviousman on Feb 24, 2006 2:35:07 GMT -4
I should also mention that I strongly associate with the "culture" displayed in "They're a weird mob" even though I was about 1 or 2 at the time. Written by John O'Grady (under the pseudonym of Nino Culotta), I actually spent time on with his son, Mick O'Grady, who was a pilot on 817 SQN. I also met John O'Grady during a reception aboard HMAS SWAN, an experience I thoroughly enjoyed.
I think the best example of the culture I can give is at the end of the book, where 'Nino" tries to explain the two versions of 'bastard' and the ideal of mateship. "Nino" explains how a person can denigrate a person in one breath and defend him in the next.
"He was a slimey bastard not worth my time, but the bastard got the better of me".
The speaker can insult the "bastard" but woe betide anyone else who tries to speak ill of him (unless, of course, it is with great respect).
A difficult concept, I know, but then again we are a difficult people....
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Post by Obviousman on Feb 24, 2006 2:36:45 GMT -4
I don't find it offensive. I'd go to Australia tomorrow if I could, I've always wanted to visit it. Well, if you do, let me know and you have a temporary home on the south coast with a tour of NAS NOWRA.
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Post by LunarOrbit on Feb 24, 2006 2:57:46 GMT -4
Someday I might take you up on that offer...
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Post by iamspartacus on Feb 24, 2006 4:26:47 GMT -4
Sir Les Patterson (a fictitious) Australian cultural attaché to the Court of St. James (ie. an Australian ambassador of sorts) one said, “Many people think that Australia doesn’t have much culture. Well let me tell you, we've got culture coming out of our arse!.”
Good on yer Les!
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Bob B.
Bob the Excel Guru?
Posts: 3,072
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Post by Bob B. on Feb 24, 2006 9:19:25 GMT -4
I don't find it offensive either. And I agree with LO, Australia would be a great place to visit. Maybe after I retire and I can afford to get away for a few weeks, I'll head down under for a nice vacation.
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Post by 3onthetree on Feb 24, 2006 10:58:21 GMT -4
Your reference to Nino brought back some good memory's. Gone fishing is my favorite. All that Mullet and Blubber
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Post by PhantomWolf on Feb 25, 2006 1:40:12 GMT -4
Heh, we had it on our news last night. My main thought was, "Typical crude aussies."
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