Latest news with #mateship
SBS Australia
10-07-2025
- General
- SBS Australia
Así se habla en los lugares de trabajo australianos
Enlaces: Transcripción 'I am so great!' 'Tall poppy! Get down here!' Howie: Have you ever worked in an Aussie office and noticed something… different? The boss has a nickname. Meetings feel more like casual chats. And sometimes… swearing is totally fine. If you're new to Australia, you might ask: 'How should I speak at work?' Let's explore how Aussie attitudes shape the way people communicate at work — and what that says about the culture. The Aussie ideal: a fair go One of the most important Aussie values is a fair go — the idea that everyone deserves an equal chance in life and at work. This value shows up everywhere: in sport, in school, and in the workplace. But Aussie culture is full of contradictions. We take fairness seriously, but we also love not taking ourselves too seriously. Language in the workplace From construction sites to corporate offices, Aussies use slang, give nicknames, joke around — and yes, often swear. This casual tone reflects an older cultural fascination with folk heroes and the rough-and-tumble spirit. It's part of a long tradition of pushing back against authority — and laughing while doing it. From diggers to the modern office Our modern idea of the Australian worker was shaped by WWI soldiers, known as diggers. While fighting overseas, diggers developed a strong national identity. They embraced the Aussie traits of mateship, humour, and equality. They loved bush poetry, chanted in slang, and didn't show much respect for generals or hierarchy. Mateship, swearing, and meaning 'Mate' is a deeply positive word in Australia — but it can also be used in a not-so-friendly tone: 'Maaaate…' (when someone's annoyed). Aussies are famous for using 'bad' words in creative, often affectionate, ways. Swearing has long been part of jobs like soldiering, shearing, and cattle-driving. But even back then, people knew when to tone it down — especially around women or the boss. So yes, swearing happens — but Aussies also know when to keep it clean. Bloody oath. Politicians, the pub test, and fairness 'Fair go' is so sacred, even politicians use it. But not always successfully. Sometimes Aussies don't buy it — especially if the message doesn't pass the pub test. That means: 'Would a regular group of people at the pub believe this?' If not, it fails. Tall poppies and cultural cringe Aussies also have terms for people who don't seem fair. One of the worst things you can do? Be arrogant. Be a tall poppy. Originally, 'tall poppy' was about cutting down those who were too successful or full of themselves. By the mid-20th century, it also reflected a deeper insecurity — A sense that standing out made people cringe or feel like Australia wasn't good enough. That feeling is known as cultural cringe. Today, tall poppy syndrome still pops up — especially when someone is seen as 'too big for their boots.' Bludgers and pulling your weight While Aussies dislike arrogance, they also can't stand laziness. The term 'bludger' refers to someone who doesn't pull their weight. It's one of the most hated labels in Australian English. To be called a bludger is deeply insulting — and it reflects how much Aussies value hard work and contribution. What Aussie work culture tells us Aussies have always loved folk heroes — and it shows in how we talk about work. We believe in equality, fairness, and calling things as they are. Even casual talk and swearing can be signs of inclusion — a way to say, 'We're all equals here.' As one saying goes: 'I talk to the Prime Minister the same way I talk to my mate at the pub.' Language is a work in progress Aussie English is still evolving. Sometimes we get the balance wrong. But we can always start by welcoming people from around the world, valuing their voices, and learning from the words they bring. That's what helps Aussie English grow — and what makes the workplace a fairer, more inclusive place for everyone. Weird and Wonderful Aussie English Video production company: New Mac Video Agency
SBS Australia
10-07-2025
- Entertainment
- SBS Australia
Desde ‘barbacoas' hasta el ‘bánh mì': la jerga culinaria australiana
Enlaces: Transcripción Howie: Have you ever been invited to an Aussie party and been told to 'bring a plate'? If that sounds strange, you're not alone. Aussie English can be weird — but there's always a reason behind it. So why do Aussies talk about eating the way they do? And how did all these unique food phrases become part of everyday life? Let's find out. Sharing food, sharing culture Food is a beautiful, shared experience. Australia's diverse population has brought meals and food traditions from many cultures. Because of this, you'll hear lots of eating-related words that have evolved from different places. Sharing food is a big part of Aussie culture and mateship. Since the early 20th century, Australians have used the phrase 'bring a plate' — not because they're out of crockery, but because they're asking you to bring food to share. It doesn't have to be a literal plate. It could be a bowl of dessert, a salad, drinks — anything, really. The story behind 'bring a plate' The phrase goes back to community fundraisers and club events in the early 1900s. Instead of buying a ticket, guests were asked to bring a plate of food — often cake. By the 1920s, that became simply: 'bring a plate.' So if you're invited to a barbie, make sure to put some tucker on your plate. Barbie = barbecue Tucker = food (any kind) Snags, sausages, and democracy The snag (sausage) is the hero of many Aussie barbecues. It's also the centrepiece of election fundraisers — where it becomes a 'democracy sausage.' Australians love word shortenings. Research shows that around 4% of Australian English words are shortened forms. Why? Because shortening words feels informal and friendly — and that's how Aussies like to talk. Goon and boxie: the language of wine It may come from 'flagon' (a big bottle of wine), or from 'goom,' another word for alcohol. Either way, it now refers to boxed wine — which Aussies also call: Boxie Box monster Cardy chardy Goon bag Goon sack We get creative with food, and even more creative with names for it. Food, language, and culture Food has always been tied to identity, class, and culture. Australia's earliest settlers and convicts were curious about Indigenous food — later called bush tucker. In 1864, Edward Abbott published the first Australian cookbook, featuring recipes for emu, kangaroo, and other native ingredients. Over time, traditional foods gave way to British and American dishes — even within many Indigenous communities. But after World War II, Australians began to embrace multicultural food more openly. Even when Aussies were hesitant to use other languages, they still used original names for many dishes: Nasi goreng, chop suey, goulash, and more. Kangaroo, macadamia, and Indigenous words Australia's most iconic animal — the kangaroo — gets its name from the Guugu Yimidhirr language. But not all Indigenous words survived colonisation. The macadamia nut, for instance, was named after chemist John Macadam, even though Indigenous names like 'gumburra' and 'kindal kindal' were already in use. Today, we're embracing more migrant and Indigenous words than ever. Borrowing, shortening, and debating Aussies often shorten borrowed food terms too: Spaghetti bolognese becomes spag bol Chicken parmigiana becomes… parma or parmi — depending on where you are Warning: Saying the 'wrong' version could spark a pub debate! Food can be fun — but it can also be political. Australians feel strongly about what we eat and what we call it. From HSP to dim sims Terms like 'kebab' and 'halal snack pack' (HSP) have become part of the Aussie food experience. In fact, in 2016, halal snack pack won the People's Choice Award in the Macquarie Dictionary's Word of the Year. This love of food reflects how we welcome new people, cultures, and ideas — by sharing meals and language. We say 'bring a plate' not just to make parties easier to host — but to try everyone's favourite dish. Food as a shared experience From bush tucker to democracy sausages, and from goon bags to goulash, Aussie English is full of flavour. It's shaped by what we eat, how we live, and who we welcome to the table. And like every good meal — it's meant to be shared. Weird and Wonderful Aussie English Credits Video production company: New Mac Video Agency
News.com.au
04-07-2025
- General
- News.com.au
Unspoken Aussie etiquette rules you didn't know you were breaking
There are certain things every Aussie just knows – an unspoken code that guides everything from traffic light etiquette to backyard barbecues. While these rules aren't written in any official guidebook, you'll often see them debated and sometimes torn apart by thousands of Aussies on Reddit. Now, a thread has been set up to list all these unwritten rules in one place, helping everyone stay on the same page and keep our country running smoothly. The original poster took to r/Australia to put forward a few of their own ideas that help 'embody mateship and the larrikin spirit'. 'If you're at the front of the queue at busy traffic lights, you've got a duty to those behind to get through the corner as quickly and safely as possible so more cars can go when the light turns green,' the first rule said. They also pointed out it's common courtesy to let people with a few items go ahead of you at the supermarket checkout if you have a lot of items. And they added, 'Take your trolley back'. That was just the start. As comments poured in, people from all walks of life chipped in with their own golden rules. One suggested that in a pub, you should keep an eye on who's been waiting longest to order drinks and tell them, 'You're next mate' when the bartender asks. And it seems queue etiquette is sacred to Aussies. 'If you're not sure who's in the queue, then ask. And for the love of all that's good, don't try to push to the front,' said one. Shouting at the pub remains a cherished tradition for many, and as one pubgoer put it, 'Always return a shout. If you can't afford it, don't take one'. Supermarket rules also got plenty of mentions. One said that at the checkout, always grab the divider to separate your purchase from the next. It's not the job of the person in second place. If you see someone struggling to reach something high on the shelf, offer to help get it for them. On the road, people insist you should 'ALWAYS' wave if someone lets you into their lane or gives way. And when on country roads: 'Fingers up when you see another car'. At traffic lights, as the original poster suggested, if you find yourself at the front, you're expected to take off as soon as the light turns green. As one bloke put it: 'You need to make a Formula 1 start look like a bunch of snails in a coma'. If a pedestrian is about to step onto a crossing, stop and let them go. 'Don't speed up and wave at them,' another added. People care a lot about public transport, too. 'Let people off the bus/train before you try to hop on!' said one. 'Don't have loud, blathering phone calls on public transport, in lifts with others, or in open-plan offices,' another chimed in. 'No one wants to hear it'. At the airport baggage claim, don't block the front. Stand back a few metres so others can step forward when their bags arrive. In terms of social gatherings, people had a lot of thoughts. When visiting someone's house, if the host says not to bring anything, bring drinks anyway and leave any leftovers. If you open a gate or door, close it behind you. Whoever cooks dinner shouldn't be the one doing the dishes, and if your neighbour's away, a lot of commenters thought it was good manners to bring in their bin or mow their lawn. Talking about being a good neighbour, 'If you're out for a walk or run in the suburbs, say g'day to passers-by,' one suggested. 'It's fading, and sometimes people look surprised when you do.' 'Be laid-back at kids' sports and don't fight in the stands,' said another. And finally, if the nearest rubbish bin is full, don't overflow it – take your rubbish to the next one or take it home.
SBS Australia
17-06-2025
- General
- SBS Australia
The secret language of Aussie workplaces
More resources for language educators Watch Weird and Wonderful Aussie English on SBS On Demand 'Tall poppy! Get down here!' Howie: Have you ever worked in an Aussie office and noticed something… different? Meetings feel more like casual chats. And sometimes… swearing is totally fine. If you're new to Australia, you might ask: 'How should I speak at work?' Let's explore how Aussie attitudes shape the way people communicate at work — and what that says about the culture. One of the most important Aussie values is a fair go — the idea that everyone deserves an equal chance in life and at work. This value shows up everywhere: in sport, in school, and in the workplace. But Aussie culture is full of contradictions. We take fairness seriously, but we also love not taking ourselves too seriously. From construction sites to corporate offices, Aussies use slang, give nicknames, joke around — and yes, often swear. This casual tone reflects an older cultural fascination with folk heroes and the rough-and-tumble spirit. It's part of a long tradition of pushing back against authority — and laughing while doing it. Our modern idea of the Australian worker was shaped by WWI soldiers, known as diggers. While fighting overseas, diggers developed a strong national identity. They embraced the Aussie traits of mateship, humour, and equality. They loved bush poetry, chanted in slang, and didn't show much respect for generals or hierarchy. 'Mate' is a deeply positive word in Australia — but it can also be used in a not-so-friendly tone: 'Maaaate…' (when someone's annoyed). Aussies are famous for using 'bad' words in creative, often affectionate, ways. Swearing has long been part of jobs like soldiering, shearing, and cattle-driving. But even back then, people knew when to tone it down — especially around women or the boss. So yes, swearing happens — but Aussies also know when to keep it clean. 'Fair go' is so sacred, even politicians use it. But not always successfully. Sometimes Aussies don't buy it — especially if the message doesn't pass the pub test. 'Would a regular group of people at the pub believe this?' Aussies also have terms for people who don't seem fair. One of the worst things you can do? Be arrogant. Be a tall poppy. Originally, 'tall poppy' was about cutting down those who were too successful or full of themselves. By the mid-20th century, it also reflected a deeper insecurity — A sense that standing out made people cringe or feel like Australia wasn't good enough. That feeling is known as cultural cringe. Today, tall poppy syndrome still pops up — especially when someone is seen as 'too big for their boots.' While Aussies dislike arrogance, they also can't stand laziness. The term 'bludger' refers to someone who doesn't pull their weight. It's one of the most hated labels in Australian English. To be called a bludger is deeply insulting — and it reflects how much Aussies value hard work and contribution. Aussies have always loved folk heroes — and it shows in how we talk about work. We believe in equality, fairness, and calling things as they are. Even casual talk and swearing can be signs of inclusion — a way to say, 'We're all equals here.' 'I talk to the Prime Minister the same way I talk to my mate at the pub.' Aussie English is still evolving. Sometimes we get the balance wrong. But we can always start by welcoming people from around the world, valuing their voices, and learning from the words they bring. That's what helps Aussie English grow — and what makes the workplace a fairer, more inclusive place for everyone. Weird and Wonderful Aussie English Video production company: New Mac Video Agency
