O sung wo Gday mate.
You as many will know,we are not the country of mateship and such we once had been.
I know your past job saw most back up their mates but in truth we can not say what is un Australian.
And sometimes the person using that term may just be near as we get to it.
Like to see more of you around here.
Our politics differ but who cares?

Dear o sung wu,

The following is an excerpt from an article
that I discovered on the web. I found it relevant
to this issue:

Here goes:

As Australian society has become more
diverse with continuing immigration expressions of
racism in Australian popular culture have changed
over time. Racist language and attitudes that were
common at the end of the nineteenth century are no
longer acceptable one hundred years later.

However, racism continues to find expression in new
ways, reiforced thropugh the popular media.
Contemporary expressions of racism such as the terms
"Un-Australian," which have emerged in recent years
relate to notions of nationhood which are seen as
incompatible with diversity. These racist beliefs
may be expressed in various stereotyped views of who
the "real" Australians are.

This form of racism is based on an ideology of national
culture which minority cultures are regarded as alien
and a threat to social cohesion.

It consists of pervasive cultural assumptions where the
customs and beliefs of the dominant group in society
are presented as the norm. As a result, the status and
behaviour of minority groups, particularly those who are
more visibly different, are defined and judged with respect
to the dominant group of largely British and Celtic
backgrounds.

These attitudes are widely discussed by shock jocks and
in the media where they are presented as reasonable and
commonsense, and reflected through media images that
don't accurately portray Australia's cultural diversity.
In this way, racial ideologies are expressed and
re-inforced through a process of group interaction and
thereby absorbed into popular culture.

G'day BELLY ol' Mate...

Where have you been ? Sure our political ideologies may differ, but as you say, who cares ?

Interestingly, you suggested that in my previous job, 'mateship' and 'sticking together' was very much the norm. In some respect you're completely correct. It's a case of US against THEM ('them' being the general public) a sort of self-protective mechanism, if you like.

However, internally there's many challengers to one's character. You have the cliques, much nepotism, partiality, the 'old boy network', sexism, and another feature concerning the opposit sex, that's far too risque - No, just too rude to articulate herein (a common expression amongst male coppers) that's happening far more often than it should ?

In all my years in the job BELLY, morale's never been good. Despite pay rises, a strong Association (often described by the media as the strongest Union in Australia ?), and a very good Super scheme.

Sorry, I'm well off Topic here. Other than to conclude by...when you join the job, you join with a fresh, positive attitude, together with high ideals.

When you resign, are dismissed, or retire most, not all, but most leave emotionally drained, even sick, cynical, definately misanthropic, revengeful, and more...

Need I say anything further ?

Really good to hear from you BELLY !

Cheers...Sung wu.

Hi there LEXI, many thanks for your link on this topic.

It always worries me when I hear the term 'shock jock' as mentioned in your link LEXI. A term usually referring to 'Talk Radio' Hosts.

On the subject of 'Talk Radio', I'm of the view that you can often gauge the true 'mood' or 'temperature' of a place, by listening to locals voice their grievances, views and opinions on anything that adversely impacts upon their daily lives. I guess that's why so many politicians monitor Talk Back Radio programmes ?

As very much the 'freshman' student, on South African affairs. I listen 'on line' daily, to Radio 702 Johannesburg. 1100hrs here, and about 0200hrs there, they were discussing alternate countries in which to live, other than RSA. One 'talk back' caller, a former white Rhodesian, now living with his family in RSA was asked by the host why he'd left Melbourne, having lived there since fleeing Mr Bob Mugarbe's Zimbabwe in 1980.

He said inter alia '...the country's full of loudmouth shepherds...'. Be that as it may, we all might like to ridicule or deride this bloke, nevertheless that's his opinion, and it will proberly never change !

We Aussies are not as well loved even liked as we might think or wish ? An example. There's an Arcade in London, off New Bond Street. In this Arcade, there are some very exclusive little shops. Dressed casually, I sought entry into such a shop selling, Exclusive Gentleman's Grooming Aids, with a sign (by Appointment to 'HRH' ? or other), above the door, which is always kept closed.

Seeking entry, I was asked from what country I was from ? Having admitted I was from Oz, I was very, very politely informed, that shop had nothing that would hold any interest for, either an Australian, or New Zealand gentleman like myself ! Humiliating, yes. Infuriating, absolutely !

However, it's just a fact. We Aussies are NOT universally loved or even liked. Why, maybe it's our boorish behaviour and uncouth attitude when abroad ?

Thanks again LEXI.

Cheers...Sung wu.

Dear o sung wu,

You might enjoy this:

"Buying bread from a man in Brussels,
He was six foot-four and full of muscles,
I said, "Do you speak my language?"
He just smiled and gave me a vegemite sandwich..."
(Man At Work).

A good one LEXI, a real good one !

Cheers...Sung wu.