I recently read an article in which the author mused on the docile acceptance of Australians of the "astonishing" lockdown imposed on them during the China virus. Virtually the entire population rolled over and submitted to the "State's whim".

The author suggested that the birth of our nation was not accompanied by the "smell of gunpowder" - that we didn't have to fight for our democracy - might be the reason for our upholding of the "Broad Arrow" tradition and submitting so meekly to, and swallowing the whole "whatever expert opinion" the State assembles to justify its decrees.

From "ruinous climate change policies" to the China virus, acquiescence is perhaps our "most notable trait".

Yep ttbn we cowered giving up so many freedoms in order to stay 'safe'. Of course people still eat fat, drink alcohol, drive cars, take drugs and play football while dying of cancers, heart disease and flu. Now we have Premier's acting like dictators in the name of persevering life while abortion clinics carry on with massacre. Western civilisation is stuffed and to a large extent we have become cowards. We have allowed spoilt brats to throw tantrums shutting down cities while protesting fake gw and then allow Premiers to stop 2 people playing golf. Shameful!

Is Acquiescence The Most Noticeable Trait of Australians?
ttbn,
From my observations it is the most absent of traits. The acquiescence during the COVID-19 crisis was fear, not acquiescence !
If Acquiescence was such a noticeable trait we'd have a National Service no questions asked !

Our political leadership took the necessary action to protect Australian lives, with the covid-19 pandemic. The steps taken are based on sound medical advice. Our biggest energy now is complacency, this pandemic is a long way from finished. No, Australians did not simply roll over, they understood the risks of inaction, they trusted the medical advice, and at present we are thankful that the death toll is not much, much higher.

Unlike in two countries where a pair of conservative nincompoops in Dangerous Doctor Donald and Bug Ridden Boris are running the show, between them they have been responsible for the loss of some 120,000 lives and rising daily.

Is acquiescence the most noticeable trait of
Australians?

Not at all.

Australians are:

1) Irreverent.
2) Egalitarian.
3) Diverse.
4) Love a drink.
5) Obsessed with sport.
6) Tolerant.
7) Lucky country.
City slickers and beach bums.
8) Look out for their mates.

And regarding the lockdown? Most seem to think that none
of this matters after several beers.

We'll get through this together.

Not the MOST noticeable, especially not from outside, but it is still quite a noticeable and dangerous trait.

One of the first things that I noticed when I arrived in Australia, was that people here say "I cannot [do this or that]" just because that action would be either illegal or against the instructions of their superiors, even while they were in fact quite capable of doing so.

Foxy,
You forgot 8 & 9 the Leftists, jealous & vindictive !

Oops, that should be 9 & 10 ! Well, it was rather late/early when posted !

Get your vaccinations and don't be a bio security risk to others. Leave women's business to women.

Hi Yuyutsu,

You said; "I cannot [do this or that]" just because that action would be either illegal or against the instructions of their superiors, even while they were in fact quite capable of doing so."

You didn't elaborate, "illegal" that includes a lot of crimes, murder for one, "instructions of their superiors", yes open to a lot of possibilities as well. Not sure what country you come from, where such things might be somewhat different.

My experience in the workforce and elsewhere, shows me Australian are both resourceful and willing, particularly when things get a bit rough.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yuyutsu

runner and individual,

Sadly I have to agree with the contention that acquiescence is an Australian trait; also decadence, self interest and hedonism, all of which traits help people hide from the truth. It's interesting that, in denying the truth, 'progressives', who sneer at nostalgia and history, come up with Australian characteristics that died out in the 1950s. We still celebrate Anzac Day insulting the memories of those who were killed protecting the values we now reject on the other 364 days of the year. We have gone from the arrogance of believing other nations wanted to be just like us, to a state of dejected failure. All of this is reflected in the appalling people we keep sending to Canberra.

Get your vaccinations and don't be a bio security risk to others. Leave women's business to women.

my body my choice

leave unborn babies to live not to be murdered. Babies body no choice

The risk of conflict with China is real. The CCP is pushing the boundaries of acceptable international behaviour (as found by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in the Hague) in the skies and seas around Taiwan, Japan, South Korea and in the South China Sea. Chinese newspapers clearly report that the Communist Party is stoking nationalist sentiment and diverting attention away from its mismanagement of the China virus, and setting the groundwork for a crisis over Taiwan.

Yet, those appalling politicians in Canberra see trade and money as more important than Australia's security and way of life, not to mention other countries friendly to us also threatened by China. We are dangerously acquiescent from the top down.

I wonder if China is building bomb shelters in time with their saber rattling.

Will we build bomb shelters here, or will we buy them cheaply from China. China wants to sell us other stuff to better facilitate their spying on us - with the acquiescence of our idiot government. Instead of spying, they could sell us bomb shelters of their usual useless, shoddy quality

Most pseudo Australians, those who condemn Australia, would be quite happy for China just to supply them with drugs so they can be 'bombed-out' for good !

'Unlike in two countries where a pair of conservative nincompoops in Dangerous Doctor Donald a'

actually Paul, Dr Donald has done magnificently considering the 'expert' models said America would have 2 million deaths. Also if your incompetent mate Cuomo had not sent the virus on steroids back to old people's care homes many lives could of been saved. But like with any good regressive the unborn and elderly mean very little to them. Don't let your TDR continue to push your lying narrative. You have even bluffed old Joe.

Dear Paul,

«You didn't elaborate, "illegal" that includes a lot of crimes, murder for one, "instructions of their superiors", yes open to a lot of possibilities as well. Not sure what country you come from, where such things might be somewhat different.»

I can assure you that I never suggested to anyone that they should murder or do anything that could hurt others. It is fine when someone does not want to do something because they do not like it, but there are too many examples where Australians go by the book and falsely claim that they CANNOT do otherwise... as if they are bound by a magic spell.

I will give you one: I went to a "private" medical laboratory and asked them to test a sample of mine. I actually phoned them first and asked whether they do PRIVATE tests and they answered 'Yes', but when I came with the sample they said that they "cannot" do the test without a doctor's prescription. I told them that I am happy to pay for it, even $1000, but they still refused.

BTW, I could get this test in other countries, no doctors involved and with same-day results for around $40.

Call this "resourceful and willing"?

Runner,

Back in President Truman's day, he had a sign on his desk saying "The Buck Stops Here."

So I wonder if one of the signs on Trumpf's desk reads, "None of This is My Fault, So There's Nothing I Should Be Doing." And another one says, "I the SUPREME LEADER, I more important than governors, so it all their fault."

So, Runner, we're coming up towards a hundred thousand deaths, a hundred thousand Americans dying. That may mean nothing much to you, in your Trumpf Adoration Syndrome. But to me, it means a hundred thousand innocent human beings, a hundred thousand of my fellow men and women. And how many more in the coming months with a second wave far bigger than the first ?

So how many more, Runner ? Or will the virus 'go away', become nothing more than a bad flu, and by next Easter ? Maybe just rubbing one's chest with Vick's might do it.

Joe

No mention of Cuomo Joe? Thought not. It seems to me you are attributing divine power of life and death to Trump not me. One day you may return to being rational again. The 100000 dead caused by the Chinese and helped along by Cuomo is still small stuff compared with the massacred unborn babies each year. So save your fake outrage.

I think Australians do have a sense of docility, in part, due to the fact that Australian's themselves have never really had good reason not to be.

However, I would think we are less so than China, and not just because we don't have a Communist dictatorship, but I think it is less in our nature. There is after all a reason why such dictatorships have lasted so long in Asia, where they have fallen in the West.

I wonder if those who complain that we have rolled over too easily with regard to government regulations and restrictions, would not be the first to complain and expect immediate free medical assistance in a much wider spread of infection, at the same time shouting that the government "should have done more" Perhaps after all, the majority are more intelligent and can see the ramifications more clearly than some.

Snake,

I am not complaining; I am observing. I would not complain, and the last people who I would ask for assistance would be the government, which stuffs up everything it touches. You might see yourself as belonging to the “more intelligent majority”, but there is no indication that there is a majority thinking the same way as you do, because the majority never says anything about anything; they are generally silent. You disagree with the proposition, and that’s fine. But you can’t decide what the majority thinks; none of us can.

My dear runner,

As a member of a toxic fundamentalist stream of a religious faith you surely must appreciate you by definition are by far one of the most acquiescent of any of us here.

While that does make you somewhat of an expert I suppose it hardly gives you licence to lecture the rest of us now does it.

Talking about the subject of acquiescence being a
trait of Australians - it's interesting to note
how Australian reactions vary from state to state
regarding the lockdown restrictions during this
pandemic. Many people are demonstrating against
the impositions, others are ignoring them totally,
whilst others are complying.

However the fact remains that not every body seems
eager to comply.

Which probably means that acquiescence is not the
most noticeable trait of Australians.

Foxy,

As relatively few people kick over the traces, I really don't think that the acquiescence question is solved one way or the other.

ttbn,

Yes - you're right.

Too hard to tell at this stage.

Although there does seem to be more protesters
as shown on the news in NSW.

Not sure why that is.

Hey Steelie what's your latest advice from saint no sorry Dr Greta. I am sure we will be totally blown away by it.

I am inclined to think that we are complient because in really serious
matters we have never been betrayed by the politicians.
In matters such as the virus, we believe the politicians are like most
of us and they are also flying blind.
We believe they also do not have much real knowledge and are playing it by ear.
We suspect that the "experts" are fumbling to get a firm grip on it all.

Bazz,

I think most of us admire our politicians under
our current PM for listening to the medical
and other experts. Hence we respect them following
knowledgeable people's advice. Who else are we going
to listen to except medical experts in a life
destroying pandemic?

We're lucky to have a PM who does listen and take
advice from experts.

How is this for a "Trait" !
I heard from a landlord that his tenants were on a combined yearly income of $190,000.- but due to COVID-19 this has dropped to $140,000 & they're now seeking a rent relief of $400/month due to reduction of income..
Since when is paying $1900/month out of $11,000/month hardship ?
Is there no means test for such Yuppie cases ?

Agree Individual,

that example is obscene.

I am often staggered by the wealth and income of people when they tell me they are battlers.

Had a big blue with a mate recently who was complaining that his wife paid $40,000 tax and how unjust that was. Globalisation was evil and had supposedly stuffed his life.

But i said hang on, you went on a trip to the Rocky Mountains last year and had planned a trip to the Swiss Alps this year.

You also have four houses, recently sold one so down to three.

Some people just like to whinge.

Most of the people I know in the four house category are heavily in crazy debt so yes that 40k could have gone a fair way to solving that issue- but they are unlikely to tell you their secrets to becoming wealthy- especially when you are criticizing them. ;o)

But yes people do like to whinge.

These people like to think they are creating wealth by maximizing the utility of their assets- and consider this as pretty legitimate. If they don't cover their debt the banks won't hesitate to put them in the poor house- I suspect many of them don't sleep well at night. They generally will brag about their successes but not their concerns- they want to be winners.

Sometimes I think that even though these people are as imperfect as the rest of us- but at least they are taking some action to do something different than the rest of us to crawl out of the ooze.

I'm somewhat concerned about the reliance on the property bubble for growth especially what it means at the national scale- it creates a few different market distortions that have unexpected results- this is where leadership is important. Japan used the property bubble of the late 80's to pull itself out of the post war mallaize I believe- but they were wise enough (both the government and the people) not to let it go too far- but Japan is different than Australia- for one being much more monocultural which limits its growth horizon. There are other strategies that nations use to raise funds temporarily but you need to know that this can't continue indefinitely.

A people needs to be capable of delayed gratification- but this perhaps presupposes cultural rationality.

Canem Malum,
I know several 4-house couples in both private enterprise & Public service. What I found was that neither of them are prepared to take the risk of Capitalism but rather stay safely on the wage/salary side of employment & milking the show to the last drop by widening every possible loophole.
They can do it because Govt lets them do it but it should not be permitted in my view !
It's a huge hole in our Tax system & it causes the greedy to gain & the decent to lose !
Our tax system is definitely not Nation-building !

Individual- I tend to agree that there are issues with the property investment framework. I have been seeing many problems as reducing to open borders. If there wasn't open borders for immigration then the demand side of the property market is reduced so it would bring the prices down. There is heavy opposition to a falling property market. The electorate struggles to see the downside risks- in fact many stakeholders actively demonize those with the opposing view here- the Real Estate Institutes, the Socialists, property investors, etc, etc. At some stage something has to break.

Americas been ravaged by COVID-19, they're in pole position.
Their statistics right now:

1,577,578 confirmed cases with 94,729 deaths.

Australia is way back in position 57
We have 7095 confirmed cases with 101 deaths.

I did not acquiesce or roll over.
I chose to follow the guidelines because it was sensible.

In public my attitude was this:
'stay the hell away from me',
'don't cough' or 'breathe at me'
'Don't bring your missus and kids in shopping unnecessarily, yelling and screaming and touching everything';
'and don't force me to open my mouth for the sake of niceties'.
- 'I just want to get in and out as quickly as I can and stay as far as I can away from ALL OF YOU'.

So, the last thing I would've done is go out and protest with all the other useful idiots who were playing chicken with catching COVID-19 and screaming that their freedom and liberty was being infringed.

Good job spreading it - Just stay home, simple.
- If you've got any brains.

You can stand up for freedom and liberty another day.
- When there's no stupid virus.

The sensible people will flee the crisis and come back to fight another day.
The idiots were out against sensible advice and they were the reason laws had to be introduced.
They made their own problems worse.

I know the US constitution and Bill of Rights is what many US citizens live by.
They were in a no-win situation this time.
Damned if they did, and damned if they don't.

And now where are we?
We got freedom and liberties back, whist their nation is completely stuffed.
How many in NYC lay dead and uncounted in their beds?

I didn't roll over, I simply accepted taking the sensible precautions for no other reason than it was actually sensible.

If I could've gotten away further from the city I would've.

At some stage something has to break.
Canem Malum,
Yes, leftist idealism will break spectacularly, soon ! In ten years from now President Ivanka Trump will finally get peoples' support & common sense will make a comeback !

I know several 4-house couples in both private enterprise & Public service. What I found was that neither of them are prepared to take the risk of Capitalism but rather stay safely on the wage/salary side of employment & milking the show to the last drop by widening every possible loophole.
They can do it because Govt lets them do it but it should not be permitted in my view !
It's a huge hole in our Tax system & it causes the greedy to gain & the decent to lose !
Our tax system is definitely not Nation-building !

Come on people. Australia is renowned worldwide as a land of rugged individualists, and admired everywhere for the way it's citizens refuse to be pushed around.
As the nanniest of nanny states we have no equal!
Oh...hang on. Back in a minute. Ahem.