WEIRD things we experienced in AUSTRALIA | Visiting Australia as an American

There definitely were unique things we experienced in Australia. From the food to sports to driving on the left side of the road, as Americans visiting Australia, in this video we’re sharing some of the quirky things about Australia.
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Пікірлер: 94

  • @TheKoalaMamaTravels
    @TheKoalaMamaTravels2 ай бұрын

    ok friends. I think I need to clarify some of my comments in the video and also address some of the comments below. First and foremost, as I state at the beginning of the video, this is in no way meant to be a dis on Australia or Australians. We LOVED LOVED LOVED our visit and the many people we met and talked with. And yes, we talked with a lot of folks throughout out visit and many for extended periods of time. Just as Australians will find some things surprising when they travel to America, these simply are some things that we found surprising as Americans. We're not saying they're wrong or bad or horrible. Just different. FOOD Yes, as Americans from California, we are used to a different level of spice to foods and yes, we found Australian food to be bland. We do not expect Australians to have the same palate as Americans, nor do we expect Australians to cook for the American palate. We had only two meals we honestly can say we hated, and several that were quite tasty. And while we tried a variety of different places, from fast food to high-end, we did not have a chance to try all the different cuisines Australia has to offer. FOOTBALL When we were in Sydney, we were surprised to see American football broadcast on one of the screens of a pub we were in. We also were surprised to see pretty much every bar with NFL posters in the windows. And when we talked with several people in Sydney about this, they all said that US football was very popular. So maybe it is popular only in Sydney but we definitely were lead to believe it was popular throughout the country. If it is not, I retract that statement but we still were surprised to see how popular it APPEARED to be at least in Sydney. WASHCLOTHS We have traveled a lot in the US and even in the cheapest motel you will receive at least 2 washcloths. As noted in the video, this was the exception and not the rule during our travels in Australia. Sure, we could ask the front desk for another washcloth but the point is that it wasn't provided in the first place, which is something that we found surprising. If you still think we're haters, I hope you'll take a few minutes to watch some of the other videos on this trip, which will hopefully provide a different view of our experience. 🐨❤

  • @jessicaf6416

    @jessicaf6416

    2 ай бұрын

    It’s not that anyone is hating or thinks you’re dissing Australia. It’s that your observations are so incredibly limited and at odds with what so many local Australians would say or experience. We’d dislike for your personal observations to be taken as facts about our country. Also as a side note Australians are fairly famous for making stuff up to tourists. It would not at all surprise me if the Sydney siders you spoke with about American football were quite literally just nodding along saying oh yeah it’s popular while rolling their eyes behind your back.

  • @Dale1963swans

    @Dale1963swans

    10 күн бұрын

    I’ve travelled to the US a few times and I understand where you’re coming from. We tend to notice the things that are different, or the things we miss from ‘home’ first, even though we still enjoy the experience.

  • @gregw6748
    @gregw67482 ай бұрын

    We despise American football.

  • @michaelwales7401
    @michaelwales74012 ай бұрын

    She's seems like a sweet lady but did she actually speak to any Australians while she was here?

  • @michaelmayo9048
    @michaelmayo90482 ай бұрын

    American football is so boreing .Australians like AFL and NRL.

  • @planetcountryradio8622
    @planetcountryradio86222 ай бұрын

    Americans visit Australia and compare everything with the U.S. Other nationalities visit Australia to soak up the uniqueness and not compare with their homeland. I assume it comes from an education that teaches them about places outside of their own country, where as Americans can't comprehend a world outside of their borders, or control.

  • @Ragnar6000
    @Ragnar60002 ай бұрын

    I think Australia beats the USA on Asian food, but the USA would defintley beat Aus for Mexican food........for obvious reasons! given both countries Geographic locations!

  • @TheKoalaMamaTravels

    @TheKoalaMamaTravels

    2 ай бұрын

    I would 100% agree. We saw a lot more variety of Asian and Pacific Islander cuisine than we have in the US and wish we had tried more. We did have Balinese for dinner one night (one of the photos shown) and it was one of our favorite meals. We'll definitely be trying more of those places on our next visit! 💗🐨

  • @fletch88zz

    @fletch88zz

    2 ай бұрын

    Yeah lol. Aussie here, when my friends from LA visited they were constantly looking for good Mexican food. I said you are going to be disappointed, you live 2 hours drive from Mexico! You're about as far from Mexico as you can get! Having said that there is good Mexican food in Aus but it takes some research, you're not going to stumble across it. Go check out Mark Wiens channel and see what he found interesting in Aus. And to finish up I'm going to say something controversial, I don't think alot of Americans know much about Asian food. Australians actually don't say Asian food, they say Korean, Japanese, Chinese, Malaysian, Vietnamese, Thai etc. And if you don't go to these restaurants you've eliminated 70% of the Australian dining experience :)

  • @Ragnar6000

    @Ragnar6000

    2 ай бұрын

    oh my you have copped a spray in the comments please ignore the trolls and enjoy your next visit in OZ : )@@TheKoalaMamaTravels

  • @PeterH-be1xe

    @PeterH-be1xe

    Ай бұрын

    The Thai and Chinese regional food scene is big in Melbourne. You want spice? I'll show you spice 😜💥

  • @tacitdionysus3220
    @tacitdionysus32202 ай бұрын

    Australians should watch this clip for bizarre amusement. For everyone else it's just consistently misleading.

  • @dropbear6740

    @dropbear6740

    2 ай бұрын

    This is by far the worst one of these video's yet !

  • @simmogj
    @simmogj2 ай бұрын

    Food's not spiced? Where were you eating? Hotels catering for tourists often play it safe and serve on the bland side. Good Mexican is hard to find as there's few Mexican immigrants in Australia, don't forget Texas, California, etc used to be part of Mexico. A big difference is Aussies tend not to use ketchup and all the corn syrup soaked condiments Americans like. Many American foods are not available in Australia or Europe, especially beef and dairy as they don't meet the pure food standards. You need to get into some of the suburbs that have larger migrant populations and try the food.

  • @FionaEm
    @FionaEm2 ай бұрын

    Lollies are our word for candies, except for lollipops, which are ... lollipops 😅 Also, IDK where you were staying, but lawn bowls isn't that big! Football is the biggest sport, and there are several codes. Local councils (counties) are somewhat obsessed with roundabouts. Makes them look like they're doing something useful 😅

  • @jessicaf6416
    @jessicaf64162 ай бұрын

    Some of your comments are quite surprising! American football is not particularly popular here; many other sports are preferred. In saying that in sports bars you’re able to see it. Also having eaten around America as well as here in Aus our food isn’t bland it simply has less sugar and salt than an American palate is used to. Regarding the wash cloths; almost every locations I’ve ever stayed at in Australia (and I’ve been all the way around over the years) has provided them so I’d suggest the places you stayed that didn’t were the outliers.

  • @gemfyre855

    @gemfyre855

    2 ай бұрын

    When I travelled to Europe and the US (on the same holiday) I didn't pack a washcloth as I assumed the hotels would have them. In Europe they did not!

  • @jessicaf6416

    @jessicaf6416

    2 ай бұрын

    @@gemfyre855 I found it to be a mixture when I traveled Europe; some had them some didn’t. I truly find it rare to not get one in Australian accommodation, although we call them ‘washers’

  • @bernadettelanders7306
    @bernadettelanders730628 күн бұрын

    I have never heard an American person or couple complain or disagree so much ever before about Australia. Watch One Pack Wanders. They are a beautiful American couple who have travelled Australia extensively. Some things they find different of course - but never complain, they buy spicy food they love and buy Australian food they have discovered they really enjoy as well. They are a beautiful polite couple trying new things without complaining. My friend’s son, who I’ve known since he was born, went to college in American. I asked him how it was, he honestly said absolutely nothing but rolled his eyes. My friend’s son didn’t complain about the differences he experienced he is far too polite.

  • @TheKoalaMamaTravels

    @TheKoalaMamaTravels

    28 күн бұрын

    I'm so sorry you interpreted my comments as complaints as that in no way was my intent. I was trying to point out things that we found to be surprising or different. We did find the food to be bland to our taste, but had many delicious meals and tried new things including Balinese food and even vegemite, which I actually liked. We were really surprised to not receive 2 washcloths in several of our hotel rooms as that is customary in the US, but we either asked for more or dealt with it. I haven't watched the video in a while so can't think of anything else that could be interpreted as complaining, but I'm happy to address them if you have others. We loved everything about our trip and seriously can't wait to return. :)

  • @queenslanddiva
    @queenslanddiva2 ай бұрын

    Perhaps American food is overseasoned? And I really don't think American football is a thing over here. You might see it on cable television, but nah, we have too many much better codes of footy of our own.

  • @andrewbavaro9015
    @andrewbavaro90152 ай бұрын

    Aussie here, never watched American football in my life. Regarding the food, there is some stellar food out there. Italian is by nature super bland when compared to Indian, Thai, Chinese, Iranian, Lebanese and many other cuisines. We also don't want too much sauce cause that's unnecessary calories.

  • @Mav_F
    @Mav_F2 ай бұрын

    If you are missing something go to the front desk or pick up the phone and ask. Not rocket science. Secondly, as for the food, ask for it to be spicy or something while ordering. I don't eat out much, being from an Italian family, can't get good food most of the time. Like American foods cater to Americans and our food is catered to Australians etc. However, as for seasoning, a lot of people don't like it hot, salty, peppery, and so on. There should be salt and pepper on the tables. We also, don't use a lot of sugar or what I call fake flavours as the USA does.

  • @Dale1963swans
    @Dale1963swans10 күн бұрын

    I’m an Aussie and I’ve grown to love American football. This year’s Super Bowl was amazing! One reason I like watching it is that American football is played in our summer when Australian football is not being played 😊 (i.e. it’s cricket season). And it’s usually on tv LIVE in the mornings over here.

  • @TheKoalaMamaTravels

    @TheKoalaMamaTravels

    2 күн бұрын

    That was the same thing the guy who helped as at Billabong said. He has Mondays off, which is our Sunday, so he could watch US football live. thanks for watching! 🐨💗

  • @michaelmayo9048
    @michaelmayo90482 ай бұрын

    Home cooked food is better than any restaurant.

  • @whymeeveryone
    @whymeeveryone2 ай бұрын

    yeah when I went to the States IU was drive through New Mexico and decide turn off the highway and blown me down and what did I see, A round about.

  • @ktwashere5637
    @ktwashere56372 ай бұрын

    for the love of God, when you go to Australia, do not eat in McDonalds and other American style fast food restaurants. Get proper local food. The food may taste bland to you because Australians probably don't cover their food with quite as much salt as America. (hint: its healthier)

  • @xymonau2468
    @xymonau24682 ай бұрын

    Americans like too much salt and we do not have the Mexican heritage re chilli. Often restaurants leave adding salt to the customer. Many of us have blood pressure issues, and I preger to get bland food that I can season myself. Lolly is not short for lollipop. Lolly is our word for candy. We call lollipops lollipops. We call them facewashers, and every Australian hotel and motel I have ever stayed at in my 68 years has provided them.

  • @TheKoalaMamaTravels

    @TheKoalaMamaTravels

    2 ай бұрын

    I definitely think the Australian palate prefers less spice and sugar than the American palate. Not a bad thing, just different. Thanks for the clarification on the use of lolly. 🐨💗

  • @Glenn-ei3xp

    @Glenn-ei3xp

    2 ай бұрын

    Yes fresh food not loaded with fat, preservatives,salt must seem a bit strange to American people. Could that be why Australians have a much higher life expectancy? And god no Australians are not fans of American football. It would be the most boring sport I’ve ever seen.

  • @jessicaf6416

    @jessicaf6416

    2 ай бұрын

    @@TheKoalaMamaTravels Australians love spice and seasonings but no we don’t load our food with salt and sugar.

  • @marcusversace9423
    @marcusversace94232 ай бұрын

    I am happy you enjoyed your Australian trip and shared your love of koala's - with the food, Australians unlike Americans do use sauces or garnish a lot on their foods like in the USA - I've traveled three times the the US and get weird looks when I order salad with no dressing and no cheese - and loath Mexican food where as Americans love it. Australian's enjoy the natural flavour of foods with out sugar, sauces or garnish.

  • @TheKoalaMamaTravels

    @TheKoalaMamaTravels

    2 ай бұрын

    Honestly, I'm from the midwest (Ohio) and it took a while to come around to liking Mexican food. And California Mexican is different from Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas Mexican. And none of it is Mexican Mexican! Thanks for watching 💗🐨

  • @Renzy-LuLu

    @Renzy-LuLu

    2 ай бұрын

    Yeah, we're into our health lol

  • @lexsaunders1742
    @lexsaunders17422 ай бұрын

    Australia has the greatest variety of food in the world especially Asian food. So you think Thai food Vietnam food Indian food is to bland not enough spices? I’ve read about 2000 tourist reviews of Australia 1998 have raved about the quality of our food. I would like to remind you that you are in Australia,being Australian. Complaining that we are not like America is ridiculous, we are the way we are because we are us. We have on off switches on our power outlets because it is safer not because our electricity is stronger. Your power outlets are live. When we turn the switch to off the power outlet is dead. We are one of 76 countries that drive on the left including Japan. We have lots of roundabouts because it eliminates traffic lights and that cuts down on waiting times. If you want things to be like America stay in America.

  • @TheKoalaMamaTravels

    @TheKoalaMamaTravels

    2 ай бұрын

    I never said nor implied that I expected Australia to be like the US. I simply was pointing out things that were different from our perspective. Not bad. Not wrong. Simply different from what we are used to. The whole reason for traveling to other countries is to experience something DIFFERENT than what you're used do. I 100% do NOT expect nor want Australia to be like America.

  • @philplowman2251
    @philplowman22512 ай бұрын

    Seriously what a load of crap, nobody watches American football. Our food can be as bland or spicy as you want but has less sugar and salt so healthier.

  • @ImTheDudeMan471
    @ImTheDudeMan4712 ай бұрын

    So you didn't find it strange that the sun is in the North orientation?

  • @TheKoalaMamaTravels

    @TheKoalaMamaTravels

    2 ай бұрын

    Actually, we did, but I completely forgot about that!

  • @petert24turner71
    @petert24turner712 ай бұрын

    Hey you are in another country. An Aussie phrase for you, Just suck it up. Which means just accept what you got.

  • @savvyshooterf8
    @savvyshooterf819 күн бұрын

    Hahaha. Lawn Bowls is huge. That's so funny. And we DO NOT like American football. Bahaha. I think I'll do a video on this video as it's so far from the truth!

  • @user-kz8um2zz5v
    @user-kz8um2zz5v2 ай бұрын

    Sorry seen others come to love our AFL

  • @grahamejohn6847
    @grahamejohn68472 ай бұрын

    Thank you for visiting my homeland and yes we are a bit weird .In fact, there was a book written by an Italian immigrant many years ago titled "There a Weird Bunch "Still this a nice place to be.😄

  • @TheKoalaMamaTravels

    @TheKoalaMamaTravels

    2 ай бұрын

    Well, I do use the word "weird" loosely because I know there are A LOT of things Americans do and say that are weird... even to me! Fully agree, though, that Australia is a nice place to be 💗🐨

  • @Renzy-LuLu

    @Renzy-LuLu

    2 ай бұрын

    WE LOVE BEING WEIRD!!! 😂

  • @warwickbaker2915
    @warwickbaker2915Ай бұрын

    Not enough sugar in food for you?

  • @whatwhat100
    @whatwhat1002 ай бұрын

    To be fair, Zambrero (the Mexican place) is kinda shit.

  • @Renzy-LuLu

    @Renzy-LuLu

    2 ай бұрын

    It's revolting!

  • @michaelreifenstein2114
    @michaelreifenstein21142 ай бұрын

    i was amused that the statement about american football was showing a game of cricket, but panned across to put it out of screen. As for bland food. i don't know where you went, but i know indian places that would melt your face off if you asked. and chinese too. they cook bland for white people, but if you think you can handle it they will make you the genuine stuff.

  • @Jsa460

    @Jsa460

    2 ай бұрын

    Agree. I was thinking they can't have gone to visit a proper Indian or Thai place and picked something spicy or they wouldn't be saying that. Also almost no one cares about American football here.

  • @dutchroll
    @dutchroll18 күн бұрын

    It's really difficult to get good Mexican food in Australia. The best you can hope for is "reasonable and edible". We have barely any people of Mexican heritage living here and it's a long way away! There are many restaurants which serve world-class Asian food though, unsurprisingly. For really good Italian food you need to go to Melbourne with its large and vibrant Italian community which migrated here after World War 2. Your experience with bland food may be unlucky, or may be due to our different tastes. I visit the USA - mainly California - a lot for my job and find the food can often have too much salt, sugar, and fat for my taste.

  • @TheKoalaMamaTravels

    @TheKoalaMamaTravels

    2 күн бұрын

    We 100% did not expect Mexican food in Australia to taste like Mexican food here (we live in California which pretty much has the most authentic Mexican food overall in the US) and tried it more from a curiosity aspect. It wasn't bad but didn't have the spice factor we're used to. And we definitely had a big fail by not trying more Asian restaurants. I definitely can see where US food could be too salty and sugary for the Australian palate, although we liked that the sweets and desserts had less sugar as we could taste more of the other ingredients (we loved both Noosa Chocolate and Haigh's) 💗🐨

  • @garryws
    @garryws2 ай бұрын

    I suggest you don't speak on behalf of all Americans or generalise. I suspect your comment on bland food is attributed to the fact your used to processed food full of salt and sugar. And judging by your pics it looks like you ate mainly in low end cafes. Which can be pretty average in Australia or the USA. I also suggest you align your hotel comments with how much you paid. Because those pics look more like $100 motels than 4 star hotels. Sorry, but American football is not at all popular. Generally Australians may watch out of curiosity and all the hoopla that goes with it.

  • @Glenn-ei3xp

    @Glenn-ei3xp

    2 ай бұрын

    Calls food bland then proceeds to show a pic of a pineapple fritter from red rooster lol. God help us 🤦‍♂️

  • @MrBCorp
    @MrBCorp2 ай бұрын

    I can't tell if you were trolling with the bland food thing. I think you are the only ones who think that. Either that or you accidentally went to all the worst restaurants. I will say that I've had plenty of bad food in Australia. Usually it's at the cheaper places though. Although you said Australia doesn't know how to do good Mexican food and that is true. We don't have a lot of Mexicans, unlike America. But we do have a lot of Asians, and our Asian foods are top notch.

  • @MrBCorp

    @MrBCorp

    2 ай бұрын

    Wait, by "bland", did you mean, not spicy? Because there's plenty of spicy foods. Indians love chillis and we have plenty of Indian restaurants and such. Even a lot of Malaysian, Vietnamese, Thai, etc foods have a lot of spice. You probably weren't aware and thus didn't get the foods you would have enjoyed more.

  • @lukara6156
    @lukara61562 ай бұрын

    Come to Sydney and I guarantee you will find the most aggressive drivers here

  • @TheKoalaMamaTravels

    @TheKoalaMamaTravels

    2 ай бұрын

    I did drive in Sydney and about had a heart attack! Will drive in AU again but definitely not in Sydney!💗🐨💗

  • @julzhunt7790
    @julzhunt7790Ай бұрын

    Pretty much everything in this video is the complete opposite of what’s been stated here!

  • @bspilcker
    @bspilcker2 ай бұрын

    Is this real, we hate USA football lol

  • @marklowe8087
    @marklowe80878 күн бұрын

    Gambling is pervasive in Australia, myself I don't gamble so a little anti.A newsagent was for papers mags ,stationary they are in fact gambling outlets for lottery tickets. It is socially acceptable to gift a gambling ticket to someone !!

  • @TheKoalaMamaTravels

    @TheKoalaMamaTravels

    2 күн бұрын

    Yeah, I'm not much for gambling either although what surprised me wasn't that gambling was legal per se but that it was more accessible than in the States, at least in the area of Brisbane where we stayed. And lottery tickets here are a common gift; I actually include them in Christmas stockings for my husband and kids every year! 💗🐨

  • @julesmarwell8023
    @julesmarwell80234 күн бұрын

    TRAVELLING educates the mind. WHEN IN ROME DO AS THE ROMANS DO

  • @michaelmayo9048
    @michaelmayo90482 ай бұрын

    Electric out let's are Lower ampage than USA which makes it safer.

  • @libbypeace68
    @libbypeace682 ай бұрын

    I really hope you are enjoying your time here! With regard to the spiciness of food, I can't be certain, but if you mention when you order that you like it spicy, I'm pretty sure they will make it spicier for you. And, usually salt and pepper is either at the table for you to add your preferred amounts, or at the counter where you order. If you are inclined, we do seem to have a good reputation with Thai, Vietnamese and Indian foods and you will definitely get some spice with those types of foods. Mexican isn't hugely popular here, or at least, not as popular as some others. I rarely stay at hotels/motels, but you should be able to ask for anything that they haven't supplied. In saying that I have found I do get a face washer, so that did seem weird! Looking forward to your upcoming videos.

  • @walover165
    @walover1652 ай бұрын

    Most Australians can't stand American football because it's so complex and doesn't have enough action.

  • @dropbear6740
    @dropbear67402 ай бұрын

    2 words F... O..

  • @Renzy-LuLu
    @Renzy-LuLu2 ай бұрын

    Aussies like American sport? No we don't lol

  • @phillipkrelle5661
    @phillipkrelle5661Ай бұрын

    face washers is that what you wanted?

  • @TheKoalaMamaTravels

    @TheKoalaMamaTravels

    Ай бұрын

    Exactly!

  • @tracegomez
    @tracegomez2 ай бұрын

    For the best food flavor go to Taiwan

  • @RedRedGuitars-nq5gs
    @RedRedGuitars-nq5gs28 күн бұрын

    I am an American that's lived in Australia for 45 years - a citizen for half that time. My wife (68) and children (40, 34, 30, 27) are Australian. I am sorry to say this, but I cringed when I heard you say that Australians follow *American football* and that you took the word from some locals as gospel. I don't know who these people are - I don't know if they were trying to fool you or impress you. Either way, they did nobody any favors by giving you this very false piece of information. That is actually very insulting to Australians! If you were really interested in Australia, you would have watched videos and read up information as to what makes Australia tick. American Football does not make Australians tick. AFL and Rugby are a major part of the Australian cultural fabric and it is greatly insulting that you even entered (let alone, left) the country not knowing this. That is almost as bad as saying Pakistan follows mostly Christian values. The only thing that makes me cringe more than you not knowing this was when my sister demanded that my son be ''less Australian'' when I brought my family over to the States many years ago. *Food:* People from all over the world have praised Australian food, and it really does depend on where you go. My diet changed when I began living in Australia in 1980. I consumed less salt than I did in the States. I can't comment because I don't know what you're diety choices consist of. *Gambling:* There is an annual 4-day horse racing event called The Melbourne Cup, which consists of betting. The thriving Australian music scene of the 70's and 80's was gravely impacted by venues replacing bands with pokie machines. The gambling industry in Australia is a subject I have very little authority to speak on, but I am aware that it is a thriving industry and one that has had a negative affect on lives. But it is wrong to imply that gambling is a common activity in Australia. It just isn't true. *Lawn bowl:* It is not greatly popular in Australia, and it not the definition of an Australian passtime. You have got that completely wrong. I'll go back to football. *Music:* Australian Top 40 is not any different to the US Top 40. You may have a few local hit makers, but in general, it mirrors whatever is going on in the rest of the world. You were going into establishments that openly played ''retro'' music, because the hospitality industry regonises and accommodates to each demographic. If you went to a young people's hostel, you wouldn't be hearing ''Push It''. Retro music has had a consistent presence in Australia, but it isn't the be all and end all of what Australians listen to, by and large. I am out of my depth when commenting on the style of music that gets played in the US, because I haven't been a full-time American since 1980. I must stress that before the Australian government decided to sponsor the gambling industry and have pokie machines replace bands, the Australian Top 40 was almost saturated with local music. Men At Work, INXS, AC/DC; etc, etc. weren't just flooks that popped out of nowhere. The popularity of Australian music even dominated the Australian Top 10, where the Top Five singles were made by Australian artists. Between 1975 to 1989, Australian music had a very big share in the domestic market. That isn't because Aussies were patriotic and chose their own before anybody else. It's because the music was so good that Australians began treating it the same way as they would treat good quality music from the UK and US. Sadly, this trend began to die down by the early 90's and the gambling scene didn't help. *Australian drivers:* Like your comment on music, you experienced something different to what people experience in their everyday lives. Australian drivers can be right a-h's. I have had physical fights with drivers on the road, especially when one called me a yank and told me to go back home. There are a drivers that can be more considerate than those in the States, and vice versa. Cameras and hidden police cars make speeding in Australia not worthwhile, but there are states in Australia where people speed and do not give a hoot about other drivers. *Lollies:* Australian word for candy. Not a shortening of lollypops. Australians do shorten words because Aussies are laidback (traffic is an exception to the rule, and you go about thinking American Football is important to them). *Washcloths:* I don't know. My first time experience in Australia dates back to 1977, which makes your 2024 experience vastly different. I came to Australia as a stereotypical blonde-tanned surfer that was on a surfing pilgramage, and I only hung out with Australian surfers that looked like me. When I returned to the States, the only thing I knew about Australia were the blonde-hair blue-eyed tanned surfers and the surfing communities. If I didn't return in 1979 and decide to pay a visit to the gritty city of Melbourne, I would probably still be thinking that Australia is nothing but surfers and I wouldn't have met my wife, who was the opposite to a blonde surfer.

  • @TheKoalaMamaTravels

    @TheKoalaMamaTravels

    28 күн бұрын

    Thanks so much for your comments and sharing your experience. As I mentioned in other posts, we had no expectation of seeing American football in Australia, which is why were were surprised to see it being televised at a bar we were in (and why I videotaped it) and to see multiple bars with NFL posters and banners in the windows. This prompted us to ask several people about this, all of whom confirmed that it was popular. More popular than rugby or even cricket or soccer (football)? Certainly not. But surprising that it even was on the radar. This all was in Sydney so maybe the NFL is trying to make inroads and is giving a kickback to bar owners who hand the banners. And we did do quite a bit or research before planning our travel and are well aware that rugby and cricket are the national pastimes. We very much wanted to watch at least one but the cricket team was in India and rugby was out of season, and we were unable to find any kind of a minor league type team or even an adult league to watch. Other than casinos on reservation land, gambling is illegal in the state where I live, so it was surprising to find gambling in multiple bars and hotels as well as a golf course we visited. It isn't Nevada/Las Vegas prevalent, but certainly surprising to us based on our US experience. My lawn bowling comment was based on the fact that we saw multiple lawn bowling facilities on our trip. This included at a golf course where we had breakfast on a Sunday morning and watched way more people arrive for lawn bowling than golf. In the US, Sunday morning on any golf course will be packed. Maybe golf isn't that popular in Australia. Additionally, we went to a restaurant that shared a parking lot with a lawn bowling facility and there was no parking because everyone was at the lawn bowling facility. Maybe it was an annual tournament or something out of the ordinary. Nonetheless, these experiences led us to believe that bowls was popular. My bad on the lolly comment. It came up when we were discussing lollipops so I extrapolated from there. Overall, and again as I've commented several times, the intention of this video was to share some things that were surprising to us as Americans visiting a relatively small area of a very large country/continent over a very short period of time. I promise to do better next time :)

  • @RedRedGuitars-nq5gs

    @RedRedGuitars-nq5gs

    27 күн бұрын

    ​@@TheKoalaMamaTravels Thank you for responding.

  • @RedRedGuitars-nq5gs

    @RedRedGuitars-nq5gs

    27 күн бұрын

    @@TheKoalaMamaTravels Firstly, I can see where the confusion and misinformation has come from. Certain sports is promoted in Australia and could, perhaps, get some kind of following. I am completely out of the loop as to what the kids follow these days. I'm in my early seventies, and am too old to care at this stage. Australia is a tough place to explain to the rest of the world, because there are myriads of contradictions, and as much as they try, I don't think Australians can explain themselves without having to back peddle and reassess what it is that they have said. This is why many of them resolve to duping tourists with fallacies - often for their own amusement and at the tourists' expense. When I first attended a VFL game (Victorian Football League), I was agast by how dangerous and violent the game was, and impressed by the loyalty that the people of Melbourne had for the game. The players did not and still do not wear protective gear, and team supporters can be ferocious towards their opponents. But I also found a lot (not all) people of Melbourne can be a little more reserved than what the Australian stereotype suggests. Many of them can be polite, but can also be aloof and distant. There's truth in the saying ''Australians are friendly, but they're not your friends''. My wife's family still haven't opened up to me, but that has nothing to do with me being American. It's just the way these particular types of people are. My own children are friendly, polite, well-traveled and educated; but they are also standoffish and so are their friends. They remind me a lot of the people my wife was friends with back in the 70's. Coming up to them and saying ''G'day!'' could get you a polite smile as a response, but not much more. Of course, there are a lot of people that are the opposite of this description. A friend of mine thought the peope of Melbourne didn't like him because he was American and even thought they were snobs. Not so, but they were checking him out and taking mental notes. I watched a few of your videos, and gave each of them a like. It looks like you covered a bit of the country. 👍

  • @allenwheatley1900
    @allenwheatley1900Ай бұрын

    Americans nearly always comment on lack of Mexican food in Oz. Do they realise Mixico is across the border to them, while it's 12000 miles from Australia. Bet Kiwi food in America is lacking too!

  • @TheKoalaMamaTravels

    @TheKoalaMamaTravels

    Ай бұрын

    We honestly were surprised there was any Mexican food at all. It wasn't horrible, just low on the spice meter. Our biggest mistake was not trying more of a variety of food, especially the huge variety of Asian and Pacific Island options. We had Balinese food for the first time and loved it. A top priority for when we return!💗🐨

  • @Renzy-LuLu
    @Renzy-LuLu2 ай бұрын

    You're getting the responses you are from people because you're criticising and complaining about everything without understanding or even having enough experience. Nothing sounds positive or even impartial. We do not appreciate that here! Australia is the number one migration country for a reason!

  • @petert24turner71
    @petert24turner712 ай бұрын

    I have been to the States many a time. West coast, east coast & mid west. everyone was pleasant. the food differed from home but was still good. I enjoyed my postings in the US as a civilian.

  • @geoffcohen613
    @geoffcohen6132 ай бұрын

    Everyone hates coffee mate. Use real milk from real cowes. Not milk from soys.

  • @TheKoalaMamaTravels

    @TheKoalaMamaTravels

    2 ай бұрын

    Yeah, coffee mate is popular in the US because it is cheap and keeps for a long time, which is why we were so surprised that real cream was provided at EVERY place we stayed... even the cheapest motel! 🐨💗

  • @vinrich_video
    @vinrich_video2 ай бұрын

    Judging from your size i would say you are a food expert. At least you can taste the food here, the US covers everything in that shitty orange cheese or sauce so you may as well just have that

  • @Renzy-LuLu

    @Renzy-LuLu

    2 ай бұрын

    That is a disgusting comment. I can hear you're a man. A very lonely one at that. Who speaks to people that way? People that have no friends!!

  • @JaniceVictoria1958-ek4yl
    @JaniceVictoria1958-ek4yl28 күн бұрын

    I can't speak on behalf of other Australians, but I felt we had very little representation, let alone a voice, in the past. This condition continues to this day, which is why I think Australians get annoyed when Americans (like yourself) create these videos with misinformation. I know that was not your intension, but that is the outcome. Paul Hogan gave Americans the idea that we say ''shrimp'' instead of ''prawns'', and a major brewery advertised Fosters as Australians' first choice of beer - which is bullshit. Aussies not wearing shoes and every creature is lethal is also getting tiresome. I was livid when you said Australians prefer American Football, and that you didn't acknowledge AFL or Rugby. I've spent many years traveling for both work and play. I have researched each country prior to stepping in, and I took note as to what makes up the culture. Perhaps you have the idea of coming in blind and giving the world your observations. The novice approach. But I really don't think commenting on a country with limited time and location makes a fair assessment. I'm sorry to say this, because you do seem like a nice person and you obviously have an interest and a liking for Australia, but that was disappointing. No more disappointing than Australians that bullshit with the tourists with misinformation. It's just not funny. The people that told you American Football is popular in Australia were not telling you the truth.

  • @TheKoalaMamaTravels

    @TheKoalaMamaTravels

    27 күн бұрын

    I do appreciate your comments, but I also need to clarify. I rewatched the video and the one sentence I said about football was that "Australians REALLY LIKE American sports, especially Football". That's it. I did not not say Australians prefer it. And my video was about my things that surprised us in Australia from our perspective as Americans. It was an opinion piece, not a documentary.

  • @zalired8925
    @zalired89252 ай бұрын

    Unfortunately Australians are keen to criticize other countries but look out anyone who dares criticize Australia.

  • @sandgroperwookiee65

    @sandgroperwookiee65

    28 күн бұрын

    When they are talking shit yes.