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Australians are known for their irreverent sense of humour, but there are still some topics that are off-limits. For example, it is insensitive to joke about the death of Azaria Chamberlain, who was taken by a dingo while on holiday in Uluru in 1980. Australians also take their coffee seriously, so avoid making jokes about their coffee culture. While it's fine to joke about Australia's unique slang and abbreviations, be mindful that the country is multicultural, and what may be considered a joke by some could be offensive to others. Additionally, avoid comparing Australia to New Zealand, as they are two distinct countries with their own cultures and landscapes. If you're looking for ways to gently rib an Australian, you could question whether Australia is a real country, pretend to confuse it with Austria, or ask them about their IQ.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Confuse Australia with Austria | "You must be lucky to live in Vienna, what a beautiful city." |
| Misspell Australia | Spell it as "Arsetralia" |
| Ask stereotypical questions about kangaroos | "So, do you eat kangaroos?" |
| Use outdated stereotypes about incest | "So, is it pretty common to have sexual intercourse with cousins in Australia? Because you two look related." |
| Imply Australia is a boring place | "Australia is a boring place." |
| Imply Australians are not Australian | "Come on. You’re not Australian. That’s not how they look on TV." |
| Make fun of Australian coffee culture | "Ordering a triple venti soy latte with extra whip and caramel drizzle when all you get is dishwater." |
| Compare Australia to New Zealand | "Australia and New Zealand are the same." |
| Insist that Fosters is the Australian beer | "Drink Fosters, it's the Australian beer." |
| Make fun of Australian slang | "G'day, mate! Throw another shrimp on the barbie!" |
| Imply Australians are convicts | "I am sorry you feel that way. But I understand why you’re doing this. It’s your convict ancestry." |
| Make fun of Australian TV shows | "Watch Kath & Kim, Fisk, The Reverent, or The Castle." |
| Make fun of Australian accents | They speak with an unmistakable Australian accent. |
| Australian jokes | Various jokes about Australians |
| Make fun of Australian culture | "If you’re Australian, I’m from Mars then." |
| Stereotypes about Australian culture | Stereotypes about Australian culture being laid-back and easygoing. |
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What You'll Learn
Ask them if they eat kangaroos
If you want to make fun of an Australian, asking them if they eat kangaroos is a good way to do it. While it's true that some Australians do eat kangaroo meat, it's also a stereotype that Australians will deny. So, asking about it can be a way to poke fun at their culture and national identity.
Kangaroo meat has been consumed in Australia since at least the 1980s, when it was first legalised for human consumption in South Australia. It's now widely available in supermarkets and restaurants across the country, and it's even exported to other countries. However, only a small percentage of Australians eat kangaroo meat regularly, and it's not as common as other types of meat.
Kangaroo meat is often marketed as a sustainable and ethical alternative to other types of meat. Because kangaroos are indigenous to Australia and live wild, they don't require additional land or water for farming, and they produce less methane than cattle or other farm animals. Some people in Australia follow a diet called "kangatarianism," which involves cutting out all meat except kangaroo for environmental and ethical reasons.
When asking an Australian about eating kangaroos, you can be playful and provocative by suggesting that kangaroos are a staple of their diet or that they're hunted and consumed indiscriminately. You could say something like, "I've heard kangaroos are like deer-sized rabbits in Australia. Are they a regular part of your meals?" or "Do you ever worry about kangaroos crashing through your windshield and ending up on your dinner plate?"
Remember, while this question can be a light-hearted jab at Australian culture, be mindful that some people may find it offensive or insensitive, especially if they have strong beliefs about animal welfare or cultural heritage associated with kangaroo meat consumption.
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Tell them Australia isn't a real country
If you want to make fun of an Australian, one way to do it is by telling them that Australia isn't a real country. This might seem like a bold statement, but here are some angles you could take to argue this point and get a rise out of your Aussie friends:
Firstly, you could adopt the tongue-in-cheek approach of conspiracy theorists who claim that Australia is a hoax created to cover up one of history's greatest genocides. According to this theory, Britain never actually transported criminals to Australia, but instead, loaded them off ships into the waters to drown. The "Australian" people you know are all actors and computer-generated personas, and if you think you've ever been to Australia, you were actually flown to nearby islands or parts of South America.
Alternatively, you could take a more light-hearted approach by confusing Australia with other places. For example, you could insist on spelling Australia as "Arsetralia" because it's at the bottom of the earth. Or, you could continually confuse Australia with Austria, saying things like, "You must be lucky to live in Vienna; what a beautiful city."
You could also question the very existence of Australia by saying something like, "Australia? Oh, you mean that imaginary place where everyone has sexual intercourse with their cousins and eats kangaroos?" If your Australian friend gets defensive, you can retort with, "The way you're talking proves my point."
If things start to get heated, you could try to lighten the mood by asking them a joke question, such as "How many Australians does it take to change a lightbulb?" or remind them that "if you're Australian, I'm from Mars."
Remember, while these statements might rile up your Australian friends, it's all in good fun. Aussies are known for their irreverent sense of humor, so don't be afraid to push the boundaries a little. Just be prepared for some playful backlash!
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Ask them how many genders there are in Australia
Australia has made significant strides in recognising and protecting the rights of individuals with diverse gender identities. The country acknowledges that an individual's gender may differ from the sex assigned to them at birth and may not exclusively be male or female. The Australian Government Guidelines on the Recognition of Sex and Gender, which came into effect in July 2013, reflect this understanding. These guidelines standardise the process for individuals to update their gender in personal records held by government departments and agencies.
When collecting gender information, Australian government forms and surveys typically offer the options of 'Women/Female', 'Man/Male', 'Non-binary', 'Different Term', or 'Prefer not to answer'. This inclusive approach ensures that individuals can self-identify with a gender that aligns with their personal sense of identity.
In addition to these formal recognition processes, Australia has also developed guidelines to promote inclusive language and avoid gendered pronouns. The Australian Public Service Commission's 2018 Lexicon of Gender and the Content Guide's advice on avoiding gendered pronouns are examples of these initiatives. Respecting an individual's gender identity and pronoun choice is essential for creating a more inclusive society.
Despite these progressive measures, you could still ask an Australian how many genders there are in their country, feigning ignorance of the diverse gender landscape. This question could be posed in a joking manner, playing on the idea that Australia recognises a multitude of genders. However, it is important to be cautious with this type of humour, as it has the potential to cause offence or come across as insensitive to the LGBTQIA+ community.
In conclusion, while Australia has made impressive strides in recognising diverse genders, using this topic as a means to make fun of Australians may not be the best approach. There are other, less potentially offensive ways to tease an Australian, such as confusing Australia with Austria or asking if kangaroos are commonly eaten.
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Ask them about their convict ancestry
Australians are proud of their convict ancestry, so asking them about it can be a backhanded compliment. Hundreds of thousands of convicts were transported from Britain and Ireland to Australia between 1787 and 1868. Today, it is estimated that around 20% of Australians are descendants of convicts, and a further 2 million Britons can trace their ancestry to this population.
If you are interested in finding out if you have convict ancestry, there are many resources available. The Migration Museum's exhibition 'Departures' explores 400 years of emigration from Britain, including convict transportation. The exhibition is accompanied by a podcast of the same name. The National Library of Australia Trove website contains over 22 million digitized newspaper pages, which can be useful in tracing an ancestor's life in Australia during their term of transportation and after their release. The Digital Panopticon website allows you to trace 90,000 convicts transported from London to Australia and links to numerous other databases. Founders and Survivors contains details of over 60,000 convicts sent to Tasmania between 1803 and 1853. The British Convict Transportation Register 1787-1867 allows you to search over 120,000 transported convicts' records. Ancestry and Findmypast also have international versions that include Australian records. Local archives and libraries may have subscriptions to these sites and other useful resources. If your ancestor was tried at the Central Criminal Court in London (the Old Bailey), you can look up details of the trial for free on the Old Bailey Online website. The Old Bailey Online also has a sister website, London Lives, which can be useful for any ancestors transported from London before 1800.
To begin your research, you should first identify the offence for which your ancestor was sentenced and where their trial took place. If your ancestor was tried at the Assizes, most Assize records are held at the National Archives. Local archives can hold a lot of information about Quarter Sessions sittings, so this is a good place to start if your ancestor was tried at Quarter Sessions. Court registers and local newspaper reports may include details of the crime and sentence, and whether the verdict was noted as 'transportation'. Over a third of transported convicts were sent from Ireland, so you may want to check Ireland's historical prison and court registers. Many criminals who were sentenced to transportation never left Britain, serving their time on prison ships known as hulks.
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Ask them if they have sexual intercourse with their cousins
While it is not illegal to marry your first cousin in Australia, sexual intercourse with cousins is illegal. Under the Criminal Code Act 1924 (Tas), it is an offence for a person to engage in sexual intercourse with another person knowing that the other person is their lineal ancestor, lineal descendant, or sibling (including half-siblings). This offence carries a maximum penalty of 21 years imprisonment.
So, if you want to make fun of an Australian by asking them if they have sexual intercourse with their cousins, you can start by asking them in a joking or sarcastic tone, "So, do you guys have a thing for your cousins down under?" If they seem offended or confused, you can double down and say something like, "Oh come on, don't be shy. I know it's pretty common there, and you do kind of look related." You could even take it a step further and pretend to be seriously concerned for them, saying, "You know, I think you might want to see a therapist about that. It's not healthy to be acting on those impulses."
However, it is important to keep in mind that this topic might be considered offensive and taboo by many Australians, and you risk causing genuine anger or hurt feelings. Additionally, be aware that while joking about this topic might seem harmless, it could be perceived as perpetuating negative stereotypes about Australians.
If you do choose to engage in this line of humour, it's essential to read the room and be prepared to back down if the Australian in question becomes upset or uncomfortable. It's also worth considering that you might not get the reaction you expect, as Australians are known for their irreverent sense of humour and quick comebacks.
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Frequently asked questions
Kangaroo meat and Vegemite.
Prawns.
"You awake, Sheila?"
You are more than likely an Australian.
