Would you consider Australians conformist or free spirited/laid back (suburban, friendly)

[stevechang103]

Hello,

I have heard conflicting views and had some conflicting experiences:

Some people say that Australians are laid back and free spirited compared to Americans. Other people say that Australians are very provincical and conformist.

I have met Australians from both catergories.

My question is the following:

1. In your opinion, would you say that Australians are laid back, larkin, and free spririted or overregulated close minded, and conformist?

2. If so, what would be some examples of Australians being overregulated or conformist?

Thanks

[Trimac20]

Both. I'd say the trend is towards being conformist. We're becoming more like the rest of the world.

[tropical87]

Overregulated. And it has made people less laid back.

The laid-back thing is fading, but more prevalent in lower-socio-economic groups.

Australians can be (and generally are) very uptight

[Trimac20]

Yes, I started a thread on it. I think the uptight thing is partly from the reserved British.

[danielsa1775]

Originally Posted by Trimac20

Both. I'd say the trend is towards being conformist. We're becoming more like the rest of the world.

True enough

The days when your beer drinking, hardworking, blue collar, Aussie larrikin was considered a cultural icon are pretty much gone.

Its not really a good thing either.

[Trimac20]

^ To be fair the larrikan did have his bad points, but you still encounter them, especially in the country. Even younger blokes.

I think the suburban lifestyle breeds privacy and suspicion, too. You know I'm beginning to think that the whole Aussie larrikan stereotype has never applied to most Australians. We were one of the first countries to urbanize, actually. Even in 1900 I bet a lot of people weren't like that.

[tropical87]

the most laid back people I have encountered are Latin Americans. Australians are nothing, NOTHING like that (unfortunately)

[Trimac20]

Originally Posted by tropical87

the most laid back people I have encountered are Latin Americans. Australians are nothing, NOTHING like that (unfortunately)

Australians generally don't put you at ease, I think is a good way of putting it. The friendly ones do seem very friendly, though, but many do not display friendliness, seem cold, almost hostile.

It's incredible how Asians and Europeans can just talk to you really casually. I noticed this when travelling. Australians, Brits etc seem to keep to themselves more compared to Europeans or Asians like Koreans, Japanese, Taiwanese.

[sulkiercupid]

I don't think Australian's are more friendly or free-spirited than Americans, if anything I find Americans more willing to engage with strangers. A lot of Australian's seem to be 'cocooned' keeping to themselves or the people they know.

Seems to be a more self-absorbed society now, small things like waving to another driver when you give way to them has become much less common in the past 10-15 years.

[Trimac20]

Originally Posted by sulkiercupid

I don't think Australian's are more friendly or free-spirited than Americans, if anything I find Americans more willing to engage with strangers. A lot of Australian's seem to be 'cocooned' keeping to themselves or the people they know.

Seems to be a more self-absorbed society now, small things like waving to another driver when you give way to them has become much less common in the past 10-15 years.

In my short time in the US I had a few people just talk to me, one lady asked if I was lost and needed help, have never got that travelling round Oz...well once, but in all those years.