We've been thinking for a while that the Aussies are a much more direct bunch than the British. I always thought the English foppishness was just a stereotype but it turns out we're a pretty reserved lot.
A couple of weeks ago we went to the Medicare office to sign up for our health cards. A woman approached the next counter and said:
"I'm entitled to an 18% rebate. Why aren't I getting an 18% rebate?".
The British translation of this would be "I have some forms to say I'm entitled to an 18% rebate but I've noticed I don't seem to be getting that rebate. Could you possibly check it out for me and find out whether it needs to be corrected?".
I notice it on the radio too. This is Rowena Wallace. She used to appear on the daytime soap, Sons and Daughters. She's just about to appear in the evening soap, Neighbours, which I think is three months ahead of neighbours in the UK. She doesn't look like this anymore, she looks like Pat Butcher from Eastenders.
I heard her interviewed on the Kyle and Jackie-O show this morning. The questions included:-
"You haven't been on telly for ages. Couldn't you get any work?"
"Did you only get offered crap work, like voiceovers?"
"Were you ever so desperate for work that you'd have considered being the face of incontinence pads?"
"Have you got a man in your life? Aw c'mon, I'm only asking because the listeners will want to know if you are getting your leg over".
Can you imagine an interview like this at home? That stiff upper lip wouldn't allow it.
1 comment:
I have got a lot more direct since living here. This morning I had to ring up the gas company, and instead of saying, "I think there might have been a mistake with my bill." I said: "There has clearly been a mistake in my bill." I thought about being coy and apologetic, but then I thought: no, best to be direct, don't give them even a hint that I might be in doubt as to whether or not a mistake has occurred.
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