The ancient sages sincerely believed that on the other side of the earth's disk (yes, there were even more adherents of the "flat Earth theory" two thousand years ago than now) were people, whom they called "antipodes", who also lived on the other side of the Earth. And since they lived on the other side, then their life flowed in a completely different way.
Almost two millennia have passed - and in the 19th century, the nickname "Antipodes" was given to the Australians, simply because they lived completely on the other side of the planet, according to Britons and Americans, of course. However, we must pay tribute to the Aussies - they were not offended by the nickname, but continued to live in their own way, develop their own version of English - and be surprised at unusual traditions in other countries. For example, in America.
More info: TikTok
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Good to know a rubber is also an eraser in other places too. Lol
Various trends are constantly gaining popularity on TikTok, so it’s almost impossible to keep track of everyone. But what we definitely liked was this particular trend, in which Australians, who at different times happened to live in the USA, share their impressions, and also tell what surprised them the most in the American way of life. You can already find dozens of similar videos on TikTok, so Bored Panda has collected for you the most interesting and unusual opinions from people on the other side of the Earth.
By the way, Australia has long and firmly influenced American culture, not just in the series of films about Mick “Crocodile” Dundee, although I personally, having watched them as a kid long ago, was completely delighted. The fact is that no matter which of the Hollywood blockbusters you look at, in almost every one, one of the starring persons will be a native of Australia. Suffice it to mention the names of Hugh Jackman, Nicole Kidman, the Hemsworth brothers, Russell Crowe, Cate Blanchett, Hugo Weaving, Heath Ledger, Naomi Watts - what can I say, Margot Robbie... Yes, that's right, the person who played one of the symbols of American culture was born in Australia!
As an Australian, I call bullsh8t here, sorry we are not all this arrogant.
It's not arrogance; it's very mild hyperbole. Education standards are lower in the U.S. than in Australia.
Load More Replies...In many US states, the minimum requirements for high school graduation are much lower compared to other parts of the developed world. For example: In my state, the minimum required level of math education for a graduating high school student is basic algebra. This is actually a well known problem in US colleges and universities, since a lot of freshmen students need to play catch-up for their first couple of semesters.
It's getting to be a problem in other parts of the world too. Students are given modular options to make up their exam and they invariably choose the easiest option. They can retake that option to increase the grades, but they leave having achieved a certain grade while not having covered the stuff they actually need. Many of the students I was with at uni has the required grade A in A level maths but ended up having to do a supplementary maths course to continue with the BSc degree. The majority dropped out because they couldn't do it.
Load More Replies...So glad to see that BP hasn't forgotten that "hating on America" is such a great meme. /s
As a graduate student I taught Genetics Labs at undergraduate level (sophomore) in the US. The material I was teaching was the same stuff I learned growing up in the UK in middle school, say age 13.
I was teaching multiplication division and rounding to sophomores a few years ago, when these were all done or started in 1st grade when I was growing up... It was "No child left behind" and using school as a daycare. This is why we regularly see homeschooled kids going to college at 12-14...
Load More Replies...The real problem is the appalling amount of variation in US education. Two schools in two different states, cities, zip codes, income brackets, etc. can have entirely different standards and difficulties, even if they are supposed to be teaching to the same standards.
The standardization is based on the state deems at level.... So while Maryland standards are lower than all the other states, they also fail to meet their own standards... But AZ is one of the lowest ranked states because of the drop out rate even though the drop outs are more proficient than, say, Maryland graduates.
Load More Replies...To be fair: When I studied abroad in Australia, I was astonished how elementary some of my classes were. We covered stuff in Year 2 that I had already covered in German 11th/12th grade.
Depends on the school. I got a bachelors from a private university, then took some classes at a state college that made me feel like I was back in high school. Mostly because the other students were whining about homework, talking during class...like they hadn't paid to be there.
If it is that much lower than Australia, it must be primary school lever for Germans. I was shocked to see that the expectations for maths and literacy in year 7 in Australia were covered in the first year of primary school in Germany. Varies of course from school to school and region to region though.
Until you're taking 400-level classes, it's a reasonably fair assessment 100-level classes aren't any harder than highschool classes. 10s-level classes are "why didn't you get this in K12??"
Go to a fish and chip shop in Oz and you will almost always be asked whether you want plain salt or chicken salt
There is a popular legend that the world map in Australia looks upside down so that Australia and Antarctica are at the top, while Canada and Greenland are at the very bottom, for example. In fact, this is nothing more than a myth, although such a map looks really interesting, and I would definitely hang one in my room.
"The Australian map may seemingly have a strange format, but it's not upside down at all," the Mapshop website claims. "Sure, it's a deviation in convention, an alternative way of looking at the world around us. However, it does not undermine factuality or offer any misrepresentation, as some suggest. Why? Because the more traditional way of representing the world - with north up and south down - is in no way more (or less) valid."
Humanity has been living in Pax Americana for at least half a century from a cultural point of view, but in any case, it is always interesting to read and listen to how you look in the eyes of other people. Especially those as resourceful, straightforward and witty as the Australians. So please feel free to scroll this list to the very end and just enjoy these pearls of wit and observation from the Southern hemisphere. Or maybe add some more in the comments in case you were also born somewhere under the constellation of Southern Cross.
...I live in redneckville and our McDonald's does indeed sell frozen coke. I don't think these Aussies have even tried learning about the USA...
As an Australian, didn't even read this list..... Don't drag us into this US bashing BS.....
Thank you, Australian Friend, for seeing how not helpful and division-sewing mindless hate-spewing is. I genuinely appreciate your maturity.
Load More Replies...In America, we have what I like to call the vocal minority. Where all the worst stereotypes become the most noticeable, and give everyone a bad reputation. It’s very annoying. Everyone notices the person complaining loudly.
It's like that everywhere, for every "group", be it country, ethnicities, religions.. the extremists and the loudest are the most noticeable. This is how stereotypes are born. Not by the most common factor, but by the worst, most hateful, and usually least common factor.
Load More Replies...Wow, I've never seen such a false post. Please never actually take advise from any of these American bashing posts, there all lies.
This post is so....wrong. Lol. My best friend moved to the states from Australia when she was in her 20s. I'm going to have to show this to her so we can get a giggle out of it. Maybe I'll drive to her place after work just so I can go through a roundabout or two for the hell of it. Smh
Why isn't this titled properly? "Bored Panda authors are lazy fúcks who use Facebook tactics to cultivate hatred, ignorance, and spread falsehoods."
This list was not only wildly inaccurate, it got more and more offensive as it went along. The US, like everywhere else, has it's problems, but these aren't them. I'm over the whole "Americans are so stupid" trope. Not because I'm particularly sensitive, but because so often the people judging my country and it's citizens are completely ignorant in their smug complaints.
All I can say is you all may want to rethink believing everything you hear.
This a an excellent example of know don't know what the hell your talking about. The thread makes these people look and sound very ignorant.
This was a really good example of not knowing what your talking about. This thread makes these people sound very ignorant.
Said no Australian ever. BP hits a new low. Up next: the censorbot rejects the word "American".
So many of these are false or make no sense. I feel sorry for these Australians.
American crawfish boil surpasses anything any Australian has done with yabbies. On this hillI I am prepared to die.
Some of these are UK as well. For example switches on plugs and different holidays. Also some of these are specific ppl in America - best friend was surprised abt xmas
As an Australian, didn't even read this list..... Don't drag us into this US bashing BS.....
Thank you, Australian Friend, for seeing how not helpful and division-sewing mindless hate-spewing is. I genuinely appreciate your maturity.
Load More Replies...In America, we have what I like to call the vocal minority. Where all the worst stereotypes become the most noticeable, and give everyone a bad reputation. It’s very annoying. Everyone notices the person complaining loudly.
It's like that everywhere, for every "group", be it country, ethnicities, religions.. the extremists and the loudest are the most noticeable. This is how stereotypes are born. Not by the most common factor, but by the worst, most hateful, and usually least common factor.
Load More Replies...Wow, I've never seen such a false post. Please never actually take advise from any of these American bashing posts, there all lies.
This post is so....wrong. Lol. My best friend moved to the states from Australia when she was in her 20s. I'm going to have to show this to her so we can get a giggle out of it. Maybe I'll drive to her place after work just so I can go through a roundabout or two for the hell of it. Smh
Why isn't this titled properly? "Bored Panda authors are lazy fúcks who use Facebook tactics to cultivate hatred, ignorance, and spread falsehoods."
This list was not only wildly inaccurate, it got more and more offensive as it went along. The US, like everywhere else, has it's problems, but these aren't them. I'm over the whole "Americans are so stupid" trope. Not because I'm particularly sensitive, but because so often the people judging my country and it's citizens are completely ignorant in their smug complaints.
All I can say is you all may want to rethink believing everything you hear.
This a an excellent example of know don't know what the hell your talking about. The thread makes these people look and sound very ignorant.
This was a really good example of not knowing what your talking about. This thread makes these people sound very ignorant.
Said no Australian ever. BP hits a new low. Up next: the censorbot rejects the word "American".
So many of these are false or make no sense. I feel sorry for these Australians.
American crawfish boil surpasses anything any Australian has done with yabbies. On this hillI I am prepared to die.
Some of these are UK as well. For example switches on plugs and different holidays. Also some of these are specific ppl in America - best friend was surprised abt xmas