by Anthony Megna

Created on: January 29, 2010   Last Updated: November 05, 2011

Are Australians modest?  Some are and some aren't, just like any other people.  Since I have lived in Australia and some of my best friends are Australian, the question can be answered best from their perspective.  So the question is....Why are Aussies modest?  Obviously, not every Australian is modest, but assuming that on the whole Australians are modest can be answered by a variety of different reasons.  But we have to delve into theory when answering this question, so here goes!

First and foremost, being an American I've lived in Australia, so I can give some insight as to the differences between the two cultures.   So let's stick with the modest ones. One of the main reasons for their modesty has to do with their history.  It's no secret that the Australians whose ancestors came from Britain were forcibly sent there, for the majority that is.  In other words, some of their ancestors were criminals.  Back when Australia was being settled by the British, most of the settlers were given a choice of either be hung or settling in a new land.  What would you choose?  So off they went, ship by ship, until the practice ended by the late 1800's. Of course, when trying to answer the question of modesty, everything is theory, but this is one theory grounded in fact.

Australian modesty?  How about geographic isolation?  Australia is the largest "island continent" in the world.  But it is a continent because it sits on it's own tectonic plate in a very remote part of the world.  It takes a long time to get there, either by plane or by ship.  It took me over fifty-two hours to fly from Boston, Ma. to Perth, Western Australia!  Of course with stops along the way, it is just a long flight.  So how does this affect modesty?  Because being so isolated from the rest of the world, sometimes the Aussies feel that they are "more observers" than participants.  At least that is my take on it from talking to my Australian friends.  You see, they are one of the most traveled people in the world.  They are more inclined to visit the United States or other parts of the globe as opposed to the reverse.  Somehow, this isolation affects their psyche.  Don't ask me to explain, because I really can't.  I'm just reporting on what my Aussie friends tell me they feel like.

Is it their funny accent that makes them feel modest?  Maybe, but why is that?  Because even though some people confuse them of being British because of their accent, they really aren't.  They are Australian through and through, and they don't particularly like being called a "Pom".  When I lived in Perth, I was confused myself!  I didn't understand the "Aussie" mentality until my friends explained it to me. It's all rather complicated, but suffice it to say, Australians are Australians!  And I love them for it!

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