There are [many] times a year when I look at myself in the mirror and see how far in my life I’ve come to become the strong person I am here today. And with assistance from one little thing, I’ve been comfortable and happy living in this world… completely ignorant (and perhaps beneficially intentionally). It means that I’ve never looked deep into the negative aspects of the universe… but there have been numerous occasions this year when I’ve found that clichéd expression is really out of tune.
Ignorance is not bliss. Living in another country for a year, I’ve been asked a number of questions about my country, and not all of them have been roses. They’ll go from the silly and absurd, to the amusing and plain insulting.
Here below I’ve included a short list of some of my favourite questions, along with a few that other exchange students from Australia have been asked about our motherland.
1. Is there winter in Australia? – Sweden
2. Do you celebrate Christmas in Australia? – Denmark
3. Can you buy potatoes in Australia? – Germany
4. Does it rain in Australia? – Denmark
5. Do you have chocolate in Australia? – Switzerland
6. Are there cows in Australia? – Germany
7. Do people drink milk in Australia? – Finland
8. Do you have facebook in Australia? – Belgium
9. Is there a bridge between Australia and New Zealand? – Sweden
10. What type of washing machine does one use in Australia? – Norway
11. You speak Australian in Australia, right? – Denmark
12. Have you heard of wireless internet? – Sweden
13. Where exactly in America is Melbourne? – Austria
14. What language do you speak in Australia? – Germany
15. Don’t you have giraffes in Australia? No? What about Lions? – Denmark
16. Is it true you have a kangaroo in your garage instead of a car? – Germany
17. Do you have hot water in Australia? – Austria
18. Have you ever met an aboriginal? – Switzerland
19. Do you have mobiles in Australia? – Denmark
20. Don’t you speak spanish in Australia? – Brazil
and last but not least, a girl from Perth got asked this:
21. Have you ever walked to Sydney? – Austria
So my dear friends, I have to point something out… don’t ask dumb questions… in this day and age, I’m certain most countries have access to milk, chocolate and potatoes.
Half the stuff you say sounds ridiculous I’ll have you know… and the other half isn’t embarrassing, it’s irritating… and depressing to know that you’re clueless. ;]
Now what can one learn from this?
When you travel overseas, don’t feel obliged to ask every question under the sun… it’s called Wikipedia. That shit has all the answers. ;]
Ryan
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