AUS and USA differences

One of the most common questions I am asked about Australia is, "What are the biggest differences between Australia and the States?"  This is a difficult question to answer because everything is very similar yet everything is a little different.   A common misconception is that people assume that Australia is the same as the United States because they speak English.  People also believe that Australia is a Christian nation because America is.  These are both false assumptions and the longer you live in Australia the more clear this becomes.  But because inquiring minds want to know, here are my top five differences between the States and Australia in no particular order:

• Australian people have an insatiable appetite for American news, especially politics.  When I met new people, one of the first things people would ask is about President Obama or health care reform.  Australians care more about American politics than most Americans by far!  Australian newspapers and newscasts are completely saturated with American news.  The "balloon boy" hoax, swine flu, the Fort Hood shootings, even obesity in America is captivating and intruiging to Aussies.  I spoke to a gentleman who travelled to Chicago around 2001 and experienced what he thought was poor reporting.  To receive the news coverage of America he was accustomed used the internet to access Australian news channels to get American news!  We don't hear much about Australia, save natural disasters like wildfires that have been raging for weeks before we hear about them.  And if there is one in a million in America that knows Kevin Rudd is the prime minister of Australia or any of his recent policies, that would surprise me.
  
• Buying anything in Australia is expensive.  When I arrived back in the United States, I felt like an American going to Mexico for cheaper prices!  All electronics are at least twice as costly in Australia as in the States.  A new video game for the Wii is $110 plus tax, and CD's are around $25.  A Snickers bar at Cole's or Woolies is $1.75.  Tools are at least two to three times the cost and the quality is far inferior to American tools.  Some American brands like Channelock and Rigid are availble but at a inflated cost.  A gallon of Zinser primer which costs $15.99 at Home Depot runs $88 at Bunnings (Australia's "do it yourself" style store).  Two polo shirts in the mall I saw on special for $79, and Old Spice aftershave costs $19.99.  And then there's added cost to drive on the motorway (freeway) with automated tolls as you drive under them, costing around $2.50 a beep.  It is not uncommon on a trip covering 20 kilometers to have at least $15 in tolls that will automatically be deducted from an account.  Buying a car?  Let's not even get into that! And mobile phone plans?  Downright criminal.
  
• Christian religious education is compulsory even in public schools from grade 8 and down, and is optional in college (grades 9 - 12).  Volunteers are allowed to go into public schools and teach the Bible with curriculum provided by the state which is actually quite good.  I spoke to two people on planes who were not believers but thought it invaluable their children be taught the Bible so they could make an educated decision on what to believe.  There is ignorance but also a openness to solid Bible teaching.  Even unbelievers believe that there is some truth contained within that pages of scripture, and after a brief explanation are convinced that there might be more to the Bible than previously thought!  Despite the religious classes, there is not the Biblical foundation that we have in America in churches.  The vast majority of people do not know the scriptures, and they are unlikely to be exposed to the Bible in most churches because of the topical, subjective style "studies" that are held forth as sermons.  Pray that real Christian volunteers with a passion for God's Word and anointed to teach are in these classes!
  
• Everyone from grade 12 and below wear school uniforms, complete with hat.  It reminded me of school children in England when I would drive during the mornings when kids walked to school.  Every school has their uniform:  boys wearing suits or jumpers with girls wearing skirts and sweaters (jumpers).  It is a law that all kids outside while at school or participating in sport wear a hat.  Most of these hats are round wide-brimmed for girls and boys resemble old-school painter's hats with a piece of fabric hanging from the back.  Unlike the States where uniforms are not the norm, the exact opposite is true in Australia.
• Australians see themselves in relation to the world and relish their country.  As I watched television adverts or listened to the news, I began to hear something said over and over again:  "in the world."  For instance, I read that Brisbane had the largest gathering for Buddah's birthday in the world.  Brisbane also boasts the hottest (spiciest) hamburger in the world.  Every day I would hear things like, "Australia has the most cases of skin cancer in the world," "Australia has the largest underwater forests in the world," "Australia has taken the title of the most obese country in the world from America," "Koalas are unique in the world only to Australia," and even "Australia has the best bees in the world!"  When I went to a house, I said "Australia has 5 of the top 10 most venomous snakes in the world!"  A young bloke said with enthusiasm, "Yeah, and they are the top 5 of the top 10 as well!"  This is not true according to my study of the subject, but you understand my point.  In America, we often don't compare ourselves with "the world."  Maybe it's because we're not insecure or we're very self-focused.  I think the latter is likely more true.

If you have any other Australia-related questions, I'd be happy to answer them.  I'm no expert to be sure, but I have learned more in two weeks first-hand in Australia than I learned in 34 years about Australia in America.  I absolutely love the people, the culture, and appreciate all the little nuances and differences.  We must be careful we do not stand in judgment of those who are from different cultures and backgrounds.  Often it is not a matter of right and wrong.  The left side is not the right side of the road to drive on, nor is the right the "wrong" side.  Aussies say "tomahto" instead of "tomato" and "emew" instead of "emu."  The differences are not as important as how we are the same:  all people have been made in God's image.  We all have a need for forgiveness and salvation through Jesus Christ.  How shall they hear unless there is a preacher?  How shall I preach unless I am sent?  Praise be to God who has sent me and will provide my family as we take steps to obey God's call.