04/24/24
June 02, 2015
Matthew Dellavedova and the Australian Way.: “What the fuck are you staring at?” That’s the attitude Australia takes into the world, in sport as in much else."
posted by owlhouse to basketball at 12:20 AM - 6 comments
Gosh, this will be upsetting to all US casual diners who have bought into the hospitality gospel according to the Outback Steakhouse marketing department. Stunning to learn that Australia is not brimming with hearty, cheerful can-do barbie wranglers just waiting to prawn up the next group of hungry Yanks who walk in the door ready to have the time of their lives.
The first Australian I can remember who brought the fuck you squint to the States was tennis titan Rod Laver. He was from the pre-McEnroe era, so he didn't pull spoiled brat entitlement tantrums.
When a dubious call went against him, Laver would just look up at the Chair Umpire and do to his umbrella what kids do to dry leaves with sunlight and a magnifying glass.
posted by beaverboard at 10:11 AM on June 02, 2015
I will always remember my one trip to Australia in USS Midway in 1987. We made a port visit to Sydney, some of the wives chartered a Malaysian Air flight from Japan (our home port), and we had a wonderful 10 days or so. The wives had to leave a couple of days before we sailed, so there was some time to enjoy a bit different side of Sydney. It was then I learned that in the late afternoon getting a beer in a bar near Circular Quay was a contact sport. Not that there were any fights, or even unpleasantries. No, it's just that the place was so damn crowded one had to really wriggle through the bodies to get close enough to put in his order. Finally figured out that it was a cooperative sport as well. Yell out your desire, and soon enough a cold one was in your hand. Put your money in your outstretched other hand, and it was on the way to the bar. More than a few times, the money just stayed there as someone stood the round for you. Attitude? Give me more of it.
posted by Howard_T at 03:36 PM on June 02, 2015
This is, of course, a wind-up.
We also produced John Landy.
And Hugh Jackman.
posted by owlhouse at 09:48 PM on June 02, 2015
Great article with fun links, thanks.
Takeaway is, Australia is a country full of Brad Marchands. Not sure how you feel about that.