I have an Asian family living next door to me and one day while I was mowing the lawn over the weekend the father spoke to me and told me about how he wants to better "assimilate to Australian culture." Unlike me, he is a Liberal voter, so he takes what John Howard says very seriously. He wanted my guidance and asked me how he could assimilate. He drove a black Mercedes so I suggested to him that instead of driving a European car that he drive an Australian car instead, i.e. an Australian-made car like a Commodore or Camry. He asked "What else do I have to do?" He kept asking me as if he was expected me to write a checklist of things he needed to do to be an Australian. I told him that I didn't really know the answer to his question and that I'd get back to him later when he comes to my house to pick up his kids. So what should I tell him? Should he start playing cricket and drink beer?
2007-01-15 15:36:08 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Cultures & Groups ➔ Other - Cultures & Groups
Sounds like he's on the right track already, socialising with Aussies and asking questions. I'd tell him he doesn't have to drive any particular car or play any particular sport or drink any particular drink. These are superficial things. Australians are as different from one another as a Commodore is from a Mercedes. What we have in common is a mutual respect for one another and a good humour about ourselves and each other. I would encourage him to keep asking questions of his Aussie friends (to learn about us), but also to share things about the culture he grew up in. That way, everybody wins. :)
2007-01-15 17:20:19 · answer #1 · answered by The Mad Shillelagh 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I don't think he has to DO anything. Not every Australian plays AFL or rugby or has a penchant for beer and V8 cars. I guess part of assimilation is just conversing with people freely, regardless of their ancestral background. If he relaxes and abides by our laws and shares our values (which he should seeing as he chose to migrate here) then he should make friends and assimilate easily.
If he tries too hard he'll end up like Apu in that episode of the Simpsons when he purchases a dodgy American birth certificate. Lol.
2007-01-15 23:59:13 · answer #2 · answered by Kble 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Probably just hang out with Aussies. Tell him to join a club or sport (Aussie Rules or Rugby and he would get both the drinking and the jargon out of it), go to school, tour the country, do some charity work, etc. Basically, anything that takes him out of his comfort zone and helps him make friends with Australians. There is no better way to understand or be absorbed by a culture than to befriend and hang out with the natives of a nation.
2007-01-15 23:49:29 · answer #3 · answered by fish 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Yeah what's Australian culture supposed to be? Our culture (I thought) was a mix of many. If your friend wants to be a part of Australia he just needs to socialise with and have respect for Australians of all races/religions. Which sounds like something he's probably already doing. Things like beer, BBQ's, AFL, cricket are just stereotypical things he could try out if he wanted but aren't requirements.
2007-01-15 23:53:12 · answer #4 · answered by helehelo 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Aussie mateship (friendship), the concept of a 'fair go' (equality) inclusion (multicultural diversity) larrikinism (knock-about sense of humour) hard work, carefree attitude, friendly, challenge injustice, strong convictions, love of freedom and democracy, love of family, law-abiding, English-speaking......
2007-01-15 23:43:28 · answer #5 · answered by Ashley 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
How about go back in the past and take your mom to australia, so she can give birth to him. Why would he reject his own culture?
2007-01-15 23:40:37 · answer #6 · answered by Donovan G 5 · 0⤊ 3⤋