Why are Australians so ungrateful?

[Saskwach]

So I've been wondering for a while, but the Americans=emotional thread encouraged me.
You see, in Australia we have many synonyms for thanks, none of which hold quite the same level of sincerity of appreciation to them. They aren't nasty, just less thankful, or at least less overtly and wishy-washily thankful. We have "ta" and "cheers" and "you bloody BEWDY!" (mostly for sports). I'm sure there are some I've forgotten. "Ta" is for the small gestures: thanks for giving me what you owed me anyway; thanks for what I was waiting for; thanks for the beer but it was my money. "Cheers" is much the same, but at a slightly higher level. And "you beaut" or "you beauty" is either for extreme exclamation at a sportsperson's achievement or a deliberately exaggerated sign of gratitude. All this just so avoid saying thank you.
So please Escapist, psychoanalyse us.

 

[Puzzles]

We are just lazy.

Ta, cheers, thanks is all I ever say, they are quick, they are easy.

 

[Bernzz]

I was about to ask why you had an American flag in your avatar before I saw Cthulhu standing there...

I'm Aussie, and if I really really super duper mean it, then I give a heartfelt thanks. A very sincere one. Buuuut normally I say cheers.

 

[rossatdi]

It was years before even a legal, over-the-counter transaction between citizens didn't end with one of the parties yelling 'yoink!' and taking off with their legally purchased goods at a sprinters pace.

Of course back then the national dress was still striped.

 

[Hammered]

You started out as a penal colony, correct?
In prison, saying "thanks" is like wearing a sign that says "all shivs welcome."

It's just natural progression of language.

Point well made, nothing more to add, think that hit the nail on the head.

 

[awesomebillfromdawsonville]

I dunno but seeing as you all started as a penal colony... I really would not have wanted my "countrymen" calling me a beauty. At all. Australians are probably ingrates because of the opposite toilet swirly action. EVERYONE who's toilet swirls backwards isn't grateful. I dont blame you either.

 

[bjj hero]

It was always going to happen, we exported all of our nationals with no manners to Australia...

Still do, we now call it emigrating.

 

[whiskey rock n' roller]

While I'm sure most people know Austraila was used as a prison colony it started with the indigenous Australians, or Aboriginal's. While my knowledge of Australian history isn't perfect, and possessing no psychological skills beyond watching Fraiser. Perhaps its like you feel guilty for taking the aboriginals land, but hard done by because it was against your will. Hence the insincerity in your thanks.

 

[cas]

because they have lost so many babies to dingos over the years that they are too heartbroken

 

[riskroWe]

I can't say "thanks heaps" or "thanks a lot" without someone assuming I'm being sarcastic. That has something to do with it I'm sure. Maybe gratitude is just unnecessary, because we take for granted that people help other people whenever they can? Aussies are incredibly generous folk.

 

[historybuff]

I think Australians are cute.

But then again, all the ones I met were awesome and they weren't on their home turf. So I imagine it's different there.

 

[Puzzles]

I dunno but seeing as you all started as a penal colony... I really would not have wanted my "countrymen" calling me a beauty. At all. Australians are probably ingrates because of the opposite toilet swirly action. EVERYONE who's toilet swirls backwards isn't grateful. I dont blame you either.

On the toilet swirl thing, I've never seen one swirl at all. Over here they just splash the water about and suck it right down the tube. No swirl, just turbulent water sucked down.

But on going to America, I found a lot that did swirl.

Maybe seeing the thrashing water several times a day agitates us.

 

[Angerwing]

Perhaps it's the whole 'tall poppy syndrome' we seem to have. We don't get that many up themselves Australians, humility seems to rate pretty highly in the public eye. Perhaps that has something to do with it?

 

[awesomebillfromdawsonville]

I dunno but seeing as you all started as a penal colony... I really would not have wanted my "countrymen" calling me a beauty. At all. Australians are probably ingrates because of the opposite toilet swirly action. EVERYONE who's toilet swirls backwards isn't grateful. I dont blame you either.

On the toilet swirl thing, I've never seen one swirl at all. Over here they just splash the water about and suck it right down the tube. No swirl, just turbulent water sucked down.

But on going to America, I found a lot that did swirl.

Maybe seeing the thrashing water several times a day agitates us.

Yeah, maybe that's it. It seems like an infuriating image to have to come across every time you drain your lizard.... or is it geckos for you all?

 

[Puzzles]

Yeah, maybe that's it. It seems like an infuriating image to have to come across every time you drain your lizard.... or is it geckos for you all?

Anaconda is probably most fitting.

 

[awesomebillfromdawsonville]

Yeah, maybe that's it. It seems like an infuriating image to have to come across every time you drain your lizard.... or is it geckos for you all?

Anaconda is probably most fitting.

 

[awesomebillfromdawsonville]

Yeah, maybe that's it. It seems like an infuriating image to have to come across every time you drain your lizard.... or is it geckos for you all?

Anaconda is probably most fitting.

LOL. I ain't even beginning to go there....

 

[whiskey rock n' roller]

sorry like i say my knowledge on the history of Australia is poor. So how about this, since Australia is a far nicer country than the UK (weather wise any way) their like thanks for sending us here (but not sincerly because it was meant to be a punishment)