Thread

1. mindwok · 1789603159 · focus · HN ↗

   As an Australian, I have noticed a shift personally in feeling like I identify more with "European" culture, compared to 10 years ago I felt like we were the 51st state and I felt very close with the US.

   This seems to be shared by others, I remember reading there was a survey that asked Australians who they felt our closest international friend was. The US was the top answer for over a decade, having stolen the crown from the UK I think in the late 90s or something. Recently though, it switched to New Zealand.

   1. mianos · 1789608120 · focus · HN ↗

      Having spent a lot of time in the UK, EU and US, I feel Sydney is way more like California than say London or European cities, in terms of living, shopping and culture. Even things from the US are coming here, like the growth of Halloween.

      If you walk into a shop, the US is much more like Australia in terms of service and attitude (even though retail staff are paid vastly differently).

      I always thought this was due to TV and Australia having remote branches of many US retail chains.

      Outside of California, it's similar but diverges a lot in areas like socialism. In the recent 20 years Australia has pretty much become more like the EU in terms of socialism.

      1. underwater · 1789617432 · focus · HN ↗

         I agree. Since moving back from California a decade ago, Australia has felt more and more American.

         Big cars, the slow incursion of American sports, more American brands popping up (including Starbucks actually getting a foothold), Gen-Z using American terms like math and trash, and a rise in the “screw you” style of American individualism.

         I don’t think any of this is making Australia a better place to live.

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