anakirob wrote:
I don't really follow sports that much (they are more fun too play than they are to watch). But the silly English obviously don't understand...
Yep, all forty-odd million of us...
...Australian culture tends to favour the "underdog". I would love to see the Australian cricket team get thrashed, preferably by either the Dutch or Canadian teams.
Well that's what I saying about British culture too. But then, our cultures are very similar when you look at the whole picture. You may think there are big differences, but we have far more in common with the Aussies, SAfricans and Canadians for example, than we do with the Americans.
There are very strong links between Britain and Australia - if you think a load of people getting worked up on a cricket pitch is an embodiment of hatred, then I think you're mistaken.
Why do you think so many tourists visit the UK from Aus and vice versa? Many Aus sportsmen compete here in cricket and rugby, our intelligence services are very chummy (don't forget Aus, NZ, UK, Canada and US are all part of SIGINT). We have very good diplomatic relations. There are many succesful Australian stars in Britain, and many Australian things are popular with the British people. I'm sure many British things are a hit with the Australian people too.
What the sledging is all about is. Generally speaking. The Australians HATE the English (This goes back to the time of convicts).
I have to disagree with you on that one, as its such a sweeping statement. For a start, not all Aussies are descended from convicts - there was a lot of subsequent voluntary settlement. Secondly, are you saying that all Australians are racists? Because "The Australians HATE the English" strikes me as being racist. Does anyone else agree?
And the Indians/Pakistanis hate the whites (AU, UK, etc.), so they sledge us.
Again, that's far too sweeping. You're also saying all Indians and Pakistanis are racists?
Sure, people get worked up about sport, but thats healthy, that's what makes it interesting. I meant what I said about wanting to see the Aussies get beaten in cricket in the earlier post in the most amiable way. Hell, why do you think I want to see them get beaten? Because they're bloody good and they know it, that's why! That's meant as I suppose almost a compliment to Australian sport!
I think there'a line between a bit of gentle ribbing between nations [in the same way that friends take the piss out of each other] and hatred.
I do so with a lot of the members of this board from other nations all the time. Look at what Vincent said earlier on this thread as an example, its a bit of banter, that's all...It makes me smile, it doesn't offend me, and he knows it doesn't :-)