Aussie learns Yanks’ ways on the fort

Sierra Vista Herald/Review ^ | Bill Hess

[SandRat]

Australian Army Capt. Tony Sewell. (Mark Levy•Herald/Review)

[SandRat]

News on one a Digger in Arizona.

[ARE SOLE]

Tony has a cammi hairdo.

Regards

[saganite]

First and foremost, he says, Australians do not drink Foster’s beer.

Correct! Fosters is for tourists. VB (Victoria Bitters) is real beer.

[John Leland 1789]

I was raised in the United States and my parents, both US born, always referred to rubber flip-flops as “thongs.” I grew up calling rubber flip-flops “thongs.”

I was speaking in a church in Indiana, describing our work in Asia, and used the word “thongs” referring to footwear, and later someone told me, “You shouldn’t use the word “thongs” for footwear, because people thought you were talking about something worn on the private parts.”

SINCE WHEN?! I was in my 40s when I spoke in that church. I had spent 6-1/2 years in the US military. I NEVER ONCE remember the word “thongs” used to refer to something worn on the private parts.

[Jaysun]

I still have a pair of titties from the 1980s around here somewhere.

[kstewskis]

One day while relaxing with some American friends, the 28-year-old officer mentioned he was going to put on his thongs.

The comment elicited some raised eyebrows and pointed comments about why Sewell would want to put on the skimpy item meant for the most private of parts.

Of course, what the captain meant to impart “to the mates,” he was going to wear flip-flops, shower shoes, things on his feet.

[ErnBatavia]

In Australia a hamburger is basically a patty on a roll with condiments. But, in the United States “you can go in and can have 15 different variations,” the captain said. He has visited the local Australia-themed Outback Steakhouse, an American restaurant chain he calls “pretend Australia.” First and foremost, he says, Australians do not drink Foster’s beer.

One of the best burgers I had in Oz was an "Aussieburger" at a little joint in Perth, W.A. - It's a big old fatburger that combines the ingredients of a large U.S. breakfast burger...a complete fried egg goes into the mix...huge!

I totally agree with him re Outback - phony/baloney, and nary one of those world famous Austalian lobster tails in sight.

And insofar as beer, at least in their western states, Swan Export is the way to glug.

[Woodman]

Swan Lager, Toohey’s, Southwark Bitter, XXXX, those are real beers.

[ErnBatavia]

I still have a pair of titties from the 1980s around here somewhere.

Gravity hint: look way down...

[Woodman]

Of course CUB owns most all of them these days including Vic Bitter.

[Pablo64]

"To him, though, baseball is slow."

Well, see, that's only because it is slow.

[Jaysun]

Gravity hint: look way down...

You mean behind me (I throw them over my shoulders)? No, I'm talking about a pair of flip-flops that were popular back then. Seemed like everyone in Texas had a pair.

[SWAMPSNIPER]

Australia and the United States are nearly similar in size, “if you cut off Washington (state) and some of the Northeast.”

---

Now there’s an idea!

[Hazcat]

I was raised in the United States and my parents, both US born, always referred to rubber flip-flops as “thongs.” I grew up calling rubber flip-flops “thongs.”

Me too. From PA originally. Now 53 and if someone said they were going to put on thongs (plural) I would know they meant foot wear.

[txroadkill]

My dad worked for a "company" that had an "Office" in Australia and did 4 rotations in Alice Springs. When my parents first got to Australia they went to eat and ordered Iced Tea, the waiter looked at them funny for a second, shrugged his shoulders and walked away as he mumbled "crazy yanks" under his breath. A few minutes latter he brought them both steaming hot cups of tea with a scoop of ice cream in them.

[bannie]

HORAY AUSSIES!!! WELCOME TO AMERICA!!!!

I think Aussies are our closest relatives, and I just love 'em!!!

(When I was a kid, flip-flops were called "thongs," too.)

[Woodman]

Alice Springs, that’s where they race boats with no bottoms down a dry riverbed right?

[Mr. Mojo]

I was raised in the United States and my parents, both US born, always referred to rubber flip-flops as “thongs.” I grew up calling rubber flip-flops “thongs.”

Same here. I think the transformation of the word "thong" from footwear to string bikini took place in the last 10 years. ....15 at most.

[John Leland 1789]

To me soccer is too slow, and much too much back and forth accomplishing nothing at all.