Average Aussie
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Nick
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Cheryl
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Rebecca | Todd |
Rebecca: I suppose a stereotypical Australian would be in board shorts, thongs, as in flip-flops, and outside, having a barbeque drinking a beer I suppose.
Todd: So in Australia, leisure time is very important?
Rebecca: Yes, it is. Yes. It's interesting though because we do really look for the leisure time that we have but yet the working... if you have a look at the working rates, they are quite high. The figures are quite high, so.
Todd: Oh, yeah, really.
Rebecca: Yeah. Yeah. We do have long working hours. I think that's more so for people who are in farming and have their own business.
Todd: So, on average, you know, how many hours do you think an average Australian works a week?
Rebecca: I think the figures are 45 hours plus.
Todd: That's a lot.
Rebecca: Yeah, yeah, it can be.
Todd: Now, do Australians usually have a lot of holidays during year? Vacation time?
Rebecca: Yeah, it definitely depends on what area your working in. I get four weeks per year, and then if own your own business, you can take holidays, but you need to work hard to get those holidays.
Todd: So what are the big vacation times in Australia?
Rebecca: The big vacation times are generally... coincide with school holidays, I suppose because families, so it would be September, because that's coming into summer and then Christmas is always quite big as well.
Todd: Now in the States, we have a phrase, you know, "Work hard, play harder." Do you think that would fit Australians?
Rebecca: Yeah, I suppose it can. Definitely. Yeah, we definitely work hard, but yes, when we do get a chance to go out and play, that is quite hard as well.
If you had to stereotype an Australian, what would you say?
A 'stereotype' is common belief about a person, culture, religion, etc., that is often negative and not true. Notice the following:
- A common stereotype of Americans is that they all have guns.
- That New York is dangerous is just a stereotype.
A stereotypical Australian would be in thongs, as in flip-flops.
We use the phrase 'as in' to clarify meaning. Notice the following:
- I always wear trainers, as in sport shoes, to school.
- Mexicans often put hot sauce, as in spicy, on their food.
I think the figures are 45 hours plus.
Here, the word 'plus' simply means 'more than'. Notice the following:
- My dad works 45 plus hours a week.
- My dad works more than 45 hours a week
It depends on what area you're working in.
Here, we use the word 'area' to talk about what kind of job someone has. Notice the following:
- Her mother is a CEO. She works in the corporate area.
- What area are you working in?
Do you think that would fit Australians?
Something that 'fits' us is a correct statement or opinion about who or what we are. Notice the following:
- "No pain, no gain." Would that fit body builders?
- "Honesty is the best policy." Would that fit politicians? Not!
Vocabulary Quiz
fits • area
Mike talks about a good work out routine for arms and chest.
