a long chat about australia...

[@harri3020]

Rather than atheist, the term 'secular' is more appropriate. We had an evangelical Prime Minister in 2019, and he was ridiculed for openly flaunting his religion. It's just not something we want to see in our politicians, and we certainly dont want it driving policy.

[@lauramartin12]

I think it’s good to separate church and state as well, it’s what allows people to be free in America

[@soullessnight6539]

I do want it in politics. Australia was built on Christianity. We were a Christian country. If we don’t start getting back to our roots, another religion that goes against our way of life and above our laws will takeover e.g Muslims. Muslims beliefs are above the law of the land. Australia will be a primary Muslim country in the future all bc we didn’t stand up to what this countries culture was built on… Christianity. It is ok not to believe in anything but you cannot complain when these people who do believe in something takeover and you are forced to live under their beliefs

[@aidanmargarson8910]

@@lauramartin12as outside observers .. you guys aren't free .. most people in the world in gaol .. medical bankruptcies .. driving while black .. corporate control of politics .. really bad food .. one could go on

[@dutchroll]

It’s a little odd for someone to ask about Australia being “primarily an atheist country”. It would be more accurate to say we’re “less religious” than the USA and according to the national census have roughly a third of the population who don’t follow a religion. Eg, you rarely find politicians here trying to appeal to a religious base and it’s considered a private, personal thing but one which you’re totally free to have. Proselytising outside of church (eg door-knocking, handing out leaflets, and so on) is considered very uncool and would normally elicit eye-rolls. Also very few Aussies have time for religious lobby groups dabbling in public policy issues, which they seem to do a lot in the USA.

[@supergran62]

The national census analysts acknowledge that this result is slightly skewed. There was a movement prior to the last census for people to mark any Christian religious affiliation if you don’t practice in any way, so that the predominantly christian heritage of this country didn’t change to Muslim. Historically, even though I don’t practice any religious affiliation, I would mark Anglican or Christian, because that is how I was raised and my family heritage. It is only in later years that I’ve decided to mark none.

[@dutchroll]

​@@supergran62 that's interesting. The census does not and should not care what the "heritage" is. It is a snapshot of the current society, not a past one. I know a number of people who never go to church, tell me they're not a believer, and actively avoid religious conversation, but who still mark a Christian religion on the census because that's what their parents were. Which doesn't make any sense. You are what you practice and believe, and are not what you don't, no matter what results that throws up in the analysis.

[@supergran62]

@@dutchroll exactly. This is precisely why the census analysts say this data is flawed.

[@frasermiller-bz3qf]

Yes exactly. This carries over into politics exactly the same. I don't remember in the 62 years since being able to vote have anyone actually tell me they are ( lib, lab etc) and will always vote that way, hell or high water. Heard of folks who say they have always voted some way, but not in the context of an upcoming election always a past event.

[@ericglasson7140]

Both American and Australia are officially secular countries. That is, neither country has an official religion.

[@glennrandall7468]

Glad your experience with Australia and Australians was a positive one. Loved your posts as you seem to be down to earth and open to new adventures, something that I'm sure is suited to living in Australia 🇦🇺

[@lauramartin12]

Thank you so much!! I really appreciate it :)

[@JB-zs1oq]

Aussies don't just talk "mateship", it is essentially how most of us tend to relate to and look after others. It's something that is ingrained and cannot be bought.

[@belindaclarke7803]

Many Americans don't realise there are other countries out there I experienced that in your country . You are a lovely refreshing open minded lass all the best.

[@lauramartin12]

Thank you! You’re absolutely right though, people do tend to be a bit ignorant here

[@AlexaLikes]

Amazing, you are so lucky to have gone to study there. I'm older and just got back vacation in Sydney. I have been binging content about Australia because it was so wonderful. I live in Canada where the grass is greener everywhere else, literally!

[@Azure1964]

"Travel broadens the mind". It's a cliche but so true.

[@lauramartin12]

I completely agree!

[@robparsons1527]

Thanks Laura for answering all these nosey questions (several from me). Glad that Pooh found a happy home! The food one was very interesting, sounds like your mum (mom haha) is on the ball on that score. If you ever have missing Oz pangs they have 50 teams playing Aussie Rules Footy over there (the U.S.) now (don't know if there are any in your local area, check online USAFL,) but if there are you could take your friends to a game, haha, they would be so confused. Seems the friendliness of everyone overall was a stand out which is great to hear, the more videos I see from travellers to Oz the more I'm coming to the conclusion that Aussie's are sort of next level on that cultural area, kinda proud of that one. The fireworks being mistaken for gun shots I have heard many times (sadly a very common reaction for U.S. Americans), hope your country can get that sorted out one day. Love that you still rip into a bit of Vegemite every now and then. I reckon there's defo a bit of Aussie living in your heart now. I hope you can find your way back here one day (you will always be welcomed) and if you could bring your family with you that would be great fun, you'd be the experienced traveller showing them around (and yelling "Look Out! Drop bears in the trees around here!" lol). Overall sounds like your time here was filled with mostly positives which is great to hear. Wishing you, your family and friends all the best. Cheers mate, 'ave a good one.

[@lauramartin12]

Thank you for your kindness, and your good questions! You guys definitely do stand out with your niceness, and should be proud of that :) I still haven’t told my family and friends about drop bears… hopefully it won’t scare them off!

[@AndrewMcDonald-v5k]

Wollongong is a great place. Glad you loved it. It is as good as you have found it

[@lauramartin12]

Yes it was such a beautiful place!

[@FastRiposte]

Huntsman are friendly spiders. They eat all the other bugs and generally leave you alone. You only get bitten if you are trying to kill them. You can often get them to crawl on your arm and move them off the car where they are safe.

[@lauramartin12]

I have heard that many people leave them in their houses to kill bugs and such, I wish that they didn’t freak me out so much😂

[@peterbreis5407]

@@lauramartin12 They are big, but they are also very scared of you. They are simply trying to get away. I don't know of anyone who has ever been bitten, from reports even if you are it is just a local sting.

[@martinmckowen1588]

@@lauramartin12growing up we would get into trouble if we killed a huntsman. We would just leave them to catch the flys.

[@Dobuan75]

I’m so sad that they killed the poor huntsman. 😢 My current one I’ve named ‘Belinda’ and she takes care of all the other bugs very nicely.

[@timmy3441]

Regarding the topic of "Americans tend to think Aussies/Brits are so cool, do Australians see Americans the same way?" - I think an important factor here is that most Aussies have spent their childhoods completely surrounded by American media. It was pretty common as an Aussie kid in the 90s/2000s to come home from school and watch The Simpsons at 6, followed by NCIS after that, followed by another American drama etc. Movie theatres are largely dominated by US produced films featuring predominantly American actors etc. It's led to a situation where many Americans seem to view Aussies as exotic in some way, but it's quite one sided since we tend to be much more exposed to the US via TV/movies or even just places like youtube, whereas the exposure of your average American to Aussie culture tends to be much lower. I'm a little shocked that someone in Australia told you that "Americans have no culture" though, that's something I've only ever heard Americans say about themselves (in my view it stems from their own culture being so normal to them that they can no longer see what's unique about it from the inside). I think if you ask most Aussies there are many, many little things that are distinctly culturally American that stand out to us. Just for one example, even little things like people drinking from red paper cups (or playing beer pong with them) at college parties is seen as a distinct part of American culture to us haha.

[@lauramartin12]

This was so insightful! Thank you for sharing. It does make sense why that dynamic exists for sure. I think it also has to do with media portrayal of us as a country. And thats cool to hear your perspective about our country too, especially little things like red solo cups!😂

[@kayelle8005]

When I visited the USA (about a dozen times) I noticed that’s on average the food quality was poorer and that the famed “great customer service” was very shallow. In Australia you get good and bad service but if someone is talking with you they are genuine and you can have a fun conversation or a deep conversation or a surface level conversation and it’s all good. In the USA they wanted to have a bright, cheesy smile and ask what you needed but you could rarely ever really engage with them because they wanted to quickly move onto the next person. This is one of the issues of businesses not paying their staff properly. When staff are desperate for tips to survive they do what they think they have to in order to get the tip . I also noticed the men and women were much more divided into stereotyped roles, and a lot of the men were very loud talking in public in a peacock way. Only three reasons for me to visit the USA. My friends, the scenery and there are courses I attend.

[@davexenos9196]

It was 41 yesterday and 41 the day before. I envy your cool weather.

[@lauramartin12]

I envy your hot weather!😂

[@carlray7224]

Well done Laura!!! For just a random video recommendation I'm glad I took the opportunity to watch. Your comments were insightful and well articulated. I spent three months road tripping around the States in the early nineties and the place and the people were just the very best. Unfortunately I doubt we will ever see those times again, more's the pity. I will say that every aspect of Australian life that you found appealing could quite easily be the US of A as we do hold similar values in so many ways. Unfortunately the social division and unwillingness to accept other points of view in America now seems to dominate and does not auger well for the future I'm sad to say. Anyway, glad you enjoyed your stay 'down under' and you and the family would be welcome back anytime - thumbs up for your video.

[@lauramartin12]

Thank you so much for your kind words! I’m glad you enjoyed :)

[@darryl6706]

Your comment about food in usa I work in food manufacturing in Australia when we exported food to USA the rules set by fda we had to use artificial flavours and colouring in Australia iit was all natural which is much better

[@claytonsmoothy314]

Good to hear you enjoyed it here,the gong is a great place

[@davidcooper5010]

Laura, I'm so pleased you enjoyed your time Down Under. Hopefully, you'll return one day soon and meet a nice Aussie boy during your stay.

[@Richo732]

25:30 An Irish woman in Australia on a working holiday visa once told me, quite seriously, that "Australia has no culture..." So I can identify with your comments there. Most Aussies don't feel any fascination with America simply because of the amount of US pop culture they're exposed to every day; movies, tv shows, fast food.....

[@zackhenderson4493]

Hey Laura I still haven’t learnt poker either hahah was a great flight beside ya made a 14 hour flight feel like 2 hours ! Good to see your sticking with the KZbin vids !! ✈️🇮🇪

[@lauramartin12]

Haha that’s funny! Yea you were a great plane buddy, it’s good to hear from you!!

[@belindaclarke7803]

We don't need an overload of food stores .Religion is around of course you would have seen many churches . I can't walk around barefoot the ground can get furiously hot.I am glad you liked your experiences here mostly.

[@lauramartin12]

Thank you!!

[@aidanmargarson8910]

most capital cities in australia have a "market" with fresh produce direct from the farm

[@sg4364]

Hi Laura, absolutely loved this chat. Sounds like you are in a beautiful part of the world. Don't let ignorant comments by some people upset you. My background is Italian, born in Oz. I had a cousin visit from Italy who said the same thing about Aus, that we have no culture. I was taken aback and you know what? It just really showed her lack of knowledge and awareness!

[@lauramartin12]

I appreciate that, thank you! I think people forget there are other sides to culture than what they are used to

[@GaryNoone-jz3mq]

Australia is actually a very religiously tolerant society. The thing is that we are tolerant of all religions, not just Christianity.

[@user-bf8ud9vt5b]

There's a mentality of some Aussies that we don't have a culture of our own either, coz we inherited a lot from the UK etc. It's just a narrow mentality. Everyone has a culture which is derived and evolved from past generations.

[@lauramartin12]

Yes for sure! We all come from somewhere

[@tossed_about]

It was shocking for me to hear how fearful women can be about their safety on a daily basis, whether in Australia or the US. It is a terrible way for young women to grow up experiencing such a thing. It was good to hear you speak about it so clearly and its probably part of your developing personal ethical standards.

[@larissahorne9991]

I hear you when it comes to the wide variety in your stores. My sister and her family visited America from Australia. Her husband asked her to buy him some vanilla ice cream, and she couldn't believe what she saw. I don't prejudge people by where they're from. I firmly believe in taking people as I find them. I've only really met one rather stuck-up tourist from Vancouver, Canada. But then again there are nice and not so nice people in every country.

[@lauramartin12]

That is so true. There are going to be issues wherever you go. That’s a good mindset to have and I do the same thing as well

[@ianmaher4348]

Hi Laura, you have a beautiful voice, a great tone!

[@lauramartin12]

Thank you so much!

[@donaldmccarthy2755]

Was thinking the same thing!!! On top of being so relatable and informative.

[@gg_sam7847]

Vegemite and Orange juice is a pretty nice breakfast if you'd like to give that a shot

[@robertwalters5654]

I have got family in wollongong my uncle he's been out there 40 years

[@frankkovic1804]

The Gong is a great place to live in.

[@petergale9200]

Your video about your time in The Gong prompted me to revisit Wollongong the Brave / Aunty Jack / Norman Gunston. ( All on KZbin but probably a bit obscure for people from USA ) You might be amused by the song "Wollongong the Brave"

[@RyanLye1975]

We in Australia are often irritated by the limited choice in products, especially at Coles.

[@Delton05]

Comparing your videos before you went to Australia to when you were there for a while, I felt your skin cleared up... maybe it was the sun and surf and food. Did you notice any feeling of difference or feeling of well-being?

[@GaryNoone-jz3mq]

Vegemite toast is a traditional breakfast in Australia. Good wakeup food.

[@megancarden2712]

Binghamton is obviously not Italy but we have little Italy and a lot of Italian heritage in the area. I have yet to find a slice better than right here at home is my opinion.. ig I will have to go to Italy to be sure 😂

[@trevorclark5138]

You did your country proud nice girl

[@23rdsphotographyandaerials93]

G'day from the Gong 🤙

[@lauramartin12]

G’day!

[@davexenos9196]

I think the food issues in the US could be associated with trying to feed 330,000,000 people.

[@sepidehamiri677]

I lovedddd this video !!!! Def come back !

[@lauramartin12]

Someday❤️

[@allanahquinn7277]

Great video Laura. I have been to the US a few times and you will be pleased to know we have always had friendly encounters. New Yorkers were a bit stand offish but I find if you are in any major city eg Paris, Rome everyone is busy rushing to work, trains etc. If I’m a bit lost and need to ask a question I look for someone who is obviously not in a hurry, casually shopping etc. I personally don’t know anyone who `dislikes’ Americans but I definitely think the world’s perception of the US has changed over the past few years with Trump and mass shootings 😢. Also as a born and bred Sydney woman I was definitely taught to walk with your car keys in case you felt threatened and I taught my girls the same. Unfortunately it’s another universal woman thing 🤬. Pleased you were able to eat healthy here as I’m sure your wise mum was. Stay happy and go to Spain one day it’s great.

[@megancarden2712]

I see how Americans get a bad wrap too.. I feel like it's a my way or the highway kind of mindset but not every one is like that I swear!

[@petergale9200]

I am surprised when people from USA, comment on Australians going out bare foot. If no broken glass, not gravel, not hot bitumen, why not ?

[@lauramartin12]

I agree with this mentality! It’s just a cultural thing that is seen as unacceptable in public spaces. Many beach towns have signs that say “no shoes, no shirt, no service”. There’s been songs about it actually, wish we had the same mindset as you guys😂

[@petergale9200]

@@lauramartin12 Did people go to Salt Church barefoot ? I think that is disrespectful when people do.

[@FarnarkleKing]

When an Australian says to you that you have no culture because you were feeling homesick for American food and celebrations, it shows that that Australian hasn't travelled to America much less any other country. Overseas travel is an education that's hard to beat.

[@shanehumphries2392]

gid-A Laura 38c @10:40pm in mid NSW dry heat [ Don't miss the humidity @ the gong but do miss the beeches ] . re-jobs there is some sort of program for work in inland towns or in the out back set up by the Gov look it up all the best to you & yours No warries shane'o

[@firebrand2619]

As an Australian who has travelled a lot around the world, I always find the European like to tell me that Australia has no culture. and according to them, we dresses like Americans.🤷‍♂️ I once made the mistake walking from the beach to the pavement, barefoot in Cannes France and got the dirtiest looks whoops! 😂

[@petergale9200]

Now that you have live in Australia, do you see Australia as Atheist. The church that you attended is evangelical . Did you have pre-conceptions as to what that meant USA vs Aust ?

[@lauramartin12]

I didn’t notice it being drastically different than the US. I had about the same amount of Christian community around me

[@petergale9200]

@@lauramartin12 Evangelical in the USA has the reputation of being politically R wing on top of the 4 defining features of Christian Evangelicalism.

[@rossevans1774]

I gotta say, and please don't be offended, but you did look a lot healthier when you were in Australia.

[@glennrandall7468]

Did not know Australia is perceived as being a atheist country

[@rachaelcourtnell7275]

Not atheist we are secular. I agree, that was a mean thing to say and that person would have said the same if you were from any other country, not just USA.

[@terryjeisman7550]

Why is it such a big thing in America tha Aussies walk around bare foot? Yes we do in resort town and at the beach, but we don't go to work or school bare foot!

[@lauramartin12]

Just because you aren’t allowed to do that in public here, you’d likely get kicked out of the store

[@robertwalters5654]

You need to get a job in Australia in your early 20s it gets more complicated after late 20s with working visas

[@lauramartin12]

Good to know👍

[@hamihash]

The saddest thing in Australia is that you won't find JIF peanut butter here. haha

[@lauramartin12]

😂😂

[@mgregory2430]

Regarding religiosity and banging on Christians, we try not to do that because then people might start banging on the other religions like Islam, Hinduism, Judaism etc. We are a multicultural nation… and why not just argue about cricket. Anyway, traditionally we just worship the sun, at the beach.

[@lauramartin12]

Haha! And why not argue about cricket😂 that’s funny. Good points

[@RyanLye1975]

Australia is predominately a Christian country, we just don't herald "Hallelujah" from the rooftops like Americans do.

[@soullessnight6539]

We may have to start to bc in the next thirty to fifty years I see Australia being a prominently Muslim country.

[@RyanLye1975]

@@soullessnight6539 Not a chance! The Chinese will rapidly increase as a proportion of the population till they are about 40%+

[@angusfs5226]

Aussies are polite. That does not mean we like you. American influences will eventually destroy what we have.

[@johnnewman366]

Makes me laugh when Mericans always say they are too scared to come to Australia because of snakes and spiders. Some Australian facts: * On average, there are only TWO deaths per year from snake bite. * In the last 40+ years there has only been ONE recorded death in Australia from spider bite. Meanwhile in the USA: * There were approx 640 mass shootings in the USA in 2023. * There were 40,000+ gun related death in the USA in 2023. * In the USA there are MORE guns than people! Being an Aussie, guess which country I’m going to be safer in? And It ain’t Merica! On the subject of guns, they are not (and never have) been banned in Australia, actually there are more guns here today compared to back in 1996. But..... Since 1996 we have introduced strict licensing and registration. Any Australian can apply for a gun licence (except for those with a criminal record or a history of mental illness), but you have to have a ‘valid’ reason, such as: sport shooter, hunting, collector, farmer, pest control, etc. Licensing is also strict regarding the ‘type’ of firearm, eg, semi-auto rifles are restricted to people such as professional pest controllers and farmers, you can’t have ‘any’ firearm you want, it has to match the type of license you have. The average idiot in the suburbs can’t own a semi-auto firearm without a valid reason, for obvious reasons! Self defence is not a valid reason (that’s what the Police are for). Basically, we have firearms, but linked to sensible rules and laws.

[@reallynotyourbusiness1659]

Go on SEEK....job board in Australia... Australia is screaming for talent at present... Good luck. Oh, and broaden your job search do not pidgeon hole yourself, you never know.

[@johnnewman366]

Your comment about ‘variety/choice’ in Australian Supermarkets vs USA Supermarkets isn’t completely accurate. You said you did your shopping in Aldi, the ‘limited choice’ is an Aldi thing, it’s part of the Aldi business model, not an Australian thing, ok? If you had shopped mostly in Coles or Woolworths, you would have noticed ‘far more choice’ compared to Aldi. Yes in the USA you will get more choice of the ‘same product’, but how many choices of the ‘same thing’ do you really need? 20? 30? 50?? And I bet if you did some research, some of those ‘multiple’ choices in the USA probably come out of the same factory, just with a different label. Again, ask yourself how many choices of the same thing do you really need?

[@peterbreis5407]

Getting shot and killed in America is real. There are Australian who were starry-eyed about America and regretted it. One woman shot dead by a cop after reporting a possible rape. Another shot by a tenant over a rental disagreement. My wife and I when we went there walked out of Union Station in Washington to the sounds of police sirens criss crossing the city, there was yet another ongoing mass shooting in the naval yards. We were struck by how aggressive many Americans were and really noticed a simmering below the surface (sometimes not so below) racial tension. The so called choice in food we found illusory, most was fake, everything was just lots of packaging and stupid and unhealthy flavours. The food was mostly awful, salty, sugary, fatty, greasy and processed to death. I'm surprised you didn't mention the Crown Street market in Wollongong. Wollongong is not so large or wealthy but you can eat and shop very well at the markets.

[@MS-wz9jm]

Australia isnt atheist. We just dont talk about religion.

[@geoffsmith7079]

Knowledge level is very U.S.A.,lol

[@soullessnight6539]

It is sad that Americans are so individualist. This is why Americans will never have free health care. It’s a singular mindset not a community one.

[@PlaylistsRUs]

Hi Laura, Aussies can be ignorant too, such as that person who told you that the USA has no traditions. That type of answer could be more based on a person’s knowledge or lack of The USA. I can tell you that if you had ask people from Sydney, you might have had a different answer. People that have been, or know the USA have some type of admiration of the country. No country is perfect of course but in general, the USA has plenty of positive traits. I blame the portrayal of the USA by the media though for giving people that had never been there quite a negative perception as most of what they hear or see from the news are mass shootings, wars, intense political in fighting, mass looting of stores, the fentanyl addicts that look like zombies, gun violence, etc. the only positives that people see or hear about the USA pertains to sports and celebrities really. So you can see that kind of news delivery can skew someone’s view of the USA.

[@lauramartin12]

Yea that is exactly what I thought as well. I think our media portrays the extremes of our country. It’s not to say that we don’t have serious issues going on, but it doesn’t typically show the lifestyle that I am used to living. It’s not like the media at all

[@davidlang1125]

Here’s a dirty secret: Your positive experience of meeting so many generous and welcoming Australians was definitely better than many others because you’re a white American. Not the same experience for people who aren’t white. It’s an Australian thing that many white folks in most countries can recognize and relate to. I apologize for disabusing anyone of their rose-colored glass view of Australia. Speaking as an Australian.

[@harri3020]

Agree. Speak a language other than English, and look different (eg wear a hijab) and the welcome isn't as warm.

[@lauramartin12]

That is interesting and sad to hear. You’re right, I wouldn’t understand that side of the country. I wish people could start learning to see past those differences

[@soullessnight6539]

@@harri3020simply bc Muslims shouldn’t be allowed into Western Countries. Finally you see European Prime Ministers saying exactly the same thing. It isn’t racist to speak facts. Muslims do not assimilate and their religion is above Western countries law of the land. To think every person can live as one in the same space is simply naive. This is why you have so many countries having internal wars. People who have the same base culture can happily coexist regardless of colour or language.

[@aidanmargarson8910]

yeah we couldn't even get an acknowledgement that the land was already populated by people into the constitution or a voice to parliment

[@bradmacoz]

of course Americans have a culture, culture is what you make as your grow up… you may not have the ‘history’ that europe has but you have a little, much like the modern Australia… whoever said that to you should be ashamed!

[@ray.shoesmith]

It's funny how Americans point to their freedom and the 1st Amendment, yet none of them are actually 'free' to speak about gun crime for fear of sounding 'political'. Talk about wilful ignorance. If you dont want to talk about it, dont talk about it. Whats the point of bringing the topic up if youre too chickensht to state an opinion? Nothing personal girl, but Australia didnt rub off on you as much as you might think