"Australia? ..... Never Heard of It"

[Renato1]

On our United Flight from Washington to LA last month, a university student on his way to some Christian conference sat next to us. We exchanged pleasantries, and he explained that he was originally from Korea but now living in the US. He asked where we were from and I said "Australia".

He thought very hard about it, and said, "Australia? Never heard of it.....I don't know what that is".
I said, "You know, a country down south, below Korea"
He said, "No, I don't know anything about it".

Pretty amazing don't you think?

Has anybody else had something similar happen to them?
Cheers,
Renato

 

[drron]

Happens a lot in LOTFAP.
On our second trip there I got a car from Dollar in New Orleans.The agent being very perceptive said-you're not from round these parts are you?Where are you from?
Australia.
Austria?
No Australia.
We then went through about 10 more countries so she finally said-Just give me your licence.
So I handed over my NSW licence which back in the 80s was a sizeable bit of paper.
You call that a licence?
Yes I do.
She proceeds to read my address-East Maitland,New South Wales.
Oh why didn't you tell me you are from Wales.
OK I am from Wales.

 

[kelvedon]

I was living in London in the 80's and on a flight from DFW to TUS my neighbour asked where I was from. "London" I replied, he looked bewildered for a while and then asked "London... is that back east?"

 

[craven morehead]

Maybe escaped from North Korea

 

[TomVexille]

Well Australia is pretty small after all

 

[marki]

Well Australia is pretty small after all

It's not even counted as a country by some. Very very poor news coverage from any of the broadcasters in USA or Europe.

But I have more the typical " we would love to go there" reactions more than the other " where's that?"

 

[Renato1]

Happens a lot in LOTFAP.
On our second trip there I got a car from Dollar in New Orleans.The agent being very perceptive said-you're not from round these parts are you?Where are you from?
Australia.
Austria?
No Australia.
We then went through about 10 more countries so she finally said-Just give me your licence.
So I handed over my NSW licence which back in the 80s was a sizeable bit of paper.
You call that a licence?
Yes I do.
She proceeds to read my address-East Maitland,New South Wales.
Oh why didn't you tell me you are from Wales.
OK I am from Wales.

Amazing, thanks.
Renato

I was living in London in the 80's and on a flight from DFW to TUS my neighbour asked where I was from. "London" I replied, he looked bewildered for a while and then asked "London... is that back east?"

Which is worse - not knowing of the existence of London or of Australia?
Cheers,
Renato

Maybe escaped from North Korea

He didn't make any comment about the Glorious Leader.
Cheers,
Renato

Well Australia is pretty small after all

Yes, easily missed by schoolkids when they check out a globe. He did wear glasses.
Regards,
Renato

It's not even counted as a country by some. Very very poor news coverage from any of the broadcasters in USA or Europe.

But I have more the typical " we would love to go there" reactions more than the other " where's that?"

Yes, that was the overwhelming reaction that we had over and over on our trip.
Regards,
Renato

 

[JessicaTam]

I was in LOTFAP and when asked where I was from said 'Australia'. After a bit of to and fro they asked "Oh, so is it near New Zealand?" :!:

 

[TomVexille]

I was in LOTFAP and when asked where I was from said 'Australia'. After a bit of to and fro they asked "Oh, so is it near New Zealand?" :!:

Yes. It's the West Island after all

 

[tuapekastar]

1978, asked by 'barmaid' at the downtown Hilton in Baltimore where we were from. "Australia". Oh, which part? "Melbourne". Ponders a minute. Is it near London?

 

[Travelqueen]

My daughter spent 6 months student exchange in 2013. She went to the local school in Wisconsin.

Quite a few times, when speaking to both other students and adults, they told her that she spoke very good English !!

Clearly, some don't realise that we do actually speak English in Australia.....

hahaaaaa

TQ

 

[Archphoto]

My daughter spent 6 months student exchange in 2013. She went to the local school in Wisconsin.

Quite a few times, when speaking to both other students and adults, they told her that she spoke very good English !!

Clearly, some don't realise that we do actually speak English in Australia.....

hahaaaaa

TQ

Not so unusual for me to hear that comment - in Asia sometimes.

It was something my mum wondered waaaay back in the late 50s when she came to AU with her parents. She asked her mum "Do they speak English??" I had a great chuckle when she told me that.

 

[drron]

My daughter spent 6 months student exchange in 2013. She went to the local school in Wisconsin.

Quite a few times, when speaking to both other students and adults, they told her that she spoke very good English !!

Clearly, some don't realise that we do actually speak English in Australia.....

hahaaaaa

TQ

Though the language varies throughout LOTFAP.They just cant understand me in the South.Mrsdrron has to act as my interpreter,she can speak southern real good.
The okies have no problem understanding me nor I them-they talk re....a...l slow.
The best for me though is Washington State.One April we were driving up the Washington coast.It is migration time for gray whales.Usually a local on each headland to point things out for you.One day was just miserable-rain,wind and cold.I felt sorry for the volunteer so got out and had a long talk with him.As I was leaving he said-I know you are not from town,do you come from south of here.
Why yes,several thousand miles south.

 

[Warks]

What amazes me about the 'Austria' reaction is that the Seppos have even heard of Austria. It's a tiny obscure eastern European country with a population well below Australia's (about 8 million). How many Austrians have you ever met outside Europe? There was a famous Austrian once though...

No offence to local Austrians intended...

 

[medhead]

What amazes me about the 'Austria' reaction is that the Seppos have even heard of Austria. It's a tiny obscure eastern European country with a population well below Australia's (about 8 million). How many Austrians have you ever met outside Europe? There was a famous Austrian once though...

No offence to local Austrians intended...

a) it's central europe. (I made the mistake of saying Hungary was eastern europe once, almost got lynched by the locals)
b) several 100 thousand (perhaps millions of) seppos dropped into Austria once to pay their respects to the famous Austrian
c) The governator is from Austria
d) Did Elvis have some time in Austria, or was it just Germany?

I think there are numerous reasons why they'd know Austria.

 

[exceladdict]

Last time in LOTFAP: "Australia - that's like the Texas of England, right?"

Sure, why not.

 

[Mal]

Not really.

Cheers,
Mal.

 

[Buzzard]

Years ago when I was in LOTFAP and mentioned I was from Australia, I was asked which way did I drive over :shock:

If it doesn't happen in New York, it doesn't happen suddenly makes more sense.

 

[clazman]

Clazgirl is constantly asked what part of America are you from, and are you enjoying your holiday in Australia. Despite being Canadian and living here for 20 years.

She responds with I love your Kiwi accent ...... been here long

 

[JessicaTam]

Clazgirl is constantly asked what part of America are you from, and are you enjoying your holiday in Australia. Despite being Canadian and living here for 20 years.

She responds with I love your Kiwi accent ...... been here long

I made the USA/Canadia mistake once ... Once!