There are many things outsiders find odd — or just plain hilarious — about life Down Under. From slang that sounds like gibberish to grilling shrimps on a “barbie,” some Australian customs look downright bizarre from the outside. But among these quirks, one habit seems to stand out — and consistently sends foreigners into fits of laughter: the national identity built around a wonderfully strange mix of laid-back vibes, self-deprecating humour, and legendary drinking culture.
From backpackers testing their limits with “goon” to the global myth of Foster’s — the so-called “Australian lager” that nearly no Aussie actually drinks — the world watches, often amused, as Australia does what only Australia does.
“Goon” Over Gucci: The Backpacker Wine Phenomenon
If you’ve ever scrolled through travel blogs about Australia, you might have seen stories of “goon.” That’s the colloquial name for cheap cask wine — often associated with backpackers, uni students, and budget-conscious party nights. According to expat-written guides and anecdotal accounts, this cheap boxed wine is almost a rite of passage for many who want to embrace the full “Aussie experience.”
To outsiders, the idea of embracing a low-grade boxed wine with enthusiasm can seem odd or even comical. For Aussies, it’s half practical, half ironic — a social lubricant that has become part of a broader cultural narrative about being easygoing, unpretentious, and — above all — fun. Over time, what once seemed shocking becomes… just another Saturday night.
The Myth of Foster’s: When The World Gets the Joke
Perhaps the most enduring and hilarious misunderstanding about Australia comes in the form of a green can with gold letters — Foster’s lager. For decades, Foster’s was marketed abroad as the quintessential Australian beer. Abroad, ordering a “cold Foster’s” was shorthand for “I want to feel a bit Aussie.”
But here’s the kicker: in actual Australia, Foster’s is hardly drank. In 2025 reports and social media reckonings, newcomers and even returning Aussies continue to remark on how rare it is to actually see Foster’s in a bar or bottle shop compared to local favourites.
The world’s image of Australians clinking Foster’s while chuckling “G’day mate” may be one of the longest-running beauty pageants of stereotypes — but for many Aussies, it’s just become their favourite inside joke.
Banter, Bogans and “Just Waiting for a Mate” Culture
No look at Australian habits would be complete without touching on the colourful subculture of the “bogan” — a term used with humor, affection, or gentle mockery to describe a certain archetype of working-class Australians, often associated (rightly or wrongly) with crass humour, beer, flannelette shirts, and a laid-back disregard for pretense.
One viral moment that captured the world’s attention was a clip from a reality show where a man, clearly involved in a car accident, told police officers he was “just waiting for a mate.” The absurdity — and sheer Aussie nonchalance — turned the clip into a legendary meme.
That cocky sense of humour — irony, self-mockery, casual disrespect — is something many outsiders find bewildering, hilarious, or slightly terrifying. But within Australia, it’s part of a cultural fabric where calling each other “mate,” having a laugh at your own expense, and drinking too much sometimes are all rolled into the same package.
Why This Habit Is Funny — and Also So Aussie
What makes this whole “weird Australian habit” resonate globally isn’t just one single act — it’s the attitude behind it: a kind of proud irreverence, a willingness to embrace absurdity, and a national joke that everyone seems to be in on.
• It’s self-aware. Australians often laugh at themselves first — a quality many countries can’t claim. What outsiders chalk up to “weird” is sometimes just Aussie humility in full flow.
• It’s contradictory. On one hand, you’ve got stunning beaches, relaxed café culture, and strong community bonds. On the other — there’s binge drinking, offbeat humour, and a shrug-and-move-on attitude toward conventions.
• It’s a mirror for stereotypes. The world may expect surfboards and crocodile wrestlers, but what they get is box wine, sarcastic banter, and ironic beers. That twist itself becomes the joke.
How Aussies Feel About Their Own Quirks
Locals often have mixed feelings about the stereotypes. Some embrace them with pride — the laid-back lifestyle, the jokes, the mate culture. Others cringe, tired of hearing “shrimp on the barbie” jokes, or the assumption everyone rides kangaroos or downs a Foster’s at sunset. According to a 2024 survey cited by Time Out Australia, many Australians are ambivalent: they like the idea of being “laid-back” or “casual,” but resent the over-simplified, sometimes inaccurate stereotypes applied to them.
In other words: yes, they know they’re weird by global standards — and, in many cases, they love it.
Final Thought
What the rest of the world sees as a “weird Australian habit” is more than a set of odd behaviours. It’s a cultural identity — messy, ironic, sometimes shocking, often hilarious — rooted in self-deprecation, defiance, and a refusal to take life too seriously.
Maybe what’s funny to outsiders is exactly what Aussies cherish: a country that doesn’t worry too much, drinks cheap wine with friends, laughs at expectations, and keeps its own kind of normal. And honestly? That’s part of what makes it so irresistible.
7 years in the field, from local radio to digital newsrooms. Loves chasing the stories that matter to everyday Aussies – whether it’s climate, cost of living or the next big thing in tech.
