Mirror World

(hw)

Mirror World

Consider the wide variety of cultures in the world and the colorful, and sometimes vast, differences that exist between them. In this global perspective, the cultural differences between the United States and Australia are negligible. In fact, Australia and the U.S. are so surprisingly similar that Australia may edge out Canada in the running for being the U.S.’s default 51st state. This is especially reinforced in the political arena. Aussies themselves will make similar statements (but don’t you Americans dare make them).

Both countries (U.S. and Australia) watch the same or similar television, watch the same movies, listen to the same music, have similar governments in power, and buy from the same or similar multinational corporations. I have heard more Portland bands on the radio down here than I did when I lived in Portland. A U.S. citizen would likely experience far more culture shock moving to England than they would living Down Under.

Yet differences exist. Small differences. Odd differences. Subtle differences. It looks the same, but somehow it’s just not quite the same. Borrowing a term from William Gibson, I have started referring to this phenomenon as “Mirror World” – it is as though the U.S. culture has been reflected in a mirror that is slightly distorted, with the resulting image being reversed (as in driving on the left) and subtly altered.

These small differences may not be as exotic and colorful as comparisons drawn against nomadic steppe cultures, floating boat cities, or country folk in Tennessee, but they fascinate me none the less.

I hope to describe a few of these things for you here, and occasionally drop in a few more under a heading referring to Mirror World, as I collect them.

In the U.S. ketchup is an omnipresent condiment – in Oz it is a ubiquitous brown sludge called “barbeque sauce”. You will be asked “Want sauce on that, love?” as the bottle is already being squeezed phbbbtttt onto your meal. And I’m not just talking burgers – watch your fine meals folks.

Language is a constant source of amusement. There is nothing like sitting in a meeting full of blinking business men bewildered or annoyed because you just referred to the aluminum schedule (Uh-loo-min-um sked-jul). Finally one will clear his throat and, pronouncing the words slowly for my benefit, say the Al-yoo-min-ee-um is Shhed-yool-ed to arrive on Monday next.

There is an entertainment personality named Amanda Keller. In Aussie her name is Amander Kella.

Both countries have governments that are cut from the same mold. John Howard is one of GW Bush’s staunchest allies, and his international and domestic policies could easily be considered solidly Republican. Yet here in Mirror World, John Howard’s party is perplexingly named the Liberal Party.

Continuing in politics, G.W. Bush is famously inarticulate, requires much rehearsal for his very few public statements, and never ever allows an unscripted press conference. Here in Mirror World, John Howard is on the news practically every single night, surrounded by reporters, speaking articulately and at length about any subject that gets thrown at him. One may not like his politics, but there is no question about his competency.

Ciao for now – but just remember:
Objects in the mirror are closer than they appear.