There Is Nothing More Australian Than TheseAugust 12, 2014

Some things are truly Oz.

Travelling? Not really. Aussies are adventurous by nature, but we're not the only ones. Sports? Close. We are a nation of tennis champions, but this isn't the only one we excel at. Pulling a leg? This is veering off. No need to think hard to find out what they are. It doesn't mean our favourite things, but more of peculiarities that we call our trademark.

Here they are (and you might be surprised):

Barbeque. Some would claim that this is the activity that Australian find less time for. There is some truth to it for a number of reasons. Health. Unwanted calories. Burned meat. But this is the most convenient, if not the easiest. If you don't feel like leaving your home, then this might be the one.

Backyard cricket. Ideally played during summer, when we look forward to the beach during weekends. This is truly fun to do, with the breeze and the crashing of the waves behind. It can also be done in the backyard, garden, and street depending on the location (or the heat). This is a great activity to enjoy with family and mates. No need to be exceptional at this, even if we're one of the best in the world. (Australia is the three-time winner of the Cricket World Cup, and chances are high that we'll win our fourth next year. Melbourne plays host, by the way.)

Boiling the billy. We can't helped but be amused whenever an outsider ask us about this. This is another way of saying tea time, only this is done outdoors. It's that streak of adventure in our souls.

Damper. It has nothing to do with water, even if sounds one. It's a simple method of baking bread in coals. The curiosity of some foreigners will be piqued, as if this must be part of a traveller's do list. There's nothing to it unless you're in the middle of the Outback, hundreds of miles away from the nearest road.

Lamington. You weren't born in Oz if you haven't tasted this sponge cake covered in chocolate and coconut. It is heavenly if there's a hot cuppa nearby. As for its origin, many would point to Lord Lamington, Governor of Queensland from 1896 to 1901. He was a huge fan of such sweets. Some would say Lamington, a village in Scotland. More disagreement, which doesn't really matter. An empty stomach knows only one thing.

Picnic. We love the outdoors, so this hardly comes as a surprise. Besides, what better way to spend more time with the family and having a great time at the same time. If you want to meet new people, then this is the way to do it. All you need is food with a tempting aroma. As for the place, it's the lovely surrounding or the Outback.

AFL. Australian Football League, the favourite weekend pasttime. You're not from Oz if you're thinking of American football (or NFL).

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