I've come to the conclusion that we never really know anyone. People are full of surprises so it's best not to make too many assumptions. Of course we all do because we have so much data to process on a daily basis and it helps sort things out quickly. But ultimately, we have to let go of our assumptions because they are often incorrect. I catch myself making ridiculous assumptions and I suspect others do it too.
It's hard to see yourself as others see you but it's reasonable to think that people make some pretty incorrect assumptions about me. It's partly my own fault because I have developed some very convincing self-protection mechanisms to get me through life. But it's important to remember we are all strange and unique mixtures. For example I'm a bit of a 'bogun'.[1] I grew up in Rockingham - a new migrant working class suburb with Surfie and Skinhead 'gangs'. I didn't belong to either gang because back in those days I was a good student and doing well at school. The whole gang thing was a mystery to me - years later I discovered that I was known as one of the 'Brains' - simply because I was a bit of a swot, and apparently a bit aloof. Years later I also found out that Rockingham was a tough neighbourhood. Anyway, suffice to say my childhood wasn't auspicious. I was the first person in my family to go to university and eventually get a PhD.
The influence of this, and my family upbringing, means that I am a bit rough around the edges. Australians enjoy a warped sense of superiority in being a bit rough and down-to-earth. It's both an annoying and endearing Aussie trait. I guess I am no exception - basically because I can't stand bullshit. Old school Australians are irreverant and love to challenge authority. I put it down to our convict past. My family were free immigrants to this country but I still sometimes refer to myself as a 'bogun with a PhD'.
This is just a long-winded way of introducing the video above and justifying my 'atypical' cultural tastes - because I don't really understand them myself. I love the most ridiculous things - like this excerpt from Central Park on AppleTV. I love the humour, the lyrics and the melodies.
One thing is clear - I was a weirdo at school and I'm sill a weirdo in many peoples' eyes. But I'm OK with it now because if people want to keep making assumptions, I'll gladly keep challenging them - basically because it's fun.
[1] Bogun (bogan): is Australian and New Zealand slang for a person whose speech, clothing, attitude and behaviour are considered unrefined or unsophisticated. Depending on the context, the term can be pejorative or self-deprecating. The prevalence of the term bogan has also been associated with changing social attitudes towards social class in Australia.
Since the 1980s, the bogan has become a very well-recognised subculture, often as an example of bad taste. It has antecedents in the Australian larrikin and ocker, and various localised names exist that describe the same or very similar people to the bogan.
By the turn of the third millennium, the term bogan came to be employed more favourably to indicate a pride in being rough around the edges. In 2002, Michelle Griffin discussed the fact that "bogan" is no longer just being used as an insult, but is in fact a way to identify with the "Aussie" culture that many Anglo‐Saxon Australian citizens are proud of.
A tongue-in-cheek (but amusing and definitely recognisable) type of bogun. Things have evolved from here:
1. Australian person, usually caucasian, of uncouth and lower class background, residing on the edge of civilisation. Characteristics of a bogun include, proudly sporting a mullet hair cut, extremely small shorts, a grease stained t-shirt underneath a flanelette shirt of some description.
2. A bogun's natural habitat is any suburb of australia with low property values, in a house that generally has 2 or 3 cars up on bricks in the front yard with no wheels or missing vital mechanical parts. One of the cars must be a ute (utility vehicle). Boguns are generally spotted with a stubbie (screw top beer bottle) or bong (pot smoking paraphernalia) in hand.
Video: from 'Central Park', series 1, episode 2, AppleTV.
Video: from 'Central Park', series 1, episode 2, AppleTV.
I just learned so much reading this. I had no idea what life is like in Australia and had never heard the Bogun before. Yes, weirdos make great superheroes. I loved that video!
ReplyDeleteYes, although meant for kids that song expresses how I feel!
DeleteI should stress that boguns are a subculture here in Oz - probably confined to the outer, inland suburbs and some regional towns. There is an element of it in the farming community too though they may not refer to themselves as 'bogun'. As with your country, there is an interesting mix of subcultures. Most young, 'middle class', educated city folk probably wouldn't think too highly of 'bogunism' - it stands in defiance of the 'gentrification' of culture in this country. I love it because it pokes fun and reminds people not to take themselves too seriously. Politically it's interesting too. Boguns would traditionally be 'working class' and vote left, but in the past few years an unhealthy patriotism has moved these people more to the right. Another paradox exists in some cities where 'intellectuals' or well educated people would have once voted right, because they were also wealthy. But there is a big subculture of intellectuals in cities that are very left in their politics and staunchly support minorities. Seems to me that New York has this sort of culture but I may be misinterpreting that.
If you want to learn more about 'fringe' bogun culture in the regions, I recommend you follow my friend Sarah's blog. She is a writer and lives in a remote area further west from me. She is one such academic who, like me, has a working class background. Her writing is both informative and entertaining. Here is the link: http://thawinedarksea.blogspot.com