The Big OE – Overseas Embarrassment

The Big O.E.  A cultural rite of passage it seems in the land of the long white cloud and the, uh, big red rock.  Wherever in the wide world your travels happen to take you, you will no doubt come across handfuls of Kiwis and hordes of Aussies with packs on their backs and adventure on their minds.  And there are a few genuine people out there who are managing to clasp their clammy little hands on the ultimate prize, something that money can’t buy, a life-changing experience.  And all power to them.

However, for every zenned-out, culture junkie you come across in hostels in South America (for that is where this gypsy is a-writin’ from), there are ten douchebags.  Ready and waiting, in groups of 3-8, thonged-feet, boarded short, top off, beer in hand and homophobic comment in mouth.  And, I’m afraid to say, more often than not, said douches are from down under.  I am not one to stereotype, I am merely reporting on my experiences.

Hell, even the yanks aren’t as bad as us.

I always know when I come across such a specimen.  The first clue is that they express surprise that I am traveling alone.  “Oh, you’re by yourself?” they say with pity in their eyes and a bemused tone.  The second indication is a never-quelled thirst.  Don’t get me wrong, I love a good drink.  However, I did not come all the way to South America to “sink tinnies” and spend hundreds of reals/pesos/bolivianos on club cover charges.  I’m sure partying will be had, but it is not my sole objective.  Nor should it be.  After all, why leave Melbourne/Sydney/Auckland if that’s what you’re after?   After all, the beer is infinitely superior back home.

I must be honest and admit that by far my favourites out of the people that I have met have been them Euros.  Including French, German, Swiss, Norwegian, Danish and Swedish (not sure if the Scandinavian countries are technically ‘European’ but meh, mere technicalities…).  I have met lovely people of both sexes, however, as a female I must be honest and confess that European men shit all over their antipodean counterparts.

They are polite, friendly and, best of all, they appear to be genuinely interested in cultivating a friendship with you rather than plying you with drinks in the hope of luring you into their bed.  I actually have proof of this, with numerous Euro dudes that I have met along the way keeping in contact with me after parting ways despite the fact that there was no sexual element whatsoever to our interactions.

I don’t mean to get all tall poppy syndrome on yo’ ass and bash the offspring of the motherlands (for I was born in Australia, raised in New Zealand and have been living in Melbourne for 4 years) but I do think it raises important questions about our culture, and more specifically, our drinking culture.

I am not saying Europe (or Europeans) is “better” for I am sure that they have plenty of douches too but I do think it is sad that our culture of binge-drinking has reached the point where an expat doesn’t want to associate with her fellow countrymen overseas for fear of embarrassment and judgement by association.

The thing that bothers me the most is what a waste it is.  These people could be having the experience of a lifetime when instead they are merely experiencing the interior of a few hostels and bars.

Ah well.  Each to his own I guess.  But if you happen to see this Gringo trekking about the Andes, please leave me alone.  Or alternatively, get working on your Dutch accent.