Have you ever heard the saying, “geography is destiny”? This can also be interpreted as geographical conditions shape the society you live in and lead to the emergence of certain social identities. For example, most European and North American cultures have been shaped around indoor living due to cold winters. Homes are part of social identity, and most activities take place indoors.
For Australia, the situation is the opposite: endless coastlines, a mild-to-hot climate, and vast bushlands encourage outdoor life. The culture of the “land down under” thrives under the sun, and almost every activity takes place outside, including spending time on sites like Fortunica Australia. Let’s take a closer look at the social identity created by this outdoor living culture.
The Beach as a Social Equalizer
In Australia, beaches are not just physical places; they are also symbolic spaces. Here, symbols of wealth, class, and status disappear—everyone is socially equal. They share the same sand and sea and do the same things, for example:
- Surf culture goes beyond being just a sport and becomes a culture in its own right, creating its own social identity. The CEO of a global company and a low-level employee of that company can surf side by side and be completely socially equal.
- This also applies to activities like beach cricket and fish & chips by the shore. These are all community activities, not individual ones, and everyone who participates shares the same social identity. Individuality is discouraged, and friendship and a relaxed attitude are at the core of this identity.
Beaches are quite different in other countries. For example, in most European countries, they are commercialized areas, and only those with a certain status can access private beaches. You have to pay for sunbeds, and the purpose is mostly to spend time alone: you don’t go there to socialize. In this respect, beaches are like an outdoor extension of your indoor space. In Australia, it’s the opposite: beaches are shared spaces and everyone there is expected to have the same social status and spend time together.
The Bush and Camping Traditions
“Going bush” is a national pastime in Australia and includes many different activities, such as camping, hiking, and caravanning. These activities exist in other countries, but they differ significantly from their Australian counterparts:
- Bushing is seen as a “challenge” in other countries. “Survival” is the primary goal, and these activities serve as a kind of “conquest.” Some tough-looking men focus on surviving without assistance and take pride in it.
- The wilderness conquest mentality means that these activities are almost always done alone. Survival is an individual victory, not a group activity. Surviving alone for a week gives you a self-confidence boost.
In Australia, bushing fosters a distinct social identity. Camping is not done to test survival skills, but to connect with nature. The goal is communal relaxation, storytelling around a campfire, and keeping family traditions alive. Nature is seen not as something to be conquered but as something to be adapted to, and social identity is shaped around this.
Backyard Barbecues and Social Democracy
Barbecues are an integral part of Australian social rituals. Having a barbecue in your backyard is seen as an extension of outdoor living. As a result, formality is minimal and inclusivity is maximum. Everyone gathers around the same grill and becomes socially equal, just like on the beach. Pretension has no place in an environment where hot dogs, beers, and burgers are shared. Barbecues are a part of social democracy: it’s not surprising to see a prime minister candidate attend an ordinary family barbecue and use it for informal campaigning.
Barbecue parties in the US and Europe also appear similar at first glance, but the hosting is much more formal. Furthermore, these parties are mostly held for “culinary display” purposes and, for the most part, are actually indoor events, only the grill remains outside. Speaking of grills, there’s only one person using them because they claim to be the “best cook”. Participants are not socially equal: titles and statuses still apply.
Outdoor Living as National Character
At the core of Australian social identity lies a culture shaped by climate and geography. Open skies and shared spaces make this identity much less formal and much more communal. For example, if you were to host a barbecue party in Germany, you would be expected to marinate the meat properly and behave according to etiquette. In Australia, however, you can burn some of the sausages and no one will get angry at you for forgetting the ketchup: someone else will have brought it or will go and get it. Unlike in other countries, outdoor living is not just a pastime; it is a reflection of Australian values. And these values are based on egalitarianism, community, and resilience – which also form Australian social identity.
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