The rounds at the pub
"In tribal societies in which gift giving is economically important, there may be exchange of gift giving of identical (or useless) gifts which serve to maintain the relationship between donors. In Australia, the ritual of the round, known virtually to all adult members of society, has some parrallel functions. It symbolise entry to a group (and, for that matter, makes pointed an exclusion). It binds a group together." National Times January 1978
The social rules of the round or shout are perhaps the most important of all social rules that need to be mastered. A round is where one individual will pay for the drinks of the other members of the drinking party. Once the drinks have been drunk, another member of the drinking party will get the next round. Every member of the drinking party must buy the same number of rounds.
Like splitting the bill at a restaurant, there is no consideration given to each member's financial status, background or to their gender.
Even generous acts of appreciation, such as buying a drink for an old Digger on ANZAC Day, are likely to be rejected by the intended recipient of the generosity.
The round is one of the principle reasons why Australia has avoided the racial ghettos and race riots that are common in America and Britain. The custom allows an outsider to be inducted into the social group and treated as if they are of equal status. It also allows individuals to demonstrate that are trustworthy characters who are not bludgers and who do not consider themselves to be superior. The round is central to affirming Australia's egalitarian sensibilities. In a way, it creates a kind of psychological round table that would have made King Arthur proud.
The round is also a reason why non-sexual relationships between men and women are very common in Australia. A lone woman can go out drinking with men and provided she buys her round, she will be treated as one of the boys. In other cultures around the world, if a woman goes out drinking with men, she will generally be seen as a slut. Men are always thinking of her gender because they know they have to pay for her.
The rounds are not always followed in night-clubs. This can be attributed to the diverse drinks bought, different motivations, interference of drugs, and the different character of person who frequents such establishments.
Your turn.
What is my turn?
Your turn to shout
Why should I shout?
Because I shouted you
I did not hear you shout at me
He thought for a while and said, I get ut. When you buy a bloke a beer, it's called a shout, see?
Why is that?
I haven't a clue, but that's what it's called. I shouted for you, now it's your turn to shout for me.
I was only a little thirsty. I do not think I wish another drink.
He looked quite stern, In this country, if you want to keep out of trouble, you always return a shout, see?
Is this the custom?
Bloody oath, it's the custom. Your turn.
* No dragging the chain- It is a well understood obligation that slower drinkers in a shout must attempt to keep pace with the faster members of a shout.
* Immediacy - Never accept a beer if you do not intend to shout on that evening. Shouting "next time" is not acceptable no matter how much interest is involved.
* Reciprocal - Even worse than the previous rule is accepting beers from the drinking party and then just buying one for yourself when it is your turn.
* Consistency - Changing drinks on people during a shout is considered poor form. I.e., shouting everyone VBs then asking for a "boutique" beer on the return leg.
* Accountability - Knocking over someone else's beer will only be tolerated if there is a full replacement on the table. In some mining communities, the spilling of ones beer requires the guilty party to receive a punch in the arm from all other members of the party which could be up to 60 people.
* Egalitarian - No matter how much money is earned by each of the party members, or where their money came from, the same shouting rules apply.
* Free will - The order of the round is determined by each individual volunteering that it is his/her shout. Fellow members should not never have to remind an individual of their obligations to the group. They will only do so in the event of a breach.
* Abstaining - From time to time an individual may wish to stop getting drunk. Ideally, they should wait till the completion of every group member's rounds before abstaining from future rounds. If it is essential that they abstain mid-round, they should request a non-alcoholic beverage. This ensures that the first volunteer is not punished for putting their hand up first. It ensures group equality and it also ensures that the person buying the next round does not feel like a bludger by being remiss in their obligations.
* Gender neutral- Should a women be given a drink that has been purchased in the course of buying a round, she is subsequently part of the round. All the previous rules thus apply. A round can consist of only two people.
Australian Society & Culture
. Australians are very down to earth and always mindful of not giving the impression that they think they are better than anyone else.
. They value authenticity, sincerity, and loathe pretentiousness.
. Australians prefer people who are modest, humble, self- deprecating and with a sense of humour.
. They do not draw attention to their academic or other achievements and tend to distrust people who do.
. They often downplay their own success, which may make them appear not to be achievement-oriented.
The word bastard is a term of endearment.
-Pretty girls appreciate random guys yelling out "Show us ya tits" from across the room. In fact it may even get you laid
Call people cunts as much as possible
Call people cunts as much as possible
does this give me license not to respond when he starts talking about football??
There are also more than three states in Australia.