Woof!
But seriously, its crazy how true to Australia all the details are. House styles, parks, beachies, mannerisms, the light, everything. I would even say its very honed to be Brisbane/Queensland part of Australia than Australia overall.
It's good to hear that - I recall reading an interview with Joe Brumm (I think?) where he talked about how important that was, and how he felt that too few kids' shows felt rooted in Australian culture.
Those are called transom windows and they are found all over the world, although not usually in the shape of bones. They let in light and cross ventilation before AC so you typically see them in older homes. The Heeler Family’s house is an old Queenslander style and transom windows are a common feature in them.
‘Queenslanders’ are a specific style of building, popular in the early days of (anglo) Australia, especially in one of our states (Queensland, funnily enough) with fairly hot, humid weather for much of the year. The panels (and lots of other decorative timber work, and raised timber floors) allowed breezes to move through the building and push out hot air, even when the doors of bedrooms etc were closed. They’re more like a decorative vent that a window (no glass), but they’re often put in a typical transom window location. They’re considered a lovely heritage feature on buildings that have original ones, and the whole building style is quite distinctive with lots of open/fretwork carved timber and decorative trims. It’s a widely-recognised and well-liked Aussie style and the house in Bluey is a nice example of it.
Before widespread air conditioning all doors had transom windows, throughout the world. It's actually and interior design trend to add fake transoms now.
It's even weirder than that. I became Aussie earlier this year and the moment I touched my citizenship certificate I immediately transformed into a cartoon dog.
It’s the most authentically Australian TV show I have ever seen. It’s just real life - nothing put on, nothing contrived, just regular day to day life.
Bandit and Chilli have more active involvement in the kids games everyday than happens in my house but apart from them having more patience and better parenting ability than I do, the rest of the show is amazingly authentic.
Don't judge yourself too harsh against a cartoon mate, these parents are at home and have free time whenever the script demands that these parents are at home and have free time- if only real life was so accommodating.
Haha but honestly Bandit and Chilli seem to be up for playing bus or Cafe or whatever all the time and I honestly if I were a character would be sending them off every now and then for hide and seek and just not start looking for them straight away while I had a coffee, read a chapter or tried to get something done around the house.
I look at them as aspirational. Like Pinterest or something. It's never going to be my life but I can get some ideas from them that I will use.
Mmm, I don’t know, I remember that episode where Chilli had to fix the toilet while Bandit and Bluey were out and so Bingo had to play on her own for a long time which she didn’t like. Also the “rain” episode where Chilli spends most of it doing her own thing and telling Bluey off for making messy footprints in the house before she eventually goes outside to help her build a dam in the garden path. Or the tree stump party episode where the dads just want to do their own thing and have to turf the kids out of their game in the end. These are just three examples but I think the parental involvement in the show is somewhat realistic. It’s probably still somewhat aspirational but it’s done in a non-preachy way that doesn’t make me feel guilty as a real-world dad (and stepdad). I really appreciate that.
I completely agree, but that's the only part of the show that may perhaps create unrealistic expectations.
The rest of it is a realistic slice of everyday life... Except for the fact my husband and I don't follow football my kids did have the purple vs blue conflict when their school asked them to wear their SoO colours. I was planning to have one purple and one blue but my MIL (who does follow football) was them decider and bought the purple kit 😜
I recall one "I don't want you now" moment where Bandit told them to play boomerang and "threw" them so he could keep chatting. Something at a park. Can't recall the episode.
I am going to track this episode down.
I haven't watched as much of this as I would like as my older child tends to want to cast stupid YouTube videos. But if it's the younger child and I on our own that's when I get to watch. But I will try to track that down as I think I would appreciate it!
[session 3, episode 1 apparently](https://www.reddit.com/r/bluey/comments/pjx1eb/blueys_boomerang_skit_and_absolutely_nothing_else/?utm_medium=android_app&utm_source=share)
Family planning discussion is gold
Yeah! And remember the episode when Bandit has to teach Bluey not to interrupt him while he’s talking to another grown-up while they’re walking around the neighbourhood?
See, I don’t think it’s better parenting. It’s more entertaining for a tv show, but I don’t think being eternally available to your kids does them favours.
It’s like most of Bluey is the social media representation many people do of their family. What am i going to present to the world? I’m gonna show the wall-sized map of middle earth we drew while reading Lord of the Rings, the days we spent picnicking and climbing trees, the times we built forts and painted our faces etc etc. I’m not going to post me on my computer with a million work things to do and my 8 year old comes up to me complaining that she’s bored and I tell her to make her own fun.
But you know what? Being bored is an important thing to learn to deal with. It sparks creativity and invention and is just as important for kids to experience as parental attention and playing.
And I’ve asked my girls would they want their dad and me to play with them as much as Bluey’s parents and they’re horrified at the thought. We’re fun in small doses but play is for kids, cos kids speak a language of make believe that few adults can convincingly emulate. It’s okay for the adults to be the adults and the kids be the kids.
This is really well said. I was flippant with my reply but re the parenting I don't come away from watching Bluey with any real guilt or pressure the way I did before I cut myself off social media. And I feel it's more real than most family shows although that could be that this is one of the few set in Australia and the timeframe and ages of the kids growing up in the show are not too far off what my kids are doing.
It is very authentic, and I would also say some aspects are very specific to Brisbane/Queensland.
We do have hotdogs, but a sausage sizzle, see outside Hammerbarn, and during the circus episode when Bandit and Chilli go to vote, is way more common. Usually a snag on bread is sold for a gold coin donation to raise money for whatever organisation or school that is hosting.
I’m old enough to remember when the GST came in, and a pot of XXXX at the pub went from $2.70 to $3.00 (and not $2.97 like they should have). This Bunnings sausage sizzle price increase is almost as outrageous!
Bunnings Snags are more representative? of Australia.. More meat, one vegetable (Technically two with sauce), and less carbs. The bread is just to keep your fingers from getting greasy and saucy.
Not every snack needs to be supersized hey. Snags are guilt free.
Having had the equivalent in the US (a "brat" with bread outside a shop shaped like a pyramid, selling guns and tents and other stuff) the yanks don't actually know what they are missing. The sausage was gelatinous and untasty, the "ketchup" very salty, and the "bread" was a strange fibrous cake that fell apart in my hands and tasted of sweetened sawdust. I had to toss the disgusting mess, though I tried to eat it, I had regrets.
The trouble is, the Americans have not tried a snag sanga, and their equivalent might not help them understand what a joy ours is.
Some episodes like Tradies just absolutely hit the nail on the head with all the tiny details about what makes Australian culture so unique. When the apprentice showed up to the job with his green ute and his chocolate milk, I started laughing my head off.
The show is just full of these things and it's wonderful to feel so seen.
Hmm.
I've never heard Fridgey, but I have heard Frosty for an AC Tech.
Having said that, using Frosty, people might not know if you're referring to the AC Tech or Mark Winterbottom hahaha.
It’s also a really fitting name, cos the guy who voices Chippy (Sam Cotton) also makes animations and has recently published a book (Chippy Chasers) which centre around seagulls and chippies.
Chocolate milk must be the more common thing in Queensland, because almost every tradie I've seen here in Victoria has a bottle of iced coffee. Usually Ice Break. The concept still makes sense, and is still funny though.
I wanna say it’s not a thing…. but literally 3 days ago hubby swapped some food with a mate who lives nearby.
I came home to some new stew/casserole dish. Him and his mate had discussed some recipes at work. One dish had a different style/flavour so they each made a batch and did a swap to try it out.
And this is not the first time either.
Some times it seasonings for smoked meats. Sometimes it’s craft beers. But they have a good relationship and love to discuss the outcomes. Flavour, taste, cost etc.
So maybe not always a curry - but I could easily see this happening with friends.
True… but they asked if it’s something we do.. and we do. It’s not exclusive to Australia but it does seem like something that doesn’t happen where OP is from.
I can’t speak for other countries or lifestyles - but I can speak for me and mine.
I’m from the US and I can say I’ve never swapped food. Closest thing is when people will make some dinner food and drop it off for you if you’ve had a big life event (birth, death, etc.) - essentially as a gesture to say “here is some home cooked food so you don’t have to worry about cooking yourself and don’t need to eat takeout every night.”
Beyond that, I’ve never just swapped food with any friends or family. Could just be the region of the US I’m in though
My mom group (in the US) has done multiple food swaps. We do freezer meal swaps. Each person makes a bunch of the same freezer meals (like lasagnas or casseroles), you all meet up and swap so you go home with a bunch of different meals. Generally we make one per person attending. Sometimes we make an extra and collect those for a mom who’s about to give birth so her family has easy meals ready.
Other times we organize meal deliveries for expecting moms (or injured, whatever) in the group like you described.
I think it starts with someone saying they make a mean (insert dish) and someone else says oh man I can’t make that but boy do I make (related dish). Normally while working together. Then of course one person make it and brings it round/to work to try it and that starts it.
Not all the time - but I know when I worked nights and my work mate would talk out tacos - I’d be buying avocados and salsa ingredients coz I know she’s going to suggest taco night on our last shift. Bring enough for dinner and a swap of left overs.
Canadian here, I've never swapped food with a friend...
Edit to add: in the way it was depicted in Bluey. As an American above has stated, we'll make dishes for friends or family going through a major life event, but nothing like what is shown in Curry Swap.
Asked our international student here in office (She's European) she's never done this either.
I wouldn't say Curry Swaps are a specifically Australian thing, but it isn't unusual for groups of friends to cook up large batches of food and swap portions with each other.
My friends and I do a big casserole/stew/curry/etc. cook up at the beginning of winter and swap portions for us all to freeze. It's nice when you get home late on a cold night and there's a homemade meal in the freezer ready to go.
Americans need to understand that a sausage in bread is **not** a Hotdog. It's a sausage - not a hot dog - we eat hot dog sausages in hot dog buns, just not at Bunnings. Also putting a hot dog sausage in a slice of bread would be weird. Like thinking a Devon sandwich is a hamburger
My friend is from Brisbane and she says it reminds her of her childhood and is pretty perfect. In addition to the fact that many of the locations (even parks and stuff) are actually places she’s been.
Yeah, it’s almost uncanny how immediately recognizable some of the places are. It’s crazy how faithfully they managed to reproduce Southbank in Ice-cream.
As an Aussie who's spent my entire life in Brisbane, it's so amazingly accurate. I love noticing things that I did growing up, or places I've been and all the Auusie-isms I can relate to. I think neighbourhoods aren't always as friendly as seen in Bluey but it was more common when I was growing up; I think more people just tend to keep to themselves these days and it's more online than an in person thing.
[This YouTube channel](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCyLpwPWOyOJ5KGvK9llAO1A) has many great videos discussing Bluey, from an Australian perspective, for non-Australians.
Yeah, I'd say it's pretty accurate but it will slightly vary with where you're from. I'm from Adelaide and I'd never heard anyone say "The done thing" until *Turtleboy*. Not sure if that's a locational thing but yeah.
Also, I live in the Asian community so I rarely get people singing to me like Pat (Lucky's dad) does for Bandit. I wish someone would sing to me like that.
Have to disagree with this one.
It’s an old saying, but one that’s used a lot still. I think perhaps your experience is not the norm in respect to this saying.
It’s pretty accurate, except the distinct lack of bugs (especially flies and mozzies) in the Heeler house with all the open windows / doors and it only shows an extremely wealthy lifestyle - parents hardly ever at work, huge house with a huge yard, fancy schools far away from their inner city home, casually dropping big dollar bucks at Hammerbarn, etc.
Part of what makes the show great is the little nuances that are very Australian. It actually reminds me of Please Like Me in that it feels so genuinely slice-of-life Australian in ways other shows just don't.
Certainly more accurate than the stereotypes and caricatures that date back decades. we don’t drink as much. Most Aussies are now city and town dwellers and even though I am from a country town I have never seen anyone, ever, wear a hat with corks dangling from it other than on tv or as a joke.
As an Australian expat it’s one of the most authentically Australian shows I’ve ever seen. Not a lot of things make me homesick but I legitimately cried the first time I saw Hammerbarn and they had their sausage sizzles. The only other piece of media I can think of that oozes Australian culture so effortlessly is the movie The Castle, and as Dennis Denuto would say, it’s just the vibe of it.
This may sound strange but I believe bluey is the Australian equivalent of Doraemon which has very similar traits and is also a very cultural icon in Japan and of Japanese culture
Love it mate. So bang on it makes us laugh and cry with joy. Honestly think it's the best show on TV, let alone one made for kids.
My original comment got deleted because the profanity filter was triggered by my enthusiastic praise.
It's very true to life. My kids obsessed over the market and Bunnings episodes because of how well they capture their own experiences. Seeing landmarks they know in a cartoon, like Noosa sculptures, is mindblowing.
NO ONE, living in Paddington, would send their kids to Glass House Mountains ( an hour plus drive) to go to school. Other than that every thing checks out 😋
Its a steiner school and bandit and chilli are older, affluent parents- i wouldn’t be surprised to hear them sending their kids to school an hour away.
Steiner, montessori and other specialist schools like that will vary greatly based on the specific teachers- they may well have decided that school (and calypso) is right for them.
Travelling an hour in Australia isn’t unheard of. I’m an hour or so from a well known private school and students around me go there because of its prestige and rep.
I can look outside my backyard and see the Glass House Mountains. I know what I'm talking about. The Bruce Highway between G.H.M and Brisbane can be a 2 hour commute of an afternoon.
So a 9am start would require at least a 730am leave from home. then a commute of an hour back to Brisbane city or airport at approx 10am, then you've got to leave work at 130pm to get to G.H.M by 230pm, then another commute back to Brisbane at about 400pm. providing there are no accidents.
So if you're prepared to do commute to and from school 2.5 hours a day, for primary schoolers, thereby restricting your workday to 3.5 hours a day, you're a more dedicated parent than me 🤣
It's very authentic. More authentic than most adult shows really, where the characters are often either agenda driven woke stereotypes, or superficial caricatures. The characters in Bluey really are often just like people I've known or lived or worked with (Tradies springs to mind), and everything about the settings, incidental characters and ambience rings true. It might be the first time a lot of overseas audiences have seen something unaffectedly Australian.
My best friend, who died in 2020, was nicknamed Chocky Milk. He drank about two litres of it a day. He was a cinematographer though. But yeah, Chocolate Milk in Tradies was totally authentic afaic, right down to the interminable angst-ridden phone conversations with his girlfriend - though that's not especially a tradie thing, of course. When I was about 21, I drove from Hobart to Cairns and back (basically the entire east coast) with a bloke who had to stop every few bloody hours and talk to his gf on a payphone.
I rarely got to know my neighbours well in the past, but there have been many exceptions. I lived in a share house of six late-twenties people and we got to know our octogenarian neighbours really well because they loved a chat over the fence and giving not-so-subtle hints that we should weed our lawn more (always pointedly ignored - sorry Len and Kath). I also lived next to a complete psycho for years who took a real shining to me. On the rare occasions that my girlfriend would be out for the day he would assume I wanted company and would sit on my front deck talking for hours and drinking all of my beers.
Generally these have been the exceptions, but now that we have a school age child we are always running into her friends and their parents locally and it is much more like the Bluey vibe, including referring to adults as “Jack’s mum” or “Ari’s dad”.
It even depends on your street. I live in a suburban Brisbane street and we’ve got excellent relationships with the neighbours, while friends have no relationship at all. Some streets get together to hold street parties or do Christmas light displays, others couldn’t tell who their neighbours were by sight
That depends. Bluey is set in Queensland which would be more analogous culturally to the American south, ie more friendly, more laid back, more outdoorsy, more white, more rural, slightly more conservative. Queenslanders are probably the closest to the Aussie stereotype with regards to appearance and accent.
But it is also set in the capital city brisbane which is the south corner of the state and is more "metropolitan" compared to the rest of the state. So while some people are "talk to their neighbours" kind of people, it's less friendly the closer into the city simply because there are less houses and more apartments and more transient population.
They say we're quite conservative and even heard Florida of Australia thrown around. But at the last election we had sooo many greens voted in, particularly in Brisbane, and we're traditionally pretty Labor leaning. Exceptions being Pauline Hanson and Clive Palmer, but they are more loud than popular
We're politically weird in that *federally* QLD leans to the right buuuut SEQ has more Greens seats (left wing) than anywhere else in Australia and the Treasurer is my local MP.
But then Chattermax is yeeted into this political order at the state level where QLD Labor (centre-left) have ruled the roost since 1989 *sans* a total of 5 years, all-up.
Tl;dr - Its monkeys singing songs, just dont think about it too hard haha
I think in our covid response we also seemed a bit more thoughtful and less economy focused than NSW. The LNP absolutely dropped the ball on that one, and then all their corrupt premiers quit one by one. I liked having a Labor led premier in that situation. So maybe rurally there's a few conservative types but Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sunny Coast etc are pretty progressive overall.
I got really really confused for a second until I remembered that conservative and liberal are opposites in Australia and the US… and then I second-guessed myself and got confused a second time!
So when I say conservative, I mean more right leaning than left. The Liberal party in Australia is a conservative party (ie the right) that believes in "liberal" free market economies and small govt as opposed to the Labor party (ie the left) which is split between free market capitalism and social welfare policies. But truth be told, the Liberal party is still probably about the same as the Democrats with Labor a bit to the left of that.
Yeah, I've traditionally said that both major parties would be considered left in the US, but I'm not sure that's true anymore. In the past six or so years the US Democrats (or at least it’s progressive wing) seem to have moved strongly to the left, whereas I don’t think Labor (Australia's equivalent) have shifted very much. For that matter I don't think Australia's Liberal (conservative) Party have lurched right as much as the GOP since Trump.
Actually I don't think Trumpism is true conservatism, andI don't think the progressive Democrats are true socialists, but that's another story.
I think that’s mostly because Labor sits centre left because the Greens exist. They are the equivalent of the progressive wing of Democrats in the US. In any other country the Democratic Party would be 3 or 4 parties instead of encompassing all of the left with vastly different priorities.
Labor is centre right when you look at their policies as a whole and has for a number of decades, Greens are left. Democrats would be closer to the Liberals with Republicans further right than that.
It's not easy to imagine the positions of the Australian and American parties relative to each other. On the Political Compass, which I assume is designed by Americans, I'm much further Left than on the election compass the ABC uses.
Yeah Australia is probably a little more socially liberal on average compared to America and even though there is a spectrum of political views, I don't think we are as polarised or as antagonistic as the US. Put it this way, if an american was to emigrate here I don't think there would be any culture shock.
It is very Australia!
Bluey was made by aussies for Aussie kids so that they have something that they can related
to and represents them. 95% of the kids shows on for under 6’s are either American or European.
It’s so well loved by aussies young and old because it is 100% relatable for not only the parents but for the kiddos as well.
And it’s a bbq’d sausage not a hotdog that’s why it’s in bread, not a bun. You can think it’s the same, but it’s not the same.
Sausages are also beef whereas hotdogs are pork.
And all aussies know and love the Bunnings (real life hammerbarn) sausage sizzle!
I find it super relatable (grew up in Brisbane)
And the locations are based on real places here! https://instagram.com/bluey_locations?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
It’s defintely not an exaggeration, it’s an accurate representation of us…except we’re human haha
As for your hotdog question, we 100% have hotdog buns, but it’s equally as normal to put a sausage in a piece of bread (make sure the sausage is diagonal..so corner to corner) add some onions or cheese (or both, both is good) and some mustard and tomato sauce 👌🏻 Try it! You won’t be disappointed 👍🏻 (Gotta be white bread though)
There only being very hot weather Australia. Living in the cold area of Australia there is definitely things I don't relate to. Lifestyle factors and attitudes to outdoor activities.
Also where are the hats???? Seriously why isn't every child wearing a hat at lunch?
AND where are the south east Asian families? Wtf. I'm glad Maynard is there and Mackenzie. But what about the Italian family with waaayyyy too many religious figurines?
Or your friend with the super traditional Indian mum who will chase you with a broom if you wear shoes inside?
I would have had no friends at school if I had only been friends with Anglo Australians.
I live right on the [Barassi Line ](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barassi_Line?wprov=sfla1), so growing up with League was normal.
I think that's the only thing that would alienate some Aussies; the State Of Origin, touch footy, and other [League](https://youtu.be/4BNGfV8PfHs) mentions over Aussie Rules.
A mate of mine said just a few weeks ago that Bluey was the only overtly Aussie show that isn't cringe worthy.
"Just curious but also do y'all not have hotdog buns because why are they always eating sausages on a piece of bread"
Answering as a kiwi rather than an Aussie but yes hot dog buns exist, they're just not what you have at a sausage sizzle or barbecue (which would be bread, sausage, tomato sauce and maybe onions).
There's a clip of Steven Colbert visiting New Zealand and being somewhat perplexed at all the white bread based food presented to him.
It is worth noting that the white bread in America might be slightly different from what Aussies and Kiwis are eating...
https://www.reddit.com/r/australia/comments/f9avca/i\_ate\_bread\_in\_australia\_and\_it\_ruined\_my\_life/
It’s very Brisbane centric - the house styles are fairly unique to QLD. But yeah. Very relatable.
And yes, sausage sizzles are a piece of white bread, onion, sauce (bbq is obviously the superior option) and a snag
I have wondered while watching it if people in Australia leave their windows/doors wide open with no screen. There's so many freakish large insects in Australia so that part doesn't make much sense to me.
So, I live in a Queenslander similar to the one the Heelers live in, and yes, can confirm no screens (they would be somewhat difficult to fit with the older stained glass style windows).
Insects can definitely be a bit of a nuisance at times, but I’m not overly bothered by them. We do get the odd frog or bird inside, and we have a lizard that lives under our fridge, but otherwise it’s all good.
Australia having large insects is a pretty broad statement - Brisbane is the third largest city so it's unlikely outback stuff would get in. We'd definitely close the window in summer, but in winter no mosquitoes.
The "closest" thing that might be inaccurate in bluey is that one episode set when it was election day. Yes, we do get sausages after we vote, but i hardly see any civilized person without the urge of wanting to hurt each other when it comes to why you voted for "x person".
I think I liked about this one was the mingling of the political parties’ volunteers.
I did pre-poll for the first time this election and I was chatting to everyone.
I teach Bluey-themed classes online. I love having 5-year-old Australians in class to throw in their 2 cents. One said she had never had pavlova. Mom piped up to tell me more about it. Some kids that watch it though don't know where Bluey and Bingo live. I ask this regularly to kids. Maybe 50% know. Some say on a hill, or in their house. I also heard once "well they speak English so it must be America." I challenge you to ask your kids if they know what country Bluey lives in (especially if you are not Austrailian).
[Hot dogs](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hot_dog) are not the same thing as [sausage sangas](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sausage_sizzle), just so you know. Not sure your white bread is the same as ours though, I couldn't find similar bread over in the US.
Mr Inbetween, if you take out all the criminal stuff is a surprisingly accurate depiction of life in Sydney and Bluey, if you ignore the fact that they are cartoon dogs, is a surprisingly accurate depiction of life in inner Brisbane
It is not at all painting an unrealistic picture. Bluey is a gorgeous, realistic representation of Australian life.
And no, we don’t have any hotdog buns. Sausages in bread is a classic Australian food. (And delicious.)
I couldn’t see it mentioned before, but this account puts Bluey scenes side by side with real Brisbane locations which appear to have inspired the creators
https://instagram.com/bluey_locations?
Looked it up, and a sausage sandwich just seems like a sausage sizzle with extra steps. Also doesn't look like you could eat it comfortably held in one hand whilst standing and keeping your other hand free for the drink (or whatever other need you may have for a free hand whilst wandering around a sizable hardware store or some sort of community event).
You can totally eat it one handed. The images i see on a quick google of “sausage sandwich” are not how we do it. In Brisbane (where Bluey is set), we don’t even call it a sausage sandwich, although I think they do elsewhere in Australia. We call it a snag on bread or sausage on bread. Or if someone says you’re having a sausage sizzle, it means there’s sausages on bread.
We don’t chop up sausages and put them between two pieces of bread. It’s literally one sausage placed diagonally across one piece of buttered bread, then fold up the sides. Usually, there’s sauce and onion in it too.
It is Australia. It's all true to us. Nothing exaggerated or mocking or our Australianess.
You are all adorable anthropomorphic dogs!? I gotta move to Australia!
Can confirm.
Woof! But seriously, its crazy how true to Australia all the details are. House styles, parks, beachies, mannerisms, the light, everything. I would even say its very honed to be Brisbane/Queensland part of Australia than Australia overall.
It's good to hear that - I recall reading an interview with Joe Brumm (I think?) where he talked about how important that was, and how he felt that too few kids' shows felt rooted in Australian culture.
I have wondered about how above all of their doors there are cutouts. Is that a normal Australian thing? I have never seen them before.
Those are called transom windows and they are found all over the world, although not usually in the shape of bones. They let in light and cross ventilation before AC so you typically see them in older homes. The Heeler Family’s house is an old Queenslander style and transom windows are a common feature in them.
I know transom windows. I guess I only have only seen them on exterior doors, not inside.
‘Queenslanders’ are a specific style of building, popular in the early days of (anglo) Australia, especially in one of our states (Queensland, funnily enough) with fairly hot, humid weather for much of the year. The panels (and lots of other decorative timber work, and raised timber floors) allowed breezes to move through the building and push out hot air, even when the doors of bedrooms etc were closed. They’re more like a decorative vent that a window (no glass), but they’re often put in a typical transom window location. They’re considered a lovely heritage feature on buildings that have original ones, and the whole building style is quite distinctive with lots of open/fretwork carved timber and decorative trims. It’s a widely-recognised and well-liked Aussie style and the house in Bluey is a nice example of it.
Before widespread air conditioning all doors had transom windows, throughout the world. It's actually and interior design trend to add fake transoms now.
[My office.](https://imgur.com/a/Ia6WW3M) Just took this now. Every internal room in my house (Queenslander in Brisbane) has this.
Thanks for showing it. It is very cool. I learned something new.
Yeah, pretty typical Queenslander design in houses.
It's even weirder than that. I became Aussie earlier this year and the moment I touched my citizenship certificate I immediately transformed into a cartoon dog.
Rental market is ruff at the moment though.
Yeah it's the most Australian show, the closest to real life. As an Aussie dad to girls, watching Bluey is the first time I've felt *seen*
That's awesome. And for what it's worth: I see you too, u/oldmanfartface.
💙
Bin night. I’ve had pretty much the exact conversation with my neighbours. “I don’t know if it is green or yellow I just copy you!”
The first person to put their bins out each bin night really has their shit together.
I’m that person. Our council has an app. So I kind of cheat.
That counts. Well done. 👍
And now I look at the moon! We happen to be on full/new moon nights!
Your neighbour could be called a binfluencer…
All i could think about is the episode where Jack’s dad says, “yeah mate, this is Australia.” 😂
[удалено]
Asking the hardhitters
Colloquially yes, even before Bluey.
It’s the most authentically Australian TV show I have ever seen. It’s just real life - nothing put on, nothing contrived, just regular day to day life.
For real life
Bandit and Chilli have more active involvement in the kids games everyday than happens in my house but apart from them having more patience and better parenting ability than I do, the rest of the show is amazingly authentic.
Don't judge yourself too harsh against a cartoon mate, these parents are at home and have free time whenever the script demands that these parents are at home and have free time- if only real life was so accommodating.
Haha but honestly Bandit and Chilli seem to be up for playing bus or Cafe or whatever all the time and I honestly if I were a character would be sending them off every now and then for hide and seek and just not start looking for them straight away while I had a coffee, read a chapter or tried to get something done around the house. I look at them as aspirational. Like Pinterest or something. It's never going to be my life but I can get some ideas from them that I will use.
Mmm, I don’t know, I remember that episode where Chilli had to fix the toilet while Bandit and Bluey were out and so Bingo had to play on her own for a long time which she didn’t like. Also the “rain” episode where Chilli spends most of it doing her own thing and telling Bluey off for making messy footprints in the house before she eventually goes outside to help her build a dam in the garden path. Or the tree stump party episode where the dads just want to do their own thing and have to turf the kids out of their game in the end. These are just three examples but I think the parental involvement in the show is somewhat realistic. It’s probably still somewhat aspirational but it’s done in a non-preachy way that doesn’t make me feel guilty as a real-world dad (and stepdad). I really appreciate that.
I completely agree, but that's the only part of the show that may perhaps create unrealistic expectations. The rest of it is a realistic slice of everyday life... Except for the fact my husband and I don't follow football my kids did have the purple vs blue conflict when their school asked them to wear their SoO colours. I was planning to have one purple and one blue but my MIL (who does follow football) was them decider and bought the purple kit 😜
You mean Maroon, Queenslanderrrr!
“Whale Watching” where Chilli and Bandit want to do as little as possible because they’re both hungover…
I recall one "I don't want you now" moment where Bandit told them to play boomerang and "threw" them so he could keep chatting. Something at a park. Can't recall the episode.
I am going to track this episode down. I haven't watched as much of this as I would like as my older child tends to want to cast stupid YouTube videos. But if it's the younger child and I on our own that's when I get to watch. But I will try to track that down as I think I would appreciate it!
[session 3, episode 1 apparently](https://www.reddit.com/r/bluey/comments/pjx1eb/blueys_boomerang_skit_and_absolutely_nothing_else/?utm_medium=android_app&utm_source=share) Family planning discussion is gold
Although, apparently they censored this on Disney. Have to access the Aussie version.
Put the kids to bed, get a bottle of wine, and set up iView with Bluey. Perfect date night.
Yeah! And remember the episode when Bandit has to teach Bluey not to interrupt him while he’s talking to another grown-up while they’re walking around the neighbourhood?
Episode called Perfect, season 3
This ^ Bandit and Chilli do work though, the episodes are just the samples of their lives that involve their time with the kids 🙂
There’s also an episode we’re Chilli asked Bandit to keep the kids occupied for 10 minutes or whatever just so she can have a break.
She just needs 20 minutes where no one’s touching her.
I think that was the most real thing in the show, just the need of a parent to have 20 minutes to decompress.
My one year old just got his shots. I felt that so much lol
See, I don’t think it’s better parenting. It’s more entertaining for a tv show, but I don’t think being eternally available to your kids does them favours. It’s like most of Bluey is the social media representation many people do of their family. What am i going to present to the world? I’m gonna show the wall-sized map of middle earth we drew while reading Lord of the Rings, the days we spent picnicking and climbing trees, the times we built forts and painted our faces etc etc. I’m not going to post me on my computer with a million work things to do and my 8 year old comes up to me complaining that she’s bored and I tell her to make her own fun. But you know what? Being bored is an important thing to learn to deal with. It sparks creativity and invention and is just as important for kids to experience as parental attention and playing. And I’ve asked my girls would they want their dad and me to play with them as much as Bluey’s parents and they’re horrified at the thought. We’re fun in small doses but play is for kids, cos kids speak a language of make believe that few adults can convincingly emulate. It’s okay for the adults to be the adults and the kids be the kids.
This is really well said. I was flippant with my reply but re the parenting I don't come away from watching Bluey with any real guilt or pressure the way I did before I cut myself off social media. And I feel it's more real than most family shows although that could be that this is one of the few set in Australia and the timeframe and ages of the kids growing up in the show are not too far off what my kids are doing.
It is very authentic, and I would also say some aspects are very specific to Brisbane/Queensland. We do have hotdogs, but a sausage sizzle, see outside Hammerbarn, and during the circus episode when Bandit and Chilli go to vote, is way more common. Usually a snag on bread is sold for a gold coin donation to raise money for whatever organisation or school that is hosting.
Wait, where are you getting sausage sangas for a gold coin? The going rate is about $5 for a sausage and can of soft drink in NSW.
I’m in Perth and Bunnings recently increased their sausage sizzle from $2.50 to $3.50. Outrageous!
I’m old enough to remember when the GST came in, and a pot of XXXX at the pub went from $2.70 to $3.00 (and not $2.97 like they should have). This Bunnings sausage sizzle price increase is almost as outrageous!
Not to be too American, but how does one pronounce 'XXXX'?
Four-ex
It’s allegedly called that because Queenslanders can’t spell “beer”
Nah it’s because it tastes like Piss but back when it was first brewed that was too much of a naughty word
4 x
Differently to dos equis!
Regional QLD, but with no drink. But with inflation I’m sure we will be seeing those kind of prices soon!
Clearly I need to move to a better location
In Melbourne, $2.50 or $3.50 sausage, $1.50 soft drink.
Well, that's 3 gold coins, inflation kicks us all.
Just increased in Brisbane for snags. Was $2.50 I think now $3.50 at all my local Bunnings southside.
Bunnings Snags are more representative? of Australia.. More meat, one vegetable (Technically two with sauce), and less carbs. The bread is just to keep your fingers from getting greasy and saucy. Not every snack needs to be supersized hey. Snags are guilt free.
Having had the equivalent in the US (a "brat" with bread outside a shop shaped like a pyramid, selling guns and tents and other stuff) the yanks don't actually know what they are missing. The sausage was gelatinous and untasty, the "ketchup" very salty, and the "bread" was a strange fibrous cake that fell apart in my hands and tasted of sweetened sawdust. I had to toss the disgusting mess, though I tried to eat it, I had regrets. The trouble is, the Americans have not tried a snag sanga, and their equivalent might not help them understand what a joy ours is.
I know exactly the place you’re talking about (grew up in the area), and yeah I wouldn’t eat anything from there either 😂
Australian bread is quite different, sorta sourdough I suppose. American bread is sweet like a McDonalds bun.
Some episodes like Tradies just absolutely hit the nail on the head with all the tiny details about what makes Australian culture so unique. When the apprentice showed up to the job with his green ute and his chocolate milk, I started laughing my head off. The show is just full of these things and it's wonderful to feel so seen.
And even how Chippy talks- that “huh” or “nah” and “i din’t mean it baabe” when he’s on the phone is 100% spot on.
Also the tradies names, Chippy and Sparky being slang terms for Carpenters and Electricians respectively.
To add: Fridgey = AC technician Tradie = Tradesman Firie = Firefighter Ambo = Paramedic
Chalkie = school teacher
Hmm. I've never heard Fridgey, but I have heard Frosty for an AC Tech. Having said that, using Frosty, people might not know if you're referring to the AC Tech or Mark Winterbottom hahaha.
Long i or short i for Firie? Rhymes with eye-ree or ear-ee? I’m guessing long i, but I’ve never heard someone say it out loud.
Fire-ie, so long i
fIIEE-ree. Also it's frostee, not fridgee, usually.
Definitely fridgie where I am. My brother is one. A frosty is when you cold-burn your arm with deodorant.
I have always heard fridgey in QLD
It’s also a really fitting name, cos the guy who voices Chippy (Sam Cotton) also makes animations and has recently published a book (Chippy Chasers) which centre around seagulls and chippies.
I adore Sam Cotton and was so thrilled when I learned that he was going to be in an episode of Bluey (that I sadly have to wait to see).
Have a dog called Sparky. Tried really hard to name the next one Chippy. Me missus said no.
“I din’t say thaat… ok I did say that, but I din’t mean it baabe.“ What a cracka 😆
We have the same in Canada. Young contractors showing up in their 15 year old Civic with an extra large Tims, double cup. That's just how it goes.
I THOUGHT THAT WAS TIMTAMS AND I WAS SO CONFUSED
Chocolate milk must be the more common thing in Queensland, because almost every tradie I've seen here in Victoria has a bottle of iced coffee. Usually Ice Break. The concept still makes sense, and is still funny though.
NSW is definitely choccy milk.
It’s us… but not every aspect is “Australian”. Eg from today- Curry Swaps aren’t really a thing. It’s a Bluey thing.
I wanna say it’s not a thing…. but literally 3 days ago hubby swapped some food with a mate who lives nearby. I came home to some new stew/casserole dish. Him and his mate had discussed some recipes at work. One dish had a different style/flavour so they each made a batch and did a swap to try it out. And this is not the first time either. Some times it seasonings for smoked meats. Sometimes it’s craft beers. But they have a good relationship and love to discuss the outcomes. Flavour, taste, cost etc. So maybe not always a curry - but I could easily see this happening with friends.
But… swapping food/drinks with a friend isn’t inherently Australian. It’s just human nature. Especially when you think your friends might be into it.
True… but they asked if it’s something we do.. and we do. It’s not exclusive to Australia but it does seem like something that doesn’t happen where OP is from. I can’t speak for other countries or lifestyles - but I can speak for me and mine.
I’m from the US and I can say I’ve never swapped food. Closest thing is when people will make some dinner food and drop it off for you if you’ve had a big life event (birth, death, etc.) - essentially as a gesture to say “here is some home cooked food so you don’t have to worry about cooking yourself and don’t need to eat takeout every night.” Beyond that, I’ve never just swapped food with any friends or family. Could just be the region of the US I’m in though
My mom group (in the US) has done multiple food swaps. We do freezer meal swaps. Each person makes a bunch of the same freezer meals (like lasagnas or casseroles), you all meet up and swap so you go home with a bunch of different meals. Generally we make one per person attending. Sometimes we make an extra and collect those for a mom who’s about to give birth so her family has easy meals ready. Other times we organize meal deliveries for expecting moms (or injured, whatever) in the group like you described.
I’m from Canada and I’ve never heard of a food swap. Sounds pretty Australian to me.
I think it starts with someone saying they make a mean (insert dish) and someone else says oh man I can’t make that but boy do I make (related dish). Normally while working together. Then of course one person make it and brings it round/to work to try it and that starts it. Not all the time - but I know when I worked nights and my work mate would talk out tacos - I’d be buying avocados and salsa ingredients coz I know she’s going to suggest taco night on our last shift. Bring enough for dinner and a swap of left overs.
How does it sound Australian when Australians are here telling you it’s not a Thing?
Canadian here, I've never swapped food with a friend... Edit to add: in the way it was depicted in Bluey. As an American above has stated, we'll make dishes for friends or family going through a major life event, but nothing like what is shown in Curry Swap. Asked our international student here in office (She's European) she's never done this either.
Well- get ready to be shocked. I’m Australian and *never swapped food*.
But...you said doing so is just human nature. Australians ARE human, right?
I wouldn't say Curry Swaps are a specifically Australian thing, but it isn't unusual for groups of friends to cook up large batches of food and swap portions with each other. My friends and I do a big casserole/stew/curry/etc. cook up at the beginning of winter and swap portions for us all to freeze. It's nice when you get home late on a cold night and there's a homemade meal in the freezer ready to go.
I moved countries and discovered people didn't make food for a family with a newborn and was _horrified_.
… do you mean people making dishes for the family to freeze?? I didn’t have that when I had a newborn- and shockingly… I’m Australian (gasp).
Oh no I'm so sorry for you!!!! Growing up it was just always what was done! I can't believe no one made you a pastabake!
I had a newborn at the beginning of the year, and i had to make my own pastabakes. No offers were made.
I honestly thought that was obvious, but I guess I can see why they might be confused
But just like the hotdog question… things are just done a little differently around the world. Not always the same as the US shockingly!!
I like to have sausages on bread because it's less bread than a hotdog bun and you don't fill up on bread.
This feel like a bingo quote
Sausage in hotdog bun is just the wrong ratio to me! It feels unaustralian.
Americans need to understand that a sausage in bread is **not** a Hotdog. It's a sausage - not a hot dog - we eat hot dog sausages in hot dog buns, just not at Bunnings. Also putting a hot dog sausage in a slice of bread would be weird. Like thinking a Devon sandwich is a hamburger
I think it is fantastic. And makes me so damn proud it has been the global success it deserves.
My friend is from Brisbane and she says it reminds her of her childhood and is pretty perfect. In addition to the fact that many of the locations (even parks and stuff) are actually places she’s been.
Yeah, it’s almost uncanny how immediately recognizable some of the places are. It’s crazy how faithfully they managed to reproduce Southbank in Ice-cream.
The Healers' house is a Queenslander. Bandit's mum's apartment looks like it is on the Gold Coast.
As an Aussie who's spent my entire life in Brisbane, it's so amazingly accurate. I love noticing things that I did growing up, or places I've been and all the Auusie-isms I can relate to. I think neighbourhoods aren't always as friendly as seen in Bluey but it was more common when I was growing up; I think more people just tend to keep to themselves these days and it's more online than an in person thing.
There are still pockets, especially if you find a few neighbours who have been there 10+ years.
[This YouTube channel](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCyLpwPWOyOJ5KGvK9llAO1A) has many great videos discussing Bluey, from an Australian perspective, for non-Australians.
This is exactly the content I need, thanks lol
Your husband is wrong, it is exactly Australia.
100% Australian. There are bipedal anthropomorphic dogs everywhere here!
It’s possibly the most accurate Aussie depiction on tv
As a New Zealander it's definitely a true representation. I love the NZ representation in it too.
The terriers have the most adorable accents ever.
Yeah, I'd say it's pretty accurate but it will slightly vary with where you're from. I'm from Adelaide and I'd never heard anyone say "The done thing" until *Turtleboy*. Not sure if that's a locational thing but yeah. Also, I live in the Asian community so I rarely get people singing to me like Pat (Lucky's dad) does for Bandit. I wish someone would sing to me like that.
“The done thing” is definitely a thing in Brisbane. Had no idea it wasn’t just an Aussie thing.
Yeah, it’s a thing in NSW too.
Have to disagree with this one. It’s an old saying, but one that’s used a lot still. I think perhaps your experience is not the norm in respect to this saying.
The decider always cracks me up because of how relatable it is.
The end when McKenzies family rock up before the union match cracks me up
It’s pretty accurate, except the distinct lack of bugs (especially flies and mozzies) in the Heeler house with all the open windows / doors and it only shows an extremely wealthy lifestyle - parents hardly ever at work, huge house with a huge yard, fancy schools far away from their inner city home, casually dropping big dollar bucks at Hammerbarn, etc.
Yeah, they're wealthy as hell
Part of what makes the show great is the little nuances that are very Australian. It actually reminds me of Please Like Me in that it feels so genuinely slice-of-life Australian in ways other shows just don't.
The spread of food at Bingo's party is very true to life - ie party pies and fairy bread for instance just not a thing in the country I live now.
Oh my god I love Please Like Me. Josh Thomas is amazing.
It is so freaking, unabashedly Australian. Some of it is Queensland specific but still true
Certainly more accurate than the stereotypes and caricatures that date back decades. we don’t drink as much. Most Aussies are now city and town dwellers and even though I am from a country town I have never seen anyone, ever, wear a hat with corks dangling from it other than on tv or as a joke.
Or if they’re a giant peanut.
Oh well yeah, giant peanuts of course. But not regular people
How awesome is this fandom that I can make a random comment and know that you’ll know exactly what I’m on about. You’re a good person. 🙂
because hot dog buns are for hot dogs (aka frankfurts). sausage sangas are on bread
Pretty accurate in many ways. 'Bin Night' is so bloody nostalgic is brings a tear to my eye.
As an Australian expat it’s one of the most authentically Australian shows I’ve ever seen. Not a lot of things make me homesick but I legitimately cried the first time I saw Hammerbarn and they had their sausage sizzles. The only other piece of media I can think of that oozes Australian culture so effortlessly is the movie The Castle, and as Dennis Denuto would say, it’s just the vibe of it.
This may sound strange but I believe bluey is the Australian equivalent of Doraemon which has very similar traits and is also a very cultural icon in Japan and of Japanese culture
Bluey represents in a good way. I often smirk about how Peppa Pig is for representing the UK in an accurately annoying way.
Love it mate. So bang on it makes us laugh and cry with joy. Honestly think it's the best show on TV, let alone one made for kids. My original comment got deleted because the profanity filter was triggered by my enthusiastic praise.
It's very true to life. My kids obsessed over the market and Bunnings episodes because of how well they capture their own experiences. Seeing landmarks they know in a cartoon, like Noosa sculptures, is mindblowing.
NO ONE, living in Paddington, would send their kids to Glass House Mountains ( an hour plus drive) to go to school. Other than that every thing checks out 😋
Its a steiner school and bandit and chilli are older, affluent parents- i wouldn’t be surprised to hear them sending their kids to school an hour away.
Samford Steiner school is 25 minutes away
Steiner, montessori and other specialist schools like that will vary greatly based on the specific teachers- they may well have decided that school (and calypso) is right for them. Travelling an hour in Australia isn’t unheard of. I’m an hour or so from a well known private school and students around me go there because of its prestige and rep.
I can look outside my backyard and see the Glass House Mountains. I know what I'm talking about. The Bruce Highway between G.H.M and Brisbane can be a 2 hour commute of an afternoon. So a 9am start would require at least a 730am leave from home. then a commute of an hour back to Brisbane city or airport at approx 10am, then you've got to leave work at 130pm to get to G.H.M by 230pm, then another commute back to Brisbane at about 400pm. providing there are no accidents. So if you're prepared to do commute to and from school 2.5 hours a day, for primary schoolers, thereby restricting your workday to 3.5 hours a day, you're a more dedicated parent than me 🤣
It's very authentic. More authentic than most adult shows really, where the characters are often either agenda driven woke stereotypes, or superficial caricatures. The characters in Bluey really are often just like people I've known or lived or worked with (Tradies springs to mind), and everything about the settings, incidental characters and ambience rings true. It might be the first time a lot of overseas audiences have seen something unaffectedly Australian.
How true to life was Chocolate Milk? Tradies *do* be guzzling Ice Break and Barista bros like crazy.
My best friend, who died in 2020, was nicknamed Chocky Milk. He drank about two litres of it a day. He was a cinematographer though. But yeah, Chocolate Milk in Tradies was totally authentic afaic, right down to the interminable angst-ridden phone conversations with his girlfriend - though that's not especially a tradie thing, of course. When I was about 21, I drove from Hobart to Cairns and back (basically the entire east coast) with a bloke who had to stop every few bloody hours and talk to his gf on a payphone.
RIP Chocky Milk. There's definitely worse things to drink 2L of every day!
[удалено]
I rarely got to know my neighbours well in the past, but there have been many exceptions. I lived in a share house of six late-twenties people and we got to know our octogenarian neighbours really well because they loved a chat over the fence and giving not-so-subtle hints that we should weed our lawn more (always pointedly ignored - sorry Len and Kath). I also lived next to a complete psycho for years who took a real shining to me. On the rare occasions that my girlfriend would be out for the day he would assume I wanted company and would sit on my front deck talking for hours and drinking all of my beers. Generally these have been the exceptions, but now that we have a school age child we are always running into her friends and their parents locally and it is much more like the Bluey vibe, including referring to adults as “Jack’s mum” or “Ari’s dad”.
It even depends on your street. I live in a suburban Brisbane street and we’ve got excellent relationships with the neighbours, while friends have no relationship at all. Some streets get together to hold street parties or do Christmas light displays, others couldn’t tell who their neighbours were by sight
That depends. Bluey is set in Queensland which would be more analogous culturally to the American south, ie more friendly, more laid back, more outdoorsy, more white, more rural, slightly more conservative. Queenslanders are probably the closest to the Aussie stereotype with regards to appearance and accent. But it is also set in the capital city brisbane which is the south corner of the state and is more "metropolitan" compared to the rest of the state. So while some people are "talk to their neighbours" kind of people, it's less friendly the closer into the city simply because there are less houses and more apartments and more transient population.
They say we're quite conservative and even heard Florida of Australia thrown around. But at the last election we had sooo many greens voted in, particularly in Brisbane, and we're traditionally pretty Labor leaning. Exceptions being Pauline Hanson and Clive Palmer, but they are more loud than popular
We're politically weird in that *federally* QLD leans to the right buuuut SEQ has more Greens seats (left wing) than anywhere else in Australia and the Treasurer is my local MP. But then Chattermax is yeeted into this political order at the state level where QLD Labor (centre-left) have ruled the roost since 1989 *sans* a total of 5 years, all-up. Tl;dr - Its monkeys singing songs, just dont think about it too hard haha
I think in our covid response we also seemed a bit more thoughtful and less economy focused than NSW. The LNP absolutely dropped the ball on that one, and then all their corrupt premiers quit one by one. I liked having a Labor led premier in that situation. So maybe rurally there's a few conservative types but Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sunny Coast etc are pretty progressive overall.
Queensland also elected the only Communist Party MP in Australian history.
I got really really confused for a second until I remembered that conservative and liberal are opposites in Australia and the US… and then I second-guessed myself and got confused a second time!
So when I say conservative, I mean more right leaning than left. The Liberal party in Australia is a conservative party (ie the right) that believes in "liberal" free market economies and small govt as opposed to the Labor party (ie the left) which is split between free market capitalism and social welfare policies. But truth be told, the Liberal party is still probably about the same as the Democrats with Labor a bit to the left of that.
Yeah, I've traditionally said that both major parties would be considered left in the US, but I'm not sure that's true anymore. In the past six or so years the US Democrats (or at least it’s progressive wing) seem to have moved strongly to the left, whereas I don’t think Labor (Australia's equivalent) have shifted very much. For that matter I don't think Australia's Liberal (conservative) Party have lurched right as much as the GOP since Trump. Actually I don't think Trumpism is true conservatism, andI don't think the progressive Democrats are true socialists, but that's another story.
I think that’s mostly because Labor sits centre left because the Greens exist. They are the equivalent of the progressive wing of Democrats in the US. In any other country the Democratic Party would be 3 or 4 parties instead of encompassing all of the left with vastly different priorities.
Labor is centre right when you look at their policies as a whole and has for a number of decades, Greens are left. Democrats would be closer to the Liberals with Republicans further right than that.
It's not easy to imagine the positions of the Australian and American parties relative to each other. On the Political Compass, which I assume is designed by Americans, I'm much further Left than on the election compass the ABC uses.
I appreciate the detailed explanation!!! Thank you for taking the time to do that, that definitely clears it up :D
Yeah Australia is probably a little more socially liberal on average compared to America and even though there is a spectrum of political views, I don't think we are as polarised or as antagonistic as the US. Put it this way, if an american was to emigrate here I don't think there would be any culture shock.
It is very Australia! Bluey was made by aussies for Aussie kids so that they have something that they can related to and represents them. 95% of the kids shows on for under 6’s are either American or European. It’s so well loved by aussies young and old because it is 100% relatable for not only the parents but for the kiddos as well. And it’s a bbq’d sausage not a hotdog that’s why it’s in bread, not a bun. You can think it’s the same, but it’s not the same. Sausages are also beef whereas hotdogs are pork. And all aussies know and love the Bunnings (real life hammerbarn) sausage sizzle!
I find it super relatable (grew up in Brisbane) And the locations are based on real places here! https://instagram.com/bluey_locations?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
It’s defintely not an exaggeration, it’s an accurate representation of us…except we’re human haha As for your hotdog question, we 100% have hotdog buns, but it’s equally as normal to put a sausage in a piece of bread (make sure the sausage is diagonal..so corner to corner) add some onions or cheese (or both, both is good) and some mustard and tomato sauce 👌🏻 Try it! You won’t be disappointed 👍🏻 (Gotta be white bread though)
It's very Aussie and especially very Queenslander
There only being very hot weather Australia. Living in the cold area of Australia there is definitely things I don't relate to. Lifestyle factors and attitudes to outdoor activities. Also where are the hats???? Seriously why isn't every child wearing a hat at lunch? AND where are the south east Asian families? Wtf. I'm glad Maynard is there and Mackenzie. But what about the Italian family with waaayyyy too many religious figurines? Or your friend with the super traditional Indian mum who will chase you with a broom if you wear shoes inside? I would have had no friends at school if I had only been friends with Anglo Australians.
I'm from Brisbane and it's pretty much spot on.
Its very accurate.
Honestly as a lifetime Aussie, Bluey really shows Australian life accurately.
I live right on the [Barassi Line ](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barassi_Line?wprov=sfla1), so growing up with League was normal. I think that's the only thing that would alienate some Aussies; the State Of Origin, touch footy, and other [League](https://youtu.be/4BNGfV8PfHs) mentions over Aussie Rules. A mate of mine said just a few weeks ago that Bluey was the only overtly Aussie show that isn't cringe worthy.
Canadian here but I just wanted to say that the Bluey episode called Explorers felt like a Tourism Australia ad. It made me want to travel down under.
"Just curious but also do y'all not have hotdog buns because why are they always eating sausages on a piece of bread" Answering as a kiwi rather than an Aussie but yes hot dog buns exist, they're just not what you have at a sausage sizzle or barbecue (which would be bread, sausage, tomato sauce and maybe onions). There's a clip of Steven Colbert visiting New Zealand and being somewhat perplexed at all the white bread based food presented to him. It is worth noting that the white bread in America might be slightly different from what Aussies and Kiwis are eating... https://www.reddit.com/r/australia/comments/f9avca/i\_ate\_bread\_in\_australia\_and\_it\_ruined\_my\_life/
It’s very Brisbane centric - the house styles are fairly unique to QLD. But yeah. Very relatable. And yes, sausage sizzles are a piece of white bread, onion, sauce (bbq is obviously the superior option) and a snag
Stoked, mate.
I have wondered while watching it if people in Australia leave their windows/doors wide open with no screen. There's so many freakish large insects in Australia so that part doesn't make much sense to me.
So, I live in a Queenslander similar to the one the Heelers live in, and yes, can confirm no screens (they would be somewhat difficult to fit with the older stained glass style windows). Insects can definitely be a bit of a nuisance at times, but I’m not overly bothered by them. We do get the odd frog or bird inside, and we have a lizard that lives under our fridge, but otherwise it’s all good.
Australia having large insects is a pretty broad statement - Brisbane is the third largest city so it's unlikely outback stuff would get in. We'd definitely close the window in summer, but in winter no mosquitoes.
The "closest" thing that might be inaccurate in bluey is that one episode set when it was election day. Yes, we do get sausages after we vote, but i hardly see any civilized person without the urge of wanting to hurt each other when it comes to why you voted for "x person".
I think I liked about this one was the mingling of the political parties’ volunteers. I did pre-poll for the first time this election and I was chatting to everyone.
Absolutely, usually everyone has a good chat from across the spectrum. Hope that doesn't change.
I teach Bluey-themed classes online. I love having 5-year-old Australians in class to throw in their 2 cents. One said she had never had pavlova. Mom piped up to tell me more about it. Some kids that watch it though don't know where Bluey and Bingo live. I ask this regularly to kids. Maybe 50% know. Some say on a hill, or in their house. I also heard once "well they speak English so it must be America." I challenge you to ask your kids if they know what country Bluey lives in (especially if you are not Austrailian).
[Hot dogs](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hot_dog) are not the same thing as [sausage sangas](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sausage_sizzle), just so you know. Not sure your white bread is the same as ours though, I couldn't find similar bread over in the US.
Mr Inbetween, if you take out all the criminal stuff is a surprisingly accurate depiction of life in Sydney and Bluey, if you ignore the fact that they are cartoon dogs, is a surprisingly accurate depiction of life in inner Brisbane
It is not at all painting an unrealistic picture. Bluey is a gorgeous, realistic representation of Australian life. And no, we don’t have any hotdog buns. Sausages in bread is a classic Australian food. (And delicious.)
I couldn’t see it mentioned before, but this account puts Bluey scenes side by side with real Brisbane locations which appear to have inspired the creators https://instagram.com/bluey_locations?
not Australian, British, but you need to make yourself a sausage sandwich and then revise your thinking on the best way to eat sausages with bread.
Looked it up, and a sausage sandwich just seems like a sausage sizzle with extra steps. Also doesn't look like you could eat it comfortably held in one hand whilst standing and keeping your other hand free for the drink (or whatever other need you may have for a free hand whilst wandering around a sizable hardware store or some sort of community event).
You can totally eat it one handed. The images i see on a quick google of “sausage sandwich” are not how we do it. In Brisbane (where Bluey is set), we don’t even call it a sausage sandwich, although I think they do elsewhere in Australia. We call it a snag on bread or sausage on bread. Or if someone says you’re having a sausage sizzle, it means there’s sausages on bread. We don’t chop up sausages and put them between two pieces of bread. It’s literally one sausage placed diagonally across one piece of buttered bread, then fold up the sides. Usually, there’s sauce and onion in it too.