While there are some walking, talking Australian stereotypes, the majority of us are normal human beings and yearn to be recognised as such. So let’s get a few facts straight – here’s 18 commonly held perceptions about Aussies that need to be debunked:
1. We can actually live without our Vegemite
![Vegemite](https://www.australiantimes.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/Vegemite-351x470.jpg)
2. And we don’t throw shrimps on barbies (they are called prawns, dammit! And they rarely make it as far as a hot plate).
![paul hogan australia shrimp barbie barbie](https://www.australiantimes.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/paul-hogan-australia-shrimp-barbie-barbie.jpg)
3. We don’t wash our grub down with Foster’s
![Fosters](https://www.australiantimes.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/Fosters1.jpg)
4. ..or just any old beer, because we’re such alcoholics
![shutterstock_222042532](https://www.australiantimes.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/shutterstock_222042532.jpg)
5. Crikey, no we don’t even swim in the stuff
![Swimmers drinking](https://www.australiantimes.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/Swimmers-drinking.jpg)
6. We weren’t all born surfing
![Baby surfing](https://www.australiantimes.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/Baby-surfing.jpg)
7. And we probably haven’t survived a shark attack
![Shark attack](https://www.australiantimes.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/attack-.jpg)
8. …or even a crocodile or snake bite
![Crocodile hunter](https://www.australiantimes.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/Croc.jpg)
9. We don’t all live right on the beach
![Beach house](https://www.australiantimes.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/Beach-house.jpg)
10. …or slap bang in the middle of the Outback
![Outback](https://www.australiantimes.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/Aus.jpg)
11. We don’t always greet everyone, all the time, with “G’day, mate”
![Gday](https://www.australiantimes.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/Gday.jpg)
12. …while wearing a cork hat
![Cork hat](https://www.australiantimes.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/Cork-hat.jpg)
13. We are not all extremely tanned
![tanned](https://www.australiantimes.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/tanned.jpg)
14. …because it’s only ever scorching in Australia
![Heat](https://www.australiantimes.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/hot.jpg)
15. The place is not totally crawling with deadly animals everywhere you look
![deadly](https://www.australiantimes.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/deadly.jpg)
16. And we do not ride kangaroos to work
![kangaroo](https://www.australiantimes.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/kangaroo.jpg)
17. We don’t all just live for meat pies
![Milleflore Images via Shutterstock.com](https://www.australiantimes.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/shutterstock_241605262.jpg)
18. And we dont just wear thongs, no matter what the weather
![Shutterstock.com/Leah-AnneThompson](https://www.australiantimes.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/Australian-slang-thongs-shutterstock_192293249-600x260.jpg)
19. Because for us Aussies, less is not always more
![Aussiebum](https://www.australiantimes.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/bum.jpg)
Also view: ‘Straya’ – the hot new ‘Hey ya’ Australian anthem [VIDEO]