A Breezy, Unpredictable People

In the course of due diligence for our next trip, I've come upon a picture book called Australia and New Zealand from the Life World Library, copyrighted in 1964. It's one of those classic treatments of a Land Far Away circa the 1960's, with a mix of black and white and over-saturated color photographs (like the one at left), the way they used to do.

It was a different world in 1964. Chapter four, "A Breezy, Unpredictable People," startles with its directness, but makes me smile at the same time. Here, for your edification are some things you'll learn about Australians:

- "Certainly the Australian male is tough - very tough - and in appearance lean-eyed, hatchet-jawed, relaxed and slightly ungainly. The girls generally run in two types - either a rather stringy, small-breasted, leggy girl with a sun-baked complexion, or else one with a large-hipped figure and an easy grace of posture."

- "Both sexes look athletic, purposeful and healthy; yet each may be said to lack style and glamour."

- "... the girls tend to be boyish: frank and kindly, yet lacking mystery and romance."

and

- "...Australians are reluctant to give credit where it is due. A man of achievement is accorded a publicity value but not much else. For Australians are great 'Knockers,' and a man of high talent may often be pursued by a kind of envious rancor."

Photo from Australia and New Zealand, copyright 1964 and available used for $3.64 via Abebooks.com.

Comments

[Bobby Long]

For Australians are great 'Knockers,' and a man of high talent may often be pursued by a kind of envious rancor."

There's more than one kind of envious rancor?