That's right, I am an imposter!
Well . . . Not really. I have not stolen anyone's identity or anything along those lines. I'm no Jason Bourne. But I am not an Australian. At least not the Australian that most Australian men are. Now I do my best not to stereotype people, but it's so difficult when a lot of people seem to fit stereotype's.
The reason I say I'm an imposter is because I don't feel I fit into the Australian stereotype that most men are. I felt like this at my old job, and at my current one. Actually, I feel this way around a lot of Australian men. You see, Aussies love their sport. Football, Cricket and Tennis among many others, we are a nation of sport's lover's. Women too. I have met women who are far more manlier then me. Not in appearance, but in their likes and dislikes. Well, mostly sport. And beer. Australia: lovers of sport and beer!
Now I have nothing against these things, they just aren't for me. I would much rather play a sport then watch it, however I have always felt funny playing sport. Ever since high school, (which had quite a few sporting types and I'm pretty sure have produced some well known sports stars, names of which I can't recall) I have felt strange playing sport. I'm not exactly the best Athlete (especially in high school), and there is always that one person who takes it all so seriously. Yes its nice to win, and yes I too would like a shinny trophy or something, but relax already will you, its just a game. I'd much rather go for a run or a bike ride. Maybe a Swim. Or play some kind of backyard sport.
Mostly though for the purposes of my thought's in this blog is more the watching of sport, and I guess the knowledge of sports stars and sport in general. I rarely watch sport on the TV, nor do I know the names of many sports stars. I might watch the Tennis (if its on at the time, but I don't really follow it religiously). And I might watch the State of Origin (Go QLD!). That's about it. Oh, and the reason I say go QLD is because I was born there. This makes it much easier for when people ask me "NSW or QLD?"
And that's it, right there really, people ask me did I watch it or what team I'm backing and stuff like that. Or they just start talking about it, or certain sports people with the assumption I know what they are talking about. But that's how it is, people assume that because I'm a fellow Aussie and a male that therefore I watch sport and that on boxing day the cricket must be on, or that I cant wait for the footy season and am going to put my tips in. And when it comes time to the truth where they find out that I have no clue or opinion on such things then there's usually a lull in conversation or an awkward moment when no one knows what to say. This is why I feel to be an imposter.
Now while I'm fully aware that I am stereotyping and that not every Aussie out there enjoys a TV sports program and that there are probably others out there like myself, but there just seems to be a vast majority of Aussie's who love their sport. Where I currently work is a good example. There are a number of TV screens at work, most of which displaying some kind of sport. It's mostly been Cricket lately. I see patrons looking at the screen's, maybe the occasional cheer or an excited "YES!" They are loving it. They know the game, they know the players, and they know who they want to win. Something I will never know, nor fully understand. I've never understood people who watch these events from home screaming at the TV at the player who has the ball (I'm talking football right now), yelling at them to "Go, Go!". (Well, actually that part I can understand). But when people bag out the players and gather around with their mates telling them how it 'should of been done'. All I can think about is well, I don't see you doing it. You sit there with your beer gut, snacking and bagging out players who 'can't play for shit', but I don't see you doing it. I don't see you out there. Why don't YOU show us how it 'should be done'. These are the conversations that would happen at my old workplace and I would have to just sit quietly, un-opinionated. Or just leave the room, which I often did.
All this sport watching (especially where I currently work in a pub) usually is associated with a cold beverage. Mostly, Beer. Beer is a mans drink. Quite possibly the manliest drink around (except light beer, light beer drinkers seem to get bagged out in my experience). This is most unfortunate for me as I don't drink beer. Apart from the fact that I can't stand the taste and I prefer my beverage's to be something I enjoy, Beer also doesn't agree with me. I've tried to love Beer. I've attempted many different types over the years but me and Beer it seems just aren't meant to be. Which sucks because it's considerably cheaper then Rum, my usual drink of choice.
Apart from the fact I don't like its taste, Beer makes me feel sick. And I'm not talking after many Beer's. I have never actually finished a full Beer in my life. It's like instant headache for me, and makes me feel sick in the stomach. It also surprises people when they discover that I don't drink beer. I usually get some kind of a "Oh really" kind of reaction. Like when people discover I haven't been following the Cricket or something, it seems to puzzle them. I guess it's hard to break free from a stereotype. I mean I am an Aussie after all, and like I said, the majority of Australian's love these things.
So this is me, Lachlan the imposter. An Australian who really doesn't care that much about (watching) sport or drinking Beer. And while I am by all right's Australian with having been born here and lived here my whole life, there are time's where I don't feel like I'm a real 'Aussie'. I mean there are people here from foreign countries who are probably more 'Aussie' then me. But that's ok, the good thing about Australia is that we are pretty laid back and generally don't give a shit what you like and don't like. As long as you are respectful to people and our country, like to have a good laugh (even at your own expense), and will have a drink with us (doesn't have to be beer), then we are pretty accepting.
So whilst I may be an imposter, and not a 'true' Aussie I can still feel at home
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