For anybody who cared, and for the fans I imagine I have, my absence of late was due me undertaking some very important field work overseas. By that, I mean I was in Bali watching Australians get drunk in a foreign environment, and believe you me it was educational. So much so that everything I experienced over those ten days are too extensive to be conveyed in just one post, there are enough funny and relevant anecdotes for an entire series. GET READY.
Disclaimer: I am not actually a student of anthropology, nor do I have actual experience or training in studying the behaviour of groups, but I am pretty observant and 3/4 of the way to an arts degree, and in the current spirit of the Labor party, fuck it.
Study 1 - Collective Australian overseas drinking habits
Overseas holidays, especially in tropical locations lacking in any overtly famous landmarks/where sightseeing tours are unavailable/with a strong law enforcement authority, generally compel travellers to maintain a state of constant intoxication for the duration of their stay. This may be the result of a number of factors. Firstly, the desire to rid oneself of all responsibility and obligation. Secondly, the misguided belief that a slight change in time difference will protect from liver damage and negate all effects of a hangover. And thirdly, the ‘when in Rome’ motivation, that is, to involve oneself in the activities of local inhabitants (Eg. drinking vodka in Russia, Bintang in Bali, Asahi in Japan).
Observation of misplaced bogans on various islands in Indonesia showed that the ‘laid-back’ attitude, also known as the desire to be perpetually shit-faced and our excuse for laziness, characteristic of Australians is highly compatible and enhanced in the Balinese context. Particularly because it is highly acceptable to sit around and do nothing for extended periods of time and all concentration can be focused on the consumption of alcoholic beverages from 10am onwards.
One major issue Australians abroad experienced occurred on occasions where individuals or groups attempted to go clubbing or increase alcoholic substances from “chilled holiday bevs” to “consciously attempting to get drunk so I can pick up”. The acceleration of alcoholic consumption in addition to physical assertion often resulted in subjects loosing consciousness at inappropriate times or removal from the group due to hunger rampages. Such situations were avoided when subjects began the drinking process later in the day, as well as drinking ‘clubbing specific’ or ‘hardcore’ alcohol (Eg. Vodka and Red Bull, tequila shots, champagne).
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