Are Australians "Good rule followers"

[stui magpie]

Waleed Aly wrote an article in the Age a few days ago about the current Coronavirus situation and made this statement.

[What'sinaname]

We love to bend over the barrel, spread the cheeks, and take it dry.

We also have a Constitution that no one gives a shit about, so we have nothing to argue about.

The Government could introduce a new law that would allow them to install a device to access our private conversations and we'd just rollover and say yeah, sure.

[stui magpie]

^

Speaking for yourself or your opinion on the greater population?

Personally, I don't obey what I consider stupid rules and I certainly don't agree with this

[think positive]

Aussies area ti rules especially when it’s for their own good

[stui magpie]

English translation?

[Woods Of Ypres]

Nanny country

[What'sinaname]

[Skids]

I won't wear a bike helmet, ever. I don't ride on the road and I went over more jumps on my pushy than the Dukes of Hazard, without a helmet, before I was 10.

I won't wear a mask outside, ridiculous.

I'll smoke gunja until the day I can't breathe.

Other than that, I guess I pretty much follow all the rules.

[David]

I reckon Aly is spot on, and have long thought the exact same: we do have a compliant culture, and whatever cultural characteristic the myth of the irreverent "larrikin" was based on is nowadays either very marginal or long gone. Apathy and compliance are really two sides of the same coin – in many respects, it’s easier and more comfortable for people to have others telling them what to do. And I think there are a lot of fears and anxieties under the surface too that shape people’s attitudes (perhaps partially as a result of our place in the world as a kind of satellite state). I do think we’re an unusually fearful country.

Here are some dominant Australian cultural views I’ve observed: rules are rules; those in power do what they do for a good reason; protesters and political activists (whatever the cause) are idiots and troublemakers; we and those we love are acutely at risk of becoming victims of crime; change is frightening. I’m not saying everyone thinks this way all the time or that these sentiments are unique to Australia, but I do feel that they’re strong enough to shape the way we live in consequential ways.

And none of this is new, either. I haven’t read The Lucky Country, but from what I understand of its argument, the dominant character of Australia hasn’t changed all that much in the last fifty years.

[David]

By the way, I don't think that's true about compulsory voting being in the constitution. It was only first brought in Queensland in the 1910s, federally in the 1920s and in some of the states (WA and SA) as late as 1936 and 1942 respectively. It may still be a red herring, but it is surprising to discover that so many cultures around the world still consider the idea of forcing people to vote unpalatable whereas we just accept it as normal and sensible.

[stui magpie]

Interesting counter arguments.

maybe my personal views are shaped from growing growing up in a small country town in the 70's. I've never thought that the people who make the rules do them for good reasons, I generally think they're idiots.

My compliance is usually driven by consequences. I'm careful when and where I break speed limits and I generally avoid driving after drinking, not because I think either is particularly dangerous but because I don't want to lose my drivers license.

The mask mandate outdoors was stupid, so I generally didn't follow it. If I was outside, I'd have a mask in my pocket and if I got near other people I'd put it on then, not because I thought it lessened any risk but to not wear it near others would have been confrontational.

It would be an interesting exercise to try to get perceptions across different age groups, genders and cultures. I don't think we're a particularly fearful country but do seem to respond to fear campaigns.

Complying because we secretly enjoy being told what to do, and complying because even though we think it's stupid and unfair but it's too bloody hard to fight it, aren't the same thing.

[roar]

[stui magpie]

^

Highway Patrol seem to give a bit of tolerance. There's no working fixed speed cameras on the Hume, so I set the cruise control for around 115 depending on traffic flow. I've driven past Highway Patrol cars sitting there with the speed gun out the window and nothing. They don't even blink. I figure they're waiting for someone worth the effort.

On the Goulburn valley Highway I pretty much know the preferred hiding places for the cops so make sure I don't put the foot down in those areas.

[Skids]

Can't get away with much on WA roads.

The last time I got a speeding ticket, was a few years ago now. I got pinged on the Kwinana Fwy by a fixed camera for doing 107 in 100 zone. To really cap it off, there was another camera 3k down the road that got me at 106.

I set my cruise control at 2k over the limit everywhere now, I already pay enough tax.

[eddiesmith]

Fixed and mobile speed cameras will get you for any speed over the limit, but yeah Highway Patrol I’ve alway felt comfortable doing anything up to 120 before they bother. Much like Stui I’ve gone past them at 115-120 and nothing.

Been pulled over for 124 and got a warning, got pulled over and a ticket for 129, which I later discovered was only 1km from losing my licence!

But as has been mentioned above, I’m a risk v reward person. What is actually the risk of getting in trouble? What is the punishment if I do? I won’t steal something but following stupid rules like outdoor mask mandates or the speed limit, well there is always leeway.