OZtralia.tv Blog

-By Priscilla Fox

To ensure my list of writings cover all things Australian it would be seen as a pure criminal offence if I did not make a special mention of Barbie.

Barbie is quiet, very good looking, smells divine, generates great conversation, well maintained, makes a great meal and is described as smoking hot!

I’m sorry for those in the USA, the Barbie I am talking about is not that hot little plastic blonde number with every accessory known to woman and all fashion-kind who has a lifestyle and partner envied by millions of girls the world over.

The Barbie I am referring to is the Australian term of endearment for the word barbeque. Most of us know it as that wonderful apparatus which cooks meat and seafood with charcoal heat, the smell of which always sends the neighbors crazy with hunger and sudden interest in what is going on in your backyard.

An early Caribbean invention, this baby is an entrenched device in every Australian household and again, bringing in the heavy utensils here, is seen as a social offence not to own one. The weather in most states allows for it to be used year round and is such a quick way to feed the masses that suddenly turn up at your doorstep at short notice. Oh and to make sure you are the perfect guest, the person who hosts the barbeque buys and cooks the meat and those who visit bring the salad and alcohol.

Australian actor Paul Hogan famously promoted our proud culture in an advertising campaign by saying the words “I’ll slip an extra shrimp on the Barbie for you”. To us Aussies, we were a little perplexed at the word ‘shrimp’ as we see them as little fingernail sized sea creatures that hardly deserve the mention of a meal. Prawn is our name for it and those buggers can be the size of a decent banger, (that’s a sausage for the uninitiated).

Regardless of our differences in names, we can all safely agree that one way or another Barbie is a perfect friend to have around, always provides for great discussion, entertainment and a smoking hot time!