I think I've figured out why Australian society has what they over there call: "Tall Poppy Syndrome." I've heard a lot about this - the idea that they scorn people who appear to think themselves better than others. In other words, if someone drives down the street in a fancy car, the youth will call out an insult like "You wanker!" - whereas in the States, that car would attract admiring glances.

I heard this audio clip from the Australian public broadcaster, tonight about "Cultural Cringe". The links to listen to the clip are off to the right on the ABC's webpage.

My conclusion today after listening to this discussion was that Australia is always trying to compare itself to Europe. The people down under feel very self-conscious and they squirm, and they feel that they are an oppressed minority among Western nations. They feel that Europeans are derisive of them, and this really hurts their feelings. Thus, it becomes a prevalent attitude in Australia to resent whatever might be perceived as snobbery.