13 weird things Aussie travellers are way too proud of

From wearing thongs on a chilly day in Barcelona, to bragging about Schengen runs, here are the bizarre things Aussie travellers are just a little too proud of.

We're also quite proud of upholding our reputation for being a nation of big drinkers... despite the fact that back home we're all Heaps Normal and Sober October... Image: @sailcroatia

There are a lot of rites of passage for Aussie travellers. But while some are cute, others are just weird.

The Galicians might be proud of their Octopus, the English might be proud of David Beckham and the French might be proud of their train strikes, but no one I've ever met has come close to the pride of an Aussie guy I once knew, whose only shoes for winter in Barcelona were thongs.

This in mind, I thought I'd come up with a few more of my favourite absurdities, as Aussie travellers, that we're guilty of being a little too proud of. Introducing: 13 things Aussie travellers are super proud of, that we really shouldn't be.

Bogan chic

Why are we ashamed of being called a bogan while we're in Australia, but super nostalgic for our thongs, boardies and barbies as soon as we leave?

Much like Harry Styles wearing a Bunnings Hat, some Aussie travellers co-opt bogan couture and use it to enhance their "Aussie-ness" overseas. In this way, they (and by they, I mean we) play up the rough around the edges, "I don't need proper footwear" Aussie card, and use it to seem more down to earth, tough and interesting than they really are. So the next time you see someone bragging about trekking Machu Picchu in pluggers, tell them to go take a hike.

Oh and as a bonus: going barefoot in the supermarket may be a hilarious and charming way to showcase your rich and deep cultural heritage overseas, but it's also no substitute for a personality...

Getting into Berghain

That's a no from me...

As The Betoota Advocate recently pointed out, you'll never be left wondering if your Aussie mate got into Berghain. Why? They'll tell you. And in most cases, they'll bring it up without you even asking. They may even bring it up for the rest of their life, in every conversation they ever have.

Doing 'Schengen runs'

Aussie travellers can talk 'Schengen runs' for days.

If you've ever lived with Aussie expats in Europe, you will probably be familiar with the concept of a 'Schengen run' (basically a sneaky way of making your 90 days in the Schengen zone last longer). Although many Aussies are super proud of sneakily (or in some cases blatantly) overstaying their visas, it's a strange thing to brag about. What if I'm an undercover border agent? And what if you ever want to come back?

Having a European passport

These guys used to be real useful, before Brexit...

On the flip side to Schengen runs, there are those that gloat about having dual citizenship and not needing to jump through legal hoops to stay in Europe. This is even more infuriating than bragging about than Schengen runs. You didn't earn that passport, you were born with it.

Accidentally bringing illegal substances on a coach tour from one country to another

Not everywhere is as laid back as Amsterdam.

If I had a dollar for every time someone told me a story like this, I'd have about $5. It might make for a riveting tale if you get away with it, but it's pretty stupid.

Doing a party boat tour

Stop saturating my Instagram feed with your good times, please and thank you. Image: @sailcroatia

We get it. The last week of your life was better than ours. There's no need to rub it in.

Near death experiences

All it really means is that you didn't plan it out well enough.

Whether you got lost while solo hiking in Patagonia and had to beg a tour guide group for a lighter or whether you did the Kokoda Track with a broken ankle, your reckless survival tales might make for a good story, but are they really something to spruik?

Drinking heaps 

A bottle of rose for one, please...

Australians have a reputation for being drinkers. But back home, we're increasingly a society of fitness trackers, alcohol free beers and half strength wines. Our hangover of a reputation still precedes us though, and many of us feel a pressure to live up to it. On the other side of the coin, some Aussies still genuinely take pleasure in drinking heavily, and take just a little bit too much pride in it.

Going out all night and then getting on a flight 

You might be stoked at skimping on accomodation, but your seatmate won't be.

You might think this is an achievement, but the person sitting next to you (enjoying your gentle waft of stale sweat and Vodka Redbull) will not. 

Dressing up like James Bond to go to a casino in Monte Carlo

Sorry to break this to you, but you'll probably look more budget than Bond.

I have a mate whose dream European trip involved winding around Europe in a rental sports car and pretending to be 007. He didn't notice the "or similar" clause in the rental contract though, and his whole tour is now always going to be referred to as "James Budget."

Australian coffee

Coffee just 'hits different' back home. But there's no need to go on about it.

Sure, I too believe Aussie coffee is the best in the world. Sure, I too was heavily disappointed with the saccharine syrup I was forced to endure in France (to be fair I didn't understand how to correctly use the coffee vending machine). Sure: if your coffee in Spain isn't burnt and served in a crystal glass then it's not really coffee. But... it's a bit rude to go mouthing off everywhere you go about how the coffee is better in Australia. Not to mention: back home it's also about five times more expensive...

Oh, and to cap it all off, there are aspects to the coffee experience in other countries we can learn from. In France, for instance, the indulgent sit down and savour it aspect of coffee drinking (even when you're busy) is something we can learn from. This helps you take a micro break and get back to work refreshed and more inspired (and productive), rather than seeing you mindlessly sip your caffeine hit at your desk.

In the words of Jana Frawley, Escape Content Director: "It is true [that Aussie coffee it the best] but we need to get over ourselves."

Getting engaged

Was the local RSL club not good enough for you? Why did you have to go all the way to Mykonos to propose?

Good job, you spent more money on your proposal than you will on the poor guests at your destination wedding. But is that really something to be proud of?

The 'aussie, aussie, aussie, oy, oy, oy' chant 

At what point does Aussie pride become cringe? Not everyone is in agreement.

This one seems to be dying out, and probably for good reason. As Jana Frawley, Escape Content Director implores: "Please, let's stop this awful war-cry forever and stick with a simple cooee."

Originally published as 13 weird things Aussie travellers are way too proud of