I just searched for Outback ads on YouTube and found one that I HOPE is a parody because it was really offensive (it used pseudo Indigenous Australian art and didgeridoo music--the very thought of using something like that for a commercial chain makes me shudder!). And the other one had Jemaine Clement from Flight of the Concords? He's a New Zealander. Was that the closest they could get to an Australian?! O.O
I've been to some Australian themed pubs overseas like the Walkabout in Europe, and they're tacky and embarrassing but they at least a) serve Australian beer (usually TERRIBLE beer like Fosters--which no self-respecting Australian would drink--but also some ok stuff) and b) play Australian music.
The decor of Outback read as completely American to me--the whole style of restaurant with booths and heavy wood. The art work was absolutely baffling to me. It wasn't even the usual embarrassing tourist junk. It was more... crazy?! Like I know I joked about the demonic koala picture but that was very strange as a piece of art. It looked like someone who had once heard a koala described had painted them? Very odd! Definitely one of my more surreal experiences in the States.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
branchandroot
no subject
Date: 2010-08-27 07:46 am (UTC)I've been to some Australian themed pubs overseas like the Walkabout in Europe, and they're tacky and embarrassing but they at least a) serve Australian beer (usually TERRIBLE beer like Fosters--which no self-respecting Australian would drink--but also some ok stuff) and b) play Australian music.
The decor of Outback read as completely American to me--the whole style of restaurant with booths and heavy wood. The art work was absolutely baffling to me. It wasn't even the usual embarrassing tourist junk. It was more... crazy?! Like I know I joked about the demonic koala picture but that was very strange as a piece of art. It looked like someone who had once heard a koala described had painted them? Very odd! Definitely one of my more surreal experiences in the States.