 |
| Melbourne Cup spirit at Maia's school |
Ever
wondered about the difference between on
the wag, chucking a sickie, or being
crook?
 |
| one of the live sites in downtown Brisbane |
Probably
not, considering most people don’t need three different phrases to describe the
fact they’re not at work… Being crook means you’re actually sick, though many
Australians push on and head to work whilst crook—not wanting to waste a
perfectly good day off. Chucking a sickie
means calling in sick, when you’re not. And being on the wag is what you do
on Melbourne Cup day—it’s the moment you leave your desk to go to the washroom, change into
a new dress and hat and sneak out the door—hoping your boss and co-workers
never notice you left. Which in all likelihood they won’t—because they too are
off changing their clothes and sneaking out doors.
 |
| watching the race |
The
Melbourne Cup is a horse race—in its 152nd running, it’s also a
nationwide excuse to start partying at 11am and collectively drop $150 million at betting stations that are conveniently
found just about everywhere, including street corners. Maia was the only person
in our family to lay a bet (ah, yes the Ozzie school system…) though her horse
didn’t fare so well and placed twelfth. Her teacher did better in the staff
betting pool—and came away with the prize money and a bottle of wine.
 |
| street corner betting station |
It’s called
“The Race the Stops the Nation”. And it truly is. There were several live sites
in the downtown area where the booze was flowing and people were dressed to
the nines.
The race
may just characterise Australia
better than any other event. Skipping work to bet to excess on a sport many
know little about (though this gambling excess fits in with the fact
Australians are the world’s heaviest gamblers, by a hefty margin) and then drinking
to excess—all without apology or a worry.
2 comments:
Yes it is a uniquely Australian day, the real gamblers will "bet on 2 flies crawling up the wall" without any help from the Melbourne Cup, most of us just place a bet or participate in a sweep, on that one day a year.
It is all just a bit of fun and excitement for a few hours once a year and an excuse to "Frock Up" and look glamorous.
Yes it is a uniquely Australian day, the real gamblers will "bet on 2 flies crawling up the wall" without any help from the Melbourne Cup, most of us just place a bet or participate in a sweep, on that one day a year.
It is all just a bit of fun and excitement for a few hours once a year and an excuse to "Frock Up" and look glamorous.
Post a Comment